[vorbis] tags in comment field - why?

[Monty]

> One route I've been pointing out for the past year is to just import the 
> MusicBrainz format. I think it needs some work from the design point of 
> view, but there's a ready implementation of the parser and an 
> established database to query.

The below is not an argument for or against musicbrainz, just
something to keep in common about using external standards:

Using standards is a good thing, we all agree on that, unless there's
a specific reason not to.  You've noted in the past that I show
reluctance about embracing niche, de-facto standards like ReplayGain
and now, potentially, MusicBrainz.  If we embrace and encourage such a
standard, basing our own infrastructure and future infrastructure on
the continued viability of that standard, it's important that we be
prepared to support that standard *ourselves* should the original
group maintaining it dissolve.  This could become a significant design
and development burden, so take it into account.

It would be a bit like using C if the only ANSI C library in the world
were maintained by a single small commercial (or private volunteer)
group.

In the case of ReplayGain, this isn't a big deal.  In the case of
MusicBrainz and their database, it's a bit more impressive a load.
Again, this isn't an argument against; we'd have to do it *anyway* and
the [hopefully unlikely] eventuality of taking over a working codebase
from another group is still likely less work.  

Monty

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