I am testing out a new system for digital downloads. Any feedback on the process would be appreciated very much. The test files are FREE, but the system will allow for paid downloads which will enable me to offer a wider variety of music. We still have many print editions planned, including the rest of the Mertz Opern-Revue series, Bobrowicz Selected Works Volume II and many other unannounced editions.

The current Digital Edition download process requires customers to sign into the online store. This will allow for multiple downloads and records of your digital orders, so it is a good system in case you have trouble downloading or lose the file later on. You will have access to the download links both in the online store order history list as well as via an email notice. We are including a Digital Edition License to cover usage of these digital files. The digital editions will have an embedded license as well as embedded user information.

Two files are available to test right now:

Marco Aurelio Zani de Ferranti's Divertissement sur trois Romances Anglaises favorites. MVdC 156 <DGA Editions - 001>

Giulio Regondi - manuscript excerpts <DGA Editions - 002>

Note: I updated the Regondi file with more detailed information from the Jacobs book. Since the musical manuscripts are not part of any correspondence I changed the title from "letter excerpts" to "manuscript excerpts." The music is the same. If you have already downloaded the file you can use the same URL to download the new file unless the link has expired. Since it is a free file you can also just add it to your cart again.

Michael Sieberichs-Nau pointed out to me today that the Hofmeister XIX website has become public again. It is a database of the monthly music-in-print catalogue Hofmeister Monatsberichte published 1829-1900. According to the site the database contains about 400,000 records.

I have moved the Ferranti and Mertz free digital editons from my web store to the DGA Editions Catalog located on the left side of this page. The files can be downloaded directly from the catalog listing, so you don't have to register in the store to download anymore.

Look for more information on digital editions coming soon. I will have a test file that can be downloaded in the same way as digital editions through the online store. The purpose of this file is to evaluate potential security features.

Preventing copying and redistribution electronically or in print will allow me to continue offering digital versions of upcoming editions. The cost will be reasonable and the level of security will be based upon feedback from site visitors.

(As I am very busy preparing editions right now I will post the link to the Archive Search page here.) [News update posted 12/25/2005.]

The databases for the first release of the Archve have been prepared. Because of a business trip to Osaka this past week I was not able to proceed very far in getting the search pages ready. If anyone has experience developing dynamic websites using PHP/MySQL then I can give you access to the databases which are actually already on the site, but not accessible through web pages.

You may send email to: archivist@digitalguitararchive.com