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'One Minute With Dec'

The widest read, 'delivered to your Email box', weekly music Ezine on the Music Net.

The Archive - '2'

A FREE service from 'The Serious Writers Guild' at MAKEHITS.COM

Written by Dec Cluskey with a little bit of help from his friends.

We do not condone any Music Scam on the Net

This Email first mailed to all Members of 'The Serious Writers Guild' and subscribers to 'One Minute With Dec' on

19 May 05

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=================================

'One Minute With Dec'

"My Emails Are Written With Good Humour And Should Be Read With A Smile"

[-The views of any contributor to 'One Minute with Dec' are not necessarily the views of Dec Cluskey-]

"Anybody who is any good is difficult -"

Barbra Steisand's musical director

MENU:

Excitement and a sage warning?

The sage warning?

How about this for service:

So who is William the Music?

Lesson?

Support fellow 'One Minuters'?

A great networking chance?

Success Stories

Charts

Chart Comment

Subscriber's Section

The Gags

Excitement and a sage warning?

There is always huge excitement in our offices when we launch a new product ['Mad About Music' - The Live Seminar] www.makehits.com/madaboutmusic.htm

We act silly, we all lovingly kiss the first one that is sent out [as we did our first book 'How to Make A $Million From Our Music'] That one gained me a massive award ... and we always wonder what this one will do? Already BBC Radio Oxford want to do a special, 'by public demand', would you believe. On 12th June at 12 noon.

After the kiss, we break open the bubbly! Well you have to, don't you? Then the packs are brought to our friendly post office for mailing.

Then we sit back for a couple of days and wait for the first reactions...and bloomin' heck they are great. You see, I always say that you should know when you have a 'good one'. No one has to tell you...you just know.

Lesson?

You will know when you have created a 'hit product'...be that a hit record, hit play, hit TV show...whatever. You kinda have an inner feeling about it. And no one has to tell you. A guy Emailed me today asking where he could get his latest CD reviewed. To me that is silly. You should know that it is good. And the public will soon tell you by buying it in droves!

"The guy who doesn't have the very latest knowledge in music can't even get off the starting line"

The latest knowledge is in 'Mad About Music' - The Seminar

And the sage warning?

We had a strange occurrence last week which is worth listening up to.

About once every six months I drop into a music newsgroup called RMMS [Recreational Music Making Songwriting http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.music.makers.songwriting]. I have made some excellent friends there and, of course, met some total nerds. But that is the way Newsgroups are made up. It would appear that some contributors are there simply to vent their spleen on unsuspecting music guys [my, that's a statement and a half?] If ever I have a difficult music question or music equipment/computer question I can usually get help there.

So, last week someone called 'William The Music' wrote in and gave me some nice complimentary mentions. Wow! The 'spleen' venting guys went berserk, as usual. Claiming William was actually me! In the words of the immortal Shaggy song: "It Wasn't Me". My laptop is never more than an arms length away - and was not used.

One contributor, Michael, delved right into the complicated sending detail and found that 'William' used the same IP host as us...Mistral.Net. A sincere 'thank you' to Michael for alerting us.

I have recommended Mistral to all who listen, for many years. I have been with them right from the start. Although small compared with AOL and Hotmail etc. they are a stunning company, win awards every year and consistently have the fastest systems and widest bandwidths. Their service and back up is just unbelievable - 24/7/365.

Mistral? Call sales at 01273.747432 and ask for Helen Kent...tell her Dec sent you. www.mistral.net

How about this for service:

I called on Sunday afternoon. Now that is amazing, Sunday afternoon. One of their technicians answered...I explained that it appeared their IP address was being used by another. Now listen up to this. He explained that they, as a relatively small company, bought their ADSL facility in 255 blocks and it was likely that another of their clients could use that similar IP address.

In checking the addresses of our four sites there was no relationship.

I got our IT guys to put their heads together and we came up with 4 interesting solutions....one quite frightening....

1) The situation as laid out by Mistral. If you use a sophisticated, quality IP [Internet Provider] address [Mistral] then there is a likelihood that other clients could use that IP address besides your company.

2) With 19 workers and 9 computers [in the Makehits Organisation] it could be possible that anyone of those, in 3 different locations, could be using the company's ADSL network and, however well intentioned, could cause confusion. We operate a 'no mobiles', 'no smoking', 'no Emails' policy. All the floppy disc units are disabled and only two in the offices have access to Discs.

