From: ross the tree guy <tree@tony.grdl.noaa.gov>
Subject: What's a tree?
Reply-To: tree@tony.grdl.noaa.gov
Organization: The Internet
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 12:01:45 GMT

From the FAQ:

6)  What is a Tape Tree and how does it work?
    -----------------------------------------
    Somebody offers a tape.  The first person who gets it (maybe the
    offerer, maybe not) makes up to 5 copies, each of those people make
    up to 5 copies, etc. until everybody who signed up gets a copy.  The
    person structuring the tree ("administrator") may or may not be the
    person who provides the original tape ("seed") or the person who makes
    the initial 5 copies ("root").  To get on, you send mail to the
    administrator following a posting.  When on, you make up to 5 tapes
    for people below you (if you're a "branch"), or none (if you're a 
    "leaf").  You send the person above you either other tapes in trade,
    or blanks if you can't trade.  IMHO, if trading, each person pays
    postage one way.  If sending blanks, you pay postage both ways.

    There is no payment for this service, ever.  Don't do business with
    anyone who wants payment for taping.  Most heads are only too happy
    to make copies for anyone who asks.
 
    Q:  I don't have two decks (or a dual deck).  Can I still be on the
        tape tree without making copies for other people?

    A:  If you cannot make copies for others you are considered a "leaf" on
        the tree, and will be assigned to a "branch" of the tree, that is,
        someone who can make copies.

    Q:  Does it matter if I have a dubbing cassette deck instead of two
        separate decks for making copies?

    A:  Many dubbing decks are cheap and do not do a good job on quality
        when making a copy of a tape, partly because the consumer companies
        don't think people will notice the difference...NOT.  Deadheads are
        audiophiles.  The reason you are on a tree is:  1) You REALLY want
        the shows and, 2) You want the best possible quality tape you can
        get for a free recording.  There ARE dubbing decks out there that
        do a good job, but cost more and are usually worth it (both Sony
        and Denon make good high-end dubbing decks).  If you have a dubbing
        deck, NEVER, repeat, NEVER use the high speed dub when you are
        making a copy for someone.  Why?  You will reduce the quality of
        the tape, for the person you are making it for and any copies they
        will make.  Always make the best quality tapes you can with the
        equipment you have on hand.
        When a tree is started the root will want to know what equipment
        you have (brand, type, number of heads, etc...).  This information
        is needed so that when root sets up the tree everyone gets the best
        possible recording they can get, no matter what type of equipment you
        may have.

    Q:  What should I set my recording levels at?

    A:  Recording levels are really a function of the deck and the
        type of tape being used.  For instance, you can probably
        set the peaks at +5 dB for metal tapes, but at +3 dB for
        high bias tapes.  The key here is to KNOW YOUR DECK. The
        suggestion is to try different tapes and choose the one that
        works best with your deck.  My preference for recording tapes
        (depending on the source) are the new Maxell XLIIS tapes.

    Q:  If you miss the request cuttoff date for the tree, is there
        any way to get on the tree?

    A:  In general, no.  You can try sending mail to somebody who's
        making fewer than 5 copies, and ask if he'll make you one.
        Often, the tree administrator will indicate people who've
        offered to make more copies than they've been assigned.
        You'll probably have better luck doing this if you offer to
        trade.

    Q:  When everybody trades tapes on the net, what is the customary
        way everybody does this?

    A:  Generally, by trade.  You offer a tape to somebody and ask
        for a list of what you can get in return, and choose something.
        If you are going to be doing a lot of trading, you should get
        on the tapehead mailing list (send mail to
        tape-heads-request@fuggles.acc.virginia.edu and ask to be added
        to that list).

--
                                   Internet:      tree@tony.grdl.noaa.gov
                                   Your 11/20/70 Tree Connection   - ross