1) kinda figured that- just layin' it out for some who may not know
good deal....yeah I tend to joke a little too much.
How do we change the luddite mentality?
- Thread starter toqer
- Start date
good deal....yeah I tend to joke a little too much.
You missed the point, and Betamax is NOT a correct example. Sony failed becuase they refused to widely license the technology, and they put all their money into defending a law suit with the MPPA. Meanwhile, VHS was being manufacturted and promoted under dozens of brands.
Think instead of something like MD and DCC. Certainly a digital cassette tape is BETTER than an analog cassette. But people don't care as much about the audio quality as they do the convenience - and digital cassettes really had nothing new to offer except sound quality. The Mini-Disc also had little appeal because Laser discs and CDs were already in distribution and everyone new a recordable CD was just around the corner.
There's no need to rewind a CD, and you can access any track immediately. CDs' also can't be erased by a magnet, and you can even wash them. The technical quality is better, but it is the convenient METHOD of playing music from a CD that is responsible for it's market success.
I didn't say it was the sole reason you would choose a computer - I said it was the sole advantage. Whatever reason makes you choose the PC - does not in any way invalidate the reasons someone else would prefer CDs or records.
Then why would you bother to call yourself a Disc Jockey? The term "Disc Jockey" already has a definition. If you want to dance, juggle, and tell jokes at the same time then sure, you're an entertainer - but that doesn't change the meaning of "disc jockey". One way or another you still have to jock that disc.
Just as you say, you can add those to your pitch. But what have you added to your price? The customer with a primary interest in music is only concerned with his side of the table. Without a pertinent need for the applications you cite - what improvement distinguishes the new "PC you" from the old "CD you"?
That's not what I said. If you survey the setups of enough DJs you see a trend where the CD guys have streamlined their gear and scaled things down as small as possible, while the PC guys keep adding more peripheral stuff and actually end up with a more bulky setup.
It's ironic because "portability" is the primary reason most DJs cite for switching to PC.
Nothing. But this goes back to the definition of "Disc Jockey". If you're claim to fame is your live mixing skills then "automation" would not be that important.
I disagree. Generally, people don't even see your pro sound. They take that for granted. What they do look at is what you are doing in the DJ booth. If you're running a laptop - well, they can too.
But a CD player bought 15 years ago is likely to be working fine right now. On the other hand, good luck finding new drivers for Windows 98. If you upgraded to Vista, chances are you went through compatibility hell while doing it. Then in 24 months it will all be outdated again.
Change in any industry is inevitable. Obviously, we can't expect to be doing things today the same way we did things twenty years ago.
That said, change for the sake of change can create a monster. Many manufacturers, some of which I have worked for have been duped into unnecessary changes by so-called consultant companies whose sole purpose is to sell their ideas.
With hundreds of employees, countless managers etc, no one stops to consider the fact that we're making tampons, they're making alternators for Chrysler and maybe... just maybe if a little common sense prevailed, someone would notice the goddamned difference.
But no. The entire plant is turned upside down. Everything is changed. Scores of people are laid off. The "consultant" company gets their money and laughs all the way to the bank.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch the production numbers are going down. The quality is slipping. The scrap rate is increasing. Overtime has gone through the roof in order to meet production requirements. The powers that be finally figure out that, after laying all those people off and disrupting everyone's lives, they f***ed up.
Now it's back to the way it was. All that money and reputation was pissed away because a bunch of 30-something "pamphlet managers" who haven't a clue as to what's going on out there on the plant floor thought they knew it all. They're gone, too.
But give it another 5 years or so and everyone will have forgotten. A new flock of seagull managers will fly in, make a lot of noise, crap all over everything then fly away again.
Rant over, lol.
Call me a Luddite if you wish but I've got some news for you. Change for the sake of change is not necessarily good. Change must add value. If a change is not something the customer is willing to pay for, it's not needed.
Any change, any expenditure must add value for the customer.
Will the customer be willing to pay more just because you're PC based?
Will the customer be willing to pay more just because you invested in the latest active speaker systems?
As a business owner, only you can address these questions.
That said, change for the sake of change can create a monster. Many manufacturers, some of which I have worked for have been duped into unnecessary changes by so-called consultant companies whose sole purpose is to sell their ideas.
