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 <h1>The Official Alt.Music.Bootlegs FAQ</h1>
 Version 4.1 (modified 2002/09/13)

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 <h2>Contents</h2>

Chapter 0: Prologue 
[<a href="#0-1">0-1</a>] Welcome to the alt.music.bootlegs FAQ 
[<a href="#0-2">0-2</a>] Copyrights 
[<a href="#0-3">0-3</a>] Do's and Don'ts 
[<a href="#0-4">0-4</a>] Credits [Updated] 
[<a href="#0-5">0-5</a>] History [Updated] 
[<a href="#0-6">0-6</a>] Where can I find the latest version of this FAQ? 
[<a href="#0-7">0-7</a>] What if something is wrong on this FAQ? 


Chapter 1: Legal and General 
[<a href="#1-1">1-1</a>] What is bootlegging? 
[<a href="#1-2">1-2</a>] What is alt.music.bootlegs? [Updated] 
[<a href="#1-3">1-3</a>] Which laws apply to bootlegging? 
[<a href="#1-4">1-4</a>] Where can I find out more about legal issues? 
[<a href="#1-5">1-5</a>] Which bands allow taping? 


Chapter 2: Trading, Buying and Selling 
2.1: Trading 
[<a href="#2-1">2-1</a>] Where can I find traders that have such-and-such-band? [Updated] 
[<a href="#2-2">2-2</a>] I've never traded with anyone before. How should I phrase an email to someone I want to trade with? 
[<a href="#2-3">2-3</a>] I'm new to this. How do I get started? [Updated] 
[<a href="#2-4">2-4</a>] What's a B+P? 
[<a href="#2-5">2-5</a>] What's a 2 to 1 trade? 
2.2: Buying and Selling 
[<a href="#2-6">2-6</a>] Why will some people not sell bootlegs? 
[<a href="#2-7">2-7</a>] Where is a good bootleg store in XXXXXXXX? 
[<a href="#2-8">2-8</a>] Where is a good online bootleg store? 
[<a href="#2-9">2-9</a>] What is a fair price to pay? 
2.3: Bad Traders 
[<a href="#2-10">2-10</a>] What is a Bad Trader? [New] 
[<a href="#2-11">2-11</a>] How can I avoid Bad Traders? [Updated] 
[<a href="#2-12">2-12</a>] How long should I wait before posting someone as a bad trader? 
[<a href="#2-13">2-13</a>] What information should I include when posting someone as a bad trader? 
[<a href="#2-14">2-14</a>] What information should I not include when posting someone as a bad trader? 


Chapter 3: CD-Recordable 
[<a href="#3-1">3-1</a>] What is Disc-At-Once (DAO)? Track-At-Once (TAO)? 
[<a href="#3-2">3-2</a>] I've heard that burning at high speeds can cause errors. Why is this? 
[<a href="#3-3">3-3</a>] Which CDRs are the best? [Updated] 
[<a href="#3-4">3-4</a>] How long will CDRs last? 
3.1: Standalone CD-Recorders 
[<a href="#3-5">3-5</a>] What is the difference between PC CD-recorders and standalones? 
[<a href="#3-6">3-6</a>] What is the best model of standalone CD-recorder? 
[<a href="#3-7">3-7</a>] What are the best kind of discs to use? [Updated] 
[<a href="#3-8">3-8</a>] What is SCMS? [New] 
3.2: PC CD-Recorders 
[<a href="#3-9">3-9</a>] What is "on the fly"/"off the fly" recording? Which should I use? [Updated] 
[<a href="#3-10">3-10</a>] What is the best model of CD-recorder? 
[<a href="#3-11">3-11</a>] How do I extract perfect WAV files from a CD? [New] 
[<a href="#3-12">3-12</a>] How do I perfectly copy a CDR? [Updated] 
[<a href="#3-13">3-13</a>] How do I avoid adding SCMS protection to CDs? [New] 


