Re: [Swprograms] WiFi, WiMAX, & Internet "Radio

["Richard Cuff" <rdcuff@xxxxxxxxx>]

Will, it depends on the broadcaster and the database provider that the
WiFi receiver uses to make programming easier..

The Reciva-enabled units (including the one C. Crane sells for $300)
has links for all the on-demand programming available on the BBC
services (including the World Service) but not others, from a quick
scan I did.

You can use a website to manually add Internet addresses (URLs) for
on-demand programs to a preferred "list" that your "receiver" accesses
when it logs into the Internet.  It is much easier to do that than to
manually enter URLs on a device without a keyboard.

We successfully fired up the AE-1 receiver at the SWL Fest without
having a home network, using the hotel's WiFi network.  The guy who
presented the forum we ran on these says that the list of stations
that one maintains on the web for their radio is the handiest way to
tune in.

You should be able to do this with any "open" WiFi network, or any
network that you have the password for.  Our WiFi network here at the
office is WEP password encrypted, and worked fine once I entered the
password on the unit itself (not an attached computer).

The problem with most region-wide WiFi networks is that they ain't
free...so you have to have an established account with them.  I
honestly don't know if you could then register the receiver as one of
your computers on the WiFi network.  Philadelphia, which was one of
the first cities to announce a city-wide WiFi network, has this
network roughly 50% built out, and claims to be on schedule to have it
completed this calendar year.  The base subscription rate to Wireless
Philadelphia is $20 / month, or $10 / month if one receives public
support (e.g. Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps).

Most folks that get these units already have a WiFi network set up at
home, or convert their wired broadband network to a WiFi network.  The
hardware required for that conversion is cheap -- a $29 WiFi router
would be all you need.

People that live in establishments with free WiFi would also
theoretically be able to simply plug in & turn on.

Alas, I don't see WOR on the list of on-demand programs in the Reciva
directory (that the AE-1 uses as its base list of stations).  You
could easily past the podcast URL for WOR into your custom web list
and thus listen to each new edition as it becomes available.

You could do that for any station that offers podcasts.

Will, I hope this is helpful even though there is a fair amount of
Internet jargon one has to deal with in using these units.

Don't hesitate to ask if you have any additional questions.

Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA

On 8/29/07, William Martin <wgmartin@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> In all the discussion of these "wirelessly accessing Internet audio"
> devices and facilities, I have still *never* read or heard of anyone
> taking one of these "Internet radio" devices and pulling an
> assortment of programming out of the air off the net WITHOUT
> using a home-computer-controlled local network or the like.
>
> I really want to see a report from someone who walked into a
> Wi-Fi-equipped coffee shop or is in a city with a region-wide
> WiFi or WiMAX and, using *just* an Internet-audio device,
> listened to gh's "World of Radio" and science programs from
> RN, RA, CBC, and the BBC. That is, was able to access specific
> programs, not just tune in a continuous web stream of a
> broadcaster.
>
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