With hundreds of employees, countless managers etc, no one stops to consider the fact that we're making tampons, they're making alternators for Chrysler and maybe... just maybe if a little common sense prevailed, someone would notice the goddamned difference.
But no. The entire plant is turned upside down. Everything is changed. Scores of people are laid off. The "consultant" company gets their money and laughs all the way to the bank.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch the production numbers are going down. The quality is slipping. The scrap rate is increasing. Overtime has gone through the roof in order to meet production requirements. The powers that be finally figure out that, after laying all those people off and disrupting everyone's lives, they f***ed up.
Now it's back to the way it was. All that money and reputation was pissed away because a bunch of 30-something "pamphlet managers" who haven't a clue as to what's going on out there on the plant floor thought they knew it all. They're gone, too.
But give it another 5 years or so and everyone will have forgotten. A new flock of seagull managers will fly in, make a lot of noise, crap all over everything then fly away again.
Rant over, lol.
Call me a Luddite if you wish but I've got some news for you. Change for the sake of change is not necessarily good. Change must add value. If a change is not something the customer is willing to pay for, it's not needed.
Any change, any expenditure must add value for the customer.
Will the customer be willing to pay more just because you're PC based?
Will the customer be willing to pay more just because you invested in the latest active speaker systems?
As a business owner, only you can address these questions.
That's interesting. Toqer and I are on completely opposite poles in this sort of discussion, and I never had anything but respectful ( with humorous jabs at each other) dialogue with him......
To clarify my own position, I have copied that which I posted on another thread:
Point of interest. Before the internet their was Easylink, owned by Western Union. I was the world's first to hack in unauthorized. They caught me after 6 months and thousands of pages of paperwork. They paid me a consultation fee to tell them how I did it. To give you an idea of the time frame:
This was done on a Televideo TPC-1, the very first fully portable computer with built in 5" b&w monitor. Dual 350K disc drives, NO HARD DRIVE, and the fastest ACCOUSTIC modem (phone headset fit into rubber suction cups) available at 300 BAUD rate. ( At this time, the brand new fax technology was sending off of spinning foil cylinders at 150 baud- about 25 minutes per page).
How did I do it? I was a provisions broker at the time and I had a Western Union Telex. I simply used the same access code and it worked! The pre-internet technology was so new and advanced that security was never thought of as an issue...
The point is, jokes aside, I'm just the opposite of a luddite. I have an EE degree, and use it as an electronics design engineer. I am capable of writing systems programs, etc.. I am so close to the cutting edge that I am more fully aware of the limitations of technology than most. I have no fear of change and am prepared to accept it when new technology meets ( after my personal testing, and in my opinion ) the standards of the old.
Perfect example: Windows. THE accepted platform due to ease of use for the masses, but inferior to Linux, Pick, and even DOS in virtually all ways. Whenever possible, I use DOS commands for accuracy. I think it's funny that windows tutorials come with new computors, but nothing for DOS. You can't beleive how many PC owners are completely unaware that it comes with the computer, and have absolutely no idea how to use it.
The only good part of that is that this lack of knowledge is how illicit users ( embezzlers, identity thieves, counterfeiters, music pirates, etc...) get caught. Windows doesn't really erase anything...
OK, gotta stop. My computer tubes are overheating....
Point of interest. Before the internet their was Easylink, owned by Western Union. I was the world's first to hack in unauthorized. They caught me after 6 months and thousands of pages of paperwork. They paid me a consultation fee to tell them how I did it. To give you an idea of the time frame:
This was done on a Televideo TPC-1, the very first fully portable computer with built in 5" b&w monitor. Dual 350K disc drives, NO HARD DRIVE, and the fastest ACCOUSTIC modem (phone headset fit into rubber suction cups) available at 300 BAUD rate. ( At this time, the brand new fax technology was sending off of spinning foil cylinders at 150 baud- about 25 minutes per page).
How did I do it? I was a provisions broker at the time and I had a Western Union Telex. I simply used the same access code and it worked! The pre-internet technology was so new and advanced that security was never thought of as an issue...
