I'm new here and I have a few questions...

[penguindf12]

...hi, I've been listening to the great music here for a week or so now, and I'm a prog reviewer from www.progarchives.com.

I came here after finding this station listed in the prog archives "radios" list, and I have a few questions. The reason I've posted is that I'm confused on a few points. When I first came here, it was very hard to get a bearing. The FAQ and Help sections were separate and not immediately accessible, there is no welcoming instructions or guidlines or information, and I was jus a bit confused. This is by no means an insult, just a couple minor points which I noticed. I'm not asking for anything, just making some suggestions. I think if the layout were better, many more would listen. I myself was scared off a couple of times in my confusion before I dug in and finally figured everything out.

But the main reason I posted here was because of something simpler. I attempted to make a request, and it said "request failed because requests are disabled" or something like that. I was wondering why that was, and if there is some guidline about that. Also, yesterday the "gagliarchives" came up and lasted twice as long as the time at the right said it would. Again, these are fairly minor imperfections to a wonderful station, but they're large enough for me to mention them.

A guidelines section, clearly visible, with a general overview of how the station works and is run would be very nice. It would explain rules on requests, an FAQ, help and support, and clear instructions on who to talk to about problems. I still have yet to figure that last one out...and that's why I've blindly posted this here.

I probably posted this in the wrong section, so could anyone who does know where this type of thing goes forward it there? Possibly to the webmaster or whoever handles stuff like this?

I'm sorry if I started out on the wrong foot or if I was too formal, I'm just testing the water. I apologize for any mistakes I've made. I don't want to seem like I'm charging in with outside views and things, but it's the only thing I've seen to do.

Again, I love the station, in fact it's the only radio I listen to. I mainly am posting to find out why my request was not processed, and am speaking for the hundreds of others who most likely were intimidated into not listening in to this excellent station, which I think everyone should be given the chance to hear. I don't want a little thing like confusion and a unintuitive layout to keep someone from hearing this great music.

Thanks again!

[mossy]

hi penguin,

Wednesdays are request free days, which was a feature offered to and voted on by listeners a while back. It starts at midnight Weds morning and is in effect for 24 hours.

It's a day we can all kick back, and let random playing take over...or as it's affectionately known...SAM.

Welcome to the moon, penguin. I'm sure someone else will offer something on your other points.

mossy

[Rick and Roll]

I looked at your site. If I ever get a free moment I will check it out. It looks very neat!

Mossy is indeed correct about Wednesdays. Speaking as a listener, I can agree that the page is not the easiest to navigate. Speaking as a DJ, I also see how it is amazing how anything gets done given how the station is basically run by only three very dedicated and creative people.

There has been a lot of improvement in the past six months to the main page. If you dabble on the left side, you will get links to everything you need. That's how I learned, by just fooling around. It's easy even for non-techie's like me.

But keep suggesting, I for one welcome any and all improvements....and as you have noted, the music's the most important thing. When I do my show, I try to let everyone know when songs will play, and participate in live chat as much as I can.

There are specifics for things, such as requests. I'm sure Jim or Roger will chime in soon.

Looking forward to reading your reviews. If I haven't given you feedback in a few weeks, please remind me with a private message. I'd be glad to take a look.

[teermin8r]

I use progarchives all the time. Glad you found us. Us diehard proggies shall overcome all obstacles and master this website .

[penguindf12]

Thanks!

Actually, progarchives.com isn't "my" site, I just do reviews there. I'm no webmaster, and plus I'm only 15. But I was just giving a couple suggestions to make it easier for newbies to figure out stuff. Like that Wednesday "no requests" thing. Newbies need to know stuff like that, 'cause they (I included) get confused easily. That said, it's amazing that only 3 people run this thing. It's extremely professional for such a low number!

Thanks for clearing that request bit up. Now we just need to let everyone else know...

Oh, and what's with that "ask a question" thing on the FAQ? If you click it without signing in, it'll say "you are not authorized to ask a question!" How fair is that? That alone may drive many people away.

I'm a born reformer. I've bugged quite a few in the forums back a progarchives before, 'cause it's usually me making suggestions.

Anywho, thanks alot, please consider my suggestions, and keep the good stuff flowin' thru the speakers!

[penguindf12]

Oh, and about that box near the top that says "user's login". When I type my screenname and password, it says "incorrect login". And I know i'm typing it right. Also, how do you use the shoutbox?

Thanks again!

[Rick and Roll]

Originally posted by penguindf12
Oh, and about that box near the top that says "user's login". When I type my screenname and password, it says "incorrect login". And I know i'm typing it right. Also, how do you use the shoutbox?

Thanks again!

There are different passwords for the forums and the main page.

[penguindf12]

So...does that mean there's a "forum screenname" and a "main page screenname"?

[Rick and Roll]

Originally posted by penguindf12
So...does that mean there's a "forum screenname" and a "main page screenname"?

Not necessarily. At this point, I have to defer to others more knowledgable. Plus, It's late in my corner of the world....

[penguindf12]

It says you live in Baltimore suburbs...Baltimore, Maryland? That's only one time zone over from me...

[Roger -Dot- Lee(Admin)]

Originally posted by penguindf12
So...does that mean there's a "forum screenname" and a "main page screenname"?

They don't have to be different screen names, but they are different logins. Two different databases control it, actually. Not my decision, and there's no easy way to fix it without breaking a whole lot of other things.

Very good suggestions, however. I'd like to address a few that are near and dear to my heart:

Oh, and what's with that "ask a question" thing on the FAQ? If you click it without signing in, it'll say "you are not authorized to ask a question!" How fair is that? That alone may drive many people away.

It hasn't so far. And it's a policy decision. We got tired of culling through all of the "HAY HAVE U FOUND UR WAY TO MY SITE HTTP://WWW.GOOFYPR0NSPAMSMUTVIAGRAWAREZSITE.COM" and other such wildly inappropriate FAQ material.

