[LAU] How to do an online album release? (shane richards)

[Simon Ives]

Hi Shane.

I've set up systems just as you describe for a number of clients using the content management system Drupal.  If you've got some simple web programing 
experience then you could do this on your own.  If you don't then you can approach a Drupal developer on their forums. A default Drupal installation 
has all of the features that you need in delivering your media and managing your community.  The Drupal website is http://www.drupal.org/ and you'll 
find a link to their forums/paid services on their homepage.

The hosting company that you choose will depend upon how busy your site is.  If you have many people downloading DVD images, or many people using 
interactive features of the website at the same time then you'd need a faster, perhaps dedicated, server.  Most large webhosts provide a selection of 
plans to choose from and if you select a cheaper plan you can usually upgrade to something more suitable.

I've not configured CD audio tracks to include everything that you require.  Perhaps someone else on the list can answer this question.

-- 
Simon Ives

shane richards wrote:

>Hi all,
>
>Sometime in the next 3 months I hope to release a new album.
>I wish to completely avoid the record companies - as I got burned
>badly in the 90's - and they still don't seem to get the deal with
>regards to open, friendly licensing for 21st century.
>
>So I'm looking at releasing on the web independantly.
>
>I know what I want:
>
>- host the CD 44k, DVD 48k images and individual tracks
>- provide CD covers/labels etc. for dl and printing
>- provide some way of previewing/streaming the tracks online
>- provide some kind of ratings/feedback section
>- provide a way for people to pay for physical media
>? if they want a disk delivered to their door
>- lastly, make sure that if someone plays a track or CD
>? with ITunes or Amarok etc. that all the graphics, info, 
>? homepage etc. appear in the program
>
>But I have absolutely no idea where to start!
>
>Any info/ideas would be greatly appreciated. Especially in
>regards to webhosts that are friendly for this sort of thing,
>and links to other artists that have done this successfully.
>
>- shanerich
>