The Listening Room Library
of OTR "FAQ"
You will find programs listed in our library
catalog that are under the protection of copyright laws. These programs are
not available for purchase and are not available for download through our
FTP server. They are solely for our personal use and part of our personal
library. For information concerning our policy regarding copyrights,
please click here.
Statement of
Purpose:
The purpose of this web site, our FTP site and the written material,
computer files, recordings and graphics placed upon them are intended to
further the enjoyment of the hobby of collecting old time radio programs
and related memorabilia. This web and our FTP site are also intended to educate,
inform and generate interest in the history of radio broadcasting and provide
a readily accessible library of public domain recordings from the history
of broadcasting.
Sound Quality and Related
Issues:
The sound quality of any particular program episode in our library may vary
from excellent to poor. This library was accumulated from many collectors
who obtained them from many different sources.
We were fortunate to have a partner in this endeavor who devoted many hours
to transcribing original transcription disks and tapes to the digital .mp3
format. The vast majority of his sources were of excellent quality, but even
these may be scratched disks or tapes that have deteriorated to some degree.
We sincerely miss "Doc" Nettles, who was a true friend to this hobby.
Some programs we have are third or fourth generation transcriptions that
may be from good quality sources… or very bad ones. Some may have been
copied directly from a radio speaker using only a microphone and a mediocre
recording source. There are also those examples in which others have tried
their hand at "cleaning" the digital audio, with various software programs
and with varying degrees of success.
Regardless of the source, if this is the only copy we have we will keep it
available until a better copy comes our way. One reason for this is that
we have no way of knowing if what we have is the only surviving copy of a
particular program. The other reason is to simply make available as complete
a collection of episodes as possible for those who enjoy collecting.
We hope, as the years go by, that others will contribute to our library.
We also hope to correspond with those who may help us replace poor quality
recordings with better ones, add episodes we don't have and generally help
us improve our library. After all… that's the fun of collecting.
The Equipment and Connection Speeds:
The uplink speed for our server is rated at 384 Kbps. We currently
provide 12 connections which, when all are full, should allow a minimum download
speed of 32Kbps (your software may show 3.2k). If the server connections
are fewer than 12, you will see an increase in the download speed and your
download times will be faster. You are allowed one connection per session.
Note: Communication data transfer speeds are measured in "bits" per seconds,
not "bytes". There are 8 bits in a byte. For instance, 60kbps means 60,000
"bits" per second or 7500 "bytes" per second.
Example:
Let's take a files size of 7MB (7340032 bytes). Convert that to "bits" =
58,720,256 bits.
A file size of 58,720,256 bits / 60,000 bits per second = 978.67 seconds
/ 60 seconds = 16.31 minuits to download.
Connection Problems:
Friday, Saturday, Sunday and late evenings are the most popular times
for downloading from our server. You would be wise to purchase an FTP
client software program that has a scheduling feature and schedule your downloads
to run during week "day" hours.
With 12 connections allowed per server at any one time, there will be times
when you can not connect. When this occurs, you should get a "Too many users
for this account" message in your FTP software message window. Try again
at another time.
If you can not connect for a session for any reason within any one week,
email us with the details so we may take corrective actions.
Do not hammer (repeatedly try to connect in a short period of time) the site
or the software will automatically ban your use. Should this happen,
email us and we will reset your access privileges and advise you how to avoid
this happening.
If you do not begin a download within 10 min. of signing on, you will be
disconnected and will have to sign on again.
Depending upon your FTP software, you may be
able to automatically sign back on when you are disconnected. Be sure
your software has the "resume" feature and the ability to reconnect automatically
after a download is broken.
Software: Yours and Ours
We are familiar with and have tested with
WS_FTP LE,
FTPVoyager and
CuteFTP. We
do not recommend FTPExplorer, FTPNavigator (these are not compatible with
our server), GoZilla or the use of a web browser. If you need
help with the first three mentioned, we will help as we are able.
According to
the Bulletproof FTP server's help file, the following FTP client software
programs are compatible:
"Compatibility:
BPFTP Server has been tested and shown it's
compatibility with:
AbsoluteFTP
BulletProofFTP
Crystal FTP
CuteFTP
Flash FXP
FTP.EXE
FTP Voyager
Internet Explorer 4.0
Internet Explorer 5.0
Netscape Navigator 4.5
WS_FTP PRO
Windows Commander
We Like CuteFTP:
http://www.cuteftp.com/
Here is a link to an article written for
us by a subscriber. He can connect regularly without problems using
CuteFTP.
If you are new to using FTP software, we recommend you read this informative
article.
Scheduling
Downloads Using CuteFTP
We are operating BulletProofFTP (formally G6FTP) server software and Windows2000
Professional.
You may change your password at any time by
using the following FTP command line:
SITE PSWD <old password> <new
password>
Account Access and Time Limits:
Your access to your account remains active until you use up your allotted
credits. There is no time restriction as to when you need to finish downloading
your credits, however, an account which is not active for more than 6 months
will be deleted. You will be notified prior to this action if you have a
minimum of 7.5MB remaining credits.
Left-over Credits:
When you run too low on credits to allow further downloads, the server will
tell you "Not Enough Credits" in your message window (or something similar)
when you attempt the next download. If you choose to purchase more
blocks of credits, the few that remain on your account will still be there
and will be added to your next purchase.
For instance:
You were left with 1.5MB after your last file completed downloading and
there's nothing you want under 7.5MB. When you purchase another 1GB
the 1.5MB is added to your new credits.
Problems with a file downloading:
A time may come when you have a problem with a file that hangs and will not
complete downloading. Then, when you attempt to try again, the download will
not resume as it is supposed to.
If a file does not allow you to resume downloading when you try again, do
not try and download it a third time as there is a problem with the
file.
When this occurs, email us the information about
the file you had problems with. We will restore your lost credits and
repair the file.
Equipment Failure and Internet Outages:
If a piece of our equipment fails, it will be repaired or replaced as soon
as possible and we will email you regarding the problem as soon as we are
able.
We can not control the Internet or problems our service provider (SBC Ameritech)
may have with their equipment or connection to the Internet. Again, we will
advise you of any problems of this nature as soon as we are able to do so.
Refund Policy:
If you find our FTP service does not meet your expectations, you may convert
your credits into an .mp3 encoded CD of the programs of your choice at our
copy service pricing. We do not make cash refunds so, please, be sure you
understand our server limitations and purchase blocks of access
accordingly.
Other Issues:
If you have any problems or other issues not answered above, please feel
free to email us at:
editor@oldtimeradioprograms.com
Updated 7/11/02
Back to "The
Listening Room" |
Back to "FTP Library Information" |