Official releases

[Festafarian]

Ok, this may be a really stupid question, but...

A friend just called me to tell me that a dvd I had on my list was officially released. If I get something in trade that I am not sure of, I google it to try and find out more about it. Here's the problem, sometimes you can find it for sale, but as we all know, that doesn't actually mean it's not still a legal boot.

Sometimes I can't seem to find the info I need. You guys get officially released stuff off the board so fast, i thought you might know if there is a definitive method of checking.
Thanks

[U2Lynne]

You are right, sometimes something can *look* officially released simply because you find it for sale, but it is actually just a bootleg. I always check amazon.com to see if I can find it (but make sure it's for sale *by* amazon.com, not one of the listings from a user). Another thing to do it find the band website. Usually they have a discography on the site. See if it's there.

[Festafarian]

Thanks Lynne, that's what I've been doing, I guess I thought you guys must have a "special" site you go to, to find out :lol

Some of the older bands don't really have an official website, just fan-sites, which makes it hard to figure out because they will sometimes list boots in their discography

[Five]

^what Lynne said

best of all is when you can find a fansite that lists "ROIOs" like

livenirvana.com
toolarmy.com
metlive.com
splra.org

etc etc

LN is the best of the lot that I've ever seen (somebody show me better!). these lists are especially great when you're trying to determine if what you want to share is the best quality that circulates. usually you can contact ppl who run these sites and get them to rapidshare you a sample of a song from what is currently considered best source. If there's a cleaner copy out there it is better not to circulate something that's crappier.