Chapter 4: Other Formats 
4.1: DAT 
[<a href="#4-1">4-1</a>] Does anyone trade DAT? 
[<a href="#4-2">4-2</a>] Where can I find DAT traders? 
4.2: MiniDisc 
[<a href="#4-3">4-3</a>] Does anyone trade MiniDiscs? [New] 
[<a href="#4-4">4-4</a>] Is MiniDisc lossy? 
[<a href="#4-5">4-5</a>] How does ATRAC work? Is it the same as MP3? [Updated] 
[<a href="#4-6">4-6</a>] Which brand of MiniDiscs has the best sound quality? [New] 
[<a href="#4-7">4-7</a>] What is MDLP? [New] 
4.3: Cassette 
[<a href="#4-8">4-8</a>] Does anyone still trade cassettes? 
[<a href="#4-9">4-9</a>] Where can I find cassette traders? 
[<a href="#4-10">4-10</a>] What is the best way to dub tapes? 
4.4: MP3 Files 
[<a href="#4-11">4-11</a>] What are MP3 Files? [New] 
[<a href="#4-12">4-12</a>] What are the advantages and disadvantages of trading MP3 files? [New] 
[<a href="#4-13">4-13</a>] How can I listen to MP3 files? [New] 
[<a href="#4-14">4-14</a>] How do I convert MP3 files into another format? [New] 
[<a href="#4-15">4-15</a>] How do I make MP3 files? [New] 
[<a href="#4-16">4-16</a>] Where can I find MP3 traders? [New] 
[<a href="#4-17">4-17</a>] Is there anything else I should know about MP3 files? [New] 
[<a href="#4-18">4-18</a>] How can I tell if a CD is MP3 sourced? [Updated] 
4.5: SHN Files 
[<a href="#4-19">4-19</a>] What are SHN files? [Updated] 
[<a href="#4-20">4-20</a>] What are the advantages and disadvantages of trading SHN files? [New] 
[<a href="#4-21">4-21</a>] How can I listen to SHN files? [Updated] 
[<a href="#4-22">4-22</a>] How do I convert SHN files into another format? [Updated] 
[<a href="#4-23">4-23</a>] How do I make SHN files? [New] 
[<a href="#4-24">4-24</a>] Where can I find SHN traders? 
[<a href="#4-25">4-25</a>] What are MD5 files? 
4.6: Video Tape 
[<a href="#4-26">4-26</a>] What is NTSC? What is PAL? What is SECAM? [New] 
[<a href="#4-27">4-27</a>] How can I convert between PAL, NTSC and SECAM? [New] 
[<a href="#4-28">4-28</a>] How do I copy a video? [New] 
[<a href="#4-29">4-29</a>] How do I copy a video without using SCART? [New] 
4.7: VCD 
[<a href="#4-30">4-30</a>] What is a VCD? [Updated] 
[<a href="#4-31">4-31</a>] How do I copy a VCD? [New] 
[<a href="#4-32">4-32</a>] How do I create a VCD? [New] 
4.8: Rarely Used Formats 
[<a href="#4-33">4-33</a>] What are OGG files? [New] 
[<a href="#4-34">4-34</a>] What are RM/RA/RAM files? [New] 
[<a href="#4-35">4-35</a>] What are ASF/WMA/WMV files? [New] 
[<a href="#4-36">4-36</a>] What are FLAC files? [New] 
[<a href="#4-37">4-37</a>] Does anyone trade DVDs? [New] 


Chapter 5: Packaging 
5.1: Artwork 
[<a href="#5-1">5-1</a>] Should I send artwork with my bootlegs? 
[<a href="#5-2">5-2</a>] How do I make artwork? [Updated] 
[<a href="#5-3">5-3</a>] Where can I find artwork for XXXX? [Updated] 
[<a href="#5-4">5-4</a>] How many pixels by how many pixels for CD artwork? [New] 
[<a href="#5-5">5-5</a>] What image format should I use when making artwork? [New] 
5.2: Mailing 
[<a href="#5-6">5-6</a>] What is the postage rate from XXXX to YYYY? 
[<a href="#5-7">5-7</a>] What's the best way to wrap CDs securely? [Updated] 
[<a href="#5-8">5-8</a>] Why do people tell me not to use fibre-mailers? 
[<a href="#5-9">5-9</a>] Should I send by priority mail? First class mail? etc? 
[<a href="#5-10">5-10</a>] Are there any special considerations when sending things internationally? 
[<a href="#5-11">5-11</a>] What is an International Reply Coupon? [New] 
[<a href="#5-12">5-12</a>] I sent some CDs weeks ago, but the other guy is claiming not to have received them. What should I do? [New] 


