FA News - Jan 2010

[DJEd]

Hello, and a belated welcome to 2010!

Starting this month, I plan to post a monthly Flashback Alternatives update.

The goal is to share with everyone what is happening at FA, new features, show updates, our financial status, and more.

So without further ado...

What's New

1. We are moving to a new broadcast server at 1.FM! Over the next few weeks we will be moving to a more powerful broadcast server. You may have noticed that on occasion (ok... more than on occasion) there is dead air that can last for a few seconds to sometimes a minute or more, or the occasional crash of our broadcast software. This is due to an underpowered broadcast server. FA has such a large library and complex song selection process that sometimes it overwhelms the server. This will be corrected (keeping fingers crossed) with the new server. There will be minimal downtime during the server move - with the only planned downtime being a small window were we turn off one server and bring the new one online. I will keep everyone posted on the progress of the move.

2. Website issues. You may have noticed some brief (5-10 minute) website outages. I am working with FDC Servers to see if we can trace the cause of these brief outages, but in the event we can't, I have two other web hosts (major companies) lined up that will not cost much (if anything) more per month. If we do move to a new host, there should be no downtime, just the usual DNS changes.

New Features

1. Not a new feature, but the return of an old feature! The FA Arcade will be making it's return later this month!

Show News

1. As you know, Retropolis has not been on for about six to seven months now. I was hoping that DJ Wave would change her mind, but she has not. While I am sad that she will not be returning, I am happy to announce a new show - Monday Night Requests with DJ Ed. This will be a weekly pre-recorded show featuring listener requests of all types (Yes, I will play Benny Goodman if requested, and if I can get my old record player with the 78 speed setting working). There will be an e-mail address to send requests to, and a phone number where you can leave a message with your request. I will be integrating those messages into the show.

2. Unfortunately, we will be losing another show later this month. That announcement will be coming later next week. Doing a show is not easy, and I greatly appreciate all the work and support this DJ has done for the station. This will, however, open up a spot for a new show - so if anyone is interested, please let me know.

3. Hear FA Shows On-Demand! A number of FA DJ's are posting their shows on MixCloud. MixCloud is a free service that streams podcasts/radio shows on demand. I am going to be working with the FA DJ's to try and get all shows up on MixCloud. It is a great service, and a great way to draw more exposure to the great shows on FA, and a way to gain more FA listeners.

4. A new name for 'ROQ in the Box'! DJ Modernroq is changing the name of his monthly show to 'got 80s'!

Listener News

1. Listener numbers have been stable the past few months. We are generally around the 350-400 peak listener mark each weekday. Obviously more listeners would be great - and I would love to return to the days of 1000+ listeners peak. Mobile Internet Radio is gaining momentum - with more and more phones & other wireless devices offering the ability to listen to internet radio. In addition, Ford has announced that it will be offering Internet Radio in its cars. This is, hopefully, the start of something big.

2. Over the past few weeks a lot of FA 'oldtimers' have been stopping by, which makes me very happy. Good to see old friends. We have also had a lot of new faces visit us - which also makes me very happy. While the tagboard isn't quite as active as years past, activity has been picking up at various times of the day.

FA Financial Status

1. I am happy to say that we have been reaching our $400 goal on a regular basis the past few months. To those that contribute, thank you! Your support means a lot! To those that may not have supported the station in the past, now is a great time to start! Just a $2 monthly contribution goes a long way to keeping the station on the air!

That is going to wrap up this month's news! We have lots of other ideas and plans for 2010, and if you have some ideas - share them! We are always looking for new ideas as to how to make the station better!

And as always, thanks for listening to Flashback Alternatives!

[Synthesizerman]

I'm sorry DJ Wave won't be coming back. She made great contributions to the station and will be missed.

[bambam]

It is sad that DJ Wave will no longer be making shows. She has contributed alot to the station, probably more than most people would give her credit for.

[Sousaphonic]

Well done on the newsletter. It is very informative.