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Pardon our dust, we're recalibrating the Stream

Posted March 1, 2010 - 11:40 by Gordon Whiting
Folks, we will be off the air for a short hiatus while we solve our webstream issues. Angie will chime in later for a note about our current status and future plans.

Webstreaming Rethink: back to the drawing board

Posted March 1, 2010 - 11:31 by Gordon Whiting

What we have been attempting to do the past three weeks, streaming live radio over the Internet, is a rough go. We were advised that it was easy; the obvious thing to do-- "just put your show up on the 'Net!" --but there are numerous engineering and technical issues, some beyond our control, that make consistency a real challenge. Those who say it's a no-brainer are usually referring to podcasting. That IS a no-brainer. Live streaming is a different kettle of fish. Using an outside service like Livestream, you are subject to the ebbs and flows of bandwidth caused by usage of the other 115,000 streamers on their platform. Too many times during our broadcast the signal just quit, and often did not come back. Using our own server, configured with NCH Broadwave, we are limited to about 50 connections (with our current uplink capacity.) As we exceeded 50-- and there was no way to limit it, everybody who was already connected began to get dropouts. Also complicating matters was our use of Skype as the main phone platform for the voice signal, further crowding and limiting listener bandwidth for the stream. Please accept our apology for such a sketchy presentation. We did not realize there would be so many factors that affect your ability to hear the show. We are regrouping, upgrading our equipment, testing testing testing, and will be back streaming as soon as possible.

The Death of Air America, Green960, and Progressive Talk

Posted February 23, 2010 - 12:19 by marthaabernathy

With rumors swirling around that San Francisco's Green960 is headed towards a format change and Air America is now defunct, is this proof that progressive talk radio is dead? In the conventional sense, it's been dead a long time. Progressive talk has never had the mass appeal in the same way that right wing talk has. Part of the problem that Air America had was that it wasn't home grown grass roots radio. It didn't grow out of demand, it grew out of a business-political venture/idea. Stations around the country like Green960 and Madison, Wisconsin's WXXM "The Mic" were both born out of Clear Channel's move to to capitalize on the early success of progressive talk (especially given the fact that their early experiment, KPOJ, went from the bottom of the Portland market to the close to the top in less than a year).

Webstream service update

Posted February 5, 2010 - 07:14 by Gordon Whiting

latest-- 02/15/10 -- Webcasting today at 4pm, Pacific Standard Time Windows Media Player: http://99.56.143.106:88/broadwave.asx?src=1&rate=1 Quicktime, iTunes: http://99.56.143.106:88/broadwave.pls?src=1&rate=1

02/10/10 -- We will be webcasting again starting Monday February 15, at 4:00pm. Go to the Live Blog page to get the link for the stream.

02/08/10 --NCH Broadwave is great. Looks like we'll be back in the saddle soon.  Will post again tomorrow with schedule.

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After much research and testing, we have decided to abandon plans for off-site streaming service. Over the weekend we will be configuring our own server, the NCH Broadwave system. When it is ready, we will be back in broadcast mode. There are also parallel developments on the station/studio front-- should those bear fruit in the immediate future, this webstream dilemma will be moot. Thanks for your patience while we work this out.

Update

Posted February 4, 2010 - 10:18 by Gordon Whiting
Very frustrating day yesterday testing new webstream services for the show. Tried three new systems; none workable. Trying two more today; will post the result. When that is settled, will announce the new broadcast schedule. Thanks for your patience.

Show broadcast update

Posted February 1, 2010 - 12:31 by Gordon Whiting

We are working out the webstream problems that have haunted us recently. As soon as we have tested and secured our new services we will have the show back live. I won't promise a date, but it will be as soon as possible! We are anxious to get back in the groove.  I will run a brief live-blog at 4:00 every day until we're back in full swing, just to provide updates.

Gordon

Okay, this is for all here.

Posted January 30, 2010 - 14:04 by Pythos

As you know, I am a little alternative with my style presentation.

I do not go about daily looking as I present myself here, as fun as that would be, it just is not practical.

However, I do go about in unusual styles, especially for a straight male.

I may be taking an awful risk here, but I feel I can trust members here.

this is an example of one of my more normal alternative styles.

Aside from one item presented all items are marketed as Masculine, or unisex. I wore this outfit for hanging with buddies for a gaming night. My friend and I went to restock the chips and snacks, and I got I think one "bad" look from this unpleasant looking gentlman. When at the store I had on my trench coat, that I let flow behind me like a cloak.

Aside from the social reason, can any of you say why this cannot be acceptable male attire?

Live today

Posted January 25, 2010 - 15:22 by Gordon Whiting

We will be webcasting today, Monday, January 25, at 4:00pm. Click here to listen.

Topics:

1. Healthcare: the new numbers

2. Latest from Brad Blog AKA the worst week ever.

3. Executive  Directorir of Military Religious Freedom, on Jesus rifles.

4. Homeless activist Mark Horvath, commenting on South Carolina Lt Gov Andre Bauer's stance on the homeless.

5. Gotta Laff introduces a new feature on PoliticalCarnival.com

Monday broadcast

Posted January 18, 2010 - 12:19 by Gordon Whiting

We will be webcasting the show right here, today at 4:00PM. Topics include the latest on the Cargill's Redwood City Saltworks development, and the Progressive response to the disaster in Haiti. See you there!

I have little to say that isn't being stated already...

Posted January 16, 2010 - 17:38 by Pythos

So I understand some here like my pics.

So here are some moody ones. Enjoy.

I liked how these more artsy pics turned out. The last one turned out nice.

The middle pic will most likely illustrate why I keep a near neutral expression, cause when I smile I look malevolent, LOL.

In case you wonder, the makeup takes maybe 15 minutes to do, at most half an hour for really fine detail. The whole photo shoot. At most one hour.

Hope ya like, and please leave comments.