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Simple, Germy my man!
We're talking about BLLN and Qtrax! That's all the proof any rational person needs! Believing anything that plants claim about Qtrax is done at one's peril.
Hey, just visited Qtrax.com again... Virtually the same top albums and songs as 2 months ago (ABBA and Wolfmother continue to be top Asian favorites! I'm seriously thinking about starting a ABBA tribute band and starting our world tour in Singapore)... Of course there are absolutely no new posts in the support groups..
Take a look at the "playlist" section. Then click a "user's" name. I did that for the first 8 playlists and for each user there were ZERO downloads. Please tell me you don't believe this thing is real.
Seems to me this thing is dead as they come. Else the company would be giving us some metrics about their successful performance (ha ha).. You know Germy, THAT IS WHAT COMPANIES DO FOR THEIR SHAREHOLDERS. Not BLLN, tho. Too busy workin' those 18 hour days I guess, to worry about silly things like fiduciary duty and responsibility to stockholders. Sorry, I forgot who we're talking about.
And as to your other post, you're not suggesting that the multiple lawsuits and potential judgements facing BLLN and AK are irrelevant, are you? I understand what cheerleading and carrying the water is all about, but don't get carried away.
"Fact", eh Qurious? Sure you are not confusing this with what you hope could be the case?
Anyway, if this is "fact", please prove it. Facts are really simple in that way.
Sorry I'm a "doubting Thomas", but given the track record of these fellows, one would have to be daft to take any claims at face value.
Your "news" states:
Posting that a low volume, last minute uptick in a manipulated stock like BLLN is below meaningless, is hardly "negative" talk; rather, it is speaking truth.
As long as folks make big news of $5,000 likely artificial trades meaning something, count on me being in here to remind you they don't.
And for those struggling to grasp what's happening here, try selling some stock if you really believe there's any semblance of support.
KTF!
Qurious, the gain you're tooting about was achieved on $5,000 or so of volume.
It is manipulation, period.
It nearly always happens in the last hour of trading.
Agreed.
Three strikes and Qtrax seems to be out:
-DRM
-Marriage to Windows Media
-Company reputation
You know, I'm finding Pandora satisfies my meager music needs. And I've bought dozens of "cds" after being turned on to something new in a Pandora station, usually at Amazon. There are so many alternative ways to "ingest" music these days, I fear AK and the boys have missed the boat.
You're spot on re inferior product... And whether it is by Qtrax'es choice, or the labels not trusting them, I don't think it even matters...
My Gods! I was about to correct what I thought was wrong in your post, then I noticed it was you posting, and in my mind you're well-spoken in the technical aspects of digital music, so I thought I'd google it.
You're right- Zunes don't even play their own M$ DRM crap. I assumed that would not be the case.
Also found some older info (which you probably know about, but may be enlightening to the ostriches who seem to think DRM doesn't matter):
Microsoft's Zune will not play protected Windows Media Audio and Video purchased or "rented" from Napster 2.0, Rhapsody, Yahoo! Unlimited, Movielink, Cinemanow, or any other online media service. That's right -- the media that Microsoft promised would Play For Sure doesn't even play on Microsoft's own device. Buried in footnote 4 of its press release, Microsoft clearly states that "Zune software can import audio files in unprotected WMA, MP3, AAC; photos in JPEG; and videos in WMV, MPEG-4, H.264" -- protected WMA and WMV (not to mention iTunes DRMed AAC) are conspicuously absent.
This is a stark example of DRM under the DMCA giving customers a raw deal. Buying DRMed media means you're locked into the limited array of devices that vendors say you can use. You have to rebuy your preexisting DRMed media collection if you want to use it on the Zune. And you'll have to do that over and over again whenever a new, incompatible device with innovative features blows existing players out of the water. Access to MP3s and non-DRMed formats creates the only bridge between these isolated islands of limited devices.
The real culprit here is the DMCA -- but for that bad law, customers could legally convert DRMed files into whatever format they want, and tech creators would be free to reverse engineer the DRM to create compatible devices. Even though those acts have traditionally been and still are non-infringing, the DMCA makes them illegal and stifles fair use, innovation, and competition.
May this be a lesson to those who mistakenly laud certain DRM as "open" and offering customers "freedom of choice" simply because it is more widely-licensed than other formats. With DRM under the DMCA, nothing truly plays for sure, regardless of whether you're purchasing from Apple, Microsoft, or anyone else.
