Is this a good place to ask about using a PC to run your station? I want to know if there is an open source operating system, with a desktop (not too much command prompt), that is good for running the usual radio automation stuff. Seems like the better sound software works on new PC's.
Well, I have an (about) 15 year old IBM laptop running Zara Radio under Windows 2000 and it works just fine (including running audio processing software). You'll need a bit more PC for XP, but not much more. I use the old IBM PC to drive an AM transmitter that I use to listen to oldies around the house and immediate vicinity.
My main automation computer is an older ASUS dual core fan-less mini desktop computer (physically it's smaller than a softcover book) that I run Vista on (to get the most of the dual core architecture - it's easily 7-8 years old, maybe more). On that one I also run my streaming software (IceCast server, standalone EdCast to generate a stream). I use outboard hardware audio processing.
Some people swear by LINUX, but there's much more software available for Windows, even the older operating systems, and much more help available (as more people use it). You can easily pick up an old computer for well under $100 (I usually pay under $50 and far less than that when I come across good ones at vintage shops - I recently scored a decent Toshiba Satellite laptop for $20).
Ok, cool to hear. I was wondering about Zara. What I have is a Win 95 machine I used to use in business. I'm guessing I'll have to use it 'air gapped'. Wish it has a USB port. Haven't powered it up in about 8 years. But if it works it frees up $300 toward something I'll have actually buy.
Worst thing you'd have to do is change the CMOS battery on that 95 machine, it should fire up after that.
Will Zara run on 95?? Even if it does I personally would install XP on that old machine if that's your only option, believe it or not I've actually installed Xp stripped down on numerous 486 pcs in the past and the ran quite well comsidering (it's not particuarly difficult to accomplish and I assume there are still plenty of step by step tutorials on the web on how to do it).
But really, again,.. Older capable computers are a dime a dozen, and you certainly wouldn't have to pay $300 for something else.. Maybe $50 tops.. $25.. $15 or free.. At least the way it is around Georgia.. People just don't care about computers older than 5 years old anymore. Computers are considered disposable items now, but honest to god even the oldest of computers can be repurposed for some of the most capable things for free.. Including radio automation, and run trouble free.
One day I'll make some kind of demostration/tutorial of just how much you can accomplish for basically free (minus the cost of the transmitter) 100% free to set up a part15 station.. it's just too easy!
But I really woudn't go Windows 95
If you don't stream on that PC ......... you can use 98 SE or XP. I had en for 8 years long en PII running under 98SE with Zara 1.4.4 and it works fine. But I got a problem. The Bios wasn't good enough for large hardisks, so ...........
Now I have a PIII (Compaq Deskpro EN) with XP Lite and it still works fine. There's only one thing, you can only do some simple processing cause the processor is to slow. So I use the plug-ins SqrSoft and the DeCisoft Equalizer. This all works fine.
Rob Veld
I'm 100% with Rich on the XP. Just make sure (if it's a laptop) the sound card is good. Zara runs flawlessly on XP. Windows 7? Not so much...
Doug
Hmm.. funny, I thought I was just in this thread a minute ago but I was in the shoutcast thread! See my comment #36 there if you want: http://www.part15.us/comment/50790#comment-50790
There's only one thing, you can only do some simple processing cause the processor is to slow. So I use the plug-ins SqrSoft and the DeCisoft Equalizer. This all works fine.
Ah yeah.. I didn't consider proccessing because I prefer using external hardware for that. But Rob's suggestion sounds like a suitable solution.
Radiodugger, Zara 1.6.2 runs just fine on Window 7, but I run it in XP compatibility mode.
I know you won't be putting Win10 on the old box, but Zara runs fine on that too.
I just don't like the forced updates Win10 shoves on ya.
Centinel, if you are truly after a free open-source solution, Rivendell (for Linux) and Airtime are pretty much the ways to go.
Rivendell is available in two flavors: the Rivendell Appliance, which is a 64-bit Centos-based automation system on a single DVD; and RRABUNTU, an older version based on Ubuntu 10.4. I would not try to run either on a machine optimized for Win95 -- that is REALLY old hardware. TigerDirect has refurbed machines that may suit your purpose, one of which (at this writing) is an HP for about $120. Not awful.
Airtime also has it going on, but requires an Ubuntu Linux server which is beyond the capabilities (and interest) of most Part 15 broadcasters.
It takes a bit of configuring to get Rivendell right, but only once. It may not be for you, but its worth a look.
Download Rivendell from http://www.paravelsystems.com/rivendell-broadcast-appliance and RRABUNTU from https://sourceforge.net/projects/rrabuntu/ Airtime is available from https://www.sourcefabric.org/en/airtime/ Good luck.
So my spouse agreed to donate our 'old' cafe computer running Win 7. Its biggest problem is it needs a new mouse.
By the way, I like the Ubuntu platform idea. but I think I'll use that on a Rasberry Pi machine. I'll set that up as a VPN.
Anyone use iMac's? Forgot I have an old one but it needs a new hard drive. I had some kind of software on it enabling a Windows OS to operate (can't recall its name). Could probably get the software folks to transfer the licenses to the newest drive.
Is it one of the "purple turtles" from 1998? I'm not even sure what I would do with one of those today.
This page may help a little ... <g>
http://www.cultofmac.com/302102/11-awesome-uses-for-old-macs/