This remnant will be replaced soon. The FAQ is back, with a new design! Should I fill blank space on tapes and CDRs To fill or not to fill -- that is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the heart to fill empty space at the end of a tape with something else, or to leave that space blank. Generally, yes, you should put filler in empty space. Some folks prefer to have a show or set left unblemished, and/or prefer to pick filler themselves for their own tapes. Therefore you may want to ask the person you're trading with. Suggested guidelines: CHOOSING filler: Not Side A: Don't fill space on side A, unless the two side are different shows or there's for some reason a tremendous amount of blank space (eg ten minutes or more) on side A. Artist fit Some people insist that filler should be the same artist as the rest of the tape, other people insist it should be a different artist, but most take no position and prefer that the music fits, whatever the artist is. Musical fit: Try to pick something that either follows the last song well, or falls in well with the rest of the tape. That might mean something extremely funky if the rest of the tape is extremely funky, or it might mean the opposite: putting on something calmer and soothing, similar to what Paul Languadoc does over the PA system after shows. Use tapelists: Try to pay attention to your trading partner's tapelist, so you don't give them a piece of something they already have. Careful creativity: Don't waste your time putting crap on a tape if you know it's crap and wouldn't want to listen to it yourself, but if you think it's entertaining put it on there: Phish tracks, jazz tracks, Simpson's dialogue, country music, sounds from your whoopee cushion. RECEIVING filler: Be thankful: Adding filler to a tape is a very nice gesture, regardless of whether it's appreciated or not. If someone gives you a cookie and you don't like it cause it's got raisons in it, would you publicly complain that you "hate it when people give you cookies with raisons". It's fair to say you don't like raisons, but how can you be upset that someone offered you something in the spirit of generosity. Don't expect it: Filler is pure bonus. It shouldn't be *expected* unless it's part of the trade agreement. Don't expect much: If you've got some rigid idea about how people ought to approach filler, lighten up and see previous comments. Ignore it if you like: You're not forced to listen to filler if you don't like it. In fact, you're not even required to keep it on the tape. Erase it if you find it offensive, but don't bitch at the person who took extra time to put it on there. Thanks also to Scott Jordan <ssjordan@utxvms.cc.utexas.edu> (2/7/96). This page last updated January 24, 2007. All contents © 1992-2007 Ellis Godard. All rights reserved.