Hey, all,
The chat would benefit from having a bot that at half-hour intervals or so announces what is on the radio. Is this a hard task to accomplish? It would give chatters a quick idea of what's playing and support the radio too.
It could say:
Now on SpiritPlants Radio:
[Show/Song Track Here]
Tune in! http://yage.net:9000/listen.pls (http://yage.net:9000/listen.pls)
Web: http://spfradio.yage.net (http://spfradio.yage.net)
Bring back Pot the bot!!!
Syd, you complained each and everytime you came to chat last year when I did have a bot there.... just that there was any bot, you didn't seem to like.
And as for pot bot, good luck. I search everywhere and couldn't find him... even asked Nitro who never answered the question.... You find him and I'll put him up.
I have put up a quick, although dirty solution (yes, I know you guys have already complained about the name; what don't you complain about? :e_wink: ) but it's just that.... not a permanent solution.
Cenny, you mentioned a radio for the forum main page but I am not going to do that without serious consideration and lots of input from the members of the forum. It is a major change and will certainly draw a response... hell, I took a lot of heat for changing the forum color... and style and I still do sometimes.
:cool2
Kemp--thanks so much for the chat radio bot!!! I am so stoked that we have one more piece in the puzzle in place :)
Quote from: "cenacle"Kemp--thanks so much for the chat radio bot!!! I am so stoked that we have one more piece in the puzzle in place :)
Great, now I get to read the topic in chat which has radio links and a bot who spams the room every now and then with radio links.
Kemp, I'm sure its tough being king, you do it so well!!!
Well on a rudimentary Google, I've discovered teh Pot Bot (//http://potbot.sourceforge.net/). All we need is someone who knows Perl.
I'm good with just renaming your bot 'Pot'.
Though I don't know Perl very well, I was able to fire up that "potbot" but it doesn't appear to be the same one we used to enjoy. So, I am still looking.
Cass did mention that she would ask Nitro since she is still in contact with him. :bgrin:
hey sid - my thought is, once the radio bot is working regularly, we don't need the radio link in the room topic on a regular basis anymore - just as long as it's in one place or the other - i personally would prefer the bot announcement since it comes on a regular basis and is an update of what is on at that moment - so that's why kemp's work is so exciting to me :)
It is much better IMO to actually see whats playing, so I can decide if I wanna listen or not. Nicely done Kemp...
Ok, one or two people asked that I change the announce so that it was less disruptive... which I did shorten the announce string, to see how well it would work.
After thinking about it, I think it's better to decide that here. In fact, anything that needs to happen (or if we need a rule setup) in chat should really be discussed here at the forums so that people who are not in chat at the time, still get a say.
Here is what Cenny proposed for the announce -
Now playing on SpiritPlants Radio: %currenttrack% | Listen Live: http://yage.net:9000/listen.pls (http://yage.net:9000/listen.pls) | Web: http://spfradio.yage.net (http://spfradio.yage.net) | Turn on . . . Tune in!
Here is an alternative that was proposed -
http://spfradio.yage.net (http://spfradio.yage.net) | Now Playing: %currenttrack%
Make your case here in this thread. If we need to, I can create a poll so we can vote.
Thanks! :tea:
My version includes a direct listen link, and a link to the radio page, which includes all the radio information, including schedule. I'd strongly ask that this be the version of the two texts above that is used, to maximize this bot's effectiveness. We are working very hard to get more listeners and DJs for the radio, which will also generate traffic for the chat, and for these forums.
Thanks for considering my views :)
Hello,
Well, I'm in support of the shortened version. Everyone in the channel knows about the radio station. The only additional information we need is an accessible link from the channel to the radio's web page, which has all the information including a direct link to listen. More importantly though, the function of a recurring script is to update with new information. That being: the current track being played. The rest of the last script was mostly billboard advertising, that has its place, but not inside the channel. There's just way too much spam with how it is right now, primarily due to the bot displaying two lines of mostly unneeded text on most IRC clients... The text should ideally be well under one line in length. This basically limits it to a link and the current song. I think the bot in this case should be used as a resource, used and shared under for a communal purpose. I don't think advertising is a good way to look at it within our small room.