The point is, jokes aside, I'm just the opposite of a luddite. I have an EE degree, and use it as an electronics design engineer. I am capable of writing systems programs, etc.. I am so close to the cutting edge that I am more fully aware of the limitations of technology than most. I have no fear of change and am prepared to accept it when new technology meets ( after my personal testing, and in my opinion ) the standards of the old.
Perfect example: Windows. THE accepted platform due to ease of use for the masses, but inferior to Linux, Pick, and even DOS in virtually all ways. Whenever possible, I use DOS commands for accuracy. I think it's funny that windows tutorials come with new computors, but nothing for DOS. You can't beleive how many PC owners are completely unaware that it comes with the computer, and have absolutely no idea how to use it.
The only good part of that is that this lack of knowledge is how illicit users ( embezzlers, identity thieves, counterfeiters, music pirates, etc...) get caught. Windows doesn't really erase anything...
OK, gotta stop. My computer tubes are overheating....
Using a PC to DJ with is just plain cheating. It's taking the easy way out. If you're not using eight tracks, you are not a real DJ. This requires skill, but nobody has the patience anymore. 
You just need to read the opening post again, and consider the definition of Luddite.
The real question he is asking is: "why are all you non-PC DJs too stupid to do it the way I do?"
Thanks oh swami Bob for your knowledge of folks thoughts when they've posted. Damn meds must have worn off.
Well Performance we are just going to have to agree to disagree... I am a DJ who uses a PC to better entertain.... if that makes me less of a DJ so be it....
I respectfully disagree with you on most of your points but am not going to go into those because,.... well we just don't agree.
I don't think someone using a PC over CD or any other non-pc media to be any different it's just a matter of choice.... It doesn't make you or I any better than each other, we just choose to do things differently.
I'm a computer DJ and your not so lets just leave it that way.
Thanks for playing....
I respectfully disagree with you on most of your points but am not going to go into those because,.... well we just don't agree.
I don't think someone using a PC over CD or any other non-pc media to be any different it's just a matter of choice.... It doesn't make you or I any better than each other, we just choose to do things differently.
I'm a computer DJ and your not so lets just leave it that way.
Thanks for playing....
G
Guest
Guest
Which is why I don't run a laptop. My rack mounted computer is in a six by 10 Gator slant top and the drive array is in a Gator Rack Base. It doesn't look like a computer set up except for the monitor.
Even when they see it from my side the comment that it looks complicated and that's the way I like it.
No arguments from me here.
I fully admit that my playback system is heavier than the CD system I used a few years ago; however, the advantages I sought with computers far outweigh the CD system.
As to the term DJ; the client is always going to know the mobile entertainer by that title. Even if we all use computers, we'll all still be called DJs. Even Wedding Entertainmnet Directors TM will still be called DJs so we all might as well live with that title.
Well, I'll tell yas all this much: I will give up my CDs when you can pry them from my cold, dead fingers, lol.
I know where my music is. Call me a Luddite if you wish but I prefer a printed title listing. I can flip through the pages for the odd request. If we don't have it, we don't have it. Sorry 'bout your luck.
I like it hands-on. I like to mix and play around and git down. I can set this Pio rig up for master tempo and work with them jog wheels. And instant start is just that... touch that Play button on the beat and it's playing on cue.
Perhaps I am missing something... but if all a PC is good for is playing songs one after another, I can't see the expense.
Thoughts?
I know where my music is. Call me a Luddite if you wish but I prefer a printed title listing. I can flip through the pages for the odd request. If we don't have it, we don't have it. Sorry 'bout your luck.
I like it hands-on. I like to mix and play around and git down. I can set this Pio rig up for master tempo and work with them jog wheels. And instant start is just that... touch that Play button on the beat and it's playing on cue.
Perhaps I am missing something... but if all a PC is good for is playing songs one after another, I can't see the expense.
Thoughts?
Ok here's what I don't get...
This thread is supposed to be "Computer DJ's" but there are about 10-15 non-pc DJ's here. What did you guys do, all pm each other "Oh toqer just called us old fashioned and luddites in this thread, lets all jump on it" I'm amazed this thread generated so much interest.
