Klarinet Archive - Posting 000623.txt from 1995/09

From: Robin Fairbairns <Robin.Fairbairns@-----.UK>
Subj: Re: A MIDI file for your perusal (really!)
Date: Fri, 29 Sep 1995 04:32:28 -0400

Tom Ascher writes:

> The good news is that I was able to download your midi file and load it into
> my Encore software. The bad news is that it appeared as all black dots for
> the notes without any stems indicating durations. When I tried to play,
> I couldn't get it to work. I don't know if this is a fault of your file,
> the transfer, my software, or my ability to do the conversion?!

Indeed, no problem downloading the thing; since I don't currently have
any means of playing with midi (I downloaded it to try a piece of
software I've never previously used) I can't say whether it works for
me.

One possible reason for problems is failure to set binary mode for
downloading. (On many systems this isn't a problem, but VMS ones such
as Oliver's have very fixed ideas about file structure and need to be
told what *you* think the file is.)

> Will be interested in hearing from others, as this could really be beneficial
> as we work out a successful way of sharing midi files. Appreciate your
> taking the time to begin the process!

The best sort of system to mount such things, however, is a Unix one.
Unix is totally clueless about file structures, and therefore doesn't
try to impose its will on you. Even if you're trying to download to a
DOS (or even VMS) system, you're then only fighting one end of the
line -- a distinct gain.

Moral: don't forget the "bin" command before you start to download.

Robin Fairbairns