I'll go ahead and break it down here:
original lengthy display:
Now playing on SpiritPlants Radio: %currenttrack% | Listen Live: http://yage.net:9000/listen.pls (http://yage.net:9000/listen.pls) | Web: http://spfradio.yage.net (http://spfradio.yage.net) | Turn on . . . Tune in!
1 ) Now playing on SpiritPlants Radio <--- obvious, everyone already knows what it is.
- not needed
2 ) %currenttrack% <--- informative, signals a taste of what's on the radio to inspire interest if present, without putting forth effort into reading the shoutcast page.
- needed *
3 ) Listen Live: <--- obvious
- not needed
4 ) http://yage.net:9000/listen.pls (http://yage.net:9000/listen.pls) <--- listed on website link already, redundant
- not needed
5 ) Web: <--- obvious
- not needed
6 ) http://spfradio.yage.net (http://spfradio.yage.net) <--- radio's website and resource for all the radio's information, including link to listen
- needed *
7 ) Turn on . . . Tune in! <--- advertising, takes up precious channel realestate
- not needed
Ok, this leaves us with 2 ) and 6 ):
%currenttrack%
http://spfradio.yage.net (http://spfradio.yage.net)
The website address has the added benefit of relaying what it is: spf radio, so we have that covered.
thus:
Now Playing: %currenttrack% | http://spfradio.yage.net (http://spfradio.yage.net)
or
http://spfradio.yage.net (http://spfradio.yage.net) | Now Playing: %currenttrack%
I prefer the second.
Now, Isn't that better? clean, to the point, and more on the level of the room.
Outside of the room... all the marketing and signs and commercials and buttons you can come up with to bring more listeners.
My two cents,
Danny (liquis)
I wanted to add that we could add who's show it is as well. That would be something people are interested in. However I think that's already included in "current track"
Quote from: "cenacle"Hi liquis, all:
The radio station means a lot to me and I spend a lot of time working on it. It's coming together after years of dormancy, save my weekly show, and in six months since last fall it has come to life. Therefore I am pleased to see ideas flowing and have comments on liquis's right now:
Quote from: "liquis"Hello,
original lengthy display:
Now playing on SpiritPlants Radio: %currenttrack% | Listen Live: http://yage.net:9000/listen.pls (http://yage.net:9000/listen.pls) | Web: http://spfradio.yage.net (http://spfradio.yage.net) | Turn on . . . Tune in!
1 ) Now playing on SpiritPlants Radio <--- obvious, everyone already knows what it is.
- not needed
***Cenacle: We are trying to get new chatters to the room who might not know about the radio station. So it's not obvious to everyone. Could be shortened to: "SpiritPlants Radio"***
2 ) %currenttrack% <--- informative, signals a taste of what's on the radio to inspire interest if present, without putting forth effort into reading the shoutcast page.
- needed *
***Cenacle: Agreed***
3 ) Listen Live: <--- obvious
- not needed
***Cenacle: This could be cut down to "Listen:"***
4 ) http://yage.net:9000/listen.pls (http://yage.net:9000/listen.pls) <--- listed on website link already, redundant
- not needed
***Cenacle: my thought on this is that a person should have a choice of listening or just looking at the web page. ***
5 ) Web: <--- obvious
- not needed
***Cenacle: I think if one link has listen, the other should have web.***
6 ) http://spfradio.yage.net (http://spfradio.yage.net) <--- radio's website and resource for all the radio's information, including link to listen
- needed *
***Cenacle: agreed***
7 ) Turn on . . . Tune in! <--- advertising, takes up precious channel realestate
- not needed
***Cenacle: I don't know how a station that is part of SpiritPlants is somehow advertising or spamming it. It's like me selling myself an apple. That is the station's slogan, it's on all the DJ shows. It's meant to give an insight as to what it is. However, I find this point negotiable.***
SO: here is the original:
1-Now playing on SpiritPlants Radio: %currenttrack% | Listen Live: http://yage.net:9000/listen.pls (http://yage.net:9000/listen.pls) | Web: http://spfradio.yage.net (http://spfradio.yage.net) | Turn on . . . Tune in!
