Does Your Web Hosting Provider Support Streaming Audio and Video?

With the growing popularity of rich media applications on the Internet, there are a number of reasons why you should select a web hosting provider that supports streaming audio and video files. Internet users are hungry for fresh information and there is little doubt that video and audio formats will continue to grow in popularity as delivery methods for that information. Therefore, if you are not currently incorporating these rich media files into your company's web site, you may soon find you are leaving money on the table.There are many ways you can improve your customers' online experience by choosing a web hosting service that supports streaming audio and video applications. For example, you can add product demonstrations, sales presentations, training programs, and live-event broadcasting to make your site more dynamic and engaging for visitors. This can help make your products and services come alive to your prospects and eliminates the need for them to imagine how your offerings can make their lives better.The result? Your site becomes more "sticky" - and your bottom line more robust.Although traditional web hosting services can support audio and video files via a technology called "progressive download," there are a number of limitations to this approach. Namely, the large file size associated with audio and video files can translate into unacceptably long download times. Internet surfers aren't known for their unlimited attention span, so this variable can definitely prompt web traffic to scramble for the back button. With streaming applications, your files can start playing right away, without needing to wait for the file to download first.In addition to faster start times, streaming has several additional advantages over web-hosted files. For starters, your web visitors will be able to access any part of the file at any time. Unlike with hosted media, a streaming file won't have to download completely first, so the process is more streamlined and much faster. This means they can skip ahead to any part of the file whenever they choose without having to wait.In addition, streaming servers generally produce a better user experience in terms of overall performance. This is because they are optimized to deliver audio/video formats more efficiently. This is especially beneficial when a lot of viewers attempt to access the files at once, as often occurs with live events. (Incidentally, streaming applications are required for live-event broadcasts). This value-added feature is not available with traditional non-streaming web hosting. The ability to feature live broadcasts offers a competitive advantage for businesses by allowing them to present information in real-time, rather than after the fact.Enhanced security is yet another valuable benefit of streaming web hosting. With traditional web-hosted media, your audio and video files are downloaded by the viewer. Once this occurs, your information is out of your hands and you have no way to control how that information is used or distributed. On the other hand, streaming files are not actually downloaded, so your files remain right where you want them - with you.

Singer Songwriters And The Root of All Evil

Is It All About The Love Of Money?When I started singing, as a little boy, I began to dream that one day I'd rise to the top and have all the money my heart could possibly desire. And I could see that money in gold, silver, green, and diamonds. Piles of it, buckets of it...for cryin' out loud...truckloads of it!So...as I began to practice, I would repeat over and over to myself: "money money money" A few more la la la's and then repeat "money money money". It didn't matter that I was six. I knew if I could envision it, I could make it happen.And if you believe this story so far, you don't know me at all.I spent 10′s of thousands of hours of my life singing and practicing and learning music theory, scales, sight-reading, and everything music related. For the love of money? Absolutely not! For the love of music. Music has been a constant companion and best friend to me for as long as I can remember. And all the years I spent as a full-time musician never got me even close to riches. But I loved it all the same.So...in this age of digital downloads where so many people say all music should be free...have I forsaken my love for singing and songwriting? Not on your life. And if you explore my blog, you'll find plenty of free music available. Still...I've discovered something odd in America.It still takes money to buy groceries, and gas, and cars, and clothes, and housing, and...well...just about everything. What's up with that?You know what I'd like to see?Everybody works for free and everything is free. Wouldn't that solve the problem? Or should it be just the goofy singer songwriters and other artists who should work for free? Call me crazy, but that doesn't seem balanced, fair, equitable, or even sustainable to singer songwriters and other artists.My track record proves I don't live for the love of money (which is the root of all evil). But I do live...in a society/culture where money is necessary to live. So...call me crazy again, but...I still work to create and provide musical enjoyment to as many as will listen...and I'd still like to charge for my products. That way I can afford to keep up on the gear and resources to create and provide more musical enjoyment.What do you think? Is this just crazy talk?

