Earlier this month, I was shocked when the site for one of my favorite radio shows, Unwelcome Guests, went “dark” for a couple of days. It was an oversight by the registrant (an “anonymous” contributor), who donates the site and space for the show. Like many quality programs that are more worth listening to than the “paid for” pablum that we’re fed most of the time on popular networks, this one is run by volunteer effort and donation.
I usually try to visit the page to read the show notes and, when I couldn’t get to more than a hosting landing page on March 14, I got worried, so I went to the host for the show archives, http://www.radio4all.net, and looked up the contact page for the show. I shot off a quick email to the host, Lyn Gerry, to see if there was anything that she needed to get the page back online. This is how I found out about the above. I’ve not had any experience with this type of thing before, renewing a domain in someone else’s name, so I tried a WHOIS to find the registrar and sent them an email about this. Thankfully, the registrant fixed things up quickly, as the registrar was not quick in replying (they did, several days later). Some thing that Lyn wrote in our exchange made me think of something that often plagues a show host or web master – feedback, or its lack.
So, Lyn, I mentioned that I might write something about this issue here, but since the problem is resolved for at least the time being, it will serve as a catalyst for a different message from here.
The point:
To anyone who’s still reading my sparsely spaced writing, I encourage you to comment on your favorite blogs or news articles. I encourage you to email the website author with your thoughts and ideas. By the way, the link for Unwelcome Guests is on the front page. All of the worthy shows whose archives are hosted at http://www.radio4all.net have a contact page. If you listen to any of them, send them your feedback now and then. The show hosts and contributers will appreciate knowing that they get through to someone. Your feedback will be treated with importance, I am sure.
This is important, especially for long running shows, such as Unwelcome Guests, as your emails and comments just might spark a new line of discourse, which will keep the shows current and important to those who produce them.
If this is all new to you – listening to internet radio – I encourage you to check out some important quality shows at http://www.radio4all.net and stimulate your brain. If you’re passionate or at least mildly interested in what’s really going on around you, you should get right on it now. Go to Unwelcome Guests and check out the links on the home page for starters. You will be glad that you did.
