Friday, June 22, 2007
You may have noticed that a few weeks ago, in addition to giving out the toll-free call-in number and the email address during the program, we began mentioning that listeners can also chat with us on AOL Instant Messenger. Now, mind you, I've never done such a thing myself, and I confused it with text messaging. This was an idea that was brought to us by one of Here on Earth's bright young student producers, Dan Rosinsky-Larrson, and frankly, I didn't hold out much hope for it.
And then, lo and behold, during yesterday's Poetry Circle of the Air, Barbara contributed a poem sent to us from Michigan by IM (- that's shorthand for Instant Messenger in case, like me, you didn't know that.) And today, during the Raw Milk Wars program, we received another IM from Andy. It's exciting! A whole new way to interact with the program. Joe tells me it's easier, more direct, and takes less time than email, and that appeals to folks who may be listening while they're at work. For the benefit of those of you who are new to this and might like to try it out, I've asked Joe to write up a brief explanation of what it is and how to use it. Look for it in my next posting.
And by the way, Sardinia was spectacular. Postcards and photos to follow.
Ciao
When Phil Corriveau
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3 comments:
Hey folks!
As promised, I'm dropping a quick message on Jean's blog to give you an update concerning Here on Earth's latest on-line endeavors.
What we're most excited about right now is our instant messenger service. We signed up only a couple of weeks ago to AOL Instant Messenger and we've already heard from quite a few of you. Here's how we plan on incorporating your messages into the program:
Our AOL account will only be open during our live broadcast/webstream. The live show runs from 3 to 4 p.m. Central Standard Time in the U.S. To find what times we're live in your area, just visit the main page at www.hereonearth.org, scroll over the word "Listen" and click on the link that says "Local Time." You can then use our handy time converter to pinpoint when we're live in your time zone. If you already have AOL Instant Messenger, you'll find us under the username hereonearthradio, or you can simply click on the AOL icon at www.hereonearth.org. You'll see it at the bottom of the page. If you don't have AOL Instant Messenger, you can download the software (it's free!) from their website: www.aim.com. Just follow their easy instructions and join in the discussion.
One AOL member and Here on Earth listener wrote us just today saying: "I can't call you while I'm at work, but it's very easy for me to instant message you while streaming the show." Aside from the audience listening on their work computers, we also hope AOL Instant Messenger provides our international audience with another way to join the program. Instant Messenger is quick, easy, interactive and (obviously) free. So, to those of you streaming the show overseas, drop us a message! We'd love to hear from you.
I know a lot of you outside the U.S. (and inside as well, I suppose) prefer MSN Messenger. No worries! We're there, too. Again, we're listed under hereonearthradio. Please be aware, MSN users, that we have yet to install MSN Messenger in Jean's on-air booth but we should have it up and interactive in the next couple of days. We'll be talking with you very soon.
In other web news, we've been trying for some time to have Skype installed in our studio. I personally use Skype on my office computer (again, listed under hereonearthradio) and have talked to a few of you. However, installing it in our studio has been a bit tricky as other shows use the studio when we're not there. I'd just like to repeat my promise that we're working on it and hope to be taking free international calls from Skype users in the not-too-distant future. It's a big deal for us as we pride ourselves on true international dialog. Your patience is appreciated!
Finally, our web goddess, Lisa Bu, came up with this wonderful idea. She gave it the working title of "Where Are You, Here on Earth?" And while we're still developing the concept, basically the plan is to ask our on-line audience to snap a picture of themselves listening to the Here on Earth podcast on their headphones (or however you choose to listen). The more creative the picture, the better. Say you're listening in London. I imagine you could snap a picture of yourself listening to your iPod or mp3 player while standing next to Shakespeare's Globe Theater. Then send that picture via e-mail (along with a description of who you are and where you listen) to hereonearth@wpr.org. We'll gradually post the pics to our website for all the world to see. We imagine this as a way for our regular broadcast audience to meet our on-line audience and vice-versa. You could certainly send us your picture right now if you wanted (go for it!), but expect the official launch of "Where Are You, Here on Earth?" in the coming weeks.
You know, Lisa and I share an office and it would be awesome just to post your pics to our office door for our co-workers to see...
...ain't technology grand?
Joe Hardtke
Technical Director
Here on Earth - Radio Without Borders
Wisconsin Public Radio
www.hereonearth.org
hardtke@wpr.org
Jean,
I have enjoyed your show for some time, now. However, today I listened to a rebroadcast of todays show on Raw Milk Wars, and found it disturbing that there was no counterpoint offered to what can be considered a serious food safety risk. I have been a professional in the dairy industry for the last 20 years, and I found the guests in today's show perpetuating absolutely false claims concerning the safety of consuming raw milk. Considering the health and well being of the listeners were at stake,
I believe that it would have been responsible journalism to have provided the listeners with competant professionals that have dedicated their lives to dairy research to provide valid and facts about raw verses pasteurized milk. There are abundant resources at the University of Wisconsin in Madison (at Babcock Hall) as well as the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research,
Jeff in West Bend, WI
Hi Jean
Love your show!
My apologies for posting this here, but seemed like the best way to reach you.
I'm trying to find the programme that you did - around 2004, I think - on 'dining in the dark', about restaurants run by blind waiters. Would that be archived anywhere, by any chance? Can only find the past year ... I'd
appreciate it very much if you/someone could please drop me a line at
andiem@worldonline.co.za
Many thanks
Andie Miller
South Africa
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