I've been workin on other stuff the last few weeks. Anyways i'm not going to waste my time on retorting the counterpoints of why CD's are so awesome. It's a waste to why I started this thread. I will list the advantages PC and computer based tech have over CD mixers.
Storage: Yes, it takes up way less space.
Internet: Get a sprint card and a napster/itunes/yahoo music subscription, you can't really run out to the music store for your precious vinyl or CD *WHILE* you're at a show now can you? You'll never say "I dont have that song" again.
Reliability: Only dummy's run unreliable computers, and it's no different for CD players. Treat your CD player like crap, it's ruined and has to be sent in to the mfgr. Treat your computer like crap (spyware, other doodoo), you can wipe it, reinstall drivers, replace faulty hardware and be back up in 4 hours. Have fun waitin for your CD player to get back from the repair shop.
Sound Quality: using high end pro level sound cards you can use your PC as a mixer that is really comparable to many high end mixers at a fraction of the cost.
Did I mention cost? Yeah, it's cheaper.
Enviromental Visulization: Ok greek speak here, and you're probably wondering WTF i'm talking about.. Here lemme find a picture.
This is a nice spectrum analyzer I use called spectrumlab to help tune up a room, find feedback frequencies, and otherwise kill everything I don't need with software parametric EQ's.
Software: Since my last point mentioned software, i'm going to make it a point here. Your setup needs a new feature? Load some new software, or VST plugins, or whatever.
True integration: A computer can run lights, run audio, run effects, record timestamped video, run everything all from one neat little box. Tasks can be offloaded to other PC's by networking them together. Not just simple "I plug the XLR into the back". No i'm talkin when I get a 100hz bass hit, I want my fog machine to kick out smoke, when I hit a 4000hz high hat, I want strobes. Have fun changing presets on your old fashion light controller all night.
OK, now that i've made all these points (i can make more if you want to tempt me) i'm going to harp on proformance a bit, because you seem louder than everyone else.
I went to a NIN show in Cleveland Ohio 2 years ago. Sure, trent had some band stuff there, but most of his stuff was running from mac laptops. He had lights sequenced to video, vocal effects, fog machines, lasers, all kinds of stuff sequenced and helping him run his show via computer.
I dare you to call Trent uncool and unprofessional because he uses a PC. Please, do it, I fuggin dare you.
He did have one crash during the night, but crashes aren't the end of the world. If you have enough personality (Trent does) you just tell a joke to the crowd, wait for things to reboot, and be on your way again like nothing ever happened.
Did you know Fatboy slim got started using Atari ST computers? I guess he's a dork too. (In case you're too dense to recognize sarcasm, i'm using it now)
I bet 90% of these tracks you mix with vinyl were originally made on a computer. Maybe not old stuff like early Kraftwerk, they used sequencers, but i'm sure they use DAW's and computers now.
I'm done. I know I win this argument. Oh one last thing...
Some folks posted pics to stuff like Finalscratch. There's nothing wrong with using a tactile interface for mixing. Doesn't make you a luddite for wanting a tactile interface to a PC, just makes you normal like me :/
This thread is supposed to be "Computer DJ's" but there are about 10-15 non-pc DJ's here. What did you guys do, all pm each other "Oh toqer just called us old fashioned and luddites in this thread, lets all jump on it" I'm amazed this thread generated so much interest.
I've been workin on other stuff the last few weeks. Anyways i'm not going to waste my time on retorting the counterpoints of why CD's are so awesome. It's a waste to why I started this thread. I will list the advantages PC and computer based tech have over CD mixers.
Storage: Yes, it takes up way less space.
Internet: Get a sprint card and a napster/itunes/yahoo music subscription, you can't really run out to the music store for your precious vinyl or CD *WHILE* you're at a show now can you? You'll never say "I dont have that song" again.
Reliability: Only dummy's run unreliable computers, and it's no different for CD players. Treat your CD player like crap, it's ruined and has to be sent in to the mfgr. Treat your computer like crap (spyware, other doodoo), you can wipe it, reinstall drivers, replace faulty hardware and be back up in 4 hours. Have fun waitin for your CD player to get back from the repair shop.
Sound Quality: using high end pro level sound cards you can use your PC as a mixer that is really comparable to many high end mixers at a fraction of the cost.
