Hey Folks!
 
Here is an explanation of how tape trees work.  Just substitute video tape or
audio tape where approriate.
 
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 tape traders 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. 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:  If you miss the request cuttoff date for the tree, is there
        any way to get on the tree?
 
Remember you have until NOON< TODAY TO GET ON THIS!!!
 
    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 when they've been assigned.
        You'll probably have better luck doing this if you offer to
        trade.
 
-Art
 
Art Jipson
Department of Sociology, Gerontology, and Anthropology
Upham Hall
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056
513-529-2637 (o)
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http://www.lib.muohio.edu/~skimmel/jipson/jipsonpage.html
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