the key situation

If you have been listening really hard, you may know that when we lost the original lock to the studio, we had to pay to have it replaced. The manager gave us 2 months to pay it down, then ended up giving up trying to get the last 20 bucks out of us. She really does like us. I had a
talk with her Thursday April 10.

Bad News: The manager insists that we begin using the lock provided by the company. For months, we have been using our own lock because we can make as many keys as we want cheaply. Not so with the company lock.

I had previously assumed that the reason she wasn't making a big deal initially was that it was just a kind a arbitrary rule in the lease that the corporation was unlikely to find out about. Turns out, the fire code inspector told her all the doors have to be on a master key. So if the inspector notices, it would get back to the owners.

We currently have 2 copies of the key to it so at least we have a spare now. I will go ahead and purchase another lock box for the key and we can all decide on the 17th what to do. If someone can come up with a better idea, I'll just return the lock key box to the store.

I found a lock place that has key lock boxes with a push button code rather than a dial, so people should prefer that. right? And this place is 9 dollars cheaper than Reed Bros., always look on the bright side? See linked jpeg file

Meeting Notes for 2/21/2008

If you have a question about some item on these notes, email the rise up list
blrinternal@lists.riseup.net
or leave a comment on this blog

Meeting Notes for 2/21/2008

Announcements
Broadcast Log, write down when the air goes down, or the stream goes down
We have decided we cannot move studio to previously proposed new location, so we will rescind 30 day notice at current studio.
Treesit update - they need our support
Forum for public safety - police misconduct - 2/27 Wednesday 7pm - location to be updated
Struggle continues at location which is asking us back - New crew in and batling with a legal strategy
Demonstrations about state cuts
BPD murdered Anita Gay 2/16/2008 - Memorial was today at 6pm - updates to follow

Agenda
Antenna
Fundraising
Scheduling
Programming when no DJ in studio
Finance Committee

Soonest we would move antenna to previously proposed new location would be April 1st
They want $200/month
2 djs are set to apply for keys next month
We would have to set up lock box for transmitter computer
Presence at previously proposed new location would endear us to them
Improve our broadcasting range to targetted audience of Berkeley
Internet connection included, making the added expense 150, rather than 200
We would leave antenna up at alternate location to ease move when becomes necessary
Representative of location which is asking us back proposed that we move antenna immediately to location which is asking us back for 50/month plus internet and phone, so added cost would be 100/month
Proposal for reportback on location which is asking us back proposal next meeting
location which is asking us back History summarized by representative
Representative stated that situation at location which is asking us back is just as stable as it was when we had our studio there
There are new residents at location which is asking us back who would be in house tech & supportive of transmitter security
Representative stated that an absent DJ was in favor, meeting accepted proxy vote in favor
12 votes present, 6 votes in favor of immediately moving antennaa to location which is asking us back
Since it was tied, we will revisit this decision next meeting, 3/6
Fundraising Chair not present
La Pena monthly benefit proposed
6 bands interested
2 established djs changed their slot
Programming for when no dj is in studio
We will have a special portfolio set up for keeping CDs nice
Scratched CDs will go in a special place too, so they can be copied by computer
DJs are reminded that storing CDs on spindles does scratch them
To keep CDs from getting scratched, put in case or store in paper
Finance Committee
Please begin using slips of paper attached to your dues, slips will be made available at studio

Please try to get more DJs to come to March 6th meeting so that we can make a decision on antenna

Transmission Update

So stream has not failed. Everyone, please try to use the right words to describe trouble. The air broadcast went down Monday due to another hard drive failure. Please do not place speakers near computers. There are magnets in speakers which cause all the molecules (or some smallish shit) to line up against one side in the hard drive. Depending on length of magnet exposure, sometimes I can clear off the data on the drive, then reformat it. The reformat process is designed to help repair such damage but often it has to be reformatted several times, again depending on the amount of magnetization. So, if, for some really good reason, you want to move the speakers, err on the safe side. Please take no chances. Where the studio speakers are placed now is in consideration of the computers.

Also, just a reminder, if you play the stereo at all loudly or the monitors turned up, please make sure the door is down. This does not completely cut off all sound from escaping, I realize. Complaints to the manager are connected with the door being up and the stereo blasting.

