[Please note: This is merely a mockup presented as a design example. None of the internal links function. Please click here to return to Chaotic Blue]

"Themes" was my first serious lesson in providing a public service over the Net. It was an mp3 page, designed to give listeners a sampling of tracks from a variety of Japanese-only released CDs. The purpose was to get them hooked so they would actually buy the CDs; sadly, what happened is that I was constantly bombarded with requests for more and different mp3s. In essence, I was being asked to skirt legality even farther than I was already doing, which was definitely the edge of my comfort zone.

I resented being used that way. I never expected anything in return for providing mp3s to an ungrateful fan community, but I at least expected the very few rules I set in place (be nice to the bandwidth 'cause it's free, and most of all don't email asking for more mp3s) to be followed and they weren't. As a web designer, it's definitely changed my attitude toward who's in charge of the content, when it comes to personal sites.