>> Hi, my name is David Sinofsky ( 77), creator and co-administrator of Foreshock! So you have come here to find out about Foreshock... the question I have, is what do you want to know?!

>>Foreshock was created as an undergraduate senior thesis project at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. You may have heard of the university in the news recently, due to the RIAA slapping lawsuits on two RPI students for running network search engines, hardly a criminal offense. The aim of the site is to support independent non-RIAA artists and their fans. Music lovers need a place to branch out, discover music, get the best deals on CDs, and shape the music industry through the voicing of their opinions.

>> As the site expands with users and staff, features will be added and more music too! I really want to make this a site that is not just for the users, but also for the artists and record company employees, so if you have any opinions, don't be afraid to contact me by clicking on the contact link on the bottom toolbar below!

>> One of the most important things I have to do before I tell you all about the site, is to thank people who have made this possible!:

• My family: my Mom, sisters Michelle and Laura, Nana, Jay, and In memory of my Dad.
• Kathleen Brandt, the greatest and most encouraging Capstone Professor EVER!
• Paul Miyamoto, graphic designer who had the patience to help me every step of the way
• Erin Glasheen, a great advisor and friend who kept me motivated
• Andrew Corbett, management teacher for entrepreneurship who told me the reality of Foreshock becoming a business
• Maureen Duffy, creator of our great Mascot: Moley, and co-administrator of Foreshock!
• Fred Smith, who got me a great hosting deal with his company DividedSky!
• Jon Freeland, awesome artist and great friend
• Aaron Roth, who kept my sanity in check those long nights, and hung out with me when I needed a break
• Record Company Employees, for sending me CDs and continually encouraging me to complete this great project!
• and EVERYONE ELSE, for their comments and help during those long months! (Remember this is still an ongoing project so feedback is appreciated! :))

>> So what is the site about?! Well first you have to sign in, and get a username and password! Once you have that you will start off with a user rating (shown next to my name above... i.e. the 77), and based upon how much information about yourself you input, the amount of reviews you do, news you post (not available to a normal user), and in any other ways throughout the site! The higher your user rating, the more rewards you receive, like being inducted into the staff, the ability to write editorials, participate in special chat rooms, etc!

>> Got any other questions, don't be afraid to drop me a line at david@indiemusicnow.com!

Sincerely,

David Lewis Sinofsky