On Nov 2, 2014, at 11:31 AM, Gordon Smith <[email protected]> wrote:
Hello everybody
For the last couple of weeks I have been working with the developers of a software
package called “RadioBOSS” to make their software accessible. I wrote them a long
report outlining the accessibility requirements and, within 48 hours of my doing
so, they have produced a beta which removes the accessibility issues almost
completely. Their formerly graphically drawn boxes are now standard group box
controls, and it is possible to navigate between them via the keyboard. The
software has excellent audio processing, oodles of keyboard hot keys, built-in
streaming/DSP encoders, (including Icecast 2.0 and Shoutcast 2.0), full support for
uploading playlists to a remote server, full song requester facilities, accurate
top-of-the-hour rotation timing, multiple file formats supported, on-the-fly
recording of broadcasts, multiple simultaneous input/output sound devices,
dynamically updated music libraries, Copy & Paste queuing, automatic playlist
generation suitable for full 24/7 automation, and much much more.
The software comes in three different flavours, depending upon your needs. But
even the most expensive “Advanced” license is priced at just $199.00 US which,
in comparison even to things like Station Playlist Creator and Sam Broadcaster,
is a very affordable price. Indeed, to license SPL and Studio Pro you’re
looking at $450 for the two apps together. This comes as an all-in-one
application and is, as I say, cheaper than Station Playlist Creator Pro on its
own.
I shall continue to work with the developers to further accessibility. But it
shows what can be achieved if one approaches a developer in the right way. I
went to them politely and demonstrated my willingness to play the game, so to
speak, by purchasing 4 licenses for the Advanced edition which can be used on
my four machines here to broadcast. I am excited as to the prospects of using
this software, and once we iron out a few more of the issues, I am confident
that we will end up with a very accessible and highly effective means of
putting one’s programming to air.
If you immediately rush off to download it, I should warn you against
downloading the main release setup version on their website. It is not fully
accessible at all. Many of the tabs and panels are not available in that
version. If you want to download and try the beta, you’ll need to access their
Forum and download as a guest from there. Alternatively, get back to me off
list and I’l send you a copy of the beta.
Gordon