The desktop computer is disabled because I had to cannibalize it in order to replace the transmitter computer hard drive. There is a 200 gb one in there, but I am missing all my XP installation disks but one from my box in the studio. Sadly, that one was too scratched to use.
Anyway, I'll get down there to set it up as soon as I can.

proto-minutes for meeting Jan 17

So the big news is that the location we had thought had already turned us down has apparently approached BLR about becoming a tenant in one of the vacant spaces opened up by a tenant leaving. There is talk of actually getting all the various components together at one site here.
After all the terrible trouble we've had since starting the remote broadcast, a lot of djs are excited about that prospect.

The location is having a meeting to discuss it this SUNDAY at 4pm. Nobody has a clear proposal yet, my understanding is that we'll discuss and brainstorm ways we might make it work what with security and access type questions, on Sunday.

ALL blr DJs are encouraged to come this Sunday at 4, at the proposed location to talk about it with proposed location peoples.

The other news is that the turntables were stolen Jan. 7th. We in no way have the $ to replace them so that's tragic. At the meeting, a lot of discussion was centered around who might be the culprit.
The security cameras at the building are not pointed into the parking lot. They are only set up to monitor the inside of the building, we are an exterior unit.

We narrowed down exactly or pretty close when it happened and we will continue to make inquiries with respect to accountability.

We need to be more responsible as members of the collective and hopefully can prevent this from happening again soon
We spoke about making up a checklist for people so they will be reminded of important tasks before they take off after their show
Also was mentioned a suggestion of asking djs to sign in and out so that we can get used to the idea of being accountable.
A generous and brave dj volunteered to create a sheet, he'll bring it to the next meeting and we can discuss more then if necessary

We had to cut through the landlord's original lock Dec. 29, because somebody locked us out of the studio by accident. We may still have to purchase a new lock from the landlord. Currently we are using a lock and copied keys provided by a veteran dj. We would like to stick with that if possible. A dj who knows the manager will talk to her about it.

The meeting didn't create a list for the checklist / sign in sheet, but here are some items I think are basic and consensus, in no order:

MAKE SURE THE STUDIO IS LOCKED WHEN YOU LEAVE
DON'T LOCK THE KEY INSIDE THE STUDIO OR DO ANYTHING ELSE WHICH WOULD PREVENT THE NEXT DJ FROM GAINING ACCESS

NOTIFY OTHER DJS IF ANY EQUIPMENT IS MISSING OR DAMAGED

IF SOMETHING IS HOOKED UP WRONG OR SEEMS TO BE JACKED, PUT IT BACK THE WAY IT SUPPOSED TO GO
DON'T JUST LEAVE IT WRONG FOR THE NEXT DJ

DON'T MAKE A MESS
CLEAN UP THE MESS YOU MAKE
CLEAN UP THE MESS THAT'S ALREADY THERE IF YOU CAN

NOTIFY OTHER DJS IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STREAM

PUT THE PERMIT AND THE CARD KEY BACK ON THE WALL WHEN YOU ARE DONE

DON'T PISS OFF THE NEIGHBORS AND THE LANDLADY BY HAVING PARTIES OR BY BEING TOO LOUD

DON'T ALIENATE YOUR AUDIENCE AND THE OTHER DJS BY PLAYING MUSIC WHICH GOES AGAINST THE MISSION STATEMENT

PAY YOUR DUES OR CONTRIBUTE IN LIEU WITH LABOR, TIME, OR EFFORT

COME TO MEETINGS

There is a benefit coming up at La Pena on Feb. 1.
There will be music and we'll get 25% of the proceeds after overhead.

Since moving the antenna, the air broadcast has been puny. That's because the antenna is just thrown up on the edge of the roof at the moment. We are working hard on getting the antenna to a higher point on the roof. A small subcommittee is planning to remount the antenna this weekend, GOOD LUCK to those generous, brave and sure-footed djs.

Because the transmitter computer crashed and probably won't rise again, we switched the desktop from the studio Jan. 6th - in order to get the air broadcast happening again.

But Jan. 17, we installed a new desktop into the studio, so we are back up to our standard 3 system configuration. ALL THREE OF THESE COMPUTERS ARE CRAP, but since they have only very specific uses, we can slide by.
A summary of the current equipment can be found here

A dj who works on the computers announced that she doesn't want to be the only collective member willing to deal with the computers. She needs to have help, be replaced, relieved, whatever. We need to either step up and share the computer responsibility, or recruit new djs who will.