I probably posted this in the wrong section, so could anyone who does know where this type of thing goes forward it there? Possibly to the webmaster or whoever handles stuff like this?

No, this is the right place, or at least close enough. We don't have a 'Ask a FAQ' section. We've got the main section, sections for the DJs of the shows, and the music suggestion area, along with the administrative notes section. We keep things simple here. My life is complicated enough as it is.

It says you live in Baltimore suburbs...Baltimore, Maryland? That's only one time zone over from me...

Perhaps, but I think the difference is one's definition of 'late', usually dependent on how early our boss expects us to get to work the next morning. I myself live in the Wilds of North Georgia, and sometimes my 'late' is even earlier than Rick's.

Then there are days like today where my 'early' involves starting work at 2am EST, but that's a kvetch for a different posting.

In another message, you wrote:

But the main reason I posted here was because of something simpler. I attempted to make a request, and it said "request failed because requests are disabled" or something like that. I was wondering why that was, and if there is some guidline about that.

As has been mentioned, welcome to Request Free Wednesdays. It's in the archives. I should probably figure out how to have a timed event to announce it on Wednesdays, but with everything else, I just haven't had the time to figure out how. It's been on my plate, but people keep piling other things on top of it, and it keeps getting gravy spilled on it.

Also, yesterday the "gagliarchives" came up and lasted twice as long as the time at the right said it would. Again, these are fairly minor imperfections to a wonderful station, but they're large enough for me to mention them.

That's a limitation in SAM (the station software). It has a problem comprehending that anything would be over 139 minutes (Gagliarchives runs for 4 hours, or 240 minutes, give or take 15 mins on either side).

Since SAM isn't open source, there's nothing I can do about that. I've suggested to the authors that this might be worth investigating. Since we're awaiting a station upgrade (IE whenever I can find the time to do it), it MAY be fixed in the next release. Maybe. Only time will tell.

I don't want a little thing like confusion and a unintuitive layout to keep someone from hearing this great music.

I don't think it does, considering the fact that probably 1% of our listeners even log on to the site, and of that 1%, probably 10% of them actually come to the forums. Those that do log on to find the streams usually find them in fairly short order, without logging in, and go from there.

As far as a FAQ or other such, most of them are usually answered by the good folk that call Aural Moon home (myself included, if I have the time). Feel free to grab yourself a main screen login, hop into the Shoutbox, or what we affectionately call 'The White Room' (live, online chat).

Note: you have to have your popup blockers turned off for that to work, and it doesn't work with Safari. I've been pestering Apple about this, but we can all see just how far THAT'S gotten. Click on the SPChat link on the upper right portion of the main screen.

Welcome to the Moon.

Roger -Dot- Lee, technical manager, in charge of things that go 'clank' when you drop them, and general nuisance when annoyed.

Looks like everyone else got to answer the questions you put so I'll just add my own........"Welcome to The Moon family". Hope you come back and visit often. It's great to get new younger prog fans tuning in. It keeps the prog world ticking over.

[Yesspaz]

Originally posted by penguindf12
...hi, I've been listening to the great music here for a week or so now, and I'm a prog reviewer from www.progarchives.com.

Rock and roll dude. I'm also a reviewer over at www.progarchives.com. I go there by the name BrainRock Ben. Of course, so far I've only reviewed one band, but I have a stack of others I'm going to do when time permits, which may be never.

[MrMagoo]

Originally posted by Roger Lee
As has been mentioned, welcome to Request Free Wednesdays. It's in the archives. I should probably figure out how to have a timed event to announce it on Wednesdays, but with everything else, I just haven't had the time to figure out how. It's been on my plate, but people keep piling other things on top of it, and it keeps getting gravy spilled on it.

Umm... this maybe overly simplistic, but how about a calendar entry for RFW?

[progdirjim(Admin)]

Originally posted by Rick and Roll

Speaking as a DJ, I also see how it is amazing how anything gets done given how the station is basically run by only three very dedicated and creative people.

Thanks, but I'm wondering who the third is after me and Roger?


And much of the credit goes to the original owner and GM, Avian, who set things up so that a lot of the station is relatively maintenance free. (Taking nothing away from the many hours Roger and myself put in...)

additional note: I added a note that says "No requests on Wednesday due to popular vote" in between the two request links on the main menu. It's also a link to the poll that had (at last count) 22 in favor of, and 3 against, RG free Wed. Hope that helps...

[penguindf12]

Thank you, very much!
I've only got one more question: on the "what is playing now?" page, it shows "listeners" at the bottom. It usually hovers between 50 and 180 people. I was wondering if that counts every single person streaming the radio, or more specific things (or more broad, like everyone currently on the site)? This is mainly out of curiosity.

Thanks! I understand much better, and I know how you feel Roger, what with the "so many things to do", and I can hardly blame you.

Thank you!

[Rick and Roll]

Originally posted by progdirjim
Thanks, but I'm wondering who the third is after me and Roger?


.

I was referring to Vax, but his percentage in the mix is comparatively speaking way low. Plus he likes post-Fish Marillion.

[Roger -Dot- Lee(Admin)]

Originally posted by penguindf12
Thank you, very much!
I've only got one more question: on the "what is playing now?" page, it shows "listeners" at the bottom. It usually hovers between 50 and 180 people. I was wondering if that counts every single person streaming the radio, or more specific things (or more broad, like everyone currently on the site)? This is mainly out of curiosity.

That gives a report of how many people are connected to the stream.

Thanks! I understand much better, and I know how you feel Roger, what with the "so many things to do", and I can hardly blame you.

Thank you!

Oy, and it's not going to get any better for me any time soon, unfortunately...