Here are liquis's two ideas:
2-Now Playing: %currenttrack% | http://spfradio.yage.net (http://spfradio.yage.net)
or
3-http://spfradio.yage.net | Now Playing: %currenttrack%
***Cenacle's:
4-SpiritPlants Radio: [current track] | Listen: http://yage.net:9000/listen.pls (http://yage.net:9000/listen.pls) | Web: http://spfradio.yage.net (http://spfradio.yage.net)
Cenacle: Giving up the slogan, and cutting down on the text, while making sure newbies know 1) we have a radio station 2) it has a live link right there in chat and 3) it had a website too.
Kemp, put the original and liquis's two in the poll and the one I just suggested. I guess we can see if anyone else comes up with one.***
I also would like to point out the bot says random stuff and it posts long google/wikipedia entries, longer than the radio announcement. So i'm not sure where the radio info is over-long and all this other stuff goes uncommented on.
Hi chatters ( and would-be chatters). As a chat fiend from way back I must say that I find this a bit of a non-issue. The wonderful thing about chat is that one doesn't need to read it at all. I *do* like 'short and sweet' but then I also like the idea of using the bot to its potential and I think we should let Cenny choose what it says simply in recognition of his work on this project.
I'm sure one can 'bite one's tongue' if it sends one line too many for one's comfort rather than hassling Cen about it; its going to flash your tab regardless of how many words it says.
I have asked Nitro for potbot ('the best pot bot') but he rarely replies so I will just hassle him more. LOL
I'm in agreement with Liquis' ideas as well as Cassie's suggestion of Cenacle having last say for now. So my vote goes to...
'Radio: [current track] | Listen: http://yage.net:9000/listen.pls (http://yage.net:9000/listen.pls) | Web: http://spfradio.yage.net' (http://spfradio.yage.net')
I keep an open nick in chat pretty much 24/7, the bot's radio announcements arent that bothersome, and like was said before its going to highlight your tab no matter what it is. If the announcements are bothersome one can always set your preferences to ignore the bot. I will say some of the other things it says, like answers to 'hello' and 'hi' are a bit silly, and its 42 not 44 damnit. I vote the current announcement syntax is fine, but shortening it while still preserving all the info is fine too.
I'm sure whatever I think will be construed into my hate for all things bot...but I'm with Lucious, that bot is psychotic whenever someone says 'hi'.
Well, I am confused now... I told you guys that you all can program the bot to say, or not say, almost whatever you want.
Let me explain again. There are two separate things going on.... the radio announce is totally separate from everything else it says.
When you say hi, or hello, these are part of "Infobloot", the irc bot. It can say lots of things, all are programmable. If you don't like what it says, change it. Or even turn it off. IOpan and Cennacle are the bot masters for this function of the bot, though I can change that if needed. So nobody has to actually Google it, here is a link to a text file with the basic commands - //http://turl.ca/bgzxeo
Then, there is the radio announce. This is a completely separate entity, though right now I have them using the same nick or body since someone else complained that we have too many bots. This part of the bot is NOT programmable, only I can change what it announces because I couldn't find a bot that would do what we needed, so I wrote it myself. This is what we are discussing now....
As for my say on the announce of the radio... I think it is fine with the short or long. Anyone can choose to ignore if it really bothers them. On my monitor, it is only one line of text.
Quoteadvertising, takes up precious channel real estate
Precious real estate? The chat text disappears soon after someone says something.... and people often when bored, say random shit and flood the channel for the hell of it. I just don't' see how a line or 2 of text is "taking up precious real estate". Yes, we could adjust the announce if it is saying unnecessary stuff and we can change the frequency if needed. Right now though, I don't see the problem. I will attempt to see if I can program the thing to not announce as often if there is very little chatting going on.... but I am afraid of putting too much effort into this only to have someone tear it to pieces later because it is not to their liking.