Digital TV Models 2011 - Features Explained

This year has seen the introduction of new terminology from the four major suppliers describing features on their digital TVs.Labels stating such features as Motionflow XR800, Clear Motion Rate and Moving Picture Resolution have replaced the traditional 50Hz, 100Hz and 200Hz refresh labelling - much the same as when the industry did away with the millisecond response time labelling a few years back.The introduction of Smart TV has seen an array of feature descriptions stickered on the screens displayed on the show room floor - from Built in Wi-Fi, Skype, Video on Demand, Viera Connect, Bigpond TV to Your Video and Search All.Other common features include Passive 3D, Active 3D, Opti-Contrast Panel, USB Recording, Time Machine Ready and cornering glass, to name a few.Features relating to Motion Samsung - Clear Motion Rate Samsung have abandoned the traditional Refresh Rate measurement, and opted instead for a "Clear Motion Rate" label for each of their Series LEDs.Normally, we are used to being given a Refresh Rate, such as 100Hz, which only refers to the Refresh Rate of the screen. Samsung state that the Refresh Rate only forms part of the Picture quality during fast scenes, where as Clear Motion Rate determines the motion of an image by using three factors: chipset, TV Panel and Backlight.Refresh rates only determine the number or frames drawn on the screen per second, while the clear motion rate refers to the TV's ability to draw those frames correctly.Example - Samsung Series 8 LED has a Clear Motion 800 Rating, while the Series 7 LED has a Clear Motion 600 Rating. While the Refresh Rate is 200Hz on both models - the Series 8 has a superior chipset and backlight technology which results in fast motion scenes being clearer.Sony - Motionflow XR Similar to Samsung, Sony has this year provided a motion quality measurement as opposed to just the Refresh Rate. Sony State that their Motionflow technology creates smooth, detailed moving images for sports or action. Motionflow combines Image Blur Reduction, Frame Creation and backlight blinking technologies together. These three technologies combined are how Sony guages Motion performance from model to model.Example - Sony's HX820 range of LED have a Motionflow XR400 rating, while the HX925 LEDs have a Motionflow XR800 Rating. While the Refresh Rate is 200Hz on both models - the HX925 combines this with backlight blinking of up to 600 times per second, as opposed to 200 times per second in the HX820, which results in the motion appearing clearer. Basically the Higher the motionflow number, the better the motion enhancement.Panasonic - Moving Picture ResolutionPanasonic have displayed both the Refresh Rate, and what they class as the Moving Picture Resolution. Just like Sony and Samsung, the Moving Picture Resolution is a metric which basically puts a value on how well a TV Panel deals with motion. The higher the number, the less blur that is added to the signal on the display.Example - Panasonics ST30 range of Plasma have a Moving Picture Resolution of 1080 lines, and the Panel Speed is 600Hz Subfield Drive. In comparison, the U30 Range of Plasma screens, which also have a 600Hz Subfield Drive, have a lower Moving Picture Resolution of 900 lines, meaning the motion on the U30 won't be as clear as the ST30.Panasonic, Samsung and LG - 600Hz Subfield MotionWhat 600Hz Sub-Field Driving does, with a 50Hz source like how our Australian TV is broadcast, is split each frame into 12 separate frames or "sub-fields", and then show them individually on the screen. That means 12 sub-fields per frame in 50Hz (frames per second) creates 600 frames per second (50x12=600). The more sub-fields you have per frame, the more accurate the colour reproduction and less picture noise.Features relating to Smart TV Samsung - Social TVSamsung models labelled with Social TV have the ability to connect to Social Network services Facebook, Twitter and Google Talk. Twitter users can keep watching TV while their Tweets display on a separate part of the screen. Facebook users can also keep watching TV while accessing their Facebook page.Samsung - Your VideoYour Video is a TV program and movie recommendation service - based on movies that you've selected in the past. You are served up with a selection of movies or TV shows which you are able to preview clips, synopsis, user ratings and even share your likes and dislikes via Facebook and Twitter.Samsung - Search AllThe Search all feature is an application which allows you to search for content or information across every aspect your TV has to offer. Enter a search query into the search all text box, and you are given matches from Your Video, recent Web searches, Tweets, Facebook postings and more. It is a convenient way to find information you are looking for.Samsung - Smart HubPressing the Smart button on your remote displays the Smart Hub, and it is from here that you are able to access all the TV has to offer in terms of connectivity such as the Web Browser, Your Video, Search All, Bigpond Movies and many more. The Smart Hub is the page you go to access almost every feature that Samsung has to offer.Samsung - Your VideoYour Video is a TV program and movie recommendation service - based on movies that you've selected in the past. You are served up with a selection of movies or TV shows which you are able to preview clips, synopsis, user ratings and even share your likes and dislikes via Facebook and Twitter.Samsung - Search AllThe Search all feature is an application which allows you to search for content or information across every aspect your TV has to offer. Enter a search query into the search all text box, and you are given matches from Your Video, recent Web searches, Tweets, Facebook postings and more. It is a convenient way to find information you are looking for.Samsung - Smart HubPressing the Smart button on your remote displays the Smart Hub, and it is from here that you are able to access all the TV has to offer in terms of connectivity such as the Web Browser, Your Video, Search All, Bigpond Movies and many more. The Smart Hub is the page you go to access almost every feature that Samsung has to offer.Samsung - Samsung AppsJust like today's smartphones, Samsung have incorporated apps (applications) downloadable via the Samsung App Store. If you have owned an I-Phone you will already be familiar with the endless array of programs you can download and the Samsung App store works in the same manner, albeit on a much smaller scale. There are Video, Game, Sports, Lifestyle, Information and Education apps available.Samsung - AllshareAllshare is Samsungs brand name for DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) which is a platform for sharing media between compatible devices. Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Smartphones, Tablets, laptops and home theatre systems which are DLNA certified, are all able to be connected through your Home Network and through to your TV, enabling the sharing of Photos, Movies and music without wires.Sony - Bravia Internet VideoBravia Internet Video streams a selection of Internet TV channels, via your Home Network, through to your TV. There are channels such as The Wiggles, ABC I-View, You-Tube, Yahoo Plus 7, SBS and many more.Sony - Video on DemandVideo on Demand is a portal to New Release and back catalogue Movies available for streaming, via your Home Network, through to your TV. You can "hire" movies without having to leave your lounge, and not having to worry about late fees or subscriptions.Sony - Music UnlimitedMusic unlimited is a Music store through your TV - you can search and listen to millions of artists, create playlists via a subscription service from Qriocity.com. Depending on which subscription you choose, you may be able to access features such as Global Top 100 tracks, Music channels compiled from millions of tracks around the world and the ability to create your own playlists and channels. For Subscription prices and further information, visit Qriocity.com.Panasonic - Easy IPTVEasy IPTV is Panasonics label for models which provide you with access to Social Networking sites, and have DLNA functionality. Models which have Easy IPTV give you access to You Tube, Twitter, Facebook, Picassa and more, as well as the ability to share Photos, Movies and music with DLNA certified Camcorders, Smartphones, Tablets, laptops and more.Panasonic - Viera ConnectViera Connect is an extension of Easy IPTV - besides the social network and DLNA connectivity, Viera Connect also offers Internet TV channels from You Tube, Yahoo 7, ABC I-View and Shoutcast Internet Radio. There is also a catalogue of apps from third-party application developers.LG - Home DashboardPressing the Home button on your remote displays the LGs Home Dashboard, and it is from here that you are able to access all of the TV's connectivity functions such as the Web Browser, LG Apps, Media Link, Bigpond Movies and many more. The Home Dashboard is the page you go to access almost every feature that LG has to offer.LG - Smart ShareSmart Share is LGs brand name for DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) which is a platform for sharing media between compatible devices. Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Smartphones, Tablets, laptops and home theatre systems which are DLNA certified, are all able to be connected through your Home Network and through to your TV, enabling the sharing of Photos, Movies and music without wires.LG - Media LinkLGs Media Link application matches information to video files via an extensive database called PLEX. This feature can provide you with movie information such as synopsis, casts, director, viewer ratings for the media content you are viewing, on a nicely laid out full page display.LG - AppsLG have Video, Game, Sports, Lifestyle, Information and Education apps available for use and download via the Home Dashboard. LG have a website - LG Apps TV - where you can download hundreds of apps. Visit LG Apps TV HERE.Features relating to Panel and Contrast TechnologySony - OptiContrast Panel with Gorilla GlassSony's panels which use Gorilla Glass and Opticontrast have a frameless design with glass that reaches right to the corners of the TV. These sets deliver improved clarity by boosting contrast, and increasing brightness and minimizing unwanted light reflections.Example - Sony's HX820 range of LED have OptiContrast Panels with Gorilla Glass, while the EX720 LEDs have the standard panels. If you watch a movie like Batman, which has many dark scenes, you will find there is more detail in the HX820 than on the EX720 - especially in a brighter viewing environment.Sony - Sony - Dynamic Edge LEDWith Sony's Dynamic Edge LED models, the LEDs behind the panel can have thier brightness adjusted to deliver optimum contrast. This means that, depending on the picture you are watching, the Dynamic Edge LED system controls individual parts of the screen independently for a wider contrast within each scene - resulting in a stronger colour reproduction as well as brighter whites and greatly improved blacks.Sony - X-Reality, and X-Reality PROX-Reality is Sony's brand name for their Picture processing engine. Every TV has a chipset inside which is responsible for how the image finally looks on the screen. It is like the puppet master, with the puppets being all of the other aspects of the TV like the Panel, Tuner, Refresh Speed and Contrast to name a few. These all rely on the Picture Processing Engine to combine them and deliver a result as high as possible. The X-Reality engine is the standard in five levels of Bravia TVs, with the HX Models both having X-reality PRO Picture Engines. Along with the benefits of their standard processor, X-Reality PRO combines a dedicated 2nd image processor which tweaks hue, saturation, brightness, and in addition, Super Bit Mapping and face detection technology. In simple terms, more processing power delivers clearer images, and better colour reproduction.Samsung - HyperReal EngineHyperReal Engine is Samsungs brand name for their Picture Processing Engine. It is the chipset responsible for Contrast, Motion and Colour, and optimizes performance and image enhancement.Samsung - Micro DimmingWith Samsung's Micro Dimming LED models, the LEDs behind the panel can have their brightness adjusted to deliver optimum contrast. The Micro Dimming LED system controls individual parts of the screen independently for a wider contrast within each scene -resulting in less judder and artefacts as well as brighter whites and greatly improved blacks.Samsung - Clear Image PanelThe new Samsung Plasma range uses a new filter and panel structure to produce clear images from wider angles. Compared to the conventional glass filters used in the past, Samsungs Clear Image Panels eliminate the layered images you may see on some sets using conventional glass filters.Samsung - Ultra Clear PanelSimilar to Clear Image Panels in the plasma range, Ultra Clear Panel is the terminology Samsung are using to describe the panels in their LED range. Ultra Clear Panel eliminates diffusion and absorbs much of the external light which provides a comfortable viewing experience with minimal detail loss.Samsung - Wide colour Enhancer, and Wide colour Enhancer PlusThe wide colour enhancer is a new chipset in Samsungs 2011 range which simply improves the colour quality in detailed scenes. The wide colour Enhancer Plus is described as a superior enhancer which drastically increases the colour spectrum and improves upon the colours created with the standard Wide Colour Enhancer chipset in detailed scenes.Samsung - Cinema BlackCinema Black is a very clever feature designed to improve your viewing experience of movies watched in letterbox format. You will come across many movies in 2.35:1 format, which give you a black band top and bottom of the picture. Cinema black switches off the LEDs at the top and bottom to provide a deep pitch black which highlights the image and provides a more immersive viewing experience.Panasonic - Neo PlasmaThe higher models in Panasonics Plasma range, the ST, GT and VT models, are gifted with Panasonics Neo-Plasma panels. Neo-Plasma is the name given to Panasonics high performance screens, which produce smoother Motion, higher Contrast and better efficiency. The Neo-Plasma is capable of a 5,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio, which produces industry leading black levels.Panasonic, and LG - THX DisplayTHX Certified Plasmas and LEDs, featuring THX Movie Mode, let you recreate shadow, colour and detail as it was intended to look like when produced in the studio. Each TV and has gone through a rigorous design and laboratory testing process, which includes more than 400 data points to ensure exceptional image quality and signal processing performance from your set. Read more about THX certified panels HEREPanasonic, Sony and LG - 24p Cinematic Playback, 24P True Cinema and Real Cinema 24PIf your Blu-Ray player is set to output 1080p/24 directly, which most Blu-Ray Players can do, then with a 24p processor you're seeing the image as close as possible to how the director intended - how it looks when displayed on a cinema screen from a film projector at your local movie theater and with the reduction of a lot of the artefacts.LG - LED PlusLG's LED Plus technology is the name given to LGs panel lighting system. LED Plus provides even greater control of brightness through local dimming technology to deliver better contrast, amazing clarity and colour detail.LG - XD EngineXD Engine is LGs brand name for their Picture Processing Engine. It is the chipset responsible for Contrast, Noise Reduction, Motion and Colour, and optimizes performance and image enhancement.Features relating to 3D TechnologyLG - Passive 3D Technology, or Cinema 3DPassive 3D means the ability to watch 3D without having to use powered (or as they are known - active shutter) glasses. The big benefits of passive are lightweight, comfortable and cheap eyewear, without the flickering you can get from active shutter glasses. Another benefit to passive 3D glasses is that because we are shown both images at once it doesn't halve the frame rate of the content like active glasses do. Passive glasses cost a fraction of the Active Shutter Glasses from Sony, Samsung and Panasonic.Samsung - 3D SoundSamsung's 3D Sound Technology delivers a greater depth of sound than traditional stereo speakers, creating a more immersive experience through what is described as "Depth Rendering Technology". Simply put, a series of speakers in the set can switch on and off, and volume to each is adjusted according to the image on the screen, providing a wider range of sound.Samsung, Panasonic, LG and Sony - 2D - 3D ConversionSome models from each of the suppliers enable you to convert regular 2D Images into 3D images, enabling the viewing of content not originally recorded in 3D to be viewed as such. The resulting image will not give you as much of an impact and depth as properly recorded 3D content will, as such content is shot using specific dual lens 3D Cameras. It will however create a little depth on your favourite non-3D content.Design, Connectivity and other Various FeaturesSamsung - Plasma +1With Samsungs 2011 range of Plasmas marked with Plasma+1, the screen size has been increased by 1 inch diagonally, due to cosmetic improvements from the thinner bezel. Samsung provides 43" and 51" sizes compared to 42" and 50" size offerings from LG and Panasonic.Samsung - Eco SensorThe eco Sensor is a chipset inside the TV set which senses the room brightness, and adjusts the TVs brightness and backlight settings accordingly. This results in a controlled amount of light being emitted from the screen, which in turn reduces or levels out the energy usage.LG - Smart Energy SavingThe Smart Energy Saving Sensor is a chipset inside the TV set which senses the room brightness, and adjusts the TVs brightness and backlight settings accordingly. This results in a controlled amount of light being emitted from the screen, which in turn reduces or levels out the energy usage.Panasonic - Eco ModeEco Mode is a chipset inside the TV set which senses the room brightness, and adjusts brightness and backlight settings accordingly. This results in a controlled amount of light being emitted from the screen, which in turn reduces or levels out the energy usage.Sony -Sony - Intelligent Presence Sensor, Face DetectionBravia TVs with Face Detection and Presence Sensor technology will dim or turn off the screen if you look away or leave the room, and is designed for those people who like to have the TV on just for a bit of background noise, or while surfing the web or reading a book. The settings can be varied to suit the situation - from the picture turning off when you look away, to the picture remaining on for a specified length of time after the last detected movement.Samsung - Anynet+Samsungs Anynet Technology allows you to control any connected HDMI-CEC device with a single remote control. Features and benefits include switching to the correct AV input when you turn on the connected device, and the ability to control both the TV and connected device with the one remote.Sony - Bravia SyncSony's Bravia Link Technology allows you to control any connected HDMI-CEC device with a single remote control. Features and benefits include switching to the correct AV input when you turn on the connected device, and the ability to control both the TV and connected device with the one remote.LG - SimplinkLg's Simplink Technology allows you to control any connected HDMI-CEC device with a single remote control. Features and benefits include switching to the correct AV input when you turn on the connected device, and the ability to control both the TV and connected device with the one remote.Panasonic - VieralinkPanasonics Viera Link Technology allows you to control any connected HDMI-CEC device with a single remote control. Features and benefits include switching to the correct AV input when you turn on the connected device, and the ability to control both the TV and connected device with the one remote.Panasonic, Sony, Samsung and LG - Wireless LAN Ready, Wireless LAN Built InWireless LAN is the protocol required to connect your TV with your Home Network and devices. With Televisions which are labelled WLAN Ready, or WI-FI Ready, these are able to connect to your network with the purchase of a (usually) separate WI-FI Dongle from the manufacturer of that TV. Wireless LAN Built in does not require the purchase of a separate Wi-Fi Dongle to connect to your Home Network.Panasonic and Samsung - USB RecordingUSB recording is the ability, via a connected external USB stick or hard drive; to record the TV you are watching on the screen.LG - Time Machine ReadyTime Machine functionality allows the unit to automatically record live TV and make it available for viewing at any time. You can pause and rewind normal TV, after initializating USB Device. To use the feature, you must have a USB device over 40 GB.LG - Magic Motion RemoteLG's Magic Motion Remote is a "Magic Wand" type of remote similar to Nintendo Wii controllers, and allows easy movement of the cursor on the screen without having to press up, down and sideways arrows on your traditional remote.Samsung - QWERTY RemoteSamsung's QWERTY Remote is an innovative remote control which has the normal television buttons on one side, and a Full QWERTY Keypad on the other side. This allows you type as you would on a normal Keyboard, without the hassle and time lag of pressing numerous buttons to input a single character as in your traditional remote controls when surfing the web or entering information on the screen.