Did I mention cost? Yeah, it's cheaper.
Enviromental Visulization: Ok greek speak here, and you're probably wondering WTF i'm talking about.. Here lemme find a picture.
This is a nice spectrum analyzer I use called spectrumlab to help tune up a room, find feedback frequencies, and otherwise kill everything I don't need with software parametric EQ's.
Software: Since my last point mentioned software, i'm going to make it a point here. Your setup needs a new feature? Load some new software, or VST plugins, or whatever.
True integration: A computer can run lights, run audio, run effects, record timestamped video, run everything all from one neat little box. Tasks can be offloaded to other PC's by networking them together. Not just simple "I plug the XLR into the back". No i'm talkin when I get a 100hz bass hit, I want my fog machine to kick out smoke, when I hit a 4000hz high hat, I want strobes. Have fun changing presets on your old fashion light controller all night.
OK, now that i've made all these points (i can make more if you want to tempt me) i'm going to harp on proformance a bit, because you seem louder than everyone else.
I went to a NIN show in Cleveland Ohio 2 years ago. Sure, trent had some band stuff there, but most of his stuff was running from mac laptops. He had lights sequenced to video, vocal effects, fog machines, lasers, all kinds of stuff sequenced and helping him run his show via computer.
I dare you to call Trent uncool and unprofessional because he uses a PC. Please, do it, I fuggin dare you.
He did have one crash during the night, but crashes aren't the end of the world. If you have enough personality (Trent does) you just tell a joke to the crowd, wait for things to reboot, and be on your way again like nothing ever happened.
Did you know Fatboy slim got started using Atari ST computers? I guess he's a dork too. (In case you're too dense to recognize sarcasm, i'm using it now)
I bet 90% of these tracks you mix with vinyl were originally made on a computer. Maybe not old stuff like early Kraftwerk, they used sequencers, but i'm sure they use DAW's and computers now.
I'm done. I know I win this argument. Oh one last thing...
Some folks posted pics to stuff like Finalscratch. There's nothing wrong with using a tactile interface for mixing. Doesn't make you a luddite for wanting a tactile interface to a PC, just makes you normal like me :/
Toqer
notice one pays attention and spells the name correct. Besides that I wanted to thank you again for sharing all this neat stuff for free and that software used is what again and umm it costs what again? Thank you sir I will have another.
notice one pays attention and spells the name correct. Besides that I wanted to thank you again for sharing all this neat stuff for free and that software used is what again and umm it costs what again? Thank you sir I will have another.
[dare accepted]
Yes, one crash is unprofessional, no matter how funny his jokes are.
Curious, with all that you have the computer doing, what exactly do you do?
I use computers for many techical aspects of different events. But people hire me because of what I do, not what the machines are handling.
I have to let you off the hook, because anyone who thinks early Kraftwerk is old is too young to know any better. I think you'd be surprised just how many people you've pegged as non-PC users do in fact use a PC.
PC's are great tools, but so far I haven't found one with more talent than myself.
You mean autokdj the software I co-authored that I give away for free cause i'm cool like that? Or do you mean the spectrum analyzer software I use? That's free, cause the guy that wrote it is cool like me.
http://freenet-homepage.de/dl4yhf/spectra1.html <---spectrumlab. Or do you mean Reaper, authored by Winamp creator Justin Frankel (www.reaper.fm) It's pretty much free too.
He who will face EMO wrath said:
Did I say my computers automate everything? My computers (I have 6 running concurrently) are my tools. They take care of the redundant business of my shows leaving me more time to take care of the crowd.
He who will be ripped apart by 1000 crying EMOs said:
So I suppose you've never been to a show where someones guitar string broke, or the mic had a little feedback.
Being "Professional" isn't just about reliability. Sure, you need to be reliable 90% of the time, but like Murphys law states, "If something breaks, it will" The other 10% is knowing how to carry yourself through a disaster.
In the 6 years i've used a PC for my shows, only twice did I ever have anything major go out. Lemme tell you the worst case scenario I had.
It was around 11:30, Friday night. Usual standing room only at my club. The sound stuttered a bit, then smoke started pouring out of the back of my main PC.
