Vol. 2, No. 25
TODAY'S LESSON: Streaming Media

It used to be that hotshot executives at big TV and radio stations determined which programs were suitable for mass consumption. Those days are long gone, of course, and now you can find all manner of artistic audio-video endeavors on the Web, from homemade movies to electro-trance-jungle radio stations. Most of these homespun stations are up and running with the help of "streaming media," which lets visitors listen and watch without having to wait for cumbersome files to download. Want to hop on the streaming-media bandwagon?

Well, good news: There are plenty of easy-to-use tools that can have you streaming in just a few hours.

>>> Setting up a Stream <<<

Not everyone is cut out to start a TV or radio station, and not everyone can manage a streaming media site. It takes some time, effort, and patience to get everything running smoothly, so if you're one of those people that starts throwing things around the room when you can't program the VCR, stick to the sidelines here. But if you like a new challenge, and like to impress your friends, by all means give it a shot.

"Streaming Audio"
Online music is something of a file format free-for-all. So before you settle on RealAudio over Windows Media or MP3, have a look at the options.

"Streaming Audio Tutorial"
Want to play Merle Haggard 24-7 on your very own radio station? This article shows you how to get a (free) Shoutcast server up and running, so you can stream out music to your heart's delight.

"Streaming Businesses"
The music industry is gearing up for the holidays with some new services to tempt online music junkies.

>>> Stream Management <<<

After you get a streaming server set up, there are lots of things you can do to make the experience better for your visitors. Like, say, giving them something to actually stream! A streaming server with no content is like a soda pop machine with no soda pop. So get popping.

"MP3 Basics"
If you need to get some music ready for streaming, MP3 is the best bet. It's an open, flexible file format that creates near CD-quality sound at one-tenth the file size.

"Embedded Media Player"
Hot off the Monkey press, this article shows you how to embed a media player right on your site. No more hassles for your visitors, and a big creative plus for your site.

"Reviewing Your Site"
After you make any significant upgrades to your site, don't forget to double-check it for users with different browsers, connection speeds, and the like.

1. If you plan to stream MP3 audio only, Nullsoft's Shoutcast and Icecast work on the freely available Linux operating system and the ever-present Windows. These software packages will let you stream to as many concurrent listeners as your computer and Internet connection can handle. If you're comfortable being limited to only 25 simultaneous streams, download the free "Basic" version of RealNetworks' RealServer.

2. Most MP3 encoders offer "variable bit rate encoding," which is a good way to maximize sound quality and file size simultaneously. In variable bit-rate (VBR) encoding, the software analyzes the data and determines the optimal bit rate for encoding each frame of sound.

3. Having trouble bringing home the Christmas tree now that you traded in the family minivan? Use a public bus! (During non rush hours only, please.)

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