by Flip Michaels
BREAKFAST.COM Halted... Cereal Port Not Responding
Yes, I admit it. I am hooked on this super information highway termed the "Net." How could I resist? From audio availability to e-mail and fax capabilities, I'm living in my hard drive.
So what's new in cyberspace? The latest "must-see" bookmark comes from a broadcast audio recording studio in Buffalo, NY. Chameleon Communications features a web site allowing agencies, radio stations and clients to preview a full stable of voice talent. "Production Directors are often looking for promos and commercial material," says Alan Baumgardner, President of Chameleon Communications. "They can audition nearly 60 voice clips of talent." (With each voice represented in 20 second audio clips as .aifc files.)
Alan adds, "Lots of 'voice houses' send cassettes and CDs to their agency and broadcast clients, but being on 'the Net' allows us to constantly update the listings with new talent as they become available. Current technology does require some time to download files, but the advent of cable, ISDN and satellite modems will mean shorter download times, longer and more detailed examples of fidelity." He's not joking. Check it out: http://www.cham.com.
Copyright Infringement: The Sequel
Just when you thought you understood everything there was to know about copyright infringements in the radio industry...Congress has started debates regarding copyrighted materials on the Internet. The bill is cosponsored by Rep. Carlos Moorhead (R-California) and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), which could extend existing copyright protection to digital works via the World Wide Web (WWW).
The bill clarifies that copyright owners have the right to distribute copies of their works over computer networks--even if no physical copy of a CD, video, book or diskette change hands. However, all transmissions will involve copyrighted works that a copyright owner chooses to protect. In the case of e-mail, many use the Net as a way to communicate ideas and to share information. There is nothing in the legislation that prevents users from doing so, as long as they don't violate the property rights of others.
How does this affect radio? Well, your very own copyrighted radio station audio/image web page files, graphics, audio, etc., could at this moment, be taken and used elsewhere on the Net without your permission...that is unless a bill is passed that extends the rights onto the digital domain.
Radio On-Line:
The National Association of Broadcasters will hold a Radio On-Line: Internet Application session, Thursday, April 18th during the 50th anniversary of the Broadcast Engineering Conference in Las Vegas. The focus will be on the Internet and its impact on traditional broadcasting, and the ways stations can capitalize on this service. For up-to-the-minute details on the NAB Broadcast Engineering Conference, including registration information, visit the NAB website at http://www.nab.org/scitech/files/becsched.htm (or call 202/429-5346).
Wallpaper For The Mind:
"After recording your message, please press the pound key for options...." Seems like every radio station these days has or is getting voice mail, eh!?
THANK YOU FOR CALLING WXXX...
* If you are obsessive-compulsive, please press 1 repeatedly.
* If you are co-dependent, please ask someone to press 2.
* If you have multiple personalities, please press 3, 4, 5 and 6.
* If you are paranoid-delusional, we know who you are and what you want. Just stay on the line until we can trace the call.
* If you are schizophrenic, listen carefully and a little voice will tell you which number to press.
* If you are manic-depressive, it doesn't matter which number you press; no one will answer.
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