I knew the fan on my power supply had been going out the last few weeks. I had bought another one with the intention of installing it, but just didn't get around to it.
"OK GUYS WE CAN BLAME BILL GATES FOR THIS ONE! HAVE A DRINK ON BILL WE'LL BE UP IN 10 MINUTES!" Crowd laughed, then went to the bar to have a drink.
As promised, 10 minutes later we were back up and running again. Nobody lost a turn, everybody got an extra drink in them and they were all happy.
Sure, I could sit there mixing CD's all night long so I look cool to guys like you, but being cool means doing your own thing and to hell with everyone else.
--toqer
He that is cool like a penguin.
Brother Toqer,
If memory serves, this thread was initiated as a question about changing the Luddite mentality. Did you not expect the Luddites to comment?
I understand that computers can do many things to make life easier for the DJ company. The ability to locate and queue tracks within seconds is sweet.
For my part, I have some experience with industrial PLCs or programmable logic controllers. PLCs are extremely reliable because they are not PC based. That said, I have had some experience with PC based manufacturing equipment. They too are reliable because they do not rely upon consumer builds of Win.
The equipment I have worked with that used consumer Win builds experienced glitches that cost the company a great deal of money in lost manufacturing time and repairs. An industrial laser welder does a great job when it's working right. When a Win based glitch occurred, that laser could do some serious damage by trying to weld things it wasn't supposed to.
A backup battery supply will keep your PC from having to reboot when some knucklehead knocks the AC plug out of the outlet. And I agree ~ keep the machine clean and free from unnecessary utilities and whatnot and it's not likely to crash.
All I'm sayin' is... those among us who are not PC based are so for a reason. We have a great deal of capital and time vested in systems that work well and have never let us down.
When your primary objective is to play and mix music, keep it as simple and workable as possible. My Pio CMX-5000 affords me this. Buttons and jog wheels are easy to manuever while keeping an eyeball on the audience.
Forgive me for my ignorance... but can you mix and jog tempo easily with a laptop? It's an honest question.
If memory serves, this thread was initiated as a question about changing the Luddite mentality. Did you not expect the Luddites to comment?
I understand that computers can do many things to make life easier for the DJ company. The ability to locate and queue tracks within seconds is sweet.
For my part, I have some experience with industrial PLCs or programmable logic controllers. PLCs are extremely reliable because they are not PC based. That said, I have had some experience with PC based manufacturing equipment. They too are reliable because they do not rely upon consumer builds of Win.
The equipment I have worked with that used consumer Win builds experienced glitches that cost the company a great deal of money in lost manufacturing time and repairs. An industrial laser welder does a great job when it's working right. When a Win based glitch occurred, that laser could do some serious damage by trying to weld things it wasn't supposed to.
A backup battery supply will keep your PC from having to reboot when some knucklehead knocks the AC plug out of the outlet. And I agree ~ keep the machine clean and free from unnecessary utilities and whatnot and it's not likely to crash.
All I'm sayin' is... those among us who are not PC based are so for a reason. We have a great deal of capital and time vested in systems that work well and have never let us down.
When your primary objective is to play and mix music, keep it as simple and workable as possible. My Pio CMX-5000 affords me this. Buttons and jog wheels are easy to manuever while keeping an eyeball on the audience.
Forgive me for my ignorance... but can you mix and jog tempo easily with a laptop? It's an honest question.
Perhaps the word "Luddite" is misplaced here. It appears to me the question should be "Why aren't others on the bleeding edge of technology like me?"
Those who know me, know that I'm a guy who uses the computer for everything if at all possible. I type and print out my shopping list on the computer, learn about most new songs through internet radio streams. I'll email or IM someone before I pick up the phone and call them. In school all my notes were transcribed to my computer after school. Heck, I'll sit in the same house as someone and play chess with them over the internet because we're too lazy to setup a chess board.
The personal computer is really a marvellous piece of technology in combination with the WWW, it's transformed the way we do business, communicate, shop, and live. But anyone who has been around computers long enough knows they crash and burn and often when they crash it's hard. Weather it's user error or hardware failure it takes longer to recover from a computer failure.
