Coming soon, Broadcastify.com

[sfd119]

I love the new site and the ideas presented. It makes a lot of sense in my mind as well, however, I, too, am at odds. The feeds were put up for people to listen to and I have enjoyed the fact that I can pull from the DB and put stuff into the feed scanner to continue to add channels.

Hosting the feeds are actually going out of my way to keep them up. I've since moved but the feeds have remained in a remote location with an internet connection simply because that has the best tower and coverage of many counties.

I am not one of the "complainers" from other changes. Change is good, this one, not so much. I honestly believe having access to our own feed archives and direct DB downloads were one of the things that made getting an extra computer out, installing Windows, installing RR software, and feeding it out was fair compensation.

Now, I believe I may just shut both of my tiny feeds down. They are not much, but our department relied heavily on them. But times have changed.

Just my two little cents from Wisconsin.

 

[blantonl]

I am not one of the "complainers" from other changes. Change is good, this one, not so much. I honestly believe having access to our own feed archives and direct DB downloads were one of the things that made getting an extra computer out, installing Windows, installing RR software, and feeding it out was fair compensation.

Keep in mind that we are granting all feed providers premium subscriptions on Broadcastify.com - so feed providers will never, ever lose the ability to access their own feed archives. Additionally, we are increasing the archive retention rate from 30 days to 180 days.

 

[brandon]

It's funny how times have changed. In the late 1990s and early 2000s people had to pay $$$ in order to host high traffic feeds using services such as Live365. Now people complain about services (with many more features) that allow them to do it for free.

Damn I feel old

 

[proudpoppy]

Broadcastify.com

I have just started being a feed provider, but my main reason for providing a feed is for the people in my community who basically are elderly, or handicapped who can not afford a scanner or if they could do not know how to program it, I just don't see what all the fuss is, I was a premium subscriber before becoming a feed provider, and to have this great site I would gladly pay the fee and provide the feed for free.

 

[SCPD]

If the vast majority of folks disagree with this change, then all the feeds will come down, Broadcastify will fail, and Lindsay's reputation for having made positive changes to the site will finally be tarnished (Every. Single. Time.)

However, I think most folks get some personal satisfaction out of providing the feed, mainly in the spirit of their hobby I would guess. I don't know, since I'm not a feed provider and have no interest in becoming one, free subscription or not.

While I am currently a premium subscriber, I fail to see the need to maintain the subscription full time. I mean, honestly, how many changes must be made to one's configuration? How many connections does a subscriber actually make to the database during the life of a subscription. I'd bet most (non feed providers) probably only connect a few times to download the systems they need... then, that's it. When my current subscription runs out, it will do just that... until I need to make a major change where my time becomes more valuable then the few dollars it takes to renew the subscription.

I guess what I'm trying to say is... what is the net loss to the feed provider? $2.50 a month? I don't really think so.

While I think the split of RR and Broadcastify is a little bizarre - as is the new name - I really have to agree with Lindsay above. It really is a non-issue, and at the end of the day, the financial impact to the average feed provider is near-zero.

sfd119 posted above that s/he maintains an entirely separate location for their feeds. What an effort. I would guess this is far from typical.

The business decision surrounding this certainly must have taken a certain amount of dissension into consideration.

Good luck with it, LIndsay. When the hubbub calms down, please do take a moment to explain what type of beverages were consumed when brainstorming the new name. That is of far more interest to most than the $2.49 a few claim to be put back by!

 

[blantonl]

Good luck with it, LIndsay. When the hubbub calms down, please do take a moment to explain what type of beverages were consumed when brainstorming the new name. That is of far more interest to most than the $2.49 a few claim to be put back by!

Lol!

Actually, there are a number of new startups who are naming their businesses with "verbify" domain names.

For example:

Recurring Billing, Subscription Billing, Web 2.0 and SaaS Billing - Chargify

But, in answer to the question, it usually is a Bombay Saphire Martini, straight up, with one olive.

 

[Ronaldski]

Just even more reason encryption will continue to be more prevalent, sorry but also what reason is there for someone to get a scanner anymore?

As scanners on the net, apps etc. become more so and popular, this will only help kill the hobby with encryption.
Why do we need this as we already have everything available already? - just a money grab?

All these feeds are slowly killing the hobby! thanks a lot!

If you feel differently then your area isnt encrypted, ask anyone on here where they are encrypted and see their views.

 

[John_M]

If the feed providers had a benefit at RR then they should have some benefit at Broadcastify. Thats really all I get from this whole thing.

 

[blantonl]

If the feed providers had a benefit at RR then they should have some benefit at Broadcastify. Thats really all I get from this whole thing.

We've said this about 5 times already, but let me re-emphasize it so that it is clear to everyone and there is no confusion or cause for alarm... this quote from the announcement.

"Feed providers will ALWAYS receive a free premium subscription on Broadcastify.com"

 

[SCPD]

What?

No <blink> tag?

 

[K4IHS]

Predicting a "closed thread" any minute now...

 

[rdale]

Not yet - three more people have to complain about encryption, and the fact that broadcasters don't get any perks anymore.

That'll give everyone time to slowly read again

 

[N_ALSCAN]

I have provided a feed for about 2 years, and recently added a second feed as my county is changing to a new digital system. I was about purchase additional battery backup equipment to substantially upgrade my backup capacity for this new second feed.