Chapter 6: Basic Bootleg Management 
[<a href="#6-1">6-1</a>] Why should I keep track of which bootlegs I have? 
[<a href="#6-2">6-2</a>] How should I keep track of which bootlegs I have? [Updated] 
[<a href="#6-3">6-3</a>] What information should I include? [Updated] 
[<a href="#6-4">6-4</a>] How should I grade quality? 
[<a href="#6-5">6-5</a>] What do those letters under Source such as SB, AUD, FM, etc, mean? 
[<a href="#6-6">6-6</a>] Should I include my "rules"? 
[<a href="#6-7">6-7</a>] Should I include a list of people I've traded with? 
[<a href="#6-8">6-8</a>] What should I do with my list? 
[<a href="#6-9">6-9</a>] How often should I post my list? 
[<a href="#6-10">6-10</a>] Crossposting? 


Chapter 7: Taping 
[<a href="#7-1">7-1</a>] What equipment should I use? 
[<a href="#7-2">7-2</a>] What are the advantages and disadvantages of DAT and MD? 
[<a href="#7-3">7-3</a>] Where are the best venues to tape? 
[<a href="#7-4">7-4</a>] How should I sneak it in? [Updated] 
[<a href="#7-5">7-5</a>] Where should I put the microphones while recording? [Updated] 
[<a href="#7-6">7-6</a>] Any other taping tips? 
[<a href="#7-7">7-7</a>] Can I get a soundboard patch? 
[<a href="#7-8">7-8</a>] What happens if I get caught? 
[<a href="#7-9">7-9</a>] Should I tape in Mono or Stereo? [New] 
[<a href="#7-10">7-10</a>] What else should I know? [New] 


Chapter 8: Audio Editing 
[<a href="#8-1">8-1</a>] What audio editing tools should I use? [Updated] 
[<a href="#8-2">8-2</a>] How can I get rid of the gaps from CDs burnt in TAO mode? [Updated] 
[<a href="#8-3">8-3</a>] Why is that such a complicated process? 
[<a href="#8-4">8-4</a>] How to I transfer a recording from another format (DAT, MD, Cassette, Vinyl, etc) to CDR? 
[<a href="#8-5">8-5</a>] There's a lot of hiss on my recording. How do I fix that? 
[<a href="#8-6">8-6</a>] How can I remove small pops and clicks from the recording? 
[<a href="#8-7">8-7</a>] What are some general tips and tricks? 
[<a href="#8-8">8-8</a>] What does "Clipping" mean? 


Chapter 9: The alt.music.bootlegs Newsgroup 
[<a href="#9-1">9-1</a>] What is a newsgroup? 
[<a href="#9-2">9-2</a>] How do I access newsgroups? [Updated] 
[<a href="#9-3">9-3</a>] Are there any special considerations when posting messages to newsgroups? 
[<a href="#9-4">9-4</a>] Are there any special considerations when posting messages to alt.music.bootlegs in particular? [Updated] 
[<a href="#9-5">9-5</a>] How long has alt.music.bootlegs existed? How long do you think it will last? 
[<a href="#9-6">9-6</a>] What other newsgroups might be of interest to me? 


Chapter 10: Miscellaneous Questions 
[<a href="#10-1">10-1</a>] Isn't that piracy? [Updated] 
[<a href="#10-2">10-2</a>] What is the difference between an Outtake and a Demo? 
[<a href="#10-3">10-3</a>] Where do soundboard shows come from? [New] 
[<a href="#10-4">10-4</a>] What's a filler? 
[<a href="#10-5">10-5</a>] What is a "generation"? 
[<a href="#10-6">10-6</a>] What is Mono? What is Stereo? What is Joint Stereo? [New] 
[<a href="#10-7">10-7</a>] What is FTP? [New] 
[<a href="#10-8">10-8</a>] Further Reading [Updated] 


