[rfu-automation] Recommended automation setup...

[dan blah]

i am recommending that we use SAM Broadcaster running on Windows 2003
Server running terminal services.
take a look at SAM3's features:
http://www.spacialaudio.com/products/sambroadcaster/
built in streaming encoders
Advanced playlist rotation logic and scheduling (it is pretty cool)
Interfaces directly with your website to allow automated song requests
and listing of song history

i am using this now for the streams.  i am also going to install
ZaraRadio on this machine with intent to mimic its current
installation.

With Windows 2003 Server and terminal services we can manipulate the
playlist and scheduling settings w/o logging off the console user or
application that is outputting music.  there is also the ability to
login to the console session w/o disrupting the current session.

at the very least i suggest that we move our automation system (ZR or
SAM3) onto the 2003 Server system i am putting together.  I would like
to schedule a tech/automation meeting sometime (soon?) in my office
upstairs so i can demo both ZR and SAM3 on Server 2003.  I have
everything installed on a 2.4Ghz 1024MB Ram box i will be donating for
this.

note also that SAM3 is one time $199 for a life time key.  A WRFU
supporter just a couple days ago donated $200 not specifically ear
marked for this purchase but with this purchase in mined ear marked
specifiably for the tech group.  The Server 2003 key is already owned
by me.

also, i think i have all of the www.wrfu.net/listen links working
(when the streaming server is working).  if anyone feels we should
support other players let me know and i will add them.  do not that of
all those different players we are only using two different playlist
(one for windows media player and one for all the others) so more than
likely its trivial to support others.  i was thinking of adding a
stand alone flash player...

-- 
Daniel