What do you think of the AoS forum?

[Pigmy Pony]

As Martin says Steve, it's not really a 'they', it's an algorithm collecting profile data - it's nothing new, been happening for years. Ever wondered how Shazam gets results so quickly? Google now asks you about listening for music and so many apps get installed where the user happily clicks accept without actually knowing what they are saying yes to and giving the app consent for. So we are actually saying it's OK, without really thinking it through.

My issue is normally a point of principle, in that it's hard to say no and we are not really given a choice anyway, it's all done by stealth. It should be very clear what you are agreeing to and you shouldn't be penalised for saying no.

I have wondered about Shazam before, but came to my own conclusion about how it worked. I decided it must be a recording device that converts analogue to digital and by referring to a database can identify a particular song. I thought this after hearing a live band one time doing a cover of Hotel California. I Shazam'd it, but it had no idea what the song was, despite it being a pretty faithful version.

Of course you or Martin will tell me what is really going on, and I would welcome that

[Macca]

Me neither Martin, I'd happily click a pay button rather than get something free and have my data harvested as the payment. Unfortunately that's not usually an option.

Yes they make more money with the data I suppose.

I don't really care. They're not going to sell me anything because I have no money to spend and I'm not doing anything dodgy, so they can harvest away.

[Macca]

I have wondered about Shazam before, but came to my own conclusion about how it worked. I decided it must be a recording device that converts analogue to digital and by referring to a database can identify a particular song. I thought this after hearing a live band one time doing a cover of Hotel California. I Shazam'd it, but it had no idea what the song was, despite it being a pretty faithful version.

Of course you or Martin will tell me what is really going on, and I would welcome that

I can tell you but only because I looked it up

Yes, it samples the waveform and compares to a database.

[Marco]

And you wonder why I don't use Smartphones?

They'll get fook all to 'harvest' from me!

Marco (happily leads a Smartphone-free life).

[Marco]

Hi Tim,

As Martin says Steve, it's not really a 'they', it's an algorithm collecting profile data...

Yes, but ultimately it's humans who are using the collected data, for whatever questionable reasons. I refuse to be controlled in that way.

My issue is normally a point of principle, in that it's hard to say no and we are not really given a choice anyway, it's all done by stealth. It should be very clear what you are agreeing to and you shouldn't be penalised for saying no.

Indeed. Are you addicted to your Smartphone? If not, bung it in a drawer for a week and see how much your life improves.

Marco.

[Pigmy Pony]

Hi Tim,



Yes, but ultimately it's humans who are using the collected data, for whatever questionable reasons. I refuse to be controlled in that way.



Indeed. Are you addicted to your Smartphone? If not, bung it in a drawer for a week and see how much your life improves.

Marco.

I could do that, easily. It's my laptop I'd struggle without.

[Tim]

Are you addicted to your Smartphone?

Absolutely not Marco, that's why I put very few apps on it, I use it like a phone as I don't have a landline. The only app I would regard as essential would be Signal for keeping contact with friends overseas. Other than that all it's got are two apps (JRemote and Qobuz) for remote controlling my music, a weather app and OSM as I don't use Google. I keep getting very near to ditching it completely for a flip phone, but Signal is the only real friction point. I use GrapheneOS as well - I work hard to do my best at protecting my privacy, but I don't want to live in a cave. As mentioned I leave it at home most of the time. I take a book with me not a phone.

I couldn't live without my computer though, I still use a desktop computer which not only controls my life, doing all the things others do on their phones, but it's entertainment too - I enjoy messing about with them, building them etc., I'm also a casual gamer.

[User211]

I think hi-fi forums, not just this one, are nothing like as good as they used to be.

The bake off scene is largely dead across a lot of them.

I am not sure why that is. But I loved it and held a few myself.

I was semi-contemplating developing something very 2026 with AI agents and various other features hitherto unseen.

The truth is I don't think it is financially viable/worth the effort.

I just think the whole online forum thing is a shadow of its former self.

Pink Fish/Audio Abattoir/Maverick or what used to be the Wam etc just don't feel as cool as they used to.

Maybe familiarity just breeds contempt?

[User211]

Hi Tim,



Yes, but ultimately it's humans who are using the collected data, for whatever questionable reasons. I refuse to be controlled in that way.



Indeed. Are you addicted to your Smartphone? If not, bung it in a drawer for a week and see how much your life improves.

Marco.

Sounds cool in concept.

Impractical in 2026.

[Barry]

I think hi-fi forums, not just this one, are nothing like as good as they used to be.

The bake off scene is largely dead across a lot of them.

I am not sure why that is. But I loved it and held a few myself.

I was semi-contemplating developing something very 2026 with AI agents and various other features hitherto unseen.

The truth is I don't think it is financially viable/worth the effort.

I just think the whole online forum thing is a shadow of its former self.

How much are we talking here Justin?