KSFO's Web Wanderer

The Links for May 17, 2003

KSFO is now using Chaincast to broadcast their signal over the Internet. When installing Chaincast, you tell it your bandwidth - alledgedly to "allow the best sounding streams" that your connection can handle.

There's apparently another reason - based on the core technology. Users are "chained" together. So - you not only receive streams, but broadcast as well.

From the Chaincast site: "Chaincasting is a patented technology that allows customers to stream content at a lower cost by creating dynamic distribution links or "chains" between users, thereby creating "free streams". This technology enables consumers with sufficient bandwidth to act as Virtual Multicast Routers (VMR) - seamlessly sending streams to additional users. ChainCast customers can increase revenues and reach larger audiences by using the ChainCast technology to reduce the cost of streaming content by at least 50% over competing solutions."

Taxi Mike found out you can turn off contributing your bandwidth by setting the connection speed to 33K. If you've already installed the software, it's VERY TOUGH to reinstall and change the bandwidth setting. Taxi Mike found a page on the KSFO site that tells you how to do a uninstall. Then - reinstall and select 33K.

Great tip - thanks, Taxi Mike!

Encyclopedia Smithsonian - Charles in San Francisco

Charles in San Francisco found The Encyclopedia Smithsonian.

This is one of those sites which I get lost in. Before I realize it, I've been browsing, then reading and learning for hours.

Head to "Science". There is sure to be something to distract you there. For me, it was Quartz Watches.

Well worth a browse. Check it out.

Thanks, Charles!

Who Owns What? - Charles in San Francisco

Charles in San Francisco found "Who Owns What?" - the Columbia Journalism Review's Web guide to what the major media companies own. The site asks the question: "Media companies continue to grow, and a shrinking number of them shape what we view and read. What does that mean for journalists -- and for the nation?"

The site covers close to 50 major media companies, including:

Cablevision
Clear Channel Comm.
Disney
Hearst Corporation
Knight Ridder
Washington Post Co.
Yahoo!

These are LARGE companies, with a surprising number of holdings. Some also have extensive "marketing alliances."

Very interesting reading. Check it out.

Thanks, Charles!

Always Freeware - Santa Rosa Steve

Santa Rosa Steve says: "Always Freeware: Nicely organised (British), searchable site. Programs are described and rated—cups (trophies). Frequently updated. Freeware junkies will want to visit Always Freeware and add it to their favourites or bookmarks."

The site is well organized - with main topics and subtopics:

Utils: (Disk, File Managers, Tweakers, Graphics, Zip, Misc, S/Savers, Audio, M/Media, CDr Utils)
Internet: (Chat, D/L Managers, Mail Clients, News Readers, Browsers, Images, Misc, Popups, NFO)
Web Pages: (CGI Scripts, Editors, Utils, Cookies, Web Server)
Security: (Virus/Trojan, Privacy, Encryption, Passwords)
Games
Other: (Educational, PIM's)

There is a good amount of software in each category - plenty to get the job done, and to give you a choice.

Freeware sites often go out of business after a couple of years (website owners lose interest!) so even though we've covered several, this one is still worth a bookmark. Check it out.

Thanks, Steve!

Free For All!

"Free For All" picks are hot, FREE items or services. It can be software, online services, you name it - but it's got to be free, with no strings attached.

Andantino says: "I've been pleasantly surprised, even impressed by the sound quality of these MP3 files I've ripped from Cds. Of course, unlike the Apple experiment, I'm using a disk I bought, not a download from the Internet. I'd rethink any "pay per..." model down to maybe fifty cents a song at most, or less, but that still doesn't address the sound quality and hardware compatibility issues. I've found three small, free, effective, user-friendly tools for creating the MP3s (CDex), equalizing the playback volume for material recorded at varying decibel levels (MP3Gain) and editing the MP3 file (MP3DirectCut) to get rid of audience applause once a song has ended."

CDEX - Andantino

Andantino says: "This is my first experience with MP3s. I wanted to load a few music tracks onto my hard drive for easier access than via disks and a CD drive. I didn't find CDex in an Archives search of the Wanderer's site but apparently it has been around for a while and my first use leaves me impressed.

"To set it up initially I suggest going to Options/Settings, clicking a tab and then clicking Help for a basic but clear explanation of each screen's setup options."

"Free, well thought out and, most importantly, it just works (on this system anyway)!"

MP3Gain - Andantino

Andantino says: "I've used MP3Gain a few times now and find it effective and easy to use. Seems best to stick with its default db level. The recording levels for the old and new jazz cuts I'm MP3ing have recording levels all over the decibel map. This evens them out nicely."

MP3DirectCut - Andantino

Andantino says: "It's small, free and it easily removed the applause from the end of an MP3."

mp3DirectCut is a small tool for editing MPEG audio directly. You can remove parts, change the volume, split files or copy regions to new files. All without the need to decompress your MP3 into PCM/WAV. This saves work, encoding time and disk space. And there is no quality loss through any re-compressions.

Trim your CD grabbings or directly to MP3 recorded vinyls or tapes. Cut favorite songs from long MP3 radio or live recordings. Make multiple cuts and fades. mp3DirectCut is very fast and gives you extensive control over your MP3s.