Take action now to support DMCA reform and to stop the government from mandating more DRM.
(poster's note- Apple abandoned DRM over a year ago)
What was so good about the article?
It reinforced the notion that Qtrax is married to hideous DRM.
It further repeated the whimsical desire of Qtrax for their material to play on iPods, which we've heard from AK for YEARS with zero to show for it.
It also indicated that Qtrax is focused on WindowsOS cell phone. Yes, Apple and various Droid makers are selling millions of great phones every month and Qtrax is not compatible with either. Do you actually know ANYONE using a Winphone piece of junk?
That article just made me sad. Almost seems like a "dump & dump"...
Darth, as usual, I agree completely!
"Blue light specials" are K-Mart marketing gimmicks featuring sub-par quality products designed to attract those who are not allowed entry into Wal-Mart.
Excellent metaphor my friend!
KTF! WFFC!!!
Now THAT was funny!
Long here, but with most of the loss already recognized. If this turns around I will be shocked, and will publicly submit myself to ridicule.
Chewy certainly never shorted this failed company, you are absolutely right. We used to argue for days once I finally figured out what BLLN, QTrax, and AK were all about.
I pretty much only pop back in when obvious PLANTS like BigBirdy start singing their ridiculous songs. We all know who BigBirdy is. That's why they're going to delete this post. Till next time...
Are you sure it really is? $3,000 of volume today sure doesn't count, does it?
Makes about as much sense as our Asian's friends voracious appetite for ABBA, Aerosmith and Wolfmother I suppose.
Can you imagine the pent-up Chinese, Russian, and Chilean demand for ad-supported ABBA? Sky is the limit, baby!
KTF! WFFC!!
When I was in Singapore last year I remember the Straits Times being available in English, IIRC.
Here's a semi-related CNet article penned by longtime Qtrax/Klepfisz nemesis Greg Sandoval on the continued mess that is the music distribution "industry". Cloud music, Google, Apple, mSpot, license woes oh my!
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-20009534-261.html
An iTunes cloud service not imminent, insiders say
by Greg Sandoval
An article about Apple's plan to "soon" launch a cloud service featuring music and movies stirred up a great deal of speculation on Thursday. "Soon," however, is a relative term because Apple has yet to snag licenses from the top four music labels, sources tell CNET.
To stream music, Steve Jobs likely needs licenses and he doesn't have them yet.
The Boy Genius Report's article cited an anonymous source who declared that the Apple service will offer "streaming music and movies from Apple's servers to your computers," will sync iTunes with devices, and will stream content from a home computer to other Web-enabled gadgets.
While some of this has previously been reported in other publications, including CNET, there are still questions about the timing of the launch. Apple representatives did not respond to an interview request. It is hard to say what Boy Genius Report's source meant by "soon." But it is worth noting that Apple has yet to obtain necessary licenses from the top four recording companies, multiple music industry insiders told CNET. These industry insiders said that Apple has indeed engaged in discussions with the music labels but that the record executives haven't even seen all the details yet.
In the viewpoint of some at the major labels, Apple could enable iTunes users to stream songs from a home computer to other gadgets without requiring new negotiation, but for Apple to stream music from its own servers to computers and related devices, Apple CEO Steve Jobs would be required to cut a new deal, the sources told CNET.
Apple has been laying the groundwork for a cloud service since at least December, when it acquired streaming music service Lala. Since then, Apple has held discussions with executives at the film studios and music labels about moving into the cloud. The obvious benefit of such a service is that by storing films and songs on Apple's servers, the need for local storage would be eliminated.
In the meantime, Google has discussed launching an iTunes challenger with entertainment companies, one that could offer streaming songs as well as downloads.
To license or not?
A slim chance exists that Apple doesn't agree that it needs the labels' permission to stream music.
Michael Robertson, a noted tech entrepreneur and founder of MP3tunes.com, is facing music label EMI in court over this very question. MP3tunes.com offers to store copies of users' songs on his company's servers, or the cloud, and then stream the tunes back to them via Web-enabled devices. Robertson, who founded pioneering service MP3.com (which was later acquired by CNET), argues that he doesn't need a license to distribute songs legally acquired by consumers.