Internet Radio

After years of development, internet radio has seen rapid growth recently. According to research from January 2005 to January 2006, internet radio audiences increased by 50%. Although internet radio is still in its infancy, it is in big demand. You can listen to all types of music or chat online at the click of a mouse. Streaming quality is improving all the time, making it easier for you to listen, the quality in some cases can be better than that hot FM station that you like so much . Even the way you listen is improving!Whilst millions listen to internet radio on their computers, there are also new stand alone players on the market too. Internet radio is all about variety. On normal FM / AM radio, it’s a case of channel surfing when a song you don’t like comes on. Most popular songs these days get too much airplay and are played to death! Most people nowadays prefer a certain type of music..ie Dance, Rock, Classical. . According to a recent survey 74% of people admitted to being bored with their usual radio broadcast service. Also 85% wanted easier access to internet radio, because there’s more to choose from. Online radio provides selection, and millions of people worldwide are enjoying internet radio right now.Below are some interesting links that may be of help...[http://www.energywebradio.com]www.shoutcast.comhttp://www.tuner2.comTracey Lee & Tim Kelly

IPod - Not Working the Way You Need? - Forget About Chucking It

Instead, get the functionality and play-time you want from a mobile deviceHave you lost your cool after paying $300 for an Apple iPod MP3 player, only to realize later it is a single function device? The Apple iPod that you purchased plays MP3 files and stores pictures. You wanted it to do more, so did your wife. Droplets of sweat form on your brow when you see the Visa bill. Yes, you paid for this frustration. Thankfully, these pressure-filled situations can be avoided when you switch to a Windows mobile device.What Windows mobile device?This article explores how to get the most out of your portable mobile device. Did you know that any Pocket PC running the Windows mobile software suite will let you do much more than just listen to MP3 songs on an Apple iPod? With your Pocket PC you can enjoy Internet satellite radio, Internet radio streaming, TV streaming, pod casting, FM radio, tracking stocks and mutual funds, watching short weather reports and much more.Satellite radio seamless accessCourtesy of Sirius and XM satellite, two satellite radio content providers, you can listen to commercial free music, popular talk shows, current news and entertainment on your Pocket PC. This is much easier, more convenient and less daunting than downloading 10,000 songs from high tunes on your iPod. Not to mention the cost factor involved with high tunes. If you have a limited music selection, you would have to pay a dollar for each MP3 file/song and I tunes. 10,000 MP3 songs would cost you $10,000. If spending $10,000 is not an issue for you, what about the time involved? Do you have the extra time to spare sitting in front of your Apple computer to drag and drop 10,000 MP3 files onto your iPod?For only $12.95 a month you can access unlimited music from 130 channels from Xm and Sirius radio. You don't have to download anything other than a software program called pocket XM radio pro from e-book software. To get the Pocket PC version, you can go to pocket gear.com. The smart phone version is at http://www.smartphone.net. The pocket XM radio pro is a software application that will allow you to listen to radio shows and music from Sirius and XM satellite. I found the smart phone offered outstanding reception on a WiFi network as opposed to a cell phone network.After installing the pocket XM radio pro on your Pocket PC, you'll be pleased with the reception on Sirius and XM satellite radio. What I love about listening to satellite radio music stations is that it is commercial free.There is a free software application to enjoy satellite radio in a Pocket PC at http://www.emulamer.com. Please look for the CAB file and download that file to your Pocket PC. Don't think that if it's free, it must be poor quality. It’s quite the contrary. I found that there are no buffering delays at all. Your account with XM and Sirius lets you listen to satellite radio on your desktop computer. Unlike buying a satellite radio receiver from Xm and Sirius; with your Pocket PC or smart phone you will need to have an online live Internet connection.High-Speed Internet Radio StreamingAre you an avid book reader? If the answer is yes, you can listen to audio books on your Apple iPod. At audible.com, you can access the free software enabling you to transfer these audio books, magazines, and newspapers options to your media player mobile.Here are some high-quality live radios streaming web sites that I found on the Internet for my Pocket PC:· Resco pocket radio at http://www.resco.net. This program will support: wav, MP3, speex, OGG Vorbis and raf formats. From the $19.95, you can get an audio recorder to record yourself singing and talking.· Pocket player at http://www.conduits.com. In order to listen to live stream radio broadcast from a great web site like shoutcast.com you will have to buy the pocket player for $19.95. The pocket PC supports the following formats: MP3, wma, flac and wav files. Pocket player also supports: skinnable screens, audio books, bookmarks, play lists, screen plug-ins, Blue tooth remote control and head phones.Browse Music from Your WiFi Enabled Pocket PCIt's unrealistic to think that you will have access to the Internet 24 x 7. What if you are sitting outside in an outdoor garden café with no WiFi access? But you still won't listen to music on your Pocket PC. In order for this to work, you will need a WiFi enabled Pocket PC to connect to a WiFi enabled desktop PC. You'll need to visit this web site: http://www.rudeo.com. The rudeo play & control program is $19.95. The nice thing about downloading music right onto Pocket PC is that your songs stay on your Pocket PC. If you have a good battery life, you can listen to your songs on your Pocket PC without having to be connected to the Internet. First, you’ll need to go to http://www.wmcplayer.com and download Microsoft windows media connect. This will enable you to connect to a Wifi enabled pocket PC to your Wifi enabled desktop PC.Want to Get More Out Of Multimedia Programs?Your iPod MP3 player won't let you track stocks, mutual funds and TV financial reports. Also, you’re missing out on streaming TV shows, audio files and video files.Pocket StocksPocket Stocks is only $14.95 from http://www.handango.com. With this incredible application you can track your stocks and mutual fund portfolio. You can view financial quotations and charts as well. If you want to watch your wealth grow, you can do that easily on your Pocket PC.PDA tuner proPDA tuner pro lets you watch a live TV show and listen to live music and radio from around the world. To learn more, please go to both web sites at: http://www.handango.com and pdatuner.com. The PDA tuner pro will sell you a registration key for $12 which gives you access to its web site from your Pocket PC or smart phone through Internet Explorer mobile. You can pay for a one-time registration fee to access PDA tuner.com from a portable device. The only shortcoming is that when you're watching a live TV on your PDA Pro it is like watching a jerky slide presentation.X-Play StudioX-Play Studio is only $26.96 from http://www.xronox.com. With your Pocket PC Windows media player, you can watch live high quality TV shows, record audio and video files. Watch your favorite comedy or sitcom. Have you considered tuning into the Blue-collar guy on your Pocket PC? Folks around you will be wondering if you've just inhaled some laughing gas as you'll be laughing your head off!Streaming audio and video, pod casting from Your Pocket PCIf you own a camera equipped Windows mobile 5.0 Pocket PC; you can snap a picture and publish it immediately on a personal blogger weblog. Bring out the amateur photographer in you.
You couldn’t take pictures, type in a title and a description of the photo on your Apple iPod player. You can with your camera enabled Windows mobile 5.0 device. Start to share your opinions, photos and thoughts on the Internet.Splash BlogSplash Blog is a software application that lets Windows mobile 5.0 users take photos and publish their thoughts on splash blog's web site. You just need to sign up for a free online full photo blog account / personal blog and download the free software from [http://www.splashblog.com] to start photo blogging. The following devices: Symbian UIQ, Palm OS, Pocket PC, Smart phone and Nokia 60 series lets you instantly publish photos on splash blog. Your free account lets you publish up to 500 photos of any size on the online photo album. If you have more forms to share you can always upgrade to the professional version at $29.95 where you can post an unlimited amount of photos on the online photo album.How Do You Share Your Photos?Use the Windows mobile 5.0 picture selection API to select thumbnails of images, which are stored on your Pocket PC storage card or internal drive, then click the picture you want to add to your photo blog. Splash blog is such a popular application that it cuts away many unnecessary steps in order to download a photo from your Pocket PC onto your personal weblog. Share the photos you've taken on your camera enabled Pocket PC device with the entire world. If you like, feel free to add a short title and text description to describe your photo.FM RadioIf you like to listen to FM radio without running to a free WiFi hotspot, you can purchase an FM stereo tuner with a cf or sd card interface from [http://www.ibizcorp.com/main.html], gomogear.com and c-guys.com. At C-guys.com, the FM plug-in comes with a stereo ear bud and software to install on your Windows mobile 2003 device. Unfortunately, if you have a new Windows mobile 5.0 device, the FM radio tuners won't work on your device. Please shop around and make sure your Pocket PC or smart phone is compatible with the FM radio plug-in.Summary:The designers behind the classic iPod and 90 iPod are very talented in designing the cool single function device. If you can enjoy all the other kinds of media mentioned above in my article, then why would you watch a movie on an iPod 2.5 inch screen as opposed to the larger screens on most Pocket PCs or smart phones? You can do so for the same price that you would pay for an Apple iPod. Lastly, Pocket PCs and smart phones have so many more entertaining and practical functions and features than you wouldn't be able to access on an Apple iPod.

