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http://www.onlamp.com/lpt/a//apache/2001/06/12/mp3.html Streaming MP3 technology lets you treat MP3 files similar to the way you interact with streaming music in formats such as Windows Media or Real Media. In other words, you can set up Net radio stations where users can choose to listen to a long stream, or even build their own streaming channel by selecting files. This article introduces mod_mp3, a module that optimizes Apache for streaming MP3s. Sites like Shoutcast, Live365, and Icecast offer ways for independent DJs to webcast MP3s easily, and get their stations listed in each site's directories. These systems have become extremely popular -- Live365 lists more than 36,000 stations that use its site -- because they've taken what was the domain of expensive, proprietary servers like those from RealNet- works and Apple Computer's QuickTime division and put it in the hands of MP3 users mobilized by file-sharing, independent artists, and open formats. However, the capabilities of Shoutcast and Icecast servers, and web services like Live365, are still limited and focused on only playing a static stream. Users want to be able to control their playlists, and some want to publish and syndicate content from within a webcast. Those features are beyond the domain of these online services. That's where Brian Aker, a lead developer of Slash, and mod_mp3, comes in. Shoutcast and Icecast have done a lot of important work by creating the pro- tocols (Shout and ICE) that enable MP3 streaming, and that are now supported by most MP3 players. Mod_mp3 gives Apache the ability to use these protocols to stream MP3s and Ogg Vorbis files. This module also adds an XML-RPC API for requesting and controlling custom streams, playlists and RSS output -- almost instantly creating the most powerful platform for webcasting MP3s yet.
