You miss the point and the history of his site. Have you even participated in that site? Used it? Contributed to it?
It is NOT free when you've given the guy something. That site has been a very important repository for vintage information over the years. There's a lot of time and effort that went into it by people who searched and gave him the info.
The problem you see is that there are no current substitutes as the Internet community has offered the guy a wealth of information so long as he didn't hoard and he made it available to all.
The way the Internet was designed to be.
Then, when he realized it was getting pricey to maintain the site, instead of taking the advice of people to help him out with the finances he just took it down.
So, those who contributed are getting the shaft. Period.
Perhaps the surge in vintage resale prices ( which is a PITA and full of bad actors ) has increased the demand for downloads. OK, then, turn it into a subscription site. I have no issue with it. Nobody expects him to pay for hosting the site.... but for him to act as if he owns the data is BS.
It's a case where he's doesn't want to play anymore and taking his ball home.
BTW- I'm into vintage components.... since they were not vintage... so I've used his site for a long time.
It is NOT free when you've given the guy something. That site has been a very important repository for vintage information over the years. There's a lot of time and effort that went into it by people who searched and gave him the info.
The problem you see is that there are no current substitutes as the Internet community has offered the guy a wealth of information so long as he didn't hoard and he made it available to all.
The way the Internet was designed to be.
Then, when he realized it was getting pricey to maintain the site, instead of taking the advice of people to help him out with the finances he just took it down.
So, those who contributed are getting the shaft. Period.
Perhaps the surge in vintage resale prices ( which is a PITA and full of bad actors ) has increased the demand for downloads. OK, then, turn it into a subscription site. I have no issue with it. Nobody expects him to pay for hosting the site.... but for him to act as if he owns the data is BS.
It's a case where he's doesn't want to play anymore and taking his ball home.
BTW- I'm into vintage components.... since they were not vintage... so I've used his site for a long time.
I don't need any lectures from you. It's the owner's decision if he "doesn't want to play anymore." He doesn't need your or anyone else's permission to make that decision.
I just rediscovered what the forum's Ignore feature is for...
I just rediscovered what the forum's Ignore feature is for...
It has nothing to do with "suits you". And I do use other resources, thanks. But there was information that is difficult to get elsewhere. Like a comprehensive list of cartridges going back decades and their performance attributes. Turntables likewise. And I found that information exceptionally interesting and useful.
And then the facility was taken from me.
So excuse me for being super grumpy about that. And the site owner hides. No one knows who this is, where they are located, and why indeed they hide.
And then the facility was taken from me.
So excuse me for being super grumpy about that. And the site owner hides. No one knows who this is, where they are located, and why indeed they hide.
And that is the owner's right, whether anyone likes it or not. Nobody is paying for anything.
I'm bowing out of this conversation so there is no need for you to reply. Let's just "agree to disagree."
I'm bowing out of this conversation so there is no need for you to reply. Let's just "agree to disagree."
So excuse me for being super grumpy about that. And the site owner hides. No one knows who this is, where they are located, and why indeed they hide.
If you send him a note, he will answer you. But you may not like his answer.
It's true that it's free, but I assume that those who contributed the materials did so expecting the access to continue. I think I might have contributed one or two in the past. Now I get this:
"Sorry, but due to rising costs and ongoing abuse, the download server is temporarily closed while I look for a way to dramatically reduce both."
"Sorry, but due to rising costs and ongoing abuse, the download server is temporarily closed while I look for a way to dramatically reduce both."
All he needs to do is charge per download. Even a token amount like $1 would go a long way toward fixing his problems.
Or he could restrict free downloads to one per day, others like elektrotanya do similarly.
Or he could restrict free downloads to one per day, others like elektrotanya do similarly.
It seems like everybody here is getting different experiences. I’ve seen a 3/day download limit for months.he could restrict free downloads to one per day
Is this discussion about hifiengine.com or vinylengine.com? They are "sister" sites run by the same folks... Like a comprehensive list of cartridges going back decades and their performance attributes. Turntables likewise....
You're right - I was muddling the two up. Easy to do since I am locked out of both as of two or five years ago. Still got my login details - stored in Dashlane - but they no longer work.
If you send him a note, he will answer you. But you may not like his answer.
I've sent him two very nice notes... offering help and money and suggestions about how to monetize the site.,
No replies.
It's true that it's free, but I assume that those who contributed the materials did so expecting the access to continue. I think I might have contributed one or two in the past. Now I get this:
"Sorry, but due to rising costs and ongoing abuse, the download server is temporarily closed while I look for a way to dramatically reduce both."
Correct.
Those grumpy people who think we're acting entitled are likely the ones that NEVER contributed anything.
It was a great site.... we contributed to it.
Too bad.
I don't need any lectures from you. It's the owner's decision if he "doesn't want to play anymore." He doesn't need your or anyone else's permission to make that decision.
I just rediscovered what the forum's Ignore feature is for...
Grumpy?
Some people sure are fast with their opinions but then can't handle others. Interesting... it's called a projection.
Anyhow...
Did you bother to read why we might be a little bit upset? Many of us contributed to his data. You think he went out and found it himself?
And that is the owner's right, whether anyone likes it or not. Nobody is paying for anything.
I'm bowing out of this conversation so there is no need for you to reply. Let's just "agree to disagree."
Don't you get it?
Many of us PAID WITH OUR TIME AND EFFORT.
Excuse us if we feel a little bit entitled to the site and its availability.
BTW, looks like the "contact form" is no longer there..
https://www.hifiengine.com/faq.shtml#t175n15647
Last edited:
Can't. It tells me I'm using a proxy server (I'm not), or I'm a bot from a datacentre (I'm not). So I can't log on, open a new account, or send a message.If you send him a note, he will answer you. But you may not like his answer.
- Home
- Member Areas
- The Lounge
- HiFiEngine is (apparently) working again