Digital Media Player Guide Review - HD Digitech HDX 1000 Network Media Tank NMT 1080p HD Player

Price: $249.99 USDFirst available to the public in July of 2009, if you have not yet heard of the HD Digitech HDX 1000 Network Media Tank then please let me introduce you to one of the best in the digital media player genre to date. There are some downsides to this player also, but the good far outweighs the bad. With a serial ATA (SATA) slot for adding an internal hard drive, and additional features like Bittorrent support, you can store your media on the device, and give your computer a bit of a breather. Couple those features with the latest video and audio processors, the HDX 1000 Network Media Tank supports video output up to 1080p and audio output of Dolby Digital TrueHD and DTS HD-HR and DTS HD-MA, be prepared to blow your family and friends away.The HDX 1000 Network Media Tank offers both hard wired streaming network support and wireless network support (TP-LINK TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter) is available as an add on for around $20 USD. The HDX 1000 gives you the ability not only play media files from your computer or external hard drive, but this digital media player also supports streaming internet video from sources such as Youtube, Veoh, and Google Video. Connectivity is a breeze with Universal Plug N Play (Upnp) and DNLA Media Server support. The DNLA support will offer additional compatibility for your Xbox and PlayStation 3. You can also hook up to the slave USB port for direct copying of your media files from your computer. View your media in up to 1080p through the HDMI 1.3a port. The HDX 1000 also supports component video out and composite video out. HD Digitech went all out with the audio processing also, by offering Dolby Digital TrueHD and DTS HD-HR and DTS HD-MA. Really top notch sound. It supports and plays almost any media files out there.There are, like anything, some downsides to this player. The user interface, out of the box, is text based, but do not fear. There are third party plug-ins available that will help you navigate your media. YamJ Movie Jukebox is available from Google and will help you navigate through your media collection. Also there is no real instruction manual, but there is an instructional Wiki set up from NetworkedMediaTank.com.Here is an overview of the features:o Includes HDMI 1.3a port, Supporting up to True HD 1080p
o Includes expandable hard drive slot for future expansion for extra storage of movies, photos, and music
o Universal Plug-n-Play capability (UPnP)
o 3 USB ports for USB drives (1 is a slave USB for direct copy from PC)
o Audio formats: Dolby®/DTS(TM) encoders, MP1, MP2, MP3, WAV, WMA, WMA-Pro, AAC, LPCM 5.1/7.1, FLAC, DTS, AC3
o Video file formats: MPEG1/2/4 Elementary (M1V, M2V, M4V), MPEG1/2 PS (M2P, MPG), MPEG2 Transport Stream (TS, TP, TRP, M2T, M2TS, MTS), VOB, AVI, ASF, WMV, Matroska (MKV), MOV (H.264), MP4, RMP4
o Photo formats: JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF
o Internet Connectivity: YouTube, Google Video, MetaCafe, VideoCast, DL.TV, Cranky Geeks, iPodcast, Radiobox, ABC News, Flickr, Picasa, RSS:Yahoo! Weather, Yahoo! Traffic alerts, Yahoo! Stock, Cinecast, Traffic Conditions. Shoutcast.
o Connections: Video: HDMI v1.3a (up to 1080p), Component Video (up to 1080p), Composite Video (All Gold Plated) Audio: Stereo Analog Audio (Gold Plated), S/PDIF Coaxial Digital Audio, Optical Digital Audio, Other: 10/100 Ethernet, Serial ATA (SATA) port.
o Remote Control Included

College Radio on the Internet Offers More Advantages For Listeners

The future of radio is at stake. As we quickly move into the 21st Century, our consumers are changing their listening mediums and we must stay abreast of those listening needs and modes.Traditional college radio broadcasts may be lost in translation if they cannot keep up with technological changes. Some radio broadcast owners are ignoring these trends, which may hurt their ratings if listeners increasingly move away from traditional college radio to college radio on the Internet. Still others perceive college radio on the Internet as a dead medium, however it can be revived if colleges continue to research listener audiences and trends.Benefits of Having College Radio on the Internet1. More formats are available than traditional FM college radio stations. Hundreds are available from jazz and blues to Broadway and opera, to Indie rock and adult alternative and many more.2. Ability to listen while in multiple places such as home, work, college, library or wherever you have available broadband access.3. With college radio on the Internet, there is no "dead air". Some college and traditional radio stations have their last broadcast ending at midnight, and the next one starts between five and seven in the morning. However, utilizing college radio on the Internet and the growing demand from students and consumers, this has the potential to increase funding and the listening audience base.4. Set and leave it on one station without having to remember station call letters or numbers. No longer do listeners have to remember where they heard their favorite tunes on the dial. Having a college radio on the Internet can be easily bookmarked in your Favorites' list or even set as your homepage.5. Colleges are able to increase their fan base among alumni and exchange students because with having college radio on the Internet, it can be accessed worldwide.6. Many college radio stations on the Internet tout commercial-free listening or at least minimal interruptions. This is an important advantage for listeners who do not like all the interruptions between songs or song sets with station breaks and commercials which can last two minutes or longer.7. Allows more opportunities for unsigned bands and musical talent to be heard on the radio. With additional opportunities for more format types, bands of all styles will have a medium in which to play their music for a specific audience. As with MySpace, unsigned or lesser known musicians and bands are trying to gain an audience base and frequently release a couple of their songs so members can upload them to their homepages. College radio on the Internet can increase that audience base by featuring the group or musician on its station and have listeners send their comments via email, blog, online poll or phone call.8. Unlike a traditional radio station, college radio on the Internet enables listeners to skip a song. If the listener does not care for the song, he or she can merely select "skip" and move onto the next song. Only college radio on the Internet and satellite stations have this advantage.There are many benefits to keeping college radio on the Internet. Although some college stations have abandoned this medium because it did not reap the rewards as quickly as was expected, now it has listeners' ears and they have more invested interest with this medium.The top online radio networks include Shoutcast, Radio@AOL, and MSN Music as reported by MeasureCast, a company which provides next day audience size and demographic reports for online media networks. Only the top college radio stations online have made the top 10 list, which include a few Ohio college radio station programs too.The top college radio broadcasts include KALX, Berkeley, CA; WNYU, New York, NY; and KTRU, Houston, TX, which was reported by Radio-Locator.com. Furthermore, a notable Ohio college radio station has a list of eight college radio on the Internet stations that are broadcasted from various locations across the U.S., especially where a broadcasting school is located. Colleges and universities who have the ability and interest to support college radio on the Internet stations are able to employ its own students to undertake all tasks and responsibilities of running the online radio station. Student listeners create an instant audience base because their music interests vary and they are attracted by a variety of formats.Because Internet based college radio stations can literally reach listeners from all corners of the world, we would think radio station owners would want to continue college radio on the Internet. Futhermore, college radio stations on the Internet, as well as traditional AM/FM formats, can run in tandem with one another without radio tower interference. However, many smaller universities and community colleges are not able to afford to keep such options on the Internet due to failing sponsorship, decreased student population, or fees required to both license music and the radio station.Check with your local broadcasting school to find out if they continually accept students to become professional radio DJs. If you are interested in learning to become a radio DJ, video or audio producer, or in other radio and TV broadcast careers, then you will want a broadcasting school that is both credible and credentialed. Technology continues to grow and expand, so to keep up with the industry they should have the latest equipment for those wanting to learn how to become a radio DJ on a college radio station on the Internet and other radio broadcast careers.

Why Managed Dedicated Servers Are Better Than Leased Servers

Are you planning to set up a business website? Make sure you do it on a managed dedicated server and not a leased server. A managed dedicated server will keep your data safe in many ways over leased servers. The cost of managed servers is often quite close to that of leased servers, but here's why it is a better option than leased servers:

Hassle free setup: If you have signed up for a leased server, then you will have to get the setup done through a third party administrator, adding to the cost. However, if you have opted for a managed dedicated server, then the system administrator will take care of everything. Expect to see the operating system installed, along with any associated software you may have asked for, as soon as your service period starts.



Physical security: If you have opted for a leased server, then it is up to you to arrange for a data closet, along with cooling systems and security measures. That's a pretty large overhead on your budget. On the other hand, if you have opted for managed dedicated server hosting, you can be sure that it will be hosted in a data center, with all the security and cooling mechanisms already installed and functioning properly.



Uninterrupted uptime: If you want to ensure close to zero downtime, then you will have to opt for connections from at least two internet service providers. That way, if one provider's connection goes on the blink, the other provider's connection will take over via the backup switch. If you have opted for managed dedicated server though, you need not worry. The data centers usually already have deals with multiple providers, ensuring close to zero downtime.



Internet connection: Keeping an internet connection on without proper security these days is worse than going through a hard hat area with a baseball cap on. However, if you have leased a server, then the provider will not give two hoots about the security of your data. It is up to you to install firewall, antivirus, and other necessary software. In case of a managed dedicated server, the system administrator will take care of all this, and only add a little to your fees, which is certainly worth spending.


