Who has a copy of Kate Gaffney at The Torch Club?  Where can I hear the Dead's 1981 New Years Shows?  Blockbuster doesn't carry my favorite movie "Attack of the Killer Leeches" where do I go?  Quick where can I find a copy of Householders and Landers paper "Mathematical biophysics of the central nervous system"?  These are questions one might find themselves asking themselves, and thanks to the "Internet Archives" ( www.archive.org ) there is now a one stop location that answers these questions and countless more.  Questions you didn't even know you needed to ask!

This is what the Archives have to say about themselves: "The Internet Archive is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that was founded to build an Internet library, with the purpose of offering permanent access for researchers, historians, and scholars to historical collections that exist in digital format."  I feel this statement, does not begin to do this organizton and site justice.  To me, this sight is a launch pad for  wonderful adventures. 

 Digging a little deeper , one begins to realize the true motivation of the folks who have been developing this site since 1996; "Open and free access to literature and other writings has long been considered essential to education and to the maintenance of an open society"  "...without cultural artifacts, civilization has no memory and no mechanism to learn from its successes and failures..."  The dedicated staff sure is doing their job on this end, and what a "mechanism" they are creating. 

I have spent most of my exploration at the "Live Music Archive", which contains over 58,000 concerts (so much music, so little time...).  This site allows for listening and quite often downloading songs and / or complete shows from literally thousands of bands & musicians.  While an avid user of various P2P sites,  the archives goes much beyond what any of these sites can offer. There is no doubt of legality, not to mention the virus' and other dangers found on most P2P sites.  The Grateful Dead is the largest contributor to the Live Music Archive, with over 6,000 entries, but they are far from dominating the site.  A quick glance will find offerings from quite a variety of sources,  such as; "Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band", Warren Zevon, "Quagmire Swim Team" or the "Retribution Gospel Choir", and even this years Party in the Park headliners "The Waybacks" .  The site is updated almost daily, and treasure hunters will find plenty to keep them happy, (I look forward to seeing the infamous David Barton make an appearance soon!)

I sure don't consider myself a researcher, historian or scholar, but the Archives provide plenty for me. I hope all reading this will take the time to explore this site, and pass the word.  This is a precious resource, and needs to be enjoyed and supported.  I personally send my kudos and thanks to the creators, maintainers and contributors of this great resource, it sure goes a long way to ensure we are able to Keep Smilin'!