Re-Releases - To Download Or Not To Download

[Cementimental]

Of course the ultimate solution is pro pressed data DVD

My and many people's computer doesn't have any kind of optical media drive.

How about a flash drive then? Small pocket flash drives go up to 128 GB (at least) now.

Indeed, can be a good solutio. The internet goes up to as many GB as anyone could ever need tho. :)

I just find it hard to get too excited about, as a physical object/product, data files on physical media as opposed to playable disks (fairly arbitrary distinction anyway I admit).

[FreakAnimalFinland]

I chose option 1, because I think it's missing best alternative I'd support:

Release physical formats AND ALSO download. Sold separately (unless given).
I think it's certainly good move from labels to make their stuff available in format what people prefer. I have chosen to do several releases on multiple formats (variation of tape/vinyl/cd). I have no released anything as download, but I trust stuff is out there anyways. I'm considering opening bandcamp or such thing for band(s) or label where people could listen good quality versions and download them, yet now it seems like it requires work that doesn't inspire me at all. I don't mind dubbing tapes all day, but uploading files somewhere... pfff.. Just utmost lack of motivation for it right now. But anyone uploading label releases to blogs or whatever, it's 100% approved & encouraged if you spread them for free of charge.

[Andrew McIntosh]

I chose option 1, because I think it's missing best alternative I'd support:

Release physical formats AND ALSO download. Sold separately (unless given).

That's basically option three.

[FreakAnimalFinland]

Maybe. I read it that one wouldn't care. "Either way", wouldn't appear same as "both"? But anyways, to minimize need of re-issues, I think perhaps labels keeping stuff in print would be nice.

[Andrew McIntosh]

"I'm okay either way", meaning fine with one or the other, or, implicitly but clearly, both. No necessary exclusion. It wasn't meant to mean one didn't care - didn't see the need to include that as an option.

Basically, the middle path without the need to exclude either option, since neither options need to cancel each other out. I've got my prejudices, which seem to run counter to the norm, but with the reality being people prefer the physical formats, I can't see any reason to exclude the one over the other.