[rfu-automation] No consensus on moving the automation computer into the studio this weekend

[Gary Cziko]

John et al:

On 6/30/06, John Anderson <phlegm at diymedia.net> wrote:
>
> Great. We can still move forward with our original plan, which you and
> everyone else who attended our meetings consented to.
>

As I mentioned earlier, I agreed to moving the automation studio into studio
if remote access was provided in the control room. Since we are unable
currently to provide the remote access, it is not possible, by definition
and logic, to move forward with the original plan.

In addition, other things have changed since the original plan, including
the option of adding safe-harbor material to the automation system.  Another
development is the use of iTunes to download files for certain automated
programs and the likely use of Scheduled Tasks to switch between daytime and
safe-harbor muscic lists, all which makes things a bit more complicated to
keep the automation system running properly. I would be more than happy to
show anyone  how to manage the automation system and would be happy to share
responsibility for this aspect of the station's operation. But I don't think
that knowing how to run the automation system should be a requirement for a
show host who wants to play some tunes from local music library that we have
put on disk.

I plan on moving the computer into the studio tomorrow once everything is
> wired up. If you'd like to tweak the automation, until we can get a terminal
> in the production room for you, I guess that means you'll have to come into
> the studio like the rest of us do. From Monday through Friday, from 2-4p,
> the studio is presently unoccupied. There's plenty of time for you to do
> what you feel you need to do.
>

Weekdays 2 to 4 is seldom convenient for me. Evenings are usually better
when live shows are being broadcast from the studio.

I am not worried about the music. I am assuming you have already worked out
> a system by which the automation knows what to play and what not to play?
> Are things labeled as clean or dirty, perhaps sequestered into master
> folders?
>

This has not been worked out.  It is still in the development stage which
will require more than usual access to the automation computer. The
automation group feels it needs to get general consensus from WRFU
membership at the next general meeting about adding safe-harbor material to
the automation system before proceeding with this.

Also, might I remind you that our initial plans for the studio called for an
> integrated system. Training people to start/stop ZaraRadio I do not expect
> to be difficult, even if there are some hiccups. This is a volunteer-driven,
> community radio station, and foibles are to be expected.
>

More than simply starting and stopping ZaraRadio is involved.

I could accept the added risk of "foibles" if I could see compensating
advantages. But I see none as we can easily set up ZaraRadio and sound files
in the studio without compromising the operation of the automation computer.

Indeed, I can easily imagine that most show hosts would prefer being able to
use the studio computer for music and not having to worry about messing with
the automation system at all. All they have to do now is move a slider up
and down. Things will be considerably more complicated if the same computer
is used both for live shows and automation.

The bottom line is that I am opposed to moving the automation computer into
the studio this weekend for the reasons I have given above and in previous
messages. The system has been working well, provides about 76 hours a week
of programming to WRFU and I have been primarily responsible for keeping the
automation system running. So while you may belittle my work and involvement
in WRFU because "I don't come into the studio like the rest of us," I think
my preference should be given some weight in this matter.

WRFU is supposed to operate by consensus. And there is no consensus here on
what would be a major change in the station's current mode of operation.

And please don't keep repeating that you plan on going ahead with the
"original plan" for which there was consensus, because moving the automation
machine into the studio without remote access from the production room was
never part of any "original plan" that I ever agreed to.

--Gary
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