Books server down?

[Alejandro Iglesias]

Hi all, thanks for making this group. I have downloaded some files in the past, and now I would need urgently to download material on Persian music. The server seems to be down since a couple of days. Is there any maintenance going on?

Please let me know if there's any source or otherwise if will be up again anytime soon.

Thanks in advance!

[robert martin]

This group has moved to Facebook and is called Microtonal Music and Theory.

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[Jason Thomas]

I have received Cease and Desist letters for running the server and unfortunately had to take it town at the beginning of the week. At this point it's not likely I will be able to put it back online. I'm currently looking into moving the library into torrents or something similar. This should also take care of the extremely congested traffic of the site if the archives can be distributed. As for any urgent needs, please email me directly and I will provide you with the appropriate files.

Thank you for understanding.
- Jay

[robert martin]

Jason. Thankyou very much for all your help. I will inform the members of Microtonal Music and Theory at Facebook.

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[Alejandro Iglesias]

Thanks for the info. On one hand, I would need books on Persian music theory, "The Dastgah Concept..." and a couple more (there's another one called "The Art of Persian Music" or something like that). Also another one on the Radif.

On the other hand, I also need to check some Turkish music makam theory as well, and probably research on other subjects, since lots of books appealed to me, so actually my idea was to look at many things...

Also I was going to ask you about the possibility of making a faster mirror in a server that I have, but probably is the same situation and will receive copyright complains as you. I agree with the idea of making a torrent file. Not sure how a library in that format can be updated with new material. (Probably having a private tracker that tracks individual files? Not sure about that.) In the meantime while the torrent is made and/or we figure out an alternative distribution method, is there any possibility of setting up a private FTP server (or any other kind) with password for me to login and download all the files?

Please let me know about any technical help you need.

Best,

Alejandro.

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[robert martin]

I found most of the books by searching the internet using this method
title pdf
Example
the dastgah concept in persian music pdf
I suggest you do the same.

[Alejandro Iglesias]

Robert, thanks for the reply, but the one i found was in lower quality that the one I looked (but didn't downloaded, sadly) at your library (this seems to be a scan). Also I didn't found other books, but will try again.

On the other hand, I would also like to suggest these two alternatives for getting the library back up:

Private BitTorrent tracker:

http://lifehacker.com/5897095/whats-a-private-bittorrent-tracker-and-why-should-i-use-one

Usenet:

http://lifehacker.com/5601586/how-to-get-started-with-usenet-in-three-simple-steps

Both are meant for downloading protected material in a "private" way. We could do some more research and implement something for the benefit of the community since I know I'm not the only one looking after this library (there's other people in other communities like Mike Ouds and Greek Turkish Clarinet).

Best.

[Jason Thomas]

The issue with the cease and desist seems to be related to the sheet music section of the library, but I don't think it would be wise for me to attempt things again. I would be willing the transfer the library to someone else willing to host it, even hosting it without the sheet music.

Robert: I do not have a Facebook account to update your group with this information.

Alejandro: The most ideal would be some git or rsync-based peer to peer distribution, something that would allow files to be dynamically added/updated in the "torrent", but there is not a commonly accepted protocol for this. Usenet is not very accessible to common people either. I believe another web server is the best solution for now.

[Jason Thomas]

The issue with the cease and desist seems to be related to the sheet music section of the library, but I don't think it would be wise for me to attempt things again. I would be willing the transfer the library to someone else willing to host it, even hosting it without the sheet music.

Robert: I do not have a Facebook account to update your group with this information.

Alejandro: The most ideal would be some git or rsync-based peer to peer distribution, something that would allow files to be dynamically added/updated in the "torrent", but there is not a commonly accepted protocol for this. Usenet is not very accessible to common people either. I believe another web server is the best solution for now.

On Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 6:08:32 PM UTC-4, Alejandro Iglesias wrote:

[Alejandro Iglesias]

Thanks for coming back to this Jason. I agree with your idea but still don't know what method that would be. I have a web server that has Git on it, but I believe that would be a hassle for interested people to use.

