Rules updated as of 17 Aug 97 
 
        As acting moderator until the real moderators come back  
        online I probably have an obligation to do this.  
  
        Purpose: this echo is for the discussion of progrock  
        music and related topics.  
 
        Focus: progrock, a music that started in the late 
        1960's and early 1970's, when it was actually in fashion. 
        Bands still make it today, and though not as popular as 
        the 70's it's not so scarce as it was in the 80's.
 
        If you would like a definition, write a post asking for 
        one and you will get several fine answers and though they 
        will not be in complete agreement, there will be 
        sufficient overlap to give you a good idea. 
 
        Alternatively, you could lurk for a month or two and try 
        to get the gist of the general conversation. 
 
        Personally I find discussions of the definition of 
        progrock to be painfully boring (see the Usenet 
        newsgroups rec.music.progressive or alt.music.progressive 
        for a full appreciation of this), though I encourage 
        others to enjoy them, so I shall limit myself to the 
        following:  
  
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        The Temporary Official Echo Definition of Progrock  
 
        "....you know, progrock, like old Genesis, Yes, Zappa,  
        Tull, ELP, Crimson, Floyd, that kind of stuff...."  
  
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        What topics are allowed:  
  
        1. If in doubt, ask first. Just write a message to  
        MODERATOR and ask if it is cool to talk about such and  
        such a band. I'm pretty open. Couldn't hurt. Or you could  
        just go ahead and talk about whatever band you wanted to  
        talk about, which is quicker, but then if I rule they are  
        off-topic you have to abide by the decision (or appeal it  
        in netmail or email).  
 
        2. Any sub-genre that is part of progrock is 
        automatically on-topic. For example (with rough ideas): 
 
        Space Rock (Hawkwind, Amon Duul, Gong) 
        Art Rock   (Moody Blues, BJH, Genesis, King Crimson) 
        Pomp       (ELP, Triumvirate, UK, Le Orme) 
        Symphonic  (Yes, PFM, Banco) 
        Canterbury (Caravan, Camel, Hatfield, Soft Machine) 
        Electronic/Cosmic (Tangerine Dream, K. Schulze) 
        RIO        (Henry Cow, Etron Fou, Aqsak Maboul, 5uu's) 
        Neo        (Marillion, Pendragon, IQ) 
        Prog Metal (Saga, Rush, Dream Theater) 
        Zeuhl      (Magma, Zao, Wiedorj, Happy Family, Present) 
        Retro      (Anglagard, Anekdoten, Echolyn, Landberk) 
        Fusion     (Mahavishnu, Return to Forever, Arti + Mestieri) 
        Women with keyboards (Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Enya) 
 
        3. Any band covered in the Gibraltar Encyclopedia of 
        Progressive Rock (GEPR) is automatically on-topic. You 
        can d/l this from the internet. 
 
        4. Anything that can be plausibly related to prog is 
        on-topic. For the moment, based on tradition and on this 
        never having become a problem before, that means that you 
        may discuss here any classical music, jazz, or 
        progressive folk (i.e. Fairport Convention but not Joan 
        Baez). It helps if you can relate such discussions to 
        progrock, to make it relevant, but even without direct 
        links to prog this echo is traditionally very tolerant of 
        such discussions. 
 
        What is off topic: 
 
        1. Anything not covered in the above incredibly wide 
        definition of what is on-topic. If in doubt, ask. 
 
        2. Discussion of, or whining about, a subject that has been 
        declared off topic, including discussion of whether or 
        not it should be on-topic (the moderator's decision being 
        both arbitrary and final, until another decision is 
        made). Such discussion must go to netmail or email. No 
        exceptions, even for people that I know are really very 
        nice. 
 
        3. Flaming, unless your skills at writing are so 
        fascinating that it becomes worth reading on its own 
        merits (but the chances of this are slim so it's best not 
        to try). This obviously means no direct insulting, no 
        swearing, no slagging of individuals, their taste, their 
        parents, their pets, etc. Basically the Fido prime 
        directive holds: DO NOT be annoying and DO NOT be 
        annoyed. Even if someone provokes you, there is no excuse 
        for acting as bad as them. Good advice: whenever you find 
        yourself feeling strongly emotional about a post, let it 
        wait overnight before sending it, especially if you have 
        been consuming intoxicants of any kind. 
 
        4. In any disagreement of any kind, any party which 
        mentions, brings up or alludes to in any way, Hitler, 
        Nazis, Nazi Germany, fascism or any related comparison, 
        shall be automatically deemed to have forfeited his 
        logical argument, even if he is absolutely correct in his 
        assertions. The only exception to this is if you are 
        discussing Nico, where it is entirely relevant. 
 
        5. Billy Joel and Elton John. They are off topic. I 
        repeat, they are off topic. Do not discuss them. Do not 
        talk about them. Do not even think about them. They have 
        been declared absolutely off-topic until Sept. of 1997. 
        They are anathema. Shun them, avoideth them liketh unto a 
        plague. Maketh thee haste in the opposite direction when 
        hints of them do approacheth. Do not seek to disarm them 
        by yourselves but call in appropriate authorities. I'm 
        not kidding. This is serious. 
 
        6. Tape trading i.e. swapping boots of unreleased live 
        shows or making copies of commercially released albums, 
        even including "sampler tapes" where you just want to 
        show someone a little taste of a bunch of different 
        artists. All of these are technically (or more so) 
        illegal and we cannot be seen to be encouraging, enabling 
        or condoning such activities. If you have to do it, like 
        picking your nose or scratching your privates, do it when 
        no one is looking, i.e. take it to snail mail or email or 
        whatever but don't do it here. It doesn't even matter if 
        the bands allow or encourage trading of their shows, we 
        stil can't let you do any trading here. 
        And above all, remember to have fun (and I apologize for 
        the large numbers of paranthetical asides). 
 
                                Cheers, 
                                Kenneth 
                                your fascist moderator 
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 * OFFLINE 1.58 * I am in total control, but don't tell my wife. 
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