<hr>

<h2>Chapter 0: Prologue</h2>

<h4>[<a name="0-1">0-1</a>] Welcome to the alt.music.bootlegs FAQ</h4>Welcome to the FAQ for alt.music.bootlegs. This newsgroup
 has existed since mid-August of 1994. It was started by Ben Kierulff
 because he felt that people needed a place to trade their tapes. He had
 gotten into trading NIN, exclusively on alt.music.nin, because there
 was no other place around, and it was a pain to trade for other music
 groups on a.m.n. If you wanted a Pink Floyd boot, you would have to
 hope someone would post on the Pink Floyd newsgroup about it. There
 needed to be a place for tapes of any and all origins to be swapped
 amongst netters, so he made one, alt.music.bootlegs. We can all thank
 him for it, because no one would be here today without him, and there
 wouldn't be a FAQ for a newsgroup that didn't exist. :)The first FAQ for the newsgroup was created by
 Chewtoy2@aol.com, it was read by Jeff Kuhn who liked the idea, and with
 the agreement of Chewtoy2 developed a new FAQ for the newsgroup which
 he maintained from 1995 until 1998.From 1998 until 2001 the FAQ went unmaintained until I
 posted about the idea of starting a new one. A few people said they'd
 help out and Jeff kindly allowed me to use parts of his original FAQ in
 this one. You can find a full list of the parts that are based on
 Jeff's original FAQ later on in this topic.So here is the FAQ. We have done our best to ensure the
 accuracy of our answers, although it should be pointed out that this is
 a work in progress. If you have any additions or corrections, please
 contact the authors of the FAQ.-Toby<h4>[<a name="0-2">0-2</a>] Copyrights</h4>This FAQ is the copyright of its respective authors. All
 rights reserved.I. You have the following rights make copies of this in
 original form, so long as:<ul><li>(a) the copies are complete and exact duplicates of the
 original;</li><li>(b) you do not charge a fee for copying or
 distribution;</li><li>(c) the distributed form is not in an electronic magazine,
 within computer software, unless you have gotten specific permission
 from me;</li><li>(d) the distributed form is the newest version of this FAQ
 to the best of your knowledge;</li><li>(e) the copies are in electronic form;</li><li>(f) under NO circumstances will a monetary fee be given in
 exchange for this document.</li></ul>II. The following disclaimers are in effect:<ul><li>(a) The author and contributors are not responsible in any
 way for their contributions.</li><li>(b) The author and contributors are not responsible or
 liable for any consequences resulting from the use or misuse of the
 information they gave. The contributors, as well as the author, make
 no guarantees as whether the information contained within is
 correct.</li><li>(c) Some documents were reprinted electronically without
 permission. In doing so, they may or may not have been been
 edited.</li></ul>Parts of this document are from the alt.music.bootlegs FAQ
 ver 3.1, reprinted with the author's permission. The copyrights and
 disclaimers of that document apply to the extracts contained within
 this.<h4>[<a name="0-3">0-3</a>] Do's and Don'ts</h4>Do Read this FAQ; Don't Not Read it :)Do Give the FAQ to people; Don't Post this to Usenet yourselfDo Put this FAQ on Your WWW/FTP Site; Don't Forget to Notify Me FirstDo Agree/Disagree with the info; Don't Change the info yourself<h4>[<a name="0-4">0-4</a>] Credits</h4>Version 4.0 of the FAQ is by James Eades and Toby A Inkster, Esq.
 Version 4.1 has been updated by Toby.Thanks to Chris Brightwell for information on MDLP.The Prologue, Cassette Tape and Bootleg Management parts of
 the FAQ are strongly based on Jeff Kuhn's older FAQ. Other parts of the
 FAQ also borrow from Jeff's FAQ in part.Jeff himself gives credits to the following people for
 making his FAQ possible: Andy Strote, David Lynch, David J Carlstrom,
 Michael Burstin, Jerry Shugars, Ben Kierulff, John R Harper, Rob
 Gronotte, Scott Hannon, Phil Satterley, M Cheng, John Swenson, Len
 Moskowitz, Chris Trumbore, Dave, Tomi Kause, Michael Burstin and Adam
 Stanley.<h4>[<a name="0-5">0-5</a>] History</h4><ul><li>Jun 23, 1995 — 1st Release (beta test release)</li><li>Jul 07, 1995 — 2nd Release (major additions and changes)</li><li>Jul 21, 1995 — 3rd Release (changes, additions, and spelling corrections)</li><li>Aug 04, 1995 — 4th Release (changes regarding store addresses, dolby)</li><li>Aug 18, 1995 — 5th Release (last of big changes, including boot dist)</li><li>Sep 01, 1995 — 6th Release (FTP info, minor revisions)</li><li>Oct 10, 1995 — 7th Release (DAT info, taping bands, minor revisions)</li><li>Jan 15, 1996 — 8th Release (DOLBY, mailing list, structure revisions)</li><li>Apr 26, 1996 — 9th Release (Laws, sound — minor revisions)</li><li>Jun 24, 1996 — 10th Release (minor revisions, FTP info, Happy 1st Birthday)</li><li>Aug 27, 1996 — 11th Release (minor revisions, news articles.)</li><li>Dec 05, 1996 — 12th Release (minor revisions)</li><li>Jun 19, 1997 — 13th Release (revisions, post after inactivity)</li><li>Mar 20, 1998 — 14th Release (revisions, post after inactivity, changes)</li><li>Jun 23, 2001 — 15th Release (major additions and changes, Happy 6th Birthday)</li><li>Sep 13, 2002 — 16th Release (major additions and changes)</li></ul><h4>[<a name="0-6">0-6</a>] Where can I find the latest version of this FAQ?</h4>The latest version of this FAQ should always be available
 from: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ambfaq.cjb.net/">http://www.ambfaq.cjb.net/</a>It should also be posted to alt.music.bootlegs, alt.answers
 and news.answers on a regular basis.<h4>[<a name="0-7">0-7</a>] What if something is wrong on this FAQ?</h4>Please contact one of the authors with corrections or
 additions. Our email addresses are: tobyink@goddamn.co.uk and
 james@jeades.freeserve.co.uk

