Fort Collins Youth Broadcasting

KLIK has a lot going on right now.  We could use any volunteers to help with it, too, so if anything below sparks your interest, please get in touch with us ASAP.

• Our live programming has been rescheduled to meet the new schedule.  Show times are now standardized according to the schedule available at http://klikradio.org/newschedule.html.
• We’re currently in the process of scheduling re-runs in our automation software.
• We need to go through old shows and edit them to make them ready for re-broadcast.
• We’re currently writing a PHP-based online SAM interface so volunteers can manage the music library from outside the studio and not interfere with live programming.
• The latest enhancements to the KLIK Podcaster will be:
  • Indicator lights showing whether or not the podcast is currently being recorded.
  • Timer indicating talk and music time.  (Will hopefully be useful for keeping DJ’s from rambling too much 🙂 )
  • The ability to “knock out” the “0 viewers, peak of 0” message that is constantly showing up in SAM Broadcaster using Win32 API calls.
• Our regular fundraising efforts are ongoing.
• We’re in the process of integrating a new KLIK logo and web site.
• The search for a new executive director is now commencing.

We especially need help with the podcasting and music library management.  If you’d be interested in helping categorize and rate music, please get in touch with us!  Thanks for reading, catch you again soon!

Version 2.0 of our in-house-developed Podcaster application was released today!  This new release features a few major upgrades:

• All configuration settings are XML-driven and are no longer hard coded
• The ability to update the configuration without exiting the application
• The ability to drag the button around the screen
• The “Start” button starts flashing when the mouse starts moving after a user-defined period of computer inactivity (to remind users to actually start recording their show)
• The iPod reminder and “recording” reminder screens now work correctly (reminders to turn off iPod-override and overall show recording)
• The ability to update now playing information on multiple servers, supporting both Icecast and Shoutcast
• Simplification of the podcast process so that the back-end upload process is only one step, not two
• Better documented source code

A few other minor releases will be made over the next coming days, which will include a user guide for configuring the application, as well as a potential release of the source code (it is a very simple application, after all).

This is what goes on behind closed doors at KLIK!  Minor enhancements in the upcoming releases include:

• Disabling buttons while their associated events are processing to avoid “clicked twice syndrome”
• A user guide explaining how to write the XML configuration files
• Released source code!

Since there’s very little chance for profit on this kind of application, we figure we’ll release the PAL script (for SAM Broadcaster) as well as the C# source code that’s used to the public.  The only thing that will not be released is our station’s configuration file since that would obviously jeopardize the security of our servers.

After speaking with the well-known Jordan Fisher, programming director here at KLIK, we’ve decided we’d like to make a few changes to the schedule here at KLIK.  We’re going to standardize blocks of times for volunteers to pick from, so shows aren’t too long, aren’t too short, and not at awkward times of the day.  Here’s the general run-down of it all.  All times are Mountain Time.

Update: for a graphical view of this new schedule, please visit http://klikradio.org/newschedule.html

• Monday thru Thursday
  • Show re-runs at 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM
  • Original programming at 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM
  • Re-runs at 10:00 PM.
• Friday
  • Show re-runs at 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM
  • Original programming at 4:00, 7:00, and 10:00 PM.
• Saturday
  • Original programming at 7:00AM , 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 10:00 PM.
• Sunday
  • Original programming at 7:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 7:00 PM.
  • Re-runs at 10:00 PM.

Our goal is to get as many people listening to KLIK at all times of day as possible.  By re-running shows during standard business hours, parents and other supporters in the community can listen to KLIK while at work or on-the-go special thanks to our new iPhone/Android/mobile web site.  We also hope that, by standardizing show hours, we can keep a consistent, professional schedule and attract more volunteers and listeners!  Overall, I say YAY for KLIK.

The new schedule won’t be fully implemented until we can get all of our current volunteers to pick their time slot.  Progress will be reported as we make headway with this grand idea.