Being a feed provider for my county was a source of pride and I greatly enjoyed seeing the number of listeners dramatically increase during severe weather. On April 1st of this year, I peaked at an all-time high of more than 1500 listeners during a storm outbreak.

Lindsay’s Quote of:
>>>If the loss of a $2.50/month benefit (and gain of a $6.95/month benefit) is such an important issue to you, that's fine
Really rubs me the wrong way…

The $2.50/month benefit allowed me access to the database API to easily program a scanner for an area I was travelling into. The database access was one of the main reasons I would always buy a copy of Butel software whenever I buy a new scanner. Now I will occasionally subscribe when I travel, and let my subscription lapse until I desperately need it again.

The gain of a $6.95/month benefit (Broadcastify) is practically useless for me. I have very little desire/want/need to visit the feed archives and don’t foresee a need to listen to audio through my browser for more than two hours at a time. To me, the $6.95/month benefit is about as useful as getting $6.95/month worth of tampons. Sure, thanks, don’t really have a use for it….

In the past, I took great pride in my feed and always strived to make it as reliable as possible. The feed takes priority when I have network equipment down for maintenance, and I pay close attention to the longevity of the battery backup for the feed, the fiber converters, and the network switches which connect my feed computer to the internet.

However, now that we are losing our free premium access to the database, my network priorities will definitely change. I will no longer be concerned if the feed computer hangs in the middle of the night and goes offline. Also, should my cable modem lose connection, I will no longer give QOS priority for the feed. Currently, it fails over to DSL then to a Verizon Wireless connection should everything else fail.
I currently see no disadvantage to immediate loss of premium membership on the new site. Where is the incentive for immediately repairing my feed? “My feed is down, so I can’t listen to archives of silence”???????

In time, maybe we will all grow to love the new site.
Currently, I have placed this in the same category as NEW Coke, Crystal Pepsi, and Zima Gold….

 

[blantonl]

Rob,

Being a feed provider for my county was a source of pride and I greatly enjoyed seeing the number of listeners dramatically increase during severe weather. On April 1st of this year, I peaked at an all-time high of more than 1500 listeners during a storm outbreak.

This right here should stand alone and speak for itself. Additionally, don't forget that we mailed you a $50 gift certificate to Scanner Master for reaching that 1500 listener level count (albeit a little late, but).

Furthermore, we've issued well over $10,000 in feed provider incentives over the past 2 years to feed providers who reached listener count thresholds, and we'll continue that practice at Broadcastify.

 

[SCPD]

Also, should my cable modem lose connection, I will no longer give QOS priority for the feed. Currently, it fails over to DSL then to a Verizon Wireless connection should everything else fail.

I just don't see how someone who maintains triple-redundant internet connectivity could possibly even blink at an 8-cent per day / per year database subscription charge. But it isn't about the money, is it? It's about the principle for you, right? I guess I can understand that. But call it what it is.

This is where I get off. We're way off-topic now.

 

[KE4ZNR]

Just even more reason encryption will continue to be more prevalent, sorry but also what reason is there for someone to get a scanner anymore?

Gee...the only reason(s) I can see for anyone to purchase a scanner instead of listening to streaming audio are
1) The ability to customize the scanner to be suit your monitoring needs
2) The ability to monitor what agencies/channels you want to when you want to
3) The ability to stop the scanner and hold on a specific channel at any time.
4) The ability to listen to channels/talkgroups that are not allowed to be streamed due to Feed Provider TOS.
5) The ability to take a scanner outside your local area on a trip and listen to what you want to hear.
6) The ability to quickly make changes to a scan list on the fly.
7) And the fact you are not at the mercy of the feed provider in terms of audio quality.

I mean other than the above you are correct there is no reason for anyone to purchase a scanner anymore, right? :roll:

If you feel differently then your area isnt encrypted, ask anyone on here where they are encrypted and see their views.

I do see the views of both Pro-encryption and Anti-encryption. Working in a local government radio shop has given me the luxury of being privy to both sides.
Some agencies will encrypt and some won't. Running around screaming "The Sky is falling!" in a Chicken Little fashion does not help the situation.
I do understand your frustration but feel it is misdirected at Lindsay and RR.com.
Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[mrkelso]

We've said this about 5 times already, but let me re-emphasize it so that it is clear to everyone and there is no confusion or cause for alarm... this quote from the announcement.

"Feed providers will ALWAYS receive a free premium subscription on Broadcastify.com"

And can we program a scanner as one of those features? Or do we have to PAY for the feature?

 

[blantonl]

A premium subscription on Broadcastify.com does not grant you a premium subscription on RadioReference.com. They are two separate entities.

Therefore, the answer is no, a premium subscription on Broadcastify.com does not give you access to database downloads on RadioReference.com. Yes, you will have to pay for that benefit.

 

[FoeHammer]

So there will be a free & paid service ?
& will I still be able to listen nights using the scannerbox app on my Logitech Squeezebox?
ScannerBox.us - Streaming live audio feeds to Logitech Squeezebox Radio

 

[mrkelso]

A premium subscription on Broadcastify.com does not grant you a premium subscription on RadioReference.com. They are two separate entities.

Therefore, the answer is no, a premium subscription on Broadcastify.com does not give you access to database downloads on RadioReference.com. Yes, you will have to pay for that benefit.

Thank you for clearing that up for me. I will be dropping out when the switch takes place.

I only get 2 or 3 listeners anyway Thanks for everything.