<h2>Chapter 1: Legal and General</h2>

<h4>[<a name="1-1">1-1</a>] What is bootlegging?</h4>Essentially, bootlegs are recordings that have not been
 released by an artist's main record label. They could be live
 recordings, studio outtakes, rehersals, or just jams. The source for
 these might be CD's that are put out by various bootleg labels, tapes
 made by tapers at concerts, or tapes that one way or another "escaped"
 from the recording studio.Bootlegging is not, I repeat, not the illegal making and
 distribution of alcohol. Well, it is, but that's not what we're talking
 about here. If you think that was the definition, you're in the wrong
 time and place. Go back about 80 years and go to
 alt.tv.dukes-of-hazzard. :) [No, that newsgroup does not exist — please
 don't e-mail me on that.]Well, then. What is bootlegging, really? Well, it's
 something A LOT of people disagree with. Bootlegging is where people go
 into concerts, record the concert, then go and press the music onto a
 CD and, in turn, sell this CD for monetary profit.There is another type of "bootlegging", which is pretty
 different. There are people/companies that are making copies of
 legitimate releases and selling them as if they were legitimate. This
 however, is called pirating, and not really bootlegging. This type of
 pirating is what record companies are much most concerned
 with.<h4>[<a name="1-2">1-2</a>] What is alt.music.bootlegs?</h4>Version 3.1 of this FAQ said this:<blockquote>Alt.music.bootlegs is not any of the above
 mentioned text. No-one here goes to concerts and records them, and then
 presses them on CD for a profit. Alt.music.bootlegs is for the 
 trading of bootleg recordings for personal use only,
 not for a profit. Many people cringe at the name alt.music.bootlegs because
 it implies profiteering.</blockquote>More recently though, it has become accepted that some people
 do sell bootlegs on the group for profit. Generally, their profit margin
 is only small and they don't aim to make a career out of it.<h4>[<a name="1-3">1-3</a>] Which laws apply to bootlegging?</h4>Different laws apply to you depending on where you live. In
 the USA, US Code, Title 18, Section 2319A applies to you:<blockquote>Offense. — Whoever, without the consent of the performer
 or performers involved, knowingly and for purposes of commercial
 advantage or private financial gain — (1) fixes the sounds or sounds and images of a live
 musical performance in a copy or phonorecord, or reproduces copies or
 phonorecords of such a performance from an unauthorized
 fixation;(2) transmits or otherwise communicates to the public the
 sounds or sounds and images of a live musical performance;
 or(3) distributes or offers to distribute, sells or offers
 to sell, rents or offers to rent, or traffics in any copy or
 phonorecord fixed as described in paragraph (1), regardless of
 whether the fixations occurred in the United States;shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years or fined in
 the amount set forth in this title, or both, or if the offense is a
 second or subsequent offense, shall be imprisoned for not more than
 10 years or fined in the amount set forth in this title, or
 both.</blockquote>
 <a target="_blank" href="http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/2319A.html">http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/2319A.html</a>As does US Code, Title 17, Sections 1001-1010, which deals
 with any non-profit duplication of copyrighted material:<blockquote>No action may be brought under this title alleging
 infringement of copyright based on the manufacture, importation, or
 distribution of a digital audio recording device, a digital audio
 recording medium, an analog recording device, or an analog recording
 medium, or based on the noncommercial use by a consumer of such a
 device or medium for making digital musical recordings or analog
 musical recordings.</blockquote>
 <a target="_blank" href="http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/ch10.html">http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/ch10.html</a>People living in the USA should also be aware that various
 state laws may also apply.In the UK, there is a legal precedent that may be of
 interest. To summarise, someone was accused of pirating (not
 bootlegging) a Bob Dylan CD. He claimed that Dylan himself had given
 him permission. As Bob Dylan did not have time to go to fly to the UK
 to appear in court in Swansea, the defendent was found not guilty. The
 case is mentioned in this House of Lords debate:<a target="_blank" href="http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/ld199900/ldhansrd/vo000317/text/00317-09.htm">http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/ld199900/ldhansrd/vo000317/text/00317-09.htm</a>As a general guide, authorities tend to turn a blind eye to
 bootlegging as a hobby, usually only targeting those who do it as a
 business.It should also be noted that most countries' laws treat
 non-profit trading of bootlegs differently from selling.<h4>[<a name="1-4">1-4</a>] Where can I find out more about legal issues?</h4>Consult a lawyer in your area.<h4>[<a name="1-5">1-5</a>] Which bands allow taping?</h4>A lot of bands (too many to list here) allow you to tape
 their shows (often with certain restrictions). These bands include The
 Grateful Dead, Phish, Pearl Jam, U2 and Dave Matthews Band. A
 constantly updated list can be found at the Bands That Allow Taping
 website. <a target="_blank" href="http://btat.wagnerone.com/">http://btat.wagnerone.com/</a>There are also quite a few bands that are taper-friendly,
 but don't have an official taping policy. This is sometimes because
 they don't have much of a say over what their record company does, so
 if their record company has a no-taping policy, they can't officially
 do anything about it.

