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PNB Meeting - Jan 2007 - Pacifica Operations Report
Page 3 of 5
B) Internet/IT
The use of the global Internet, and local Intranets [for MIS or related administrative
information management systems] is a part of doing business in the 21st Century
for most organizations and businesses. For Pacifica this is relevant in areas
such as audio distribution over IP; web based services and applications; and
even basic record keeping and information sharing tools. Going forward, our
abilities to harness the power of these technologies will dictate our efficiency,
reliability and our overall quality of service.
1. Overview of Work
The goals here are to assess the needs of, and provide services and solutions
for our functional and operational needs. The scope of the work and demands
range from internal needs [ie., technical support and problem solving], to wholesale
demands [problem solving and new services for our client stations], to retail
applications [new services for the public]. The results of all of this are often
new products or processes to meet our needs – new products like podcasting,
streaming, targeted websites and new services like document management, and
member management.
2. Web sites
2006 was the beginning of major changes regarding Pacifica National websites,
changes that will continue to unravel in all of 2007. Multiple targeted websites
are replacing a single general website, addressing needs like more promotional
space, more programming content, attracting new affiliate stations, more PNB
tools and services.
Pacifica National has two different servers, with two different levels of service,
to accomplish what Pacifica national needs online – there is a server
for the AudioPort, and a server for Pacifica.org and related sites.
One year ago, in February of 2006, PacificaNetwork.org
was released. It marked the beginning of a new era for Pacifica’s online
presence. The next big phase in the process is the eminent arrival of a completely
redeveloped Pacifica.org, to be followed
by the official launch of PacificaFoundation.org.
- PacificaNetwork.org – Entering its second year of existence,
this site has loads of information about the network side of Pacifica, with
station listings, press releases, special programming listings, how to join
us, and more. Some of the recent additions include a Google Map of all the
current Pacifica Sister and Affiliate Stations. If you haven’t seen
this site, or even the Google Map of the 100+ affiliates, I recommend it!
- [the new] Pacifica.org – The new Pacifica.org will consist
of a more Web 2.0 offering, featuring a custom application as its centerpiece.
This site will allow for the public to find our programs, separated out by
segments, by station, by topic, and/or by programmers. Registered users will
be able to provide comments per segment creating an online community around
topics or issues, as well as providing us with another form of feedback.
- PacificaFoundation.org – On the verge of an official launch
for some time, this site focuses on a few areas, all-internal Pacifica focuses,
yet of a public interest. These areas include the PNB [covering everything
from board membership, to committees, to a meeting calendar]; the National
office [covering Financial documents, Job announcements, and other items related
to the National office]; and possibly the Elections [where a separate section
can be allocated to this]
- Additional Specialty Websites – Additional websites exist,
with an even more specialized and targeted role. From AudioPort.org, to TechPort.org,
to SupportPacifica.org, these sites are for very specific purposes, and often
serve internal purposes.
3. Web services
In addition to the websites, our network has other Internet needs. Below are
some of the services we are currently involved with, they are in one of these
phases of developing, maintaining, or re-deploying:
- Document Management – A password protected web-based utility
that will allow various types of staff to have access to various types of
documents. For example, managers can see different documents, than a new hire,
than the business manager. This service was set up [twice], only to have to
be again re-deployed.
- E-commerce Solutions – A more sophisticated system is being
developed which can focus on our membership’s relationship to us (are
they volunteers, are they high donors), and can differentiate between the
various initiatives we are currently involved in (do they respond to our mailers,
to our email blasts, to our events).
- WBAI streaming – The current Podcast and streaming server
is now, and has always been maintained by Pete Korakis [this server has been
in place since August 2005]. A combination of Jon Almeleh and/or Pete has
been providing all [or virtually all] of the live WBAI streams. This process
entails sending multiple audio sources to the streaming server, which then
facilitates the mass of individual users. In addition, Pete monitors the streams,
ensuring a signal is being sent.
This is not an ideal primary scenario, but rather a good back up scenario.
Ideally, the station would have the human and technical resources to provide
this service, ensuring a higher quality of service around the clock.
- PNB Meeting streaming – The public meeting streaming is a
service that has been sustained by a combination of several Pacifica community
members including but not limited to Otis Maclay (who has out in a tremendous
amount of cumulative time), and Jon Almeleh (likewise, has also put in a lot
of time). These streams are available, and these archives will all be available
on a Pacifica site.
4. Future Plans and Concerns
Below are some tasks or concerns that need to be addressed this year.
- Pacifica.org Trainings, Outreach, and Marketing – The main
focus for Pete in 2007, will be to promote, both internally and externally,
the new Pacifica.org. Staff participation is critical to this project’s
success, and therefore station support and ‘buy-in’ is crucial
here. There are many inherent positive reinforcements built in, to entice
the public as well as the staff’s participation, but documentation and
in the case of the staff, training, will be needed.
- AudioPort upgrades – A new “2.0” version is currently
being planned, though not expected for the second half of 2007. New features,
and corrections of bugs are the main reason, but additionally the intention
is to possibly convert this software into a Joomla-based application, so it
can work together with a larger CMS [there are many benefits here, and I will
discuss this more later this year].
- Alternative National Program Distribution methods – Generally
covered above in the radio section of this report, with the Ku satellite’s
lifespan coming to its end, IP-based distribution systems are being considered
as the prime candidates to assume this role. There are several possibilities,
but certain variables have to be taken into accounted (such as reliability
and redundancy), while of course trying to find the most cost effective approach.
- Enhanced Backup Solutions – A more holistic approach has
to be developed, taking into account what resources are available nationally.
Ideally, an automated system, which provides not just back ups for potential
restore [post problem], but also complete mirroring of our critical services
and sites [to have something to offer while we are experiencing the problem].
- Digital Audio Archives [mp3] and Licensing – As they stand,
the current station archives are liabilities for Pacifica. This does not mean
that in all instances, 100% of the time, but there are instances where programmers
are using copyrighted material in there programs. I will not go into this
in more detail here, but it is an issue that is currently being discussed
by the PNB Licensing Task Force, and I strongly encourage quick resolution
here. As they stand, currently we have to consider removing a good deal of
our digital [mp3] archives.
- Barix Products – One manufacture (www.barix.com) makes some
inexpensive and useful devices for Internet streaming and reception. These
boxes are more reliable than computers for continuous streaming and reception
than computers. The Instreamer hardware connects to an audio source and acts
as the stream-send-client. The Exstreamer hardware receives an Internet stream
from a server (or an Instreamer box) and provides an audio output. The interface
for the device is a computer's basic Internet browser. One of our affiliates
has found that this hardware is reliable enough to use as the stations Studio
To Transmitter Link.
Each station would benefit from having one or two of these Exstreamer devices
connected to their consoles, so they could easily pick up live streams for
“on-air” broadcast, or to record them for later use. Stations
could also use a pair of these devices as one-way high quality communications
to their studios for broadcasting live remotes.
5. In Focus: Server Integrity and Security
As mentioned in the June 2006 PNB report, the Pacifica server, and the AudioPort
server each receive between four hundred to a few thousand daily crack attempts.
While this is not entirely unique to Pacifica, this is a rather high level of
attempts in proportion to these website’s overall Internet significance.
The combination of a new ISP, new software, and an increase in web service
offerings all conspired for a second half of 2006 which was a virtual study
in server security and vulnerabilities. The end result is a much more streamlined
server, albeit with less bells and whistles, but the core web server services
are safer than ever. In addition, the Internet applications we are using are
more limited, but sufficient, yet significantly safer. The bottom line is, the
server is now more ready for high-traffic use without the risks that it had
6 months again. Though the attempted cracks are still daily, and while certainly
there are some vulnerabilities remaining, this is constantly being monitored.
In addition to software upkeep, and server maintenance, backups and mirrors
are two key practices that also need to be addressed. Regularly backed up data
is absolutely mandatory to ensuring good quality of service. In addition to
having the backup data available, there are circumstances where the backups
are not fully usable or not at all available in the worst-case scenario. Mirrors
should be set up to replace crucial Internet websites, and services during downtime.
6. In Focus: Intranet
Here is one area that I feel we have tremendous potential for improvement –
that is to say, here is an area we have generally overlooked. What I mean by
Intranet is a series of networked-based tools and services for use largely at
the facilities we work out of. Working on and improving in this area can result
in a quantum leap in organizational growth and is strongly encouraged.
More concretely, I am referring to tools like a centralized internal music
jukebox, which can house all of the music needed; and services like centralized
data storage and user management. From recording and organizing data on volunteers,
equipment inventory, membership, to enabling free or low cost phone calls (via
voice over IP [VoIP] services) and enhanced voice messaging systems –
investing in a strong intranet is critical if we are to succeed in the 21st
Century.
- Basic Staff Information Sharing – A simple Intranet will
provide a space for staff to post memos [where each department, and individuals
can post internal announcements to be printed and read be others], simple
how to’s and checklists [where, for example, basic ‘packing lists’
can be stored for various types of remote broadcasts], contact information
[like a shared guest list], server stats [like how many Internet streaming
users are online right now].
- User management, and Data Storage – Both of these are fundamental
to good computing practices, yet unfortunately not all stations have such
utilities in place. Being able to leverage this for our staff is vital to
better collaboration, and quality of service. One easy example of the benefit
to this is our staff can access their data (music or any type of files) from
any computer on site (provided that they log-in), so that, for example, your
audio data stays in one physical place, but you can work on it in the News
room, and play it in the Master Control room without having to physically
carry the audio file via a CD-R or tape, or other media.
- Audio Editing to DAW – Another fundamental part of good computing
practices for a radio network is to have a range of audio editing tools, available
for our staff to use. This should range from basic, simpler tools for beginners,
to more robust, complicated software for more sophisticated projects.
- Music Library/Jukebox – A useful tool, to organize music
it in multiple ways (by genre, artist, album, year, etc), making your audio
collection easily and quickly available to your on-air staff.
- VoIP and Phone Systems – A modern PBX system can provide
significant service enhancements t staff and the community. Services like
free or very cheap Internet based international calls, phone based multi-lingual
member services like feedback mechanisms, and possibly even phone based archives
of our programs can be set up with a free Open-Source PBX software system
called Asterisk, with little additional hardware or equipment expense.
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