In EMI's copyright complaint, filed in 2007, EMI alleges that Robertson's MP3tunes.com and Sideload.com are run-of-the-mill piracy operations. According to EMI, Sideload finds and organizes links to pilfered music files on the Web. MP3tunes then enables those pirated files to be stored, copied, and downloaded to devices without paying a dime to the music creators, EMI charges. In a 2008 interview, Robertson said that EMI's allegations are a ruse. What the label is really after is to prevent him and anyone else from storing music in digital lockers without first paying licensing fees.
A music start-up that launched this week, mSpot, appears to be following Robertson's lead. The service promises to stream users' music from the cloud to their computers or Android devices. CEO Daren Tsui told the Associated Press this week: "We feel that it is the consumer's right to stream music that they already own to their own mobiles."
Well, Tsui had better have a good lawyer because he and mSpot will undoubtedly have to defend that position in court. And if Apple would decide to go down this path, it too would face a fight because the labels are very much prepared to stand firm on the issue, the music sources said.
So, unless Apple is ready to go to war, don't expect an iTunes cloud service--at least one offering music--anytime soon. Music insiders say that while the whole sector would welcome an iTunes cloud service, negotiating the licenses will likely take months.
Note to readers 9:14 a.m. PT: Lala's music licenses would not transfer to Apple, the music sources said. Under the agreement Lala had with the labels, any acquisition of the company required the new owner to renegotiate the licensing agreements. Thanks to reader Joe S. for the question.
Good points Iq. Being bastions of honesty and integrity I have little doubt AK and co will pursue legal remedy against this blogger who is obviously lying. These men don't suffer defamation lightly.
Indy, I'll quote Chewy:
"That's ridiculous".
Darth- thanks for the post. I've missed your insight.
I do have some questions:
-This new, post-Oracle, post peer to peer website has been up for probably a month or so, we've discussed its attributes in here at length. I think everyone "understands" whats going on, so why the tutorial?
-What in the world is a "content labyrinth"? Why would Qtrax want its users to wallow about in a confusing maze?
-I periodically track the top downloads and top "playing" songs as posted on the qtrax.com page. This content often goes unchanged for days, and relatively unchanged for even longer. Does this mean the available music library is tiny, or that the user base is tiny? It is difficult to swallow that our pan-Asian friends continue to be focused on ABBA, Aerosmith, and Wolfmother, isn't it?
Good to have you back in here like a good soldier, spreading the "word". Keep us posted!
Qurious, if the stock had demonstrated any strength, that would be one thing. But the microscopic volume behind this "trading in the green" is ridiculous as well as completely impotent, much like your analysis. It's very likely anyone could bring this poor stock down to $0.015 in an hour if they chose to sell a few thousand shares. Support is just that weak.
Have you considered tulips?
Heck yes, Germy! This is a monster breakout! Why, nearly $15,000 or so has been traded over the last 3 days! This is definitely BIG!
And our Friday streak continues!!!!
KTF! WFFC!!!!
Agreed! Plus, we're on our way to a $20,000 trading day, well, assuming volume triples, that is... Still, gotta' take the good when it's there
KTF! WFFC!!!
I think you've hit it on the head, Chewy. I don't understand why certain folks continually wonder why we post here. Goodness knows we've patiently explained it time and time again...
As for us trying to "hurt the company", let's examine the following scenario and see if it holds water-
Big time investor (BTI) has capacity for significant cash infusion to BLLN. Something on the order of $10MM as they've been told this is what is necessary for a real launch.
BTI's advisors conduct REAL DD and report back to BTI.
BTI learns that BLLN is on the losing side of a judgement with Oracle that could easily surpass $2MM. BTI finds out there are scores of investors suing BLLN & AK as well, such as Platinum Long Term Growth IV, LLC (around $400,000 due from BLLN) and J&N Invest, LLC ($50,000), and plenty more creditors out there as well.
BTI also "ingests" the spotty history of BLLN, including but not limited to, the failed launches, embarrassing public promises, kangaroos, etc.
BTI's advisors show him examples of PPS manipulation on pennies worth of volume, and various likely pump and dumps during its OTC trading history.
BTI weighs all of this and thinks- this is a GREAT company, poised to CHANGE THE WORLD. I'm going to write a check!
But wait! On a hunch, BTI googles around a bit, finds iHub, and this discussion group, and reads what the "bashers" say about BLLN.
Uh, oh, thinks BTI, BLLN may not be for real. Better put that checkbook away...
