Karaoke Forums

I get all the time what have I sung? this program will eliminate most of that. So yes it's a convenience that People like myself want in their programs.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Well gave it a try. maybe it will take a few more tries before they catch on.
They went for the books.
Chip how long did it take before they caught on to using your Songfinder?
Did you go cold turkey or did you bring your books for the first few times?

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

To be honest, I did bring only 5 books for the first week or so... Afterwards, they just gathered dust. I found that one person helped the next person with the kiosk and so I had built-in (and free) technical support for new users... (most people like to show off their computer prowess and show someone else what they know)

I did an all-night high school "lockup" party the other night, and except for the kids asking what "DK022" (and other brands) meant, I didn't have to answer a single question or show them how it worked. I had no books that night and it was great. Of course there was no alcohol either.

I really can't see people using a look-up station because you still have to write the song number down. With a kiosk you click your name, click the song, and maybe click "enter" and you're done. Limited advantage otherwise.

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Okay, who took my pants?

lets see kiosk in the manner you are using it means there's nothing but announcing and mixing sound for the KJ to do jobwise. Good for weed cause he likes to fraternize during songs.
Chips system while better than Weed's has the KJ locked to the host computer otherwise how does the songs get into the player. Although you can set his up to print slips from adynamo printer so the singer can hand it to the host allowing for the contact that I want between me and my singers. I just don't see myself paying for his software and a printer for each songlist station as I am calling it.
My system forces actual contact between me and the singers which is how I like it.
I don't want a kiosk. I want the viewer type system. Oh I don't use numbers.
my actuall books don't even list them anymore.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

After prom party?

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

Oh, what a heartless and true thing to say...sob. But, never mind that. How does Chip's kiosk get the the song into the player?

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Okay, who took my pants?

What I failed to say is that if I was using chip's system I would be hesitant to walk away from my system for fear I might miss a request. It actually has nothing to do with his system which would be my second choice in the kiosk arena.
The host has to type in the info sent to the host computer.
My way still needs inputing into the computer but that is one of the reasons I am there.
Question if we used your kiosk, which at the time I thought I wanted to do but have reconsidered based on the lack of contact with the actual requester, How did you keep them from requesting the same song as another singer?
I kknow chip's software has a safeguard to handle that. I have a basic safeguard, my own self.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

I don't understand??? You can "walk away" from the system and it'll just keep piling up the requests as they come in...you can't "miss" a request. They will be there waiting for you when you come back sort of like singers dropping a request on your DJ table in a stack. All neatly sorted by the time of day each one came in or by the singer's name - it's your choice.

And no, the host doesn't "have to type in the info sent to the host computer." All you do is place your cursor on a field (click into it) like song number or singer name, and it is automatically copied to the clipboard. Then simply paste it (with a CTRL+V) into your hosting program. Frankly, I'm too lazy to re-type it and this way I get exactly what they type in place in a couple of clicks.

You also don't have to "lose contact" with your singers at all... simply place the kiosk near you and you can chat with every singer that comes up to use it.... or not... you can still wander around and no singer will have to chase you around the club to hand you a slip.

It should be noted that my kiosk was part of a hosting program which is not the same as Chip's which I understand is a stand alone. As you know Sacks-O-Nuts (my hoster/kiosk) has been degraded to begware and is no longer supported because it's too friggin' old. So, comparing the two apps is like apples and oranges.
If anyone wants Sacks-O-Nuts you can download it at www.freewebs.com/sacksonuts at the bottom of the page. BEWARE, it won't run on Vista and it's ugly by today's standards.

No. There was no safeguard preventing the same song from being sung twice in the same night. I never had a problem with that as a KJ. If every other song was "Love Shack" it was fine with me.

Should I ever write another hoster however, I will make that an option.

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Okay, who took my pants?

Okay, so here's a picture of 2 of the kiosks I use.... I brought these in to the high school all night party primarily for the pic since I would only need one anyway.

As you can see, I took some OLD, HUGE, slow (free) computers and mounted them to a 2-wheeled cart. The actual touchscreens themselves came from ebay out of old photo kiosks that used in drug stores... cost about $70 each for the screens. These are also adjustable up and down for ease of transport.

Just wheel it in and plug it in.... that's my entire "book issue."

Again, takes up more vehicle space than books,you have to find room in a venue for them, doesn't allow leisurely singer browsing. Not all singers know how to use the technology and in fact some are terrified by it. I can still see problems if you have over 15 singers all trying to figure out what to sing while waiting in line (and peobabbly not drinking) But if it works for someone great.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

Good ole books. Convenient and easy! A lot to be said for that.

Plus customers can just sit at their table with buds and browse, drink and laugh and play. The purpose of the ole waterin' hole is met.