A couple of djs agreed to get training and try to take some of the load off the tech person (who complains about being the only tech person)

There was an offer sent from an individual who was not present to assist us to begin internet program sharing with other micropower stations. More details to come, let's hope.

Next meeting will be Feb. 7th

Minutes for June 7, 2007

Minutes for June 7, 2007

Proposal to create a sub list for djs who are going to miss their show.

Proposal to order stickers, designs discussed

DJs to paint studio, Sunday, June 10

Tech workshop set for 2pm on June 9

BLR minutes from the 3rd Thursday meeting

BLR minutes from the 3rd Thursday meeting on May 17, 2007
***********************************************************************
As promised, the following information was posted to the email list last night after the meeting
To check the status of the stream go to:
http://radio.indybay.org:8000/
To reconnect our computer to the stream all you have to do is make sure the computer is on and Winamp is open.
If anyone has questions, please ask.
***********************************************************************
DJs who do not have all the printed materials you need - hopefully you can print what you need at
http://www.berkeleyliberationradio.org/orientation.html
That's the most recent (top) link on the DJ BULLETINS link from our homepage
The username and password to access password-protected content is username "BLR", password "blrdj"
And yes, case specific, if you have problems, let someone know!
A productive meeting with a lot of long-tabled issues resolved.
Here are the topics discussed that I recall, not chronologically listed, plus my disclaimer

Stream / Computer
Communication
Procedure / Quality
Scheduling
Location
Internet
Transmitter
Equipment
Disclaimer

Stream / Computer
There continue to be reports of the stream going down or unavailable.
A reason for this is that the streaming (2nd) computer has been freezing. This is because the hard drive is just too old and the motherboard doesn’t have enough RAM.
After some discussion, it was agreed that the station does need the proposed 200 gb hard drive for our desktop (1st) . The difficulty of maintaining a 500 gb as a primary hard drive was heard and validated, thanks.
We were reminded that mp3 files and wav files and other media files cannot be defragmented which comes up when maintaining a hard drive.
This new hard drive will go into the 1st, freeing up that 80 gb for use in the 2nd.
Additionally, the current router was installed only as a stop gap to allow our stream to be set up. It is not appropriate for our purpose. BLR will need to replace it.
The proposal to purchase a router, 2 sticks of 256 mb RAM, and the 200 gb hard drive was unopposed. The prices quoted in a recent email were not recalled at the meeting but here they are: $40 for the router, $32 for 2 sticks of 256 mb PC100 RAM, and $50 for the 200 gb hard drive. $122 total.

Communication
It was announced again that we so easily could set up berkeleyliberationradio.org email addresses for every one of us, multiple if so desired. Please let us know if you want a berkeleyliberationradio.org email address, it is no trouble. For some DJs, computer access is difficult so we can easily set up a login with the desired email address on the desktop.
Questions? There are no bad questions, only bad people!
Email your Show descriptions or ask someone to email your show description, for promotional purposes.
So far collected or stolen by hook and crook,
http://www.berkeleyliberationradio.org/whowe
That's the SHOWS link from our homepage
Web content was discussed with no major issues, lucky so far.
Please bring designs for buttons and stickers to the next meeting, suggestion made to look for local vendors, there may be a button maker available for us to use nearby, report back at next meeting. Bring design ideas!

Procedure / Quality
There was no serious proposal to continue trying to make work the 5-cd tray system currently not working for us because of skipping. That is such a beautifully awkward statement, I'm gonna leave it.
We continue to hear skipping CDs on air. It turns people off the station, we get turned off, its worse than dead air.
We heard proposals to discontinue the use of unattended CDs by creating mp3 playlists to maintain the broadcast whenever no physical dj is present. This can be accomplished easily with WinAmp or iTunes. Most media players can open and play playlists. My understanding is that this proposal was agreed to.
Using the “rip” button on JetAudio is one way DJs can convert their CDs into mp3s allowing us to maintain our desired content.
DJs who want to continue using CDs in the trays when no one is in the studio need to propose a way to make that work.
So set mp3 playlists running from the desktop (1st) computer overnight and whenever there is no dj in the studio.
Yes, the only limitation which prevents a secondary hard drive, for example, a 500 gb, from being added to the desktop (1st) computer, is that we would also need to upgrade the power supply. If memory serves, currently we use one with less than 200 watts, really not enough to boot properly the minimum quantity of 2 drives as some have noted when drive-find errors come up during boot.
For DJs interested in procurement of upgrade, it is a little pricey for an adequate power supply, but there is time to shop around so think 350 watt probably, 500 watt to be safe. Maybe one of the various offers of donated computer parts will result in a nice new power supply and hard drive.
If someone wants to propose we buy a 500 gb as an additional drive, they need to price it and a power supply.