<h2>Chapter 2: Trading, Buying and Selling</h2>

<h3>2.1: Trading</h3><h4>[<a name="2-1">2-1</a>] Where can I find traders that have
 such-and-such-band?</h4>Your first place to look should be alt.music.bootlegs
 itself. People there trade just about every band under the sun. Post a
 brief message with a subject line reading something like
 this:<ul><li>WTD: Such-And-Such-Band bootlegs.</li><li>ISO: Such-And-Such-Band bootlegs.</li><li>Wanted: Such-And-Such-Band bootlegs.</li><li>Wanted: Such-And-Such-Band 01-July-1997.</li></ul>"WTD" is short for "Wanted" and "ISO" is short for "In
 Search Of". It is probably a good idea to indicate what you have to
 trade in return — particularly recordings by the same and/or similar
 artists.Remember to include the band name in the subject — most
 people reading alt.music.bootlegs only read the subjects most of the
 time, so if you don't catch their attention with the subject, your
 message is likely to get ignored.Also remember with dates different parts of the world use
 different formats. "1-2-00" means the 1st of February, 2000 to most people,
 but it means January 2nd, 2000 to Americans.If you get no responses, try a World Wide Web search on
 google.com. The following links might also be of use:
 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tapetrader.com/">http://www.tapetrader.com/</a>,
 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.etree.org/">http://www.etree.org/</a>,
 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pauserecord.com/">http://www.pauserecord.com/</a>.<h4>[<a name="2-2">2-2</a>] I've never traded with anyone before. How should I phrase an
 email to someone I want to trade with?</h4>I'm assuming you've already read their list so know what you
 want from them — otherwise you wouldn't be sure if you wanted to trade
 with them, right?My advice is to keep it brief, but friendly. Here is a
 sample email:<pre>
Hi Joe,
I was looking at your list and saw a couple of shows that I'm really interested
in:

 Counting Crows — 23-Feb-1992 — San Fransisco, CA, USA
 Travis — 23-Jun-2000 — Glastonbury Festival, UK

[My list is at <a target="_blank" href="http://somesite.com/list">http://somesite.com/list</a> | I've attached my list to this email*]