Have I had CD players freeze up on me? Have CD's skipped on me? The answer to both is yes. Both were my own fault; CD players freezing was because they were home grade 5CD changers, not ment for constant opening, closing, changing CDs, and skipping tracks. CD's skipping my fault for scratching them.
Let's face it when using pro-grade CD players the chances of them locking up are slim to none. Skipping even on scratched CDs is probably less due to enhanced d/a converters. When working with computers anyone of a million things can go wrong and leave your show high and dry.
Computers almost require more maintenance and are more expensive to carry a complete backup system.
Moving away from technical stuff and on to personal opinions:
For me, I'm like Fred I like the using CD's. I enjoy the rush I get when I have 1 minute left on that count down timer and I'm still searching for the next CD. I enjoy actually touching my music and being able to inspect it. Also, I enjoy being able to pop a CD into the deck that someone hands me.
Aside from that, I'm lazy when it comes to doing trivial things for me using a computer based setup it would only be a matter of time before I setup a playlist to run and auto beatmix, then sit there and look purdy.
Then we have the DJ's who worried about looking like they "just push play" and do nothing else, these are CD based DJs. Imagine a computer and how we look just pushing play once and letting the show run itself.
Don't get me wrong, I don't knock PC based DJs but just because you feel comfortable adopting new technology doesn't mean I have to.
Those who know me, know that I'm a guy who uses the computer for everything if at all possible. I type and print out my shopping list on the computer, learn about most new songs through internet radio streams. I'll email or IM someone before I pick up the phone and call them. In school all my notes were transcribed to my computer after school. Heck, I'll sit in the same house as someone and play chess with them over the internet because we're too lazy to setup a chess board.
The personal computer is really a marvellous piece of technology in combination with the WWW, it's transformed the way we do business, communicate, shop, and live. But anyone who has been around computers long enough knows they crash and burn and often when they crash it's hard. Weather it's user error or hardware failure it takes longer to recover from a computer failure.
Have I had CD players freeze up on me? Have CD's skipped on me? The answer to both is yes. Both were my own fault; CD players freezing was because they were home grade 5CD changers, not ment for constant opening, closing, changing CDs, and skipping tracks. CD's skipping my fault for scratching them.
Let's face it when using pro-grade CD players the chances of them locking up are slim to none. Skipping even on scratched CDs is probably less due to enhanced d/a converters. When working with computers anyone of a million things can go wrong and leave your show high and dry.
Computers almost require more maintenance and are more expensive to carry a complete backup system.
Moving away from technical stuff and on to personal opinions:
For me, I'm like Fred I like the using CD's. I enjoy the rush I get when I have 1 minute left on that count down timer and I'm still searching for the next CD. I enjoy actually touching my music and being able to inspect it. Also, I enjoy being able to pop a CD into the deck that someone hands me.
Aside from that, I'm lazy when it comes to doing trivial things for me using a computer based setup it would only be a matter of time before I setup a playlist to run and auto beatmix, then sit there and look purdy.
Then we have the DJ's who worried about looking like they "just push play" and do nothing else, these are CD based DJs. Imagine a computer and how we look just pushing play once and letting the show run itself.
Don't get me wrong, I don't knock PC based DJs but just because you feel comfortable adopting new technology doesn't mean I have to.
Was it the word "cool" that brought you back, Toger? 
In a room full of drunk college kids a crash and a few jokes is probably just fine.
In the corporate world you're not allowed to fail 10% of the time, and in broadcast 30 seconds of blue screen might be worth over a million dollars.
A little redundancy goes a long way. The jokes you tell while the computer reboots are what I call a "Milli Vanilli" moment.
I'll be the first to admit that computers have invaded my workspace. But when it comes to the music - there's never any confusion about which one of us is the DJ.
In a room full of drunk college kids a crash and a few jokes is probably just fine.
In the corporate world you're not allowed to fail 10% of the time, and in broadcast 30 seconds of blue screen might be worth over a million dollars.
A little redundancy goes a long way. The jokes you tell while the computer reboots are what I call a "Milli Vanilli" moment.
I'll be the first to admit that computers have invaded my workspace. But when it comes to the music - there's never any confusion about which one of us is the DJ.