These are the four most significant reasons why you should opt for them instead of leased servers when hosting your business website. 24shells.net has some great offers on managed dedicated server hosting. Check it out today, you won't be disappointed.

All You Need to Know About VPS Hosting

Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting is a flexible, scalable and economical hosting solution that can fit the needs of almost any kind of website. It is a perfect solution for those who have outgrown their shared hosting plans but do not really need to move to a dedicated server. A VPS offers most of the features and utilities of a dedicated server, including, but not limited to, disk size, memory size and network data transfer. It even allows you to fully configure the environment for the specific application and security needs. In recent times, the emergence of virtualization technology has pushed VPS hosting into the mainstream market as a cost efficient, high performance solution.Benefits of VPS Hosting
VPS hosting blends the best of both worlds - virtual hosting and dedicated hosting services. Here are some benefits of hosting on a VPS:

A VPS solution can provide you enormous value in terms of cost-effectiveness. While a dedicated server could potentially cost you well over $100 per month, a VPS comes at less than half the price of the dedicated version. VPS also allows you to distribute the cost of the hardware, software, network connectivity and maintenance, efficiently without compromising on quality.
A virtual server can offer better security than a shared services platform. With the virtual server running in isolation from stability and security issues from other components within the network, it assures you greater security and flexibility.
Virtual servers are gaining massive traction due to the control and flexibility they offer to users. In most cases, you have the option of utilizing various provided add-on scripts or installing your own custom applications. This is enabled by accessing the root server, which allows you to interact seamlessly within the network.
Another major bonus of VPS hosting is that it provides you a steady supply of system resources. Unlike in a shared hosting environment, you do not have to compete for most of the resources and have the luxury to receive dynamic allotments that fit your specific needs. This, in turn, provides you a robust, scalable solution that gives your business the leverage it needs to grow.

Reach Out Globally and Increase Your Profitability With Managed Dedicated Hosting

Managed dedicated hosting is also known as dedicated server or managed dedicated server. This type of web process enables the customers to choose and have their files uploaded and displayed on their websites. Choosing this option means the customer will lease the entire computer system and will not share it with other parties. With this type of method you can get smooth and trouble-free switchover from one service option to another.It generally refers to a computer system, which hosts a lot of information and can be accessible by everyone at the same time by connecting to the network. It is an integral part of any office where it serves as a storehouse where different files are stored for common access. The web hosting types help the companies to reach out to the global consumer thereby increasing their profitability.A wide range of services are offered by the web provider companies suiting business or recreational purposes of the customers. Virtual private server (VPS) hosting and the managed dedicated server hosting are part of the services offered. Managed dedicated web services can be of two types, namely the basic and the advanced.Two types of managed dedicated hostingLet us discuss the two types of these hosting services in details. Basic managed dedicated web process comprises services like periphery, configuration, and installation of any package, which may be customized for suiting specific requirements. The data support technical team ensures that the previous files are also incorporated into the existing system. A team of supervisors always take care to ensure that the server works round the clock. It does not go offline at any time of the day.The advanced managed dedicated computer systems centers round hardening of the server. This means a higher level of checking of the operating system ensuring full-proof kick start to the process. This type also ensures greater security of files or data by combining software firewalls and IDS. This web process enables installing control panel support. The other features of this particular method are automatic backup, counseling and administrative services and the anti-virus protection.This type of hosting process is also useful for businesses and organizations. The team providing these services has a global presence and delivers quick response to customer queries and problems. On trouble shooting the qualified team of technical support is always ready with their tips to overcome the trouble.Choose the best web service server solution to suit your business needs.

What Is Video Streaming

Video streaming is the process of converting video and audio into a compressed digital format, then distributing the data through computer networks. This compressed data can be more easily delivered using computer networks because of its smaller size. The video and audio can be live or pre-recorded content, and can be continuously streamed or delivered as on demand content.Internet video streaming is similar to standard television broadcasting. Software is used to convert video and audio into a format that is suitable for delivery using a computer network. Television stations use special hardware to convert video and audio data into a format suitable for broadcasting. Special computer network transport protocols enable the delivery of multimedia content to the end user ( viewer ) versus using broadcast transmitters to send the video and audio content to individual television sets.The first step in the video streaming process is to digitally compress the audio and video content. This is required to conserve bandwidth that is used for the delivery of the content. Specially developed software applications, called codecs, are used to compress the video and audio data. Codecs use mathematical algorithms to compress the data. Most codecs use a method of data compression known as lossy data compression. This method allows the compression of the content without losing the quality of the original video and audio content. Advanced codecs require large amounts of computer resources for high definition video and audio data compression. A balance must be established between the compression quality, bandwidth consumed and computer resources used. This balance ensures a quality viewing and listening experience for everyone.The next step is to distribute the encoded video and audio content. Special server software is required for the continuous distribution of multimedia content. This specialized software can be installed and run on various computer operating systems including: Windows, Linux and Macintosh; in addition to several other computer operating systems. Individual files can be distributed using on demand content delivery, without the need for specialized server software. On demand content can be hosted using a standard website account.The final step is to prepare the compressed content for delivery. The method of data delivery used to transport the content via computer networks is determined by several factors that include: software used for the compression of the audio and video data, architecture of the computer network used for content delivery and end user requirements. Delivery of this data over computer networks uses special software or hardware instructions to route the video and audio content to the end user. Each computer network transport protocol has its own unique characteristics that make it applicable in specific situations. Methods of multimedia data transport include: HTTP, RTSP, IP Multicast and P2P.No broadcast license or technical certification is required for Internet streaming, unlike a standard television broadcast station. Standard television broadcast stations are required to have a broadcast license and certified broadcast engineers. The only requirements for Internet video streaming are: specialized data delivery server software, special audio and video encoding software and large amounts of bandwidth. Bandwidth is required for the delivery of the video and audio content to the end user. The formula for determining the amount of bandwidth required for video streaming is: Bandwidth required = data encoding speed x number of desired consecutive users.All multimedia content is subject to applicable intellectual property regulations. These regulations differ from country to country; however the general rule for audio and video content is the station originating the Internet stream must own, or have a license to distribute material that is covered under copyright regulations. Content that has been released under creative commons, public domain or has fallen out of copyright protection is not subject to intellectual property regulations and can be streamed with no special content licensing requirements.

VPS Hosting - Combining Hassle Free Performance With Affordability

Do you run a small or medium sized business, and need to host a business website? Consider hosting it through a virtual private server (VPS). A virtual private server will offer you almost all functionalities of a dedicated server, at a highly affordable price tag resembling that of shared hosting. In VPS, every visible server in the network will be a virtual one, and will be hosted on different real partitions on a centralized server. Each virtual server will have its own operating system, and may be shut down or operated without affecting the others in the same cluster. This radically reduces the cost of running the hosting operation, and is the reason why VPS hosting is so inexpensive. In fact, it is cheaper than shared hosting, and more secure than the latter will ever be.Apart from that obvious benefit, virtual private servers can grant you several added benefits that other types of shared hosting schemes simply cannot match. These include:1.Rock solid data protection: A VPS runs in its own isolated space, partitioned safely from the other servers in the cluster. As such, any security breach or instability in one of the servers will leave the others unaffected, and running perfectly. True, dedicated server hosting provides even greater security, but VPS is certainly the affordable, second-best option.2.Flexibility: VPS grants you high level of control over your server. In most VPS hosting plans, you will have the option to use various scripts to enhance certain features, or even install a custom application of your own. You will be able to create your own applications as well, using the installed scripting technologies, such as, ASP, Cold Fusion, or PHP. The root access privileges will allow you to interact well with the server.3.Scalability: One of the best features of VPS is that you can adjust the resources allotted to your personal server as per your requirements. You can start off with a small storage space, ensuring affordability of the fees charged. As your business grows, you can slowly add more space to fulfill the requirements of your growing website.4.Close to zero downtime: Virtual private servers are always on, thanks to the virtual architecture. Even if the other servers are down for maintenance, your server will stay on, unless something bad happens to the centralized server itself.Virtual private server hosting offers you the best of both worlds, combining affordability with high performance, not to mention rock solid protection for your stored data. Check out 24shells.net today for some excellent deals on VPS hosting.

VPS Hosting Has Come a Long Way Since Its Inception

The acronym VPS stands for virtual private servers. It is also known as the virtual dedicated servers. It is a method of splitting a server. Each virtual server can be rebooted and also can run its full-fledged operating system by sharing the same server. The VPS hosting has turned out to be a preferred medium of hosting from small to medium-sized businesses. This is because like the dedicated servers these servers also provides the same control but at an affordable price.VPS hosting primarily refers to the thing where the provider creates multiple virtual servers from a single physical server in order to cater to different entities of customers. This type of web service enables the customers to enjoy similar functionalities like the dedicated kind of web service. Consumers will have the freedom of site accessibility and will also enjoy security, privacy, and high performance with this new system. To sum up this type allows the customers to host their site by sharing the same server. However, the performance does not get hindered by other sites sharing the same server.How is it useful?The VPS hosting services are designed in such a way that customers can save money by using this without compromising on the performance, security, and flexibility. If you are a user of the VPS service then you can enjoy certain benefits, which are listed below:* Improved protection: It offers better security compared to other types of hosting. As the server having its own operating system the performance of the site is not hindered by other sites using the same server.* Guaranteed power: This type of hosting provides you with guaranteed system resources. You need not compete for resources rather you have the luxury of receiving accurately measured resources suiting your specific needs. With this scalable solution you can make your business grow.* Flexibility and freedom: This service also provides you control and flexibility just like the dedicated servers.* Affordable price: It is comparatively cheaper than the other types of web server services.This type pf web service is a solution to all your needs. It is simple to set up and has a low maintenance cost. Due to its low cost and multiple benefits the VPS hosting is mostly preferred by the businesses, resellers, and webmasters. It allows creating personal accounts for respective clients.If you are looking forward to install this service then consider looking for a reliable host. The host should meet your needs in terms of bandwidth, technical support, maintenance, and speed. It is advisable to check if your host will provide you with after sales service like the support and so on. Subscribe for a reasonable time in your contract.

Have More Control With Dedicated Server Hosting

Dedicated server hosting is one among the various types of web hosting services. It is often termed as managed dedicated server hosting. A company having such an account can be more flexible in acquiring such services for its website. The user of this service can also have more control over the system, which is being used.The company having an account of such a service can get the site files uploaded and have their websites displayed online. This type of service enables its clients lease the entire system and is not shared by other clients of the web hosting company. It then acts as the web hosting provider for a website.Such dedicated service provider hosts only your website. Most companies with growing web presence hesitate to avail of this service arrangement. This is because they are of the view that these systems have to be housed and managed personally. However, this is not the case in reality. The truth is most of the websites, which are run by these types of systems are housed on the premises of the web provider company. It is also managed by the expert technical team and provides round the clock support and service.How can a company be sure of the fact that the server is used for their website needs only? Managed dedicated server is the only answer to such confusion. Moreover, it will also be a beneficial choice on the part of the company. These types of services help in protecting and managing vast databases thereby adding an additional layer of data safety. This type of service also allows the company to control of the company.When the website owner wants to concentrate on the content development or want to design for the site then this web hosting service can be beneficial to him. The owner need not concentrate on the technical aspects of the site. Instead, he can leave these to the technical expert staff who are always ready with their tips to solve the problem. This expert team looks after the management of the site and solves the technical issues if any.A company may use the shared system to gain web presence if it is new or have minimal presence on the Internet. However, once the website grows and the traffic surge is high then dedicated servers are the ultimate choice. Therefore, have more control on your server and grow globally by harnessing the full potential of dedicated server hosting.

Are Dedicated Servers For You?

Every type of hosting service has its share of advantages and disadvantages. It is hard to say that a particular hosting service is better than the other because advantages and disadvantages hinge on utility and other considerations. For instance, shared hosting may be the best option for a fledgling business but when the same business grows, it might move away to another type of hosting.Who gets maximum benefit from dedicated server hosting?Dedicated servers are for those users who are involved in the transfer of large amounts of data and want to maintain a high traffic base. This could be a business that has a huge share of online customers or it could be a web hosting business. Regardless of the nature of the business, dedicated servers are useful only if you need absolute control over your hosting or if your website has to be up 24/7/365 and must handle loads of traffic without any compromise in performance. The alternative to dedicated servers is an in-house server, which proves to be very expensive.In normal circumstances, hosting your website on a shared server may seem economically viable because dedicated server hosting are more expensive than other hosting plans. However, there are instances when shared hosting falls short of requirements. For example, shared hosting is not completely reliable or stable, no matter how well managed it is. In the same way, websites residing on shared servers are vulnerable to overload, coding errors, malicious scripts and virus attacks from other websites residing on the same server.Dedicated server hosting are expensive, no doubt. But, they come with a host of benefits for the right business. You have the freedom to install any applications and software that you need. On the other hand, a shared server places limitations on this freedom. Thus, dedicated servers help you bypass malicious code and delays that beset shared servers.With dedicated servers, you can be assured of continued web presence. Downtime is almost absent and even in case of snags, you have the technical backup to reestablish connectivity at the earliest. You do not have this benefit in shared hosting servers. Thus, reliable, speedy support is the hallmark of dedicated servers.Dedicated servers give you a lot of power over your web resources. But, they also require some amount of technical expertise. You will need to know how to install the OS and other software applications, configure settings and control the storage space etc. If you are a beginner and do not have the necessary know-how, it is better to opt for managed dedicated servers. In this case, the web hosting service is in charge of managing the server for you, and you can focus all your attention on your business.

Why Choose Cheap Server Hosting

Deciding on a server hosting solution can be a difficult decision.It's very important that you choose the right one for your company or your own business. There are so many options that hosting companies can make available to the consumer that it can overwhelm them. It really comes down to reliability and price. Cheap server hosting is not what it used to be. Some of the cheap server hosting options are the best for reliability and customer service. This might be hard to believe but when you think about it hosting is much like a number of other industries in the world today. The amount of volume a business does directly affects its price to the consumer. The more volume the lower overall unit price in order to turn a profit. It's simple economics. Furthermore, some companies still have the same pricing they did years ago when hosting was more expensive to provide.When selecting a company to provide your web hosting do not rule out a company because the perception is that they are cheap. Of course it is important to weigh the features and options you want and compare the price apples to apples. If a company offers you more than you need for more than you want to pay then its never a good deal. Likewise if a company charges you a cheap price for hosting and then tacks on surcharges or fees for everything they do you do not want be involved with that company either.

How to Find the Internet Radio Station You Want

Interested in finding an internet radio station. This article will point you in the right direction and explain the best options you can use to find stations you are interested in as well as the different kinds of stations available.The options to find internet radio stations abound. The most commonly used method would be internet radio station directories. These directories list only internet radio stations. I will list a few at the end of this article. There are many of these directories available online. Some list thousands of radio streams while others list a few hundred exclusive stations.Using these directories is usually very easy and straight forward. They will have a listing of all stations, listings by genre, and many have listing by bitrate or location to make your choice easier. Most of them have a search system so you can choose any or all of the mentioned options to find your preferred station.The genres available can range from talk radio, news broadcasts, music of any kind you can imagine, to live dj's that offer some or part of all of these. Since internet radio stations originate from just about every country in the world your choices are limitless. Unlike conventional radio your choices are not limited to your radio receiver. There are also AM and FM radio stations that offer internet streams from their physical stations as a listening option. This can allow you to listen to your local radio station as well.In conclusion I will list some of the most common basic genres available.Alternative, Americana Blues, Classical, Comedy, Country, Dance, Easy Listening, Electronica, Folk, Freeform, Funk, International, Jazz, Oldies, Pop, R&B, Rap/Hip-Hop, Reggae, Religious, Rock, Soundtracks, Talk, Various.

Dedicated Server Hosting - Why You Must Have It

Have you hosted your website with a shared hosting service? It may seem like a great idea at the beginning, with the bundled support plans, regular maintenance, and installation of any software you might need. However, with time, you are sure to notice the shortcomings of shared hosting service. Your site will load slowly, and even be offline for some intervals of time. No, there is nothing wrong with your provider; these are the devils of shared hosting, where sites hosted in the same server space constantly compete with one another for bandwidth. It's a war for uptime and bandwidth, and you are sure to lose a few of those. Looking for a solution? Opt for dedicated server hosting.Dedicated server hosting is a great upgrade option if you constantly find your website getting taken off the net for consuming excess bandwidth. It is also great if you are planning to expand your website beyond your allocated server space in the shared hosting plan.Dedicated server hosting optionsThere are two types of dedicated server hosting options available - managed and unmanaged. If you can afford the large overhead on your budget, then by all means, go for a managed dedicated server hosting plan. It's absolute heavenly bliss for the owner of a website. The network and system administrators of the host will take care of all types of server maintenance. They will install and update the operating system, security patches, security software, and control panel. You can just sit back, and enjoy watching your site run uninterruptedly. Besides, you have someone to help you out should your website get exploited by hackers. The price may seem a bit steep at first, but when you run into some trouble with your site, you will thank yourself for choosing this option.If you are running short of funds, however, unmanaged dedicated server hosting may be the only viable option available for you. It is alright if you are a techie, and know how to configure your hosting settings. Maybe you can get it done without any help from anyone else. However, you must agree that it will take away a good amount of time, which you could have spent developing content for your website, or making it more popular via search engine optimization (SEO) tactics. Besides, you will have to either hire a system administrator to run regular maintenance, in case you are too busy to do so, again costing you a good bit of cash.So, for all practical purposes, managed dedicated server hosting seems to be the best option for hosting your website in a hassle free manner. Visit 24shells.net today, to find some excellent offers on dedicated server hosting.

Dedicated Server Hosting - A Must For All Businesses

A website in today's times is a must for individuals and businesses to reach out to their clients globally. A dedicated server hosting provider offers individuals and businesses the necessary platform and space to set up their websites. Dedicated web hosting can be of several types - virtual private server hosting, dedicated server hosting and Linux hosting.Dedicated hosting is a type of service through which the provider has the sole and absolute control of the server. This means that the server will not be a shared entity for other individuals or businesses.Dedicated Server Hosting: Features
Some of the basic features of dedicated hosting include:
High quality service with attractive pricing
Round the clock support
Robust security features
Bandwidth speed of more than 120+ gigabits/sec combined with other network connections between multiple information centers
Use of state-of-the-art equipment and network design
Failover facility
Automatic data backup facility
Latest anti-virus protectionDedicated Server Hosting: Advantages
The advantages of dedicated hosting include:
Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) allows administrators to deploy and manage group-based policies for multiple domains and sites, with the help of User Interface (UI)
Deploying an OS is easier. For example, Windows 2003 Server R2 is the most widely used OS for dedicated servers due to its security, usability, and reliability
Setting up your file server is easier. For example, Windows SharePoint Services is the ideal platform for creating web sites for information sharing and productivity of teams. It can manage sites within or outside an organization, and sets up databases in clusters
Web services are easy to find, share and reuse. For example, Universal Description, Discovery and Integration (UDDI) in Windows 2003 Server R2 is a flexible and dynamic platform for web services
This type of hosting provides secure and open infrastructure
It reduces Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) through server consolidation and use of latest technologies
li>Easy, hassle-free creation of dynamic websites for internet and intranet
This type of hosting facilitates better protection and availability of mission-critical documents
Rapid deployment of applications, enabling the creation of high-performance web applications without ambiguity