3) In operating a 'loose' organisation, mostly of Music guys [we are a company run by successful, active music makers and not faceless businessmen] it is possible that any visitor could access our systems.....two did yesterday, simply by asking! The most common line in an office now is: "do you mind if I just check my Emails?" Who can refuse? And no one will look over the guy's shoulder as he checks and types? Who knows what the guy is doing?

4) In forcing myself to think laterally, I went cold when I thought of the fourth scenario. Purely because I have done it myself so many times this year on my travels. With Windows XP it is possible, with very affordable hardware and very simple instruction to access and use almost any network with a lap top. It is laughably easy. It is a convenient feature of XP but I feel that the consequences could be horrific and I now think the feature is horrendous. A guy comes in the office and can discreetly send mass spam, mass porn and even access all the company's stuff on the network computers? I know....I've accessed systems using the trick. Not in a malicious way and not to access private material. Scary?

So who is 'William the Music'?

I personally go for the Mistral scenario, a Mistral client, someone who likes my work and is totally unrelated, could be a Member even? Yep, could be (2), a worker? I don't believe that. We have tightened up and now have added 'no laptops' to the list of things not to do. The (3) scenario is plausible, a stranger, or friend? ... but not likely.

(4) does not bear thinking about. Perhaps this was a trial run for a malicious attack? We have taken active steps to up our security immediately. We have massive computer security....we probably have the most attacks of any music site. Our record was 3276 virus attacks in one day ... [the Sobig scare]

Lesson?

If you are running any kind of network in your music business be especially careful of "Do you mind if I check my Emails?" The scenario as I laid out above could have your business closed down in hours if not minutes. Doesn't bear thinking about, again. The ultimate version would be (4) the guy coming in and using a laptop in the washroom .... could do terminal damage to your business. And you wouldn't know it had happened.

I am available to all Members of The Serious Writers Guild, on my private line, to explain this doomsday scenario (4) ....and give the preventive measures. And thank you, again, to Michael for alerting us.

"Nobody stands taller than those willing to stand corrected."

william saffire

Support fellow 'One Minuters'?

"Dear Stone Cat Fans,

We'll be playing Tuesday, May 24th at
the House Of Rock (Ronnie's Plaza ~
South St, Louis County, MO) from 9pm-10pm.

If you have a Stone Cat T-Shirt, please wear
it, and if you don't, call me or email me and
I'll do my very best to get you one for the show!

MARKSMUSIC@CHARTER.NET
Stone Cat,
Janine, Mark, Jeff & Chad
www.stonecatband.com

A great networking chance?

The UK launch party - pre-Summerfest (south beach) Miami !! Celebrating the biggest international urban music festival ever!!

The first uk pre-party
Wednesday 18th may 2005
At
Browns nightclub,
4 Great Queen Street,
Holborn, London

Time: 9 : 3 0pm prompt

Door cover - £15.00 on the guest list . Tables also available by reservation.. to add names to the guest lists and for more info:

See www.upromoter.com | www.summerfestinternational.com
Email names to: dotun@upromoter.com
Call 07974696424
Text names to: 07974696424

Success Stories:

[I only print one a week of the hundreds I receive. Go to www.makehits.com/testimonials.htm for stories that will amaze you and fill you full of hope for YOUR future.]

"I received 'How to start your own publishing company for under £100' on Thursday and I have been studying it all weekend (in fact I've read it 6 times already). The information supplied is fantastic and I know I've made a big step towards controlling my music destiny.

Thanks for everything DEC you really are the genuine article, which reminds me that is the name of my publishing company GENUINE MUSIC.

Regards ... Brian McNulty

=====================

Charts:

USA [my thanks to Charles in the USA for supplying this]

(1) Hollaback Girl, Gwen Stefani

(2) We Belong Together, Mariah Carey

(3) Oh, Ciara Featuring Ludacris

1 ) Akon - ' Lonely'

2) Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc'

3) Tony Christie ft Peter Kay - '(Is this the way to) Amarillo '

UK Download Chart [now the most important chart in the UK]

(1) Black Eyed Peas...Dont Phunk With My Heart

(2) Gorillaz ... Feel Good Inc

(3) Akon....Lonely

"Man's biggest mistake is to think he is working for someone else"

nashua cavalier

Chart Comment:

Gwen Stefani, my fave at the moment is right there!

Despite strong competition from a, shall we say, expected unexpected source, Akon's 'Lonely' stands proud at the top of the UK charts for a second week at Number One. The single is thus only the second track this year to spend more than a week at the top of the chart but perhaps more interestingly the first rap single to hang on at the summit for more than seven days since Fatman Scoop's 'Be Faithful' had a two week run back in November 2003.

