[Internet] Orbiter Internet Radio

[Xyon]

I have set up Orbiter Internet Radio, an internet radio station for Orbinauts (and others) to tune in and listen to while they fly, code, write, tidy or whatever.

The stream can be found here.
I'm working on a new site with a schedule. When there is no show scheduled, there is Auto Stream. Occasionally DJs will use this space for connectivity tests.

Tune in and enjoy, I really hope you do.

[Juanelm]

I would use it if it were available.

But how about making an MFD that works with Pandora, Slacker or some similar service, instead of doing it from scratch?

[MeDiCS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juanelm

 I would use it if it were available.

But how about making an MFD that works with Pandora, Slacker or some similar service, instead of doing it from scratch?

How about an MFD to play musics from your HDD?

[Xyon]

I'm talking more about having our own station, providing our own content. For instance, as was suggested to me just now, things like current NASA mission updates and the like.

An MFD for in-orbiter control would be an interesting project too, and something to look into.

Afterthought: I went to Pandora's website to see what it was, and got this, which makes it ineligible for the purpose at least;

Quote:

We are deeply, deeply sorry to say that due to licensing constraints, we can no longer allow access to Pandora for listeners located outside of the U.S.

And with Slacker:

Quote:

Unfortunately, Slacker Personal Radio is currently only available in the United States. While we are working to extend our licenses to other parts of the world, at this time we can only play music to our listeners within the United States.

[garyw]

Interesting idea. I'm certainly up for helping out and I've got a friend who has done this before so I can ask her about costs and things.

[T.Neo]

Wait, Pandora has a website?

I thought it just had an Eywa.

[dgatsoulis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xyon

 I am considering setting up an internet radio service for Orbinauts. However since the thing requires effort, effort and a little bit of cash, I'd like to probe the general interest level first.

So my question to OF as a whole, whoever of you decide to answer is twofold;

1. Would you listen to such a thing?
2. Which of you can / would be interested in DJ'ing on it?

The Spartans say "Aye"! hehe

Seriously now, if the broadcast is similar to this forum's "spirit", i'd definetely prefer to listen to that, instead of the usual "News and traffic" broadcast i listen on my way to work.

After reading this thread i typed : "the cost of running an internet radio station" on Google search and this is the first link that popped up:
http://www.korokithakis.net/tutorials/icecast

I have absolutely no idea how this could be implemented in an MFD for Orbiter, but in my opinion, it would be absolutely amazing! Opening the Radio/MP3 panel and having the "Listen to Orbiter-radio" button to press, on my way to Saturn!

Hope my post helps and i'm standing 100% by this effort of yours Xyon.

Respect

Dimitris.

EDIT: Hope this isn't an April Fool's joke!

[Xyon]

I don't intend for it to be a "News and Travel" thing, no, just music and general DJ'ing nonsense, perhaps some competitions, and updates on real life space missions if there is one going on at present. Since after the whole launch thing, the space mission updates slow down a lot, I can see it meshing in quite well, for instance some key stage updates on Discovery's flight later in the year could be done with minimal interruption.

I've already looked at broadcasting technology and theoretically could run the server off my machine for free, but depending on the number of listeners my bandwidth would fill up very quickly. However I have looked into alternatives and found affordable ones, so outsourcing seems to be the way to go.

The main players as far as server software platforms go in this field seem to be Shoutcast DNAS and Icecast. I don't see much between the two, but while there's a choice, I'm open to hearing some non-warry opinions on which is the superior product, if either is.

As for the software used to broadcast, that's up to the respective DJ, so long as it works, I don't care.

As I see it (and I have not looked into the MFD at all), the MFD would simply need to be able either to play music off it's own back, perhaps through OrbiterSound, or be a through-link to an existing music player, with the server's address set as the default (Configurable for end-users of course, hardcoding is baaaad). As for difficulty of implementation, I have no idea yet, but I'll look into it over the long weekend.

I'm not adverse to funding this provided it gets used. dgatsoulis, mind clarifying what you see as "this forum's "spirit""? I'd be interested to see how compatible our trains of thought are.

Another afterthought because I missed Garyw's post: You'd be more than welcome mate. And any info is helpful, pile it in here, message me in IRC, email me, whatever.

[Pablo49]

I'm very much interested in this. I'm very very very into music, and having space news and such with that would be pretty awesome. I'd also probably kill a living man to have that as an MFD, and I'm not even sure if I'm kidding.

I'd also be willing to DJ, or anything like that.

[Xyon]

Quote:

EDIT: Hope this isn't an April Fool's joke!

In retrospect, I should perhaps have waited till April 2nd to post that, but it was after noon when I did it. It's no April fool, I promise.

[MeDiCS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xyon

 Since after the whole launch thing, the space mission updates slow down a lot, I can see it meshing in quite well, for instance some key stage updates on Discovery's flight later in the year could be done with minimal interruption.

Well, you could fill the 'news' part with info about launches & updates of most of this kind of activity around the world instead of focusing only on the Shuttle. I don't know the frequency of these updates, worldwide, though.

[Xyon]

Yes, Discovery was only an example. I doubt covering every space mission would be feasible, but major ones like Soyuz and Proton as well as what NASA are doing should be scalable pretty readily.

[dgatsoulis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xyon

 I'm not adverse to funding this provided it gets used. dgatsoulis, mind clarifying what you see as "this forum's "spirit""? I'd be interested to see how compatible our trains of thought are.

To me, this Forum is: Fun, educational and mind-stimulating.

EDIT: I'd be more than happy to make my small contribution (come up with a few bucks) for such a project!
Wish i had some DJ skills, but unless the audience is interested in listening to Greek pop music , i think i'll contribute to this in another way!

[Xyon]

Well, Ok. I have set up a tentative live test running off this rig to see how feasible I can do this under the no-cost umbrella. I've done my best to check with my ISP and what have you, so...

http://xcc.thruhere.net:8000

Let's see if what I've got at the minute works, first of all.

[Pablo49]

I can connect, but I haven't heard anything. This is with VLC player and itunes. I'll try again with winamp here in a sec.