Another possibility is to establish a private FTP/web server that requires user authentication and we publish the password in this group to members only. This would be easier for interested people since all web browsers support accessing FTP, but still would probably be a hassle for somebody to check for copyrighted material, plus I don't think they're manually checking but using automated web spiders instead that cannot make complex tasks like logging in, but this is just my speculation.

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[Jason Thomas]

I think the file server index the way it was before but with a password is a good idea. It would stop all the bots chocking 98% of the server's bandwidth too. Unfortunately with a password, you either need to create individual passwords for everyone, or set up a generic shared login and change the password regularly (ie, generate a new password every month, and make a sticky thread that is accessible to group members.) Setting up individual passwords or generating shared passwords would require someone that is part of the Facebook group though which I am not and have no interest in setting up a Facebook account over.

If someone that is in contact with the group wants to take on this task then I will do everything in my powers to help this project out.

Another basic requirement of the file server is to give select people private access for uploading files to the server. I allowed Robert access to upload so things did not depend entirely on me to continue to update the collection. I used a standalone php script for this: http://www.solitude.dk/filethingie/

By the way the file server with sheet music is about 26GB last I checked.

Regards.

On Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 6:08:32 PM UTC-4, Alejandro Iglesias wrote:

[Alejandro Iglesias]

That sounds like the easiest way to restore it. Let me investigate if that same login session can be applied to protect the book files themselves, since those files could be hotlinked from another place and wouldn't be protected anymore to public access.

I have a Facebook account and already joined the Microtonal Music Group, so I have no problem with sharing the passwords on it.

Probably if you Jason already have things like File Thingie and whatever already setup, we can use that. On the other hand, since I have a server, storage is not a problem.

Best regards!

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[Ken Taylor]

Just chiming in quickly to say "thanks" guys, for your efforts in keeping the archive alive. It's really appreciated for the great resource that it is!

Ken

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[Alejandro Iglesias]

According to my testing, protecting a directory with an .htaccess file is enough to protect all its files from hotlinking as well. You could try:

http://lit.garciawebdev.webfactional.com/test-2.pdf

You shouldn't be able to directly access it since you don't have the password.

[Rob Cohen]

I've downloaded many files in the past from the gfax library; tonight I decided to take a look after not having visited for a while--was saddened to see the site down, though the reasons are perfectly understandable. Further investigation led me fortunately to this thread.I'm glad to see that efforts are being made to resurrect the library and I appreciate the dedication and work of those involved. I'm glad I'll be able to keep tabs on future developments via this list, of which I am happy to be a new member.

Thanks,

Rob

[Alejandro Iglesias]

Jason, do we need something in concrete to make this happen?

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[Jason Thomas]

At this moment, there are no technical barriers to getting the server back up. I can set up a dedicated line for the library and password protect it. Someone with admin privileges on the Facbook Microtonal group needs to contact me and let me know they can create a sticky post or or topic of some kind letting everyone there know what the password would be. I have been extremely busy preparing for my own wedding in August, so apologies if I am slow to respond.

There is still one other barrier beside the password--  Updating the library. If someone wishes to have a file added to the library, or perhaps they have a better quality source they can provide, I will accept emails and add the files myself. If Robert wishes to contact me and see about continuing what he was doing on the past of directly adding files himself, I am still following this topic and he has my email.

By the way I use Nginx not Apache. I would recommend it over using Apache's .htaccess conventions if you ever have to manage a file server.

On Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 6:08:32 PM UTC-4, Alejandro Iglesias wrote:

[Alejandro Iglesias]

Hi Jason, any news about this? Would you like to use space on my webserver? It is available for a project like this. Let me know.

I also would like to help with updating the library or reviewing submitted content.

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[Jason Thomas]

The book server is back up for now. I have moved everything to a new server (again). The speeds should also be improved upon what they were shortly before it went down.

Alejandro Iglesias, please contact me by email. I would like to give you login to copy and back up the server. Possibly discuss alternative, more structured ways to distribute the library.

Of course input from anyone else on the subject is welcome to this thread.

Thanks,
Jay

On Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 6:08:32 PM UTC-4, Alejandro Iglesias wrote: