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"Online Radio"
September 9, 2000
Graham Hill
Until recently the thought of streaming Internet audio was synonymous with muffled, low quality music, halting constantly due to 'network congestion.' With the advent of affordable high-speed Internet however, the correlation between a dial-up connection and streaming multimedia need no longer send chills down your spine.
While many online radio and TV stations exist Radio Sonicnet is one of the more popular and well-established online music resources. Far from simply emulating a traditional radio station, Sonicnet takes full advantage of the customization implicit within the Internet medium. Listeners can choose from over ninety 'stations' from a very diverse list of musical genres. Ranging from indie rock and electronica to classical Baroque and American blues, online radio caters to the most discriminating tastes.
To further the level of interactivity and customization, Radio Sonicnet allows you to create your own station and organize a play list composed of your favorite genres and artists. After completing three relatively painless steps, your station is ready for air. To access your station, Radio Sonicnet creates an online Web home, which you can sign-in to from any computer. In addition to having control over the music played, you can give your station a suitable name and description of your choice. If you desire to inflict your musical choices on a friend, a URL is provided to guide others to your station's page.
While on-line radio stations are not likely to replace the traditional variety, they offer a host of customization options to appease any musical aficionado. Perhaps more importantly, on-line radio allows listeners to sample from a diverse range of music. Lesser-known artists are no longer restricted by the spotlight of the mainstream music outlets, and can gain a following based solely on their music, making the most of the equality inherent within the Internet.
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