Precious realestate refers to the idea that you do not need to have two lines of text in the room when all the information can be expressed into one line. Call it what you like, efficiency, lack of annoyance, etc. I think most people should be able to comprehend the general gist of the argument here.
I am a supporter of pure information. If additional "unnecessary" information is to be provided, I think it should be more welcoming and fun, and less advertisey.
The point of my original post was to break down the radio announcement to the *absolute essentials* ... and go from there. Someday we might even want to add more functionality to the announcement.
The goal here and my main reason for replying to this is to keep the announcement under one line.
Cenacle your revised version is getting there, but unfortunately is still two lines. What can be removed and still preserve the functionality?
Ah, I had thought you mentioned something about it being programable, but guess i missed the rest of just how. Cool.
Are we ready for a decision on this question? We've been discussing it pretty thoroughly.
If nobody objects, I'm going to put up a poll with the possible bot texts discussed so far. I think it would be great to have this decision made in time for the upcoming weekend of new SPF original programs.
Go for it, Cenny.... I guess I would just try to be fair about what you put up for selections though... I mean to actually vote, we need realistic candidates. Here is the one I would suggest as a compromise -
Now on SpiritPlants Radio: %current_title% | To listen: http://spfradio.yage.net | Turn on . . . Tune in!That is actually what is announcing now, in chat. Now that %current_title% includes the artist and the song title and sometimes more info like the date. I don't think it should contain any more than that though, unless we want to maybe include the current DJ. But at some point we do have to agree that there is a limit. There is such thing as too much info at once.
As a side note, Liquis, you have asked that the announce be only one line of text. This is pretty much impossible since the Artist and title changes drastically from one song or artist to the next. After watching and adjusting the announce the last couple weeks, this has become apparent. It will also matter what size resolution you are viewing the chat in and what IRC client for that matter. So, my point is, we should just agree on the content and not worry if it stretches over one line as, sometimes it will be one line and sometimes it will be more.
I saw your adjustments, Kemp, to how it is now, and it is good. Seems like the kind of compromise we were working on. Hopefully others can agree too.
I think the current DJ should be added. I know we are not the only ones listening but we are in #spiritplants and it is our chat room, the 'spiritplants radio' should be replaced with the current DJ. Its hella obvious even to outsiders whose radio it is, when inside the room.
Syd, while I would like to see the DJ's name there somewhere, we need something that makes sense. If you take the line I made above, and just replace spiritplants radio with the DJ, it doesn't. Post exactly what you think would be a good announce, and use %current_title% or something to signify the song title.
I am guessing you are saying something like this -
%current_dj% %current_title% | To listen: http://spfradio.yage.net | Turn on . . . Tune in!Also, the way the bot works is, it grabs the title from Winamp and simply removes any extra information that's not needed and posts that to the irc client. So, the only way to get the DJ information would be if the DJ's name is somewhere in the metadata.
QuoteIts hella obvious even to outsiders whose radio it is, when inside the room.
Is it? If someone shows up and only hangs out for a few hours, can they tell that announcement from any other "now playing" irc script, if it doesn't say Spiritplants Radio somewhere? Hell, some people don't even know we have a forum, even when it should be incredibly obvious..... we talk about it often, post links to it, in the Topic. One person even said recently, "what is SPF?". All obvious stuff to us but then we been around for... a little while :smoke2:
I agree that the bot should say:
1- " Now playing on SpiritPlants Radio"
2 - DJ name and the show/song title
3 - http://spfradio.yage.net (http://spfradio.yage.net)
4 - "turn on. tune in." moniker
These are the basic pieces that a chat regular or chat newbie needs to be given to understand what the bot is talking about.
On the radio page, the chat is linked, which invites new people to the chat. There is also a link to this radio forum. As I see it, the radio and the chat and the forums should be connected like this, to build up SpiritPlants as a multi-part community.
I still think we could shorten that first one to just say - Now on Spiritplants Radio
Remove the "playing"
And nobody is arguing that the chat, radio and forum should be separate from each other, the only thing we need to get resolved here is what the bot says, and maybe how often it says it. The radio is well represented in the chat... some think too much. Occasionally, at night, you can see some get annoyed