I’m glad you asked. I’ve answered these questions many times, in many different settings, but I’ve never posted my thoughts here - and given that we’ll be launching next week, I think it’s time for me to do so.

First and foremost, ArtistOne Analytics is a metrics tool that measures the popularity, tracks downloads, and and locates sharers on the most popular filesharing networks. For years, many underground artists have used the power of Bittorrent, LimeWire, and Kazaa to their benefit, but a system to quantify the swapping has remained strangely absent. We’re here to fill the void. If you look back through the blog, and over at our signup page, you’ll see samples of our data. We hope that our services will be valuable to you; helping those who are trying to get off the ground, or larger media producers who are looking to excite a current fan base by offering something unique and free.

If you’re interested in joining us for our private beta, there’s a few things you should know. I want everyone to get in on the largest chunk of beta time possible, so here’s a few quick tips to get you started.

1. In order to maintain a secure, universally compatible login, we’ve chosen to use OpenID. To the security team here, it seems to be the easiest solution, while maintaining the high levels of security that your data requires. One of the many desirable tenents that only OpenID offers is decentralized authentication. In other words, Verisign allows you to login to their system, which then allows you to access any OpenID powered site. It truly is the one-for-all login system. That being said, an OpenID account is required to use ArtistOne Analytics. If you have already established an account with one of the various providers, you’re all set. Otherwise, click over to our endorsed identity provider, Verisign.

2. Let us know that you want in. It’s easy, and fast: just send an e-mail to beta@artistoneanalytics.com, with your name, address, OpenID URL, and the e-mail address that you wish to associate with your account. Then, come launch day - you’ll be ready to rock.

3. Start gathering what you want to track. We’ll be going live with our Bittorrent tracking capabilities immediately at launch, with other networks following suit. If you know what files you wish to track, go download the .torrent files, and prepare to upload them to us. Once they’re in our database, we’ll start gathering data.

If you follow these quick tips, you should be ready when we launch. Everybody get a month to test the system, while we work all of the kinks out. It’s pretty bug free now, but we want everyone to get the best experience possible.

Thanks for expressing your interest. I look forward to hearing from you!

Nicholas Young
Owner, ArtistOne

Perhaps it’s just me, but hasn’t this election thing been going on for a couple of years now? Seriously, it’s almost like the campaigning starts when a new president enters office, only to either gain momentum for two years (then die), or win the most coveted seat in our nation. Let me tell you, both outcomes are just as scary - and my experiences this morning tell the tale.

Last weekend, we launched at BarCamp Nashville, and immediately following our presentation, we were confronted by Milt Capps, owner and publisher of the business news site, VentureNashville.com . Naturally, we’ll take all the publicity we can get, and agreed to let him write an article. When the article was posted this morning, my enthusiasm sank. Quotations, given to him over the phone and in the presence of witnesses, have been either misquoted, edited without proper mark-up, or created, depending on how he wanted the story to appear. (I just love reading my own quotes, especially when they never came out my mouth.) Consider this piece my opinion; an incorrect article proudly put on public display.

I’ve always said that bad press is better than none. People are still talking about you. Now, it’s time for me to put my principles into practice. Presented here for your reading pleasure, is the exact text of his article, with my corrections and additions in bold. All instances of improper spelling and grammar are intact:

__________________

Startup: ArtistOne aims to unseat Nielsen for download data services

By: Milt Capps

Posted: Monday, October 27, 2008 10:51 am

A Nashville startup chief says Music Row executives and others can sell more songs and videos by targeting downloading hotspots that are identified by ArtistOne Analytics, which tracks file-sharing worldwide.

In a recent interview, ArtistOne Founder Nicholas Young told VNC he believes the mainstream recording industry and advocates like RIAA are feverishly engaged in litigation against downloaders, mainly because they “don’t really know what’s going on” and are overlooking the enormous hidden value of the very downloading that bedevils them.

(In my original statement, I noted that the said advocates simply do not see the value of a free, community-driven distribution model, and at the moment, are doing whatever they can to extract value.)

Among younger audiences, Young said, radio and traditional media, generally, are taking a backseat to file-sharing driven by iPods, BitTorrent, Facebook pages and other channels. As a result, Young said he “absolutely” believes ArtistOne Analytics’ gelocational file-sharing data will become more important to the entertainment and information industries than data from such giants as Nielsen. 

(Yes, traditional media is taking a backseat, mostly because of how this generation perceives marketing. Over previous years, so many campaigns have engaged in push marketing that we’re almost immune to it now. This generation is creating a unique blend of media that defines who they are, and we need to learn how to put content in their hands. No longer can we package in bundles, and force feed our consumers.)

Young said the analytics and distribution services he’s been developing for more than five months allow labels, performing artists and others to see where their songs are being downloaded most intensely, and then to target marketing and distribution in those same regions, leveraging regional interest demonstrated by downloads.

Young said his service uses anonymized metadata associated with downloaded files to map file-sharing volume and trends by type of music, demographic tiers and other variables, and data can be displayed in an array of reporting formats.

He said this morning he’s comfortable he’ll have ArtistOne services ready by Nov. 10 for the twenty or more users who have already committed to trial. Typically, Young said he’ll target networks for monitoring or provide Internet-driven distribution of content, based on customers’ priorities. 

Asked for first-blush comment on Young’s business concept and screenshots, echo founder and CEO Mark Montgomery (right) said cautiously, “If you are asking me if it’s valuable, the answer is, depending on the context, and with other data (touring, radio, etc.) it would be a nice overlay.” 

