(that is not all yet... but surely is Tango)

Our readers already know that our page "Linkatango" only presents connections to a few sites we recommend. It is a subjective and arbitrary choice, like almost all choices. However we think that, precisely because of it, it is useful service for the user. The problem of excess of information was not born with Internet, although our network had notably contributed to evidence it. There are two classic remedies to the excess of information: that of the librarian and that of the journalist. The librarian tries to generate a system capable of containing the complexity of the world of information, the journalist drastically reduces the complexity by placing himself as intermediary.

Schematically said, thanks to the librarian we can find what we look for, and thanks to the journalist we can have an idea of what to look for. The librarian's strength relies on cooperation: the more the "systems" of the different libraries are integrated, the more they get near to cover the complexity of the world image. The journalist's strength relies on the attendance: the more varied the criteria of synthesis and of filtering offered to the reader, the greater is the possibility for him to find one that corresponds to his choices and interests.

The problem we have in the network is that librarians (the engines for searching) compete, while the journalists monopolize. "Argentango" is a journalistic proposal: we suggest ourselves as one of the many possible ways to filter information about tango. We hope our readers will find it useful. That is why the page "linkatango" does injustices, it leaves out surely valid sites, and includes others that not all would include. It is one of the possible syntheses, of a way -among many- of reduction of complexity. Reader, test it, see if it corresponds much or little to your own criteria. We do not expect it to be liked by everyone, but that it be adopted by those who like it.

In this number we add a new site to Linkatango: Todotango from Buenos Aires. It belongs to the "Asociación de Coleccionistas porteños de Tango", and is directed by the excellent radio journalist Ricardo García Blaya.

The site is presented with a simple and elegant hypertext and graphic image. It is divided into six sections: "The Artists", "The Library", "Carlos Gardel", "The Radio", "The Selection" and "Recommended". The volume of available material is already considerable, and nonetheless the plan of expansion is perceived, the will to become a great archive of tango. Unlike other sites, which aim at a "total" coverage of the available information, Todotango makes a discreet but rigorous work of selection, guaranteeing a high-average quality. It would seem to balance almost in equal parts the journalist's impulse and the librarian zeal.

Divided into three pages: musicians, poets and singers. It contains very well documented biographies. A sole defect: a page of dancers is missing, considered very important in this second world expansion of tango.

Divided into six pages: Chronicles, Discographies, Lyrics, Sheet Music, Images and Dictionary of Lunfardo. The "chronicles" are works of journalist style, or small essays, about tango themes. Discographies, lyrics, sheet music and images are "nucleuses" of future archives, which already contain very interesting material. The dictionary of lunfardo is for the moment just a promise: we do not know if one of the existing will be digitalized (Gobello, Conde) or if a new one will be introduced.

An entire section devoted to the myth of tango, with the following pages: Chronicles, discography, the authors of his songs and The Voice. This latter page contains a monthly choice of three songs in Real Audio or in MP3. We have corroborated that it is true: he is always singing better, as well in the Internet.

This section is added to the wide world selection of "radios via Internet" of the world. It presents live García Blaya's program on AM870 radio Nacional, Siempre el Tango. Each program (some two hours broadcast) is kept in Real Audio for a week until the next program.

For an Argentine abroad is delicious being able to listen to tangos as he has done many years in his own lifetime: as a sound "background" to work and study, mixed with news, interviews, commentaries, and even ads. Unfortunately there are not many users who have a connection like the one -for work reasons- one has. Real Audio, with the usual connections in Italy and the scarce band towards the American continent, is a real torture for the average fan; if it is like that in South Europe, I don't want to imagine how it would be in Latin America. Of course, it is a file with many megabytes; but some improvements can be introduced: "mirrors" in Italy and Spain, the possibility of downloading it in FTP.

It is one of the strong spots of the site. The tangos, always available in Real Audio and in MP3, have been selected with impeccable taste, and the notes which accompany them are precise. Some names: Troilo, Canaro, Pugliese, Piazzolla, D'Arienzo, Contursi... and some titles: Gricel, Organito de la tarde, Yira yira, Mi noche triste...

They are only ten links (a criterion that in Argentango we approve of) organized by nacionality: two Argentine, three United States American, one Canadian, one Spanish, one Italian, one Dutch and one Japanese.

The director, as we have already said, is Ricardo García Blaya, advised by Héctor Lucci. The photographs and sheet music belong to Bruno Cespi; the design and development is by Jorge Vilas, with the collaboration of Federico García Blaya. In the editorial staff are Julio Nudler, Néstor Pinzón and Emilio Zamboni, besides other contributing journalists.