Subscriber's Section:

A familiar problem for music guys ... read it so you don't feel you are the only one with hopes and fears ... then consider my answer.

"Dec,

I am having a rough time right now. I have lost my job, my girlfriend of 5 years whom I planned to marry. And I have been trying to keep a positive outlook on it.

I know it is because I am changing and I know that defeat is only temporary “Napoleon Hill”

My bills are behind. And what is funny is that now. I am more pleasant to be around, a lot more professional, more thoughtful, and more encouraging. Just an all around better person. My Job told me out of the people that they were going to lay off, I was the one who seemed like I could find something sooner than the others so they let me go.

I have been trying to do an excellent job so that I could keep it until my music started to take off. I am just asking for some words of encouragement because I realize that I am changing so it makes since that my surrounds would start to change. I sincerely believe that it’s about to get so much better, but I am so down right now. Any words that may help?

Thanks Dec,

Q*****

P.S Dec, you have influenced me like no one else, and I thank you whole heartedly!

Hi Q*****

Things are tough eh?

Usually the roughest time comes before the great success! Most guys will tell you that.

My own experience was eating my last spoonfulls of porridge oats and sleeping on railway station benches, freezing, whilst listening to my band's record on the radio at Chart Position 5. Most guys can tell you similar stories.

The fact really is that a JOB is only a temporary inconvenience while you strive for stardom. And always remember that the word should really be JUB. Because every JUB, you find yourself saddled with, will only keep you J ust U nder B roke!

Jubs are there to make other people rich...no one ever got rich working for someone else. Strive to be your own boss, that is where the real security is, then it is no one's fault but your own if things don't go right.

And also remember that only once out of ten times does a sole trading guy make a fortune. But that is the odds. Therefore if you fail, you pick yourself up the next day and start again. So the odds get smaller? Right?

It may take 3/4/5/6 shots at it, but you will succeed...you have to. The odds are 1:10....FACT!

That is why, strong, powerful businessmen have no fear of going broke. Because they know that they are one more chance nearer to the $fortune.

I have been broke 4 times! Is that a lesson?

You may be interested in the ideas on the www.makehits.com/moneymaking.htm page.

Regards

DEC [Cluskey]
mailto:dec@makehits.co.uk

"One person with passion is better than forty who are merely interested."

thomas k connellan

Regards

Dec

You may use any part of this 'One Minute' in your own publications...we simply require you to add:

Start ============

'One Minute With Dec' is written each week by Dec Cluskey. Dec's advice?

Get in touch personally to discuss what you want to achieve in music dec@makehits.com

web: www.makehits.com or call +44 (0)1323.728005

Finish===========

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The gags: [Welcome back to Willie who has not been well]

Always wear clean underwear in public, especially when working under
your vehicle.

From the Northwest Florida Daily News comes this story
of a Crestview couple who drove their car to Wal-Mart, only to have their
car break down in the parking lot. The man told his wife to carry on
with the shopping while he fixed the car in the lot. The wife returned
later to see a small group of people near the car. On closer
inspection, she saw a pair of male legs protruding from under the
chassis. Although the man was in shorts, his lack of underpants turned
private parts into glaringly public ones. Unable to stand the
embarrassment, she dutifully stepped forward, quickly put her hand UP
his shorts, and tucked everything back into place.

On regaining her feet, she looked across the hood and found herself
staring at her husband who was standing idly by.

The mechanic, however, had to have three stitches in his forehead.

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How to set up a Demo consultation with Dec?

The Professional service the Professionals use. Even available for voice and guitar!

Simply get in touch by Email - click this link: demo@makehits.co.uk and tell me that you want to send your material for a full critique and appraisal. We will then send you a unique PIN number to put on your letter or Jiffy Bag. This will ensure you get immediate attention. This is also for security reasons. We do not open unsolicited Jiffy Bags.

For full details click on this link: www.makehits.co.uk/demo.htm

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Heard enough, want to apply to join 'The Serious Writers Guild' and receive the award winning ten month program: "How To Make A $Million From Your Music" now?

"as secure as when you buy in your local shop"

[As members of The Data Protection Society your details will never be given to ANYONE]

To pay by any other method please check out the payment methods on the secure page. Any queries re payment just contact me directly. I'll get back in touch with you within hours: dec@makehits.com

For your further protection, we are recognised by British Actors Equity.

Dec Cluskey
The Serious Writers Guild,
Stanton Prior,
Darley Road,
Meads,
Eastbourne BN20 7UH in the UK
Email: dec@makehits.com

Fax.: +44 (0)1323.729318

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