Of course that isn't believable. The only people hurting the company are the guys running it. I know our fearless leader is a charming, likable fellow, with boundless energies and the capacity to work a million 18 hour days in a row, but its time folks realize he has a "dark side" as well. And IMHO, that dark side is called very casual connection with the truth...
KTF! WFFC!!! Hi BIGBIRD!!!
best..
post...
ever....
Nicely done, Chewy. Well done to point out how the threats have only worked against the shills and their voiceboxes!
On another note, can ANYONE please do me the favor of explaining why every Friday, right before EOM, a couple hundred dollars worth of BLLN is traded at a price 20% or so higher than where it was going to close.
Please explain how this stock isn't manipulated. I REALLY want to know!
KTF! WFFC!!! HiBIGBIRD1!!!!!
You're right, Qurious, very astute analysis.
It is a waste of time to talk about another beta, non-launch of technology crippled by WinDRM, thus unportable and not transferrable to cell phones.
Germy, the lies, missed deadlines, failed launches, and other promises that have fallen totally short are well documented, and I suspect you've been here long enough to realize that. So rather than belabor that point, let's focus on the meat of your message:
You said:
Shot- zero volume is "more bad than good"? Seriously??? You're starting to remind me of bigbird1!
"Solid" buying days are long gone, along with the integrity of AK, along with Robin Kent, along with Riccobono, along with P2P and along with portability. They ain't coming back, volume ain't coming back, at least on the positive side and neither is PPS.
The glass is down to water vapor and has numerous cracks- sorry.
Music ingestion problems have devolved into market indigestion of the textile/chemical/restaurant/music maven known as AK.
Best of luck with the next venture, though.
You need to understand what "launch" means in Qtrax-ese. It means non-launch, limited library, and virtually no users. In the opinion of objective observers, these fake launches are used to manipulate PPS and to trick unwary investors into believing Qtrax is for real.
Do DD before risking a penny on this stock. Once you see the number of judgements, debt, and pending litigation BLLN faces, you'll realize what the true story is. Our CEO is trying to get out of a huge Oracle lawsuit by the innovative "dog ate his homework" defense. Yes, it is just that bad.
Hey Niko, welcome to the obsessive asylum known as BLLN and here's a couple of thoughts:
You say $10M in financing. That means $10,000. Is that what you meant to say?
Secondly, you may THINK ENTI has a lower PPS than BLLN, but trust me, AK and the dream team will give you a run for the money before the fat lady sings.
In any case, good luck to you with ENTI. I'll check it out.
Interesting info, Darth. Is this from the sources you've quoted in the past with 99.9% false and misleading news re BLLN?
You know, the more I read from you and your sources, the less I feel sorry for the tremendous losses you will be taking on this stock. If you're going to take a bath, at least try to learn something in the process. Much more honorable and useful than spreading lies I should think. (Let me guess, you're going to flag my response to your personal slander/untruth, right?)
I thought that was it, Germy.
If you recall, I posed the question- "Is he still with BLLN", and followed with my opinion that it is likely he wasn't. That is an important distinction versus the way you characterized it.
Do you have any reliable evidence that indicates Jay has continued active involvement with the company?
"Reliable", in my book, does not mean a "whisper" from a "source"...
And let's face it, it isn't easy to flesh out this kind of information. We'd be in the dark about Kent/Rebel Digital abandoning ship if it weren't for Rosso.
Germy, please explain what in the world you are talking about? Surely you weren't referring to my question about Berman?
Sorry pal, but unlike my bud Frenchy and the Sith Lord- I don't lie. Frenchy has blatantly lied twice since the US holiday. I don't.
When are you guys going to catch on?
Thanks.
Lucky and I both appreciate your French.
Hey, whatever happened to the ex-RIAA guy who supposedly was the lifeline for BLLN credibility? I've little doubt he's long gone, but I don't remember the details. Berman, maybe??
You nailed it, Luckyboy. Just like most of the KTF'ers you've got that keen ability to separate wheat from chaff and see through the smoke. I think I'll take my windfall and buy 150 more shares of BLLN.
Good work, man!
Well, Q, I know that the ostriches in here hate to hear anything except AK/BigBird#1 promising goodness around the corner, but I for one generally enjoy reading Wayne, Chewy, Quispy and others. Reading more detail about the failure of BLLN is more instructive than hearing folks whine "why are you here?" for the millionth time.
So let's talk BLLN. A week ago you were talking about launches in China and India and 40% world market penetration. Do you honestly believe the gig is not up? You were also extolling the virtues of the "soft launch", which I must candidly confess I never understood (meaning the "virtues").