10 Ways to Promote Yourself and Your Music

Someone has to do the leg-work and promote your songs. If not, your songs will remain on your desk or stored in a file cabinet.Getting someone to take notice of your music is hard work and not all musicians enjoy promoting themselves and their music.Walking into a music studio and asking to see the boss in order to submit your songs is not an effective way to get your songs marketed in today's music environment. Leaving your demo with the receptionist usually means that it will be "deep-sixed" within hours or minutes!Unless you know someone who is active in the music industry, it is next to impossible for you to have someone listen to your songs.Here are ten approaches to getting your music out to the public.Remember to always identify yourself as the creative director and not as songwriter.1. Locate a band that plays your style of music. Befriend them and then give them a demo CD or video of your songs. If they should decide to play them at the venues, this will gain exposure for you and your music. They may even be willing to record them for you in a studio of live. I suggest that you make a demo of one or two of your "hottest" songs on a CD and place your very best song on Track one. Make sure that the introductions are short (no longer than four measures) and get the chorus or them quickly. Remember that up-tempo songs get marketed quicker than ballads, and Seasonal songs (Christmas) are almost impossible to promote without a prior track record of hits.2. Referrals from a friend or acquaintance in the business really opens doors. Always get permission to use their name before verbally dropping it to others, or including it in a correspondence. " suggested that I contact you." or "Your name was given to me by ___________" A name of a prominent mutual friend will probably get you past the receptionist. Contacting them by phone or email is a good way to ask if you can submit a song for their consideration. If the answer is "yes," make sure you send a professional-looking package the very next day and mark it "Requested Material."3. Make sure that your demo is "hot." If you're not a great singer, hire someone who is. Pay them to sing the song. Most demos can sound professional with a vocalist, keyboardist, and bassist. Most producers have to hear a near finished product to appreciated what the song really sounds like. Make sure you mention a particular artist or band that your songs are most suited for. This will greatly assist the producer to "hear" the song in light of a particular group. If you are sending a vocal that fits a particular female vocalist, don't record it using a male vocalist and vice versa.4. Use an established music attorney who can guide you through copyrights, contracts, and so on. Make sure that they handles your type of music. Their professional contacts in the music industry are most valuable. Don't waste time sitting in their office until you are offered a deal (contract). Remember time is money!5. Cold calls can be difficult. These should be avoided, but occasionally it is necessary to contact an industry person who you don't know. It is best to contact him or her ahead of time and ask permission to send a demo of your songs. Include in the package a cover letter on your company letterhead stationery. State what you expect them to do for you. You should include a high-gloss business card listing you as creative director, a short bio, CD or DVD demo of your songs, lyric sheet, and a two-sentence summary of your company and recent successes. Make sure to include your name, address, phone number, email address, and web site address on all items submitted.6. Attend music industry conventions and meet people in the business. The following organizations hold such meetings: ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and NARAS, NAMM. Awards events, industry parties, showcases, and fundraisers are good places to meet people in the industry. I suggest that you do not try to market your songs at these gatherings. Get the names of influential people and ask them if you can send them your material. If "yes" make sure to send them the "requested material" within two days.7. After submitting the CD to a producer, it is wise to follow up with a phone call or email within a two-week period. Call to ensure that your package was received and if there has been any reaction to the material.8. Obtaining a foothold in this business takes perseverance, persistence and patience. You must be assertive (focused) but not aggressive (annoying). You must project an air of confidence in your ability and in the quality of your songs. Avoid pretense and be yourself.9. Here are a few calling tips:
Never call the day after a 3-day weekend.
Never call early in the morning.
Never call anyone on Friday afternoon or evening.
Never call anyone between Christmas and New Year's or prior to a vacation such as July 4th, or Thanksgiving.10. Online Marketing is a great avenue to explore.Today, there are many musicians who are selling their songs and CDs online rather than going through the traditional channels of music publishers and record companies. It is relatively easy to create an immediate "buzz" and market your own songs online. Videos of your songs or group can be posted on You Tube, Google Video, and so many more sites.You can connect your music to organizations that promote "ringtones."You can promote, sell and distribute your music through the following networks: iTunes, Amazon.com, Pandora Radio, CD Baby, Facebook, You Tube.com, Last.fm, Twitter, Rovi/The All Music Guide, Live365.com, SHOUTcast.com, and MySpace.com.It is important to contribute informative articles in your area of expertise through press releases (music news), emails, newsletters, online surveys, and ezines.In fact, my article "Arranging Music and Sheet Music" was accepted as an EZine article and I earned "Expert Author status" and the article appears on their high-traffic home page.My final advice for you is to explore every possible avenue to get your music out in the marketplace. If you are a member of a band, appoint one person to handle the marketing of your group and don't leave one stone unturned in your quest to have others enjoy your music.Every musician should own, study and absorb the excellent material contained in the book, How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet 2011 by David Nevue. This can be downloaded as a PDF file and purchased at http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore.With perseverance, adequate research, and a "never quit" attitude, you can produce great music and be a success by making a living at music. Beethoven said; "Patience, diligence, persistence, and sincerity will lead to success" (Vienna 1792).

Add Audio to Your Web Site and Increase Your Sales up to 35%!

Ok, you've got your site built, you have traffic coming to it, a
good product at a reasonable price.... hmmm... what else do you
need?What else could increase your conversion rate?Audio!All right I know what you're thinking... "Why should I go to all
of the trouble of adding audio to my web site?"Because it can increase your sales by up to 35%!! That's why.Adding streaming audio it isn't as hard as you have been led to
believe and you don't even have to pay a monthly fee either. You
can start with sound recorder (Pre-installed on every Windows
computer) and the free microphone that came with your computer.Some of the things you can do with audio to enhance your site
are:* Create audio greetings* Create audio testimonials* Narrate tutorials* Create audio ezines* Add audio files for your visitors to download* Create audio articles* Add your band's music clips as tempting teasers to get buyers* Read children's stories* Tell Jokes* Sing...* Add music as a background to your web site (Tastefully - please!)This list goes on and on.Let's quickly cover a couple of the items on the list and see
what the advantages are.Create Audio Greetings:Well, I think this one is fun. Don't you often wonder what that
"Guru" sounds like? Or even what a web master who has created
your favorite web tool or ebook?Adding an audio greeting is actually about the easiest thing to
do if you want to improve your sales. For most web sites, when
done tastefully, the sales can jump up to 35%! People just trust
you more and feel like they know you a little better if they hear
your voice.Also, excitement is contagious. If you are excited about your
product, ezine or membership site you can hear it in your voice
when you talk about it. SO CAN YOUR CUSTOMERS! And more
importantly, your potential customers.Audio Testimonials:What can I say about this compelling reason, but this... what
would be more believable to you - a web site with a bunch of
written testimonials or a web site where you can hear the actual
voices of current / previous purchasers explaining what benefits
they got from the product? How do you even know for sure the
written testimonials are real?It's hands down the one with the audio.All you need is Audacity (Which is free at http://audacity.com)
to edit down too long testimonials - actually, is there such a
thing as too-long testimonial? Maybe not - and the ability to
have customers send you .wav files and a small picture of
themselves.NOTE: You can get a free script from Will Bontrager at
http://willmaster.com that will allow you to accept files from
your customers OR you can set up a seperate ftp account at
your server for customer uploads. See other articles in this
series to learn how to implement this.Piece of cake!There are a couple of other steps to adding the audio to your
site, but I will get to that in other parts of this article
series.Create Audio Ezines:Have you ever heard Jim Edwards "I Gotta Tell You" ezine?
(http://igottatellyou.com) Or watched the multi-media ebook and
ezine how-to tutorials in Epublishing Express?
([http://epublishing-express.com])It is so much more compelling to hear someone explain exactly
what to do than read a dry ezine (No offense to all the other
thousands of ezine writers out there) or ebook (Ditto to you
ebook writers) and you learn much faster.Did you know that you only retain about 10-15% of what you read
once? But that retention goes up to 60% if you hear it at the
same time and flies up to 80% for a multi-media presentation.How many fewer customer service calls and emails would you get if
you customers were retaining 80% of what you were teaching them?
I can tell you... a lot!Think of all the extra time you would have to promote your
business, create new products (Audio and multimedia products of
course!) Heck, even spend more time with your family and hobbies.How much happier would your customers be if they were able to
duplicate your success and complete your tutorials, assignments,
or follow your direction?Again - a lot! How many more of your customers would buy other
products from you if you were successful in teaching them or
helping them with your first product? I think you can see where I
am going with this...So, know that you know how important audio is how do you get
started? The first thing you can do is go to
[http://easy-web-site-audio.com] and sign up for the free Audio
Tips Ecourse and get a new tip every three days on creative audio
uses.That's a good start :)Remember those audio testimonials?Here are some other free resources for all of you ebook and ezine
writers to get you started: (Some long links may wrap)Microsoft: http://microsoft.com (Free)Additionally you can access lots of free content add-ons, tools,
and tutorials when you go straight to the media section on the
Microsoft web site.Find it at Media Player v.9:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/default.aspx
(Free) Here you can upgrade to Media Player 9 (To store all of
your audio files you have made in the easy access audio library)
which is free.Media Player 9 is the preferred media player for listening to
streaming audio along with Real Player which is also free.There are a lot of add-ons for the program, especially you want
to get the one that converts your MP3s into smaller WMA files and
save space on your computer. (It is a free teaser, they will
probably try to get you to buy the full Plus! collection, but you
don't have to!).Visit http://www.microsoft.com/plus for more information on the
PLUS! product if you think in addition to converting audio you
might want to let the kids play around with Media Player too. :)Remember all that extra family time you are going to have since
you won't have hardly any customer service issues?Real: http://real.com (Free)Get the Real Audio player basic program which allows you to play
Real Audio formatted files. A lot of online content is in this
format.Don't forget if you are adding Real Audio to your web site to get
the free "Producer" which converts other types of audio files (>
wav and .MP3 for example) into Real Audio files for uploading,
streaming, etc.Producer Basic (Free):
[http://www.realnetworks.com/products/producer/basic.html]If you want to stream from your computer or server (Warning
advanced topic!) you can use the free Helix Server Basic. Helix
Server Basic (Free):
http://forms.real.com/rnforms/products/servers/eval/mbps.htmlAlso use the free PresenterOne to add audio and video to your
PowerPoint presentations and stream them from your web site!
[http://www.realnetworks.com/products/presenterone/index.html]
(main page) and the free version is at:[http://forms.real.com/rnforms/products/tools/presenteronebasic/in]
dex.html (Approx. 20mb) since it requires Producer (Real Audio
product with a free version see above) it includes it in the
installation.So if you are thinking of enhancing your PowerPoint slides and
are going to download this, you don't need to download Producer
separately.Shoutcast: http://shoutcast.com (Free)Start your own radio station for free. And obviously link to it
from your web site and broadcast tutorial and educational content
on your niche topic. Free to record and free to broadcast.Live365: http://www.live365.com (Fee)You can also start your own radio station starting at only
$7/month.Pirate Radio: http://pirateradio.com (Fee)Purchase software for $29 one-time fee that will having you
broadcasting in about 1/2 hour.Keep your eyes peeled for more audio/video/multi-media related
articles in this series. We will be talking about different types
of audio files, conducting interviews, recording tutorials,
adding audio testimonials to your web site, and more. :)By the time we're done you will be an audio / video master!

