I am really interested in opinions from both sides. Please list your reasons pro or con. Figured out how to add the poll
I put possibly. I like the idea of instant songbook updates so there doesn't have to be a new songs section printed each time. But we haven't even computerized the discs yet so the songbook will probably wait until then. I think I would still have a book or two for those who like to sit and browse and possibly a printed list of new songs.
Don't know the environmental aspects. Saves trees but adds to e-waste, although one could say one was recycling computers. Also, our equipment barely fits in the car as is so don't know how much more we can add.
my hesitation is, i see a lot of tables where someone grabbed the book and just flipping through decided "what the hell" and tried one. lots of cherryokes
and i don't think they would not have gotten up and gone to sit at a kiosk when they aren't even singers yet. spending the money buying a computer and software just to see if it works has put me off of actually giving it a shot so far.
Perhaps if I were running a show with only 5 or 6 singers I would consider it, but when a show starts out with 20 or more on the list it is simply not an option!
Honestly, if you're not going to use a kiosk for signing up and you know how to use a word processor, spread sheet or pdf editor you're wasting your time and money.
First, name ALL of your files correctly. Second, download a free directory listing app like JR Directory printer. Third, copy and paste text into a word processor of your choice. It's all formatting after that. Not particularly difficult.
I output my song list to pdf format for the web.
I have found 10" android tablet pc's that sell for less than $180 new and they have native pdf support built in. Scrolling through your song book like on an Ipad at 1/3 of the cost, is a real treat. I can also edit the pdf to include advertising, calendars, special notices, instructions, birthday wishes, etc. I tried the 7" form factor but it is too small to view a whole page legibly. Since I don't use numbers, updating is a breeze as I add new music and re-alphabetize the list immediately. I haven't put this into use yet, because I need to figure out how to make a stand that secures the tablet at an angle to that people can't use it for a coaster. I figure I would hold a cc or dl while someone has a one of the tablets. I would also install gps tracking software on each unit to discourage the growth of legs. The prices are falling on these things and I'll let you know when I pull the trigger.
In the meantime...
I've been using the 3rd party Access-Runtime songbook that works with Compuhost. I use it on an old XP laptop and the singers like it because of the singer history listings.
I still use sign up slips for a couple of reasons. One is for the interaction with the human beings. The other reason is that I use the back of the slip for contact information and registration for prize drawings. I've built up a large email list over the years.
I might be interested in CompuHost's kiosk if it will run on a tablet platform. I already came to the conclusion that if you're going to have remote sign-up, you have to have user-account access or you'll have chaos with people signing up under different or mis-spelled names.
KJsandman, right now Tricerasoft has a kiosk program that works with both the Iphone and the Android.
well its a moot point for me now since i am not working. But i always wanted to use a kiosk.. i just couldn't justify the extra expense of a dedicated laptop *$25 my ****, the cheapest i've EVER been able to find anything that will run XP is $200* then there is another $100 for the extra monitor and a hell of a lot more if u want a touchscreen.
I think being able to request stuff by phone would be neat.. I already had my books online at one point..
-James
The biggest drawback I see to a kiost is that it takes some of the personal element out of your show. I like being interactive with my singers. With a kiost, you may never meet that person singing on your stage.(then again you may not care to)
From a singers standpoint, I like to be able to take a book back to table and look thru it. I'd feel rushed if I had to wait in line at a kiost.
Do the people that use them find that a person has a song or artist in mind and searches for it specifically or do they have time to browse and get ideas?
A place to debate everything and anything!