There seem to be a few problems with the idea
of using the old "broadcasting" model in the
discussion of the development of a Web/Radio
interface.

In the online discussion so far it appears that
there is an intention/desire to form a kind of
global club of mini-transmitters connected by
an on-line database of "programs" by members.

The open network structure of the WWW is
very unlike the network of costly land/satellite
lines of licenced broadcasting - meaning that
the WWW can be used as an open distribution
medium in which sound material is always
available. No club or central authority is
necessary - all that is required is the kind of
thing that Thomax, Heath and Honor are working
on/talking about: namely a network of (semi-)
automated open data bases listing available
sound material.

Although the idea of building mini (pirate)
transmitters is an interesting idea and should
be persued, linking existing transmitters is a
better first step. The world is already full of
small fm stations looking for new material ...
the task should be to follow Sergio's example
and begin to motivate them to network via the
WWW. (But this of course means that their
material would also be listed and available in
the databases)

There is a serious asymetry in the notion of the
internet as a "Global" medium and we all know
that we are a part of a very priveleged minority.
Most people in the world do not even have private
access to a telephone let alone computers etc. -
but almost everyone has a radio.

In reply to Friedrich: plugging a RealAudio
stream into a radio transmitter is no more of a
problem than for any other sound source.
If you're thinking about SW then sound quality
can't be a high priority ....;-)

-------------------------
robert adrian
wiedner hauptstrasse 37/69
a-1040 vienna, austria
tel.++43 1 504 3110
fax++43 1 504 4849



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