Scheduling
We welcomed a new dj who has been DJing some already, see the schedule for changes.

Location
The meeting, all 13 DJs present, agreed to continue the rule to have no noise after midnight.
Also, the continuing personality conflict between 2 djs, which has been a concern, will be addressed outside the meeting. Beyond putting up a new sign replacing the old one to say turn down the monitor after midnight, no further action was proposed. If BLR does end up being asked specifically to expand this rule, then it should be discussed further.
The various possibilities of a new location were discussed. There will be a report back from one of the new djs next, 6/7, meeting. Again, the previously discussed desired qualities are at
http://www.berkeleyliberationradio.org/BLRhome
That's the LOCATION link from our home page
We do like that there are people in and around the studio, we like to feel safe out on the street, there is lighting out on the street, and there are other things we like about our current spot. It is good. There was concern raised that perhaps not all the djs feel safe, also there have been muggings in the neighborhood. What safety we do feel, we appreciate. And there was an offer by a house resident to provide protection to whomever might feel in need of it. If you need help finding that house member, email us or ask someone at the house.

Internet
The 2nd person doing web work (male dj for disambiguation) wants to encourage every dj to post to the site - also if they need technical help in doing so, he is available.
http://pdxmedia.mahost.org/pdxmp
That's the RADIO NEWS link from our homepage
The person who updates the schedule wants to keep it a simple text format rather than adding links, claiming it would be too much work since the schedule gets updated so often.
If someone else wants to tackle linking the schedule, hey go for it, no argument, that would be kick ass.

Transmitter
There was a report of bleeding onto the other stations near us on the dial. Please test this and report back to BLR. Bleeding is an issue for our neighbors and a potential obstacle to our continued existence. It has been known to cause complaints to the FCC which is bad. There was a concern that the limiter is no longer functional. We have to ask our tech person to help us on this. We asked someone to address that issue with the tech person. Thanks in advance. The limiter was discussed following a report that the antenna has to be adjusted, which the tech person reportedly has noticed and will handle. Thanks.

Equipment
We are pleased to report and celebrate that we will have full redundancy in the area of studio start up. Our DJs tirelessly have collected and safe-guarded these precious components and there is no gratitude great enough to encompass our thanks. Maybe someday when the state crumbles (ATR) heh heh we won't worry about our current setup getting collared and incarcerated. But for the foreseeable near future, it is part of our operation to have a backup setup ready to go.
My understanding is that extra equipment should be stored with this in mind, perhaps in the same location, perhaps that DJ may feel up to moving the extra equipment after his next show.
We can expect the new cd player Friday, 5/18, and a rack is supposed to get built soon as well. Hopefully, we can get our friendly neighborhood carpenter to also build us that lockable box we have been dreaming of. If so, we will furnish it with a combination lock of which DJs will be notified.

Disclaimer: I decided to go ahead and write these minutes even though I lost my notebook tonight. I felt it necessary to write up from fresh memory what I remember. I now have the feeling I may be mistaken on some of these points. To keep agreed upon ideas documented in a practical manner, minutes are never approved by the collective, remain only one person's perception of the varied and fluid meeting. If the assertions posted are not accurate, speak up at the studio, through email, leave phone messages, post comments, broach in person, however. This blog will be corrected or abolished according to the desires of our project.

BLR minutes for May 3, 2007

BLR minutes
May 3, 2007

Thursday meeting of Berkeley Liberation Radio
Outreach – Proposal to hold meetings every Thursday again, tabled til next meeting
Benefit at La Pena in August, progress update next meeting
Schedule – New arrival has been trained already
Tech – Still waiting for new cd mixer, we will try to use the paypal account to buy it online
Harddrive is full, proposal to buy new hard drive, no vote
Tech will clean off drive as best as can
Future, maybe djs can record in mp3?
Internet – Streaming is working if you use iTunes or Realplayer, will change website link to reflect