(That’s right. Think of how useful these data points can really be…)

Montgomery’s echo, now a Ticketmaster company based in Nashville, creates online communities for brands and bands, and serves artists ranging from Keith Urban and Korn to Dolly Parton, as well as corporations.

Young contends that it is his focus on downloading metrics and his familiarity with navigating major and subordinate networks that makes ArtistOne Analytics so comprehensive and powerful. As part of his ceaseless effort to keep up with latest trends in the field, last weekend he attended the PhreakNIC conference of “white hat” hackers, here in Nashville.

(What does all of this mean? Sure, we monitor all of the networks. Yeah, I’m familiar with the protocols and systems used. Is that a problem?)

Young relocated to Nashville from Alabama 14 months ago, hoping to become more involved at the crossroads of music and technology. Since arriving here, he has supported himself by selling web-development and social-media services, primarily to independent artists. He says he will soon focus solely on ArtistOne Analytics.

(In case you don’t understand, ArtistOne Analytics is another service we offer. I’m still in charge, and there are other things in development too. Don’t let the media fool you.)

Young is collaborating with Ed Felton, a 45-year-old Metro Government IT employee and part-time IT instructor, who fills ArtistOne’s sales role. The two men were among presenters during the recent BarCamp Nashville (site best viewed with Moz/Firefox). 

(Ed is Head of Business Development for ArtistOne. He can pitch a product that he believes in, but that is just the passion coming out. He is not in an official sales role at this time.)

Young, age 20, said he learned to write computer code, design networks and more by working alongside his father, who works in electronics and information systems. He set forth in his first business at age 15, converting customers’ music from analog to digital, all quite legally. 

___________________

Thanks for the opinion piece, Milt. We need all the buzz we can get. If you’ve read this far, thank you. Feel free to repost this entry anywhere, provided that my commentary is intact.

All content in regular font-face and within the lines © 2008 Milt Capps. Bold text within the lines is my own commentary.

-Nicholas Young

This post is completed, and presented in reverse-chronological order. There’s not much here, but think of it as our flag on the hill… a post, frozen in time, to prove that we were indeed there! 

Saturday: 8:15 PM Central:

At home on my personal network now. I can login and post with confidence, and that’s a good thing, because I couldn’t tether up the iPhone if I wanted to. I’ve completely drained the battery, but it was all during good times spent with some of Nashville’s hardcore hackers.

The $25 per-person admission fee for the event this weekend was definitely well spent. Contacts, near and far were established, not to mention the insight we gained. For me, this weekend will be spent recuperating, and building the panel that will allow our beta users to access their statistics. (Watch the RSS feed for news as we develop).

As for Phreaknic, that’s all. I’ll be signing off and getting some rest.

Saturday, 2:06 PM Central:

The geeks will inherit the earth. It’s a fact, though the crew at Phreaknic 12 is definitely too perverse to even have a chance. Currently, I’m sitting on the 9th floor, tethered to the iPhone, because who sends passwords across a network controlled by hackers? For the uninitiated, let me just note that doing so is completely unwise, unless you wish to have your authentication details posted to the interwebz. 

While here, I’ve been tortured (I mean, treated) to several seminars, including a most interesting one on the legality of wardriving.

We’re now offering a quick, easy download of the previous six Analytical Impressions podcasts, via Mininova Content Distribution.

Check it out here. Feedback is always welcome.

…and Metallica’s new album, “Death Magnetic” doesn’t just rock your eardrums, but it’s clogging the pipes!

This latest scan shows that it’s very hot across the USA, sometimes being consumed in places that you wouldn’t think of as a metal hotbed. Want to know about your content? Contact us.

That’s right, this coming weekend is Phreaknic 12, the southeast USA’s largest and oldest hacker convention - and we’ll be there, plying our goods and putting our brains to work in the various competitions.

So, if you’re around, please stop in and say hello. It’s only $25 bucks for the weekend, and I promise, if you stay for the weekend, it’s worth it. But, if you can’t see it for yourself, there might be a live stream from the event, but I’m not sure. Let’s see what Edward and I can cook up. - Nicholas

Launching at Barcamp Nashville was an exciting experience, and I’d love to share some of the excitement with you. I hear from the crew that video is forthcoming, but for now, this will do.

Feel free to tweet, download, blog, and burn this presentation.

Wow… what a day. The crew is tired, our voices are almost gone, but we’re so thankful for those of you who have expressed interest. It’s for you that we do this.

If you are one of our beta participants, we’re going to get things rolling after the weekend. Of course, questions and comments are welcome… just click the contact button and get in touch.

Again, thanks for making the launch a success. We couldn’t have done it without you. Together, we’ll start the revolution.

Nicholas Young & Edward Felton

UPDATE: We’re adding links to those who blogged or tweeted about us. Thanks!

Mitch Canter, StudioNashvegas
Stephen Yeargin

It’s Official, and if you were in the room, THANKS for all the love! ArtistOne Analytics made the official announcement at 10:02 am, releasing our product into private beta.

The Revolution is HERE!

It’s your content, control it!

Sign up for your beta account by emailing beta@artistone.biz.

We’ll update this with screen shots, as soon as we get the chance!

Considering that national “Talk Like a Pirate Day” wasn’t too long ago, the general pirate expletive perfectly fits the frustration levels now. 

Last night, I was making tweaks to the site, when my hosting provider crashed: databases, FTP, SSH, everything. They smashed the earth so hard that the resulting crater was as big an RIAA lawsuit settlement. But, thanks to the magic of templates and Wordpress MU, we’re back in action, and will be up-and-running in full capacity here soon. Thanks for your patience.