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Timberlea,

Okay, I get it... you hate the idea of kiosks and that's fine. But you're inventing senarios that just don't happen and the sky is NOT falling. The whole idea that there would be "problems if you have over 15 singers all trying to figure out what to sing while waiting in line" is nothing more than a fear of the unknown. I've used a kiosk for 4 years now and that's NEVER happened... ever. And I'll bet that with your books, you don't have 15 singers all trying to hand you a song slip all at the same time either. I know, I've been there and I've been in this business as long as you have, that just doesn't happen either.



#1. "takes up more vehicle space than books"

yes it does in this configuration. And for me, it's worth every square inch. I use a box truck so this is not really an issue. However, I do have customers that have their kiosks built out of an "all in one" computer... The same size as a bar-top "megatouch" game... about 1 square foot and it sits in their car just fine.

#2. "you have to find room in a venue for them"

Yep. But my kiosk only takes up 2 sq ft of "floorspace" when your books eat up about 15 square feet of "tablespace"


#3. "doesn't allow leisurely singer browsing"

Absolutely untrue. You're under the impression that there is a person standing in front of the kiosk every single second of every show. Wrong. There's plenty of time for someone to browse. And you don't have to have the light on bright enough to read a paper book because it's illuminated.. you can turn the lights down in the club... the way more people prefer it.

#4 "Not all singers know how to use the technology and in fact some are terrified by it."

Yep... but what percentage of your customer base is that? Is the term "touch screen" something that's way over their heads? If so, then they probably don't use the club's internet jukebox either.

#5. "I can still see problems if you have over 15 singers all trying to figure out what to sing while waiting in line "

Then I'd like to know what brand of crystal ball you're using because in 4 years, that hasn't happened.

You don't have to use a kiosk Timberlea, stick with what you know and are comfortable with. I did it for years too and it's comfy... but this now works better for me.

You are constantly shooting down this concept without ever seeing it in action first and that means you are simply imagining the worst.

Thers is a saying "you can't teach old dogs new tricks"

Kiosks are a COOL item and very upscale. And if you can just touch screen and have your request go straight to the KJ --way cooler

But --Books are more user friendly ( don't care what you say )--you can take a book back to a table and leisurely browse.

They both have pros and cons and again its what the SINGERS prefer --I guess if you get use to the kiosk you'll like it..... but I think it could be an age thing --most OLDER singers I feel would be afraid of the computers but not the BOOK

Jam, exactly. People need to know the pros and cons and make their choice. I wasn't dissing them. They are an option. I would think something in a notepad size, with a number comparable to books so singers can take them to the table. Of course I'd have them covered in some sort of plastic to protect from spills.

If one is confident in their product, then they shouldn't worry about criticism. In fact, it could help to improve a product, whatever it is.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

I am considering a kiosk or two (once I get extra cash for computers & touch screens) in addition to my books (which I get printed for free) being able to to keep the kiosk station updated first for stuff like new songs & those that prefer to be able to just do a quick search for a song or artist, however I as a singer prefer to be able to sit at my table & look through a book at my own leisure so that is what I will always offer the singer that come to my show. I try to run & offer things I prefer as a singer.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I really have to disagree here (suprise suprise) kiosks are only less user friendly if your crowd is all over 60. Personally, I don't like the touch screen idea because the hot spots have to be too large and it makes the number of screen changes too great in my opinion but to each his own. These days it is more likely that you will find someone who cannot use a phone rather than someone who cannot use a mouse. If your kiosks are mouse driven your kiosks cost you nothing.

Those of you who are kiosk detractors... have you tried a kiosk???? No one really wants to sort through a book anymore than they want to sort through a card catolog in a library. True, they may be uncomfortable at first but they'will get over it. If you have been in the karaoke business for a while it is likely that you have 10,000 songs or more. How long would it take someone to read 10,000 titles? At one title per second, three hours and change. Have you seen anyone sit over your books for three hours and change. Shouldn't they be spending that time drinking?

One kiosk will replace five books. Instant updates. No printing costs.

Try it you'll like it.

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Okay, who took my pants?

Why do you say 'no one' wants to sort through a book? I thoroughly enjoy going through the book. I actually prefer it personally. Yes I go through each artist trying to remember songs, maybe making a note of something that I might remember to try to learn. I see people all night looking through the books doing the same thing so that statement has no merit to it. I can see the advantage to a kisok & am no way 'detracting' it's qualities & am thinking of adding a couple myself, but like said I know for a fact if 1 person likes to sit & peruse the book all night (and yes I have drank while doing so, that isn't going to change), then there are others who would as well - so I will always offer books as well. If I see the pattern change once I incorporate a kisok, I may reduce the number of books I produce, however until that time, books will always be incorporated in my shows as that is what I PREFER as a singer in another show.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Well, did you come to read the book or did you come to party? That's why I said "no one really ...."

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Okay, who took my pants?