To reiterate, my biggest disappointment with this company is that AK burned bridges and lost credibility too fast to ever get funding (that is, funding in excess of his lifestyle requirements and the consequent cash burn). I wish the money had come in and the bills got paid and a real launch happened so we could see if I'm right that a scheme with WinDRM crippled music is patently doomed. No one in here that posted about "DRM issues are solved", "we have portability", etc, has ever been able to back up their claims, so I've filed that info in the "fantasy" section. Funny how the "fantasy" section seems to be most popular with the KTF'ers... Those of us stuck in reality seem to bother the faithful...
WFFC & KTF!
Chewy, you asked--
Now that is just beautiful- Klepto has actually resorted to the "dog ate my homework" defense! He keeps this up, he may find a contempt charge attached to the landslide of judgements that has buried him. And something tells me that a smarmy, oily, smooth talker would not adjust well to incarceration.
Riccobono has bailed as well? That is it, boys and girls, this baby is toast. No, I do not feel vindicated, nor will I say "I told you so". Regardless of the attacks I've suffered in here for merely writing the truth and sharing my analysis, I understand the pain and shame big longs must be going through, and won't take anything personal. And I am truly sorry for your losses. It is never fun to be left holding the bag (one of my favorite "Dogcat" sayings...)
Thanks for the update, Wayne. Reality checks are a very good thing, I believe. Efficient market hypothesis and all of that...
It's all good, lucky, no need to threaten. Not that you're scary at all (LOL!), but we know where you're coming from, and we definitely "feel" you. You are above that, big boy.
What do think happens next with BLLN? A Somalian non-launch?
Wow, BirdyTwo-- that is some powerfully negative commentary on ad-supported music. Thank goodness we have a peer to peer model that isn't a peer to peer model in the middle of a highly successful non-launch. Anyway, the last few paragraphs seem to sum it up (now I understand why my good bud Q is pleased to see BLLN trading at $0.03):
“What’s stunning to me is that anyone is surprised about SpiralFrog,” Robertson wrote to CNET. “The economics are very obvious to all in the know, but people keep pretending that the charade of ad-supported music works. It does not.”
Matt Graves, an Imeem spokesman, acknowledged that his company’s executives asked for and received a break on their licensing terms from some of the labels. That was before the economic meltdown. The labels are less willing now to cut similar deals, the music industry insider said.
Ad-supported music sites have been around for two years, and some have burned through lots of cash, but none has reported a profit. According to a letter sent to investors by SpiralFrog’s attorneys last week, the company owed $34 million when it ceased operations on March 13.
Then there’s the crumbling ad market. Even before ad money began drying up, questions lingered about whether ad-supported sites could generate high-enough ad rates to pay their costs, which include the hefty fees they pay to license music. Now, against this bleak landscape, comes a new threat.
“There’s nothing left to promote…this way. At what point do they stop promoting and start competing?” — Music industry executive
He says the sites can’t generate a high CPM because advertisers know that people often listen to the free music that YouTube, Imeem, and Pandora offer without paying attention to the ads. “People’s ears may be engaged, but it doesn’t mean their eyes are.”
The scary part, Quispy, is that Chewy isn't exaggerating.
Freakin' Sith Lord actually believes that I am a "paid basher" o/b/o Apple. Like the largest technology corporation in the United States cares a wit about Qtrax. Sith Lord has NEVER bothered to back up these accusations with facts or evidence, though.
The biggest mystery to me is how those who have been continually buffaloed by BLLN's promises and failures to deliver can't seem to figure out who is to blame for their continued losses. As if that is difficult to figure out. No, it's the bashers fault that AK continually promises launches and funding and deals that never seem to materialize. Yeah, right....
Not so sure about that, IQ... Looks like the typical 4pm movement (90% of today's volume was right at 4pm, moving the stock from 0.026 to 0.0275 before falling back slightly...)
To me it looks like EXACTLY the same old story, maybe just a little more lame this time....
IMHO the next bit of good news may be Riccobono disassociating if he hasn't already.
Like Qurious, I believe all of these signs, combined with the non-launch, signify huge positive developments, with the realization of AK's dream and brilliance probably just around the corner. IMHO funding is likely cast in stone and Oracle could be getting paid off sooner rather than later. Light the candle, baby, this rocket is taking off!!
WFFC & KTF!!!