Subject: [removed] Digest V2009 #220
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 11/17/2009 4:18 PM
To: [removed]@[removed]
Reply-to:
[removed]@[removed]

------------------------------


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2009 : Issue 220
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                             [removed]
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  ADMINISTRIVIA: Supporting the Digest  [ Charlie Summers <charlie@[removed] ]

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:25:19 -0500
From: Charlie Summers <charlie@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  ADMINISTRIVIA: Supporting the Digest and Other OTR Services

Folks;

   I am "hijacking" this issue of the Internet OTR Digest; I promise the next
issue will contain the usual dose of Old-Time Radio-talk, but this is going
to be one of those blissfully-rare admin issues requesting support for the
OTR services provided here at the [removed] I wanted to get this
posted earlier, but as everyone knows, it's been [removed] year.

   Links I mention throughout the article will be repeated at the bottom of
the issue hopefully in AOL-friendly versions.

   Before I do anything else, I want to thank the folks who support the OTR
Digest and other lists, web services, etc., whether by financial support,
moral support, or simply posting questions and answers; it's because of all
of you that this little area of the Internet exists in the first place.

   With the state of the economy this year financial support has been
dramatically lower than usual - indeed, this is the slowest year for
voluntary subscriptions ever. And trust me, I can [removed] past year
has been unpleasant for everyone, including me. I'm certain you've noticed
the Digest has been a whole lot less consistently delivered this year; this
is primarily due to my not being able to devote as much time as usual to it.

   But whatever you do, do NOT forget that no contribution is EVER required
to receive the Digest, read the blog, download the podcast, or any other
old-time radio-related service. If you can contribute, be it time or money,
great, but if you can't, PLEASE don't sweat it - as long as I'm in charge,
all the services here will be free for the taking. Yeah, I know I say this
every time, but I want to make sure no one ever thinks they _must_ pay for
the stuff around here.

   On the other hand, if you're one of the lucky ones less-affected by the
lousy economy, financial support is always appreciated (and generally needed)
to pay for the bandwidth requirements of the Digest and the "podcast" of
Old-Time Radio shows on the Nostalgic Rumblings blog at
[removed] (if you haven't visited in a while, check out the
pics from the recent FOTR Convention along with the two versions of War of
the Worlds provided by Martin Grams, Jr.)...you can use the on-line player
right on the website and get to older shows just by scrolling down and
clicking the "Next" link, download to your MP3 player, or automatically
receive the shows by subscribing to the podcast! And I'm always looking for
suggestions on what programming you'd like to have "podcast" there (the cool
thing about the podcast is the ability to post shows while they're being
discussed on the Digest, like WOTW). And don't let the word "podcast"
frighten [removed]'s an embedded Flash player on the blog, so if you have a
reasonably-current web browser, you can listen to the shows with no more than
a single click of the mouse, even if you don't want to download them! (Think
of it as Internet Radio on your time!)

   Don't forget the Forums at [removed] where you can chat
on the Web about specific OTR programs. And remember, I'm always open to
suggestions for additional services to support the Old-Time Radio hobby -
just drop me a note!

   Anyway, if you are financially able and interested in supporting the lists
and web services with voluntary "subscription" fees ($35/year is the
suggested "subscription," with more _or_ less also gratefully accepted),
please consider visiting [removed] to learn
how. Subscription payments are accepted by check or by credit card via
PayPal. There's a small "subscribers-only" area on the web server, which has
little more right now than a form for requesting missed Digest issues.

   If you prefer not to make a voluntary subscription, but would still like
to help, consider visiting the [removed] Store at
[removed] - there are a number of Fundraiser Discs there
containing samplings of OTR shows on MP3 along with video you can watch on
your computer or burn for playing in your DVD player (the new fundraiser
disc I had at the recent FOTR convention should be added shortly), DVDs with
classic entertainment arranged as an, "Evening at the Bijou" complete with
cartoon, serial chapter, and feature film, "full-series" MP3 discs put
together with a bit more care than many of the other discs for sale out on
the Net, a few audio CDs of programming I needed to restore and generate for
various reasons (always high-quality), and even a precious few VHS tapes and
"new" (never opened, acquired by me in the late 1970's) OTR records (kids,
ask your grandparents what "records" are).

   I've also added some silly yet useful electronic devices,
directly-imported by yours truly. There's a new MP3 player on the way, one
that takes microSD cards instead of the "standard" version, the little
speaker cube is a lot more useful than I would have thought, and the computer
microphone is just plain [removed] don't know if I'll continue to import
electronics, but anything available from the [removed] shop will have
some use to the OTR collector and listener, you bet'cha! (Ok, maybe the 
SIM reader is a little questionable, but even OTR listeners have cell 
phones, yes?)

   Not in the market for MP3s, DVDs, or electronic doo-dads? Next time you're
thinking about purchasing a book, DVD, or CD online, consider the
mini-bookstore at [removed]  There
are a few OTR-related suggestions there, but pretty much any book/CD/DVD in
print can be ordered from Barnes and Nobel, and if you purchase by
clicking-through from that webpage, B&N pays a small commission to us on each
book purchased. Ok, it's _really_ small, running about $25 PER YEAR so far,
but every little bit helps, and B&N doesn't send the constant stream of spam
to purchasers a certain other on-line bookstore does.

   If you don't buy books, but still want to help, make sure you tell your
friends about the Internet OTR Digest - I am constantly amazed at the number
of people who do not know this list exists. We've been around since 1994, and
there are still collectors and fans not a part of our friendly little group.
Don't assume everyone knows about it; make sure you mention it to everyone
you know who enjoys Old-Time Radio! If you have a website, consider sticking
a link to the sign-up page on your site; see
[removed] for how you can add
button or text links that will pop-up a new window and not remove your
visitor from your site!

   And, finally, you can support the list by participating! Ask a
[removed] answer one. Have a memory of Old-Time Radio when it was new? Or
too young to remember it the first time around yet love to listen to it now?
Post it to the Digest, and let the rest of us enjoy!

   So there you have it; hopefully something for anyone interested in
supporting the OTR Digest, Kinescope, and other mailing lists on the server,
along with The Nostalgia Pages, Forums, Nostalgic Rumblings, and other
web-based services. If you know of any other way the [removed] can
help the Old-Time Radio collector and listener, please drop me a line - I'm
always open to adding new services!

   Apologies for the long-winded intrusion; we now return to our
previously-scheduled digests, already in progress.

         Charlie Summers

Links Mentioned:

<A HREF="[removed]">To Contribute</A>

<A HREF="[removed]">The Nostalgic Rumblings Blog with
Podcast</A>

<A HREF="[removed]">The [removed] Shop</A>

<A HREF="[removed]">The [removed] Forums</A>

<A HREF="[removed]">Barnes and
Nobel</A>

<A HREF="[removed]">The Bob Edwards Show/Bob Edwards
Weekend Discussion Forum</A>

<A HREF="[removed]">How to Link to
the OTR Digest Subscription Page</A>

--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2009 Issue #220
*********************************************

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