CD Burner: The Day The Music Burns

Before, owning a copy of your favorite artist would only mean buying either from a local music store or online music sites. And a copy with an average of 16-18 cuts would cost you at least $10. If you think this is reasonable, then consider yourself lucky. However, if you are one of those who cannot afford buying copies of their favorite artists and still would want to listen to them, all you can do is to wait until your local radio stations play their songs. If you have the computer and the Internet connection, you can go to online music sites with free radio like the Launchcast, Shoutcast, Live365, and MSN radio and hope that the song will be played.Today, with several music download shareware programs it is possible to get your favorite song directly from other users without actually buying from them. These programs let you store the songs you have downloaded to your hard drive or transfer it to your portable MP3 player.But for you who would like to keep a complete collection of the song by actually storing it to a disc for archiving or play it to your vehicle of home entertainment system, there is one piece of computer peripheral you need: CD burner.If you know how CD player looks like (and I'm sure you do), you would recognize the CD burner.CD burner comes into two forms: the "independent" and the "attached". The independent CD burners or writable CD drives do not necessarily have to be permanently attached on the CPU. It could be connected through a USB port with its own power source. The other type of CD burner is the one that is attached to the CPU just like the CD ROM we know for quite some time.Remember the times cassette players were only meant to play cassette tapes? Then came the cassette recorders that enabled users to copy the content of cassette tapes to a black one.The same concept applies with the CD burner. It could copy from one CD to another or from a hard drive to a black CD and vice versa.But to actually use your CD burner, you have to have software. Some of these softwares are available and downloadable for free online. Examples are ISO Recorder, DeepBurner, Burrrn, Windows Media Player, Xduplicator, Cheetah CD Burner, and more. Other CD burner softwares could be purchased. While those for free have the same burning capability, those that are sold give more features and flexibility.CD burners are not limited to audio copying. It also can copy document files, programs, games, videos, MP3, WMA, and WAV files. Not only that, CD burner with DVD burning capability enables you to copy you favorite DVD collection to another CD if in case you would want to share it to a friend or keep it in case your original DVD is lost. You can also burn a DVD movie after you downloaded it through the Internet so that you could watch it on you television or your home theater.Although many would argue that the release of the CD burner provides venue to produce uncopywrited CD's whether audio or video, there is no question that CD burner brings the production technology within the reach of the consumers. And soon, as technology still progresses, there would be technology more advanced to cater the needs of music and video collectors and enthusiasts.

Steal This Blog

The large majority of the Tomato readers are Realtors. It is my mission to help this audience better understand how to embrace the tools that are going to keep them successful. The Tomato itself is an example of embracing a new tool (the blog) only to in turn illustrate how to leverage it yourself.Effective blogging will make you breakaway from your online competition. That is why I implore you to continue to pay attention to this site. Lofty goals for the Tomato inspire daily content and strategy focus. Learn as I we grow; come along for the ride.The Internet is shifting to what is being referred to as Web 2.0. Descriptive titles such as "collective collaboration," "participant architecture," "peer production," and "crowd sourcing" have been used to describe the core value of this shift. Blogs, MySpace, Wikis, Flickr, eBay, YouTube, Craigslist, Shoutcast, Forums and Mozilla are among the many pioneers that make up the driving force of the shift to 2.0.Catching the wave before it's passed is certain to improve your success online. Right now you have the ability to be part of a movement that will soon become mainstream. The best thing about this swift transition to Web 2.0 is the opportunity of participation. By using the tools of 2.0 to educate your audience on the market as well as your commitment, passion, and expertise in real estate you will begin to leave those who don't in the dust.We are already seeing the success generated by embracing the tools of 2.0. Realtors that have been blogging on their sites over the last year are enjoying the immediate search engine benefits. Once a blog post is published to a website, its content is immediately sent to many blogging and conventional search engines. Content is desperately important when it comes to establishing a website in the search results most pertinent to your focus. Adding to that content on a regular basis will only solidify those desired results.Beyond the traffic benefits, the real pay back of a well managed real estate blog is the relationships you build with your audience. The development of a lead into a client is built on trust. Trust is gained through communication and education. The real estate blog needs to execute this soundly. Every post regarding the market, a testimonial, challenges overcome, mortgage trends, tips, top 10 lists and so on will educate, engage and entertain your future clients.So as I said in a recent comment here on the Tomato, grab a surfboard and ride this wave before you are left out in open water with the masses of shoulda, coulda, wouldas...

Portable Internet Radio - What Are the Options?

First of all, what is meant by portable internet radio? The definition used here is: internet radio that can be listened to no matter where you are, in your home, car, gym, etc.This can be acquired in a number of ways, depending on your budget. The easiest and least expensive option is to record internet radio broadcasts, to be played back later with an mp3 player.All that's needed is a computer, a microphone and a sound editing program. Assuming you already have a computer, a usb microphone can be purchased for about $10.00 at any Best Buy, Radio Shack etc. This is needed to interface with your editing software.There are any number of sources for free/open-source sound editing programs for mac/pc, just Google "sound editing programs" and choose one you like. Make sure the music files can be saved in a compatible format i.e.mp3,mp4, aiff,aac, for your player.Internet radio broadcasts can be found the same way, or if you have iTunes on your computer, you already have a source. I tend to use a combination of iTunes,Shoutcast.com, Last.fm, and Live365.com.Download the program you chose. Most apps will have a help menu for guidance with the basics of operation. This is the only learning curve, and its' difficulty depends on the app.Plug in your mic, open the program and you're ready to record. Using this particular method means steps should be taken to avoid background noise like the phone, kids, tv, etc. This is due to the fact your music source isn't through a "line-in" connection, and will most certainly be monaural.As mentioned at the outset, this is the cheapest and easiest way to record ANY internet radio broadcast. There are many other approaches to explore, which I'll write about and submit here, or on my blog.

Web Design, The Quest For Inspiration!

The web is filled with incredible works of art. Beautiful graphics, stunning photography, awesome motion, slick animation and sometimes all that put together, to create that one website that leaves everyone breathless. These days web designers are a dime a dozen. Any sane person that can follow a couple of tutorials and invest in some software can create their own website. But as a web designer myself, the difference is very visible between those who's pores leak of creative juices and those who design cause they got nothing better to do. In no way am I degrading those who lack that creative edge, but actually applauding those who do. For many, web design started of as a hobby or branched off other creative arts like making music or painting or even creative thinking. It's awesome that someone can express his or her creative originality through a productive outlet such as Web Design.But like all things, even creativity sometimes runs out and we find ourselves looking at an empty white photoshop document trying to get inspired. Frustration builds up, and that's when we quit designing and open up our favorite first-person shooter and let it loose baby. When does it go from something you love to do, to a chore? I have felt that mental block many times and it's hard to meet deadlines with a quality product when you have no ideas. But don't give up, you are a creative enthusiast so find some creative solutions to get you motivated to work design again.Here are a few things that have worked well for me.
Go to award sites like, coolhomepages.com, cwd.dk or Internet tiny awards. You can view other people's work and gain some ideas. Either the site of the day or the popular site section can provide some needed insight on things.
Go look at your own portfolio, what better way than to admire your own work and be proud of yourself. You are a designer, remember that. It's those creative people that achieve quick success.
Listen to ambient music. No, not elevator music. But electronica, ambient, ambient trance, chillout, soundscapes, atmospheric or even some deep non-vocal trance. Music helps you get into moods and sometimes you can feel your heart beat a little faster as you get motivated and the hair on your arms stands up thinking about design. Even if you only listen to rap or rock, try this out, it's definitely relaxing and mentally stimulating. You can go to Shoutcast Radio or the Radio Station Guide to find some pretty cool radio stations.
Exercise. Get out there, work up a quick sweat and get your heart pumping. This has worked for me many times.
Take a shower. When I am in the shower, a hundred ideas go through my head. You are alone and only hear the sound of water. I have had some million-dollar ideas in there, all too soon to forget as soon as I step out. But think about a potential design and draw it out in your head.
Become a member of some design forums. There are so many out there take your pick; Site-point, Kirupa, Flash-Kit etc... Most of them have an inspiration or a cool site section, which list web sites that people think deserve recognition and therefore motivational. Also go to the site critique section to find some cool ideas and give your thoughts.
Finally, do it because there is a future in it. Imagine yourself being successful with every site you design. Then take steps towards it and make it happen.


The only way to really make it here is to have your own business. You already have that creative skill set that many others lack. Take that and run with it. Don't compare yourself to other designers, there is work for everyone. Get your portfolio site up if you haven't done so already. It doesn't have to be super-duper or better than that other designer's sites, because your clients don't know the difference. There is a market for everyone, remember that. With over a billion sites on the net, and more sites going live everyday you can definitely get clients.Visualize and chase that goal!