I'm looking forward to trading,
John.
</pre>(*delete as appropriate)<h4>[<a name="2-3">2-3</a>] I'm new to this. How do I get started?</h4>First, read the FAQ to find out what a 2:1 and a
 B+P are.Once you know this, look around for traders who have CDs by
 the bands you are interested in. If there's a lot, maybe ask around to
 see which CDs are the best — usually demos and TV/radio broadcasts are
 pretty cool.Contact a few traders and ask for B+Ps and 2:1s. Ask
 politely. Don't be disappointed if they turn you down. Maybe if they're
 too busy they might be able to point you in the direction of someone
 who isn't. If you've looked around a bit and haven't had many offers,
 you may have to resort to buying a few bootlegs to start off.Now (hopefully) you'll have a few bootlegs of your own.
 Listen to them, enjoy them. See which shows you like the best. You
 might want to try to find some more like that. Again, ask for
 recommendations — now you have a better idea of what you like so you'll
 be able to get more out of the recommendations.You'll probably want to start keeping a list of your
 bootlegs now.Look for traders who have medium-sized lists (around 40
 bootlegs). Find some traders who have some shows that you want and
 want some shows that you have! Write to them, asking for a trade.
 You'll probably want to read this FAQ for information on how to trade.<h4>[<a name="2-4">2-4</a>] What's a B+P?</h4>A B+P is a type of trade which is usually to help newbies.
 The newbie will send a trader enough blank media to record what they
 want onto, plus enough money or stamps for return postage. The B stands
 for "blanks" and the P stands for "postage", hence B+P.For a description of the B+P in gruesome detail, see:
 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mcnichol.com/bnp/">http://www.mcnichol.com/bnp/</a><h4>[<a name="2-5">2-5</a>] What's a 2 to 1 trade?</h4>A 2 to 1 is similar to a B+P, but the newbie sends twice as
 many blanks as would be needed to record what they want onto. The
 trader keeps the spare blanks as "payment". This kind of deal is often
 discouraged by fans of taper-friendly bands, in preference for
 B+Ps.<h3>2.2: Buying and Selling</h3><h4>[<a name="2-6">2-6</a>] Why will some people not sell bootlegs?</h4>Some people regard the music as not their property, and so
 do not feel comfortable with selling copies of their bootlegs — they
 are just simply morally against the whole idea of selling. Others with
 make a small charge to cover the cost of the materials and
 postage.Other reasons include that the trader does not want to risk
 being caught by the authorities for selling music that he/she does not
 own the rights to, or the trader has no need to sell — they may be
 interested more in building their collection and so prefer to conduct
 trades only.<h4>[<a name="2-7">2-7</a>] Where is a good bootleg store in XXXXXXXX?</h4>It would be impossible to list all the stores worldwide that
 sell bootlegs in the FAQ. However, the newsgroup is the best place to
 ask. Post a message asking if there are any good bootleg stores in
 XXXXXXXXX, and hopefully someone who reads the group will being able to
 provide the information you require.<h4>[<a name="2-8">2-8</a>] Where is a good online bootleg store?</h4>It would be unfair and biassed of this FAQ to recommend
 particular places to purchase bootlegs online. Not only that, but
 stores are appearing and disappearing so regularly that it would not be
 feasible to maintain a list of the best places to purchase online,
 although eBay can be a good source.The best place to ask is on the newsgroup itself — post a
 message asking for opinions on where to look.<h4>[<a name="2-9">2-9</a>] What is a fair price to pay?</h4>This is another question that has sparked a lot of debate in
 the past. Typically, a 'fair' price would be simply what it costs to
 make and post the bootleg the blank cd, the jewel case, the printing of
 artwork and postage and packaging (maybe a tiny bit of profit on top
 depending on the seller). As a guide, never pay the price for a CD-R
 copy as you would for an original CD.<h3>2.3: Bad Traders</h3><h4>[<a name="2-10">2-10</a>] What is a Bad Trader?</h4>Simply a trader (or seller) who does not deliver what he or
 she promises. Maybe their bootlegs are considerably worse that they had
 promised, or maybe they didn't deliver anything at all.You should avoid calling someone a bad trader merely because
 of receiving a lower product than expected, because sound quality is
 a matter of opinion.<h4>[<a name="2-11">2-11</a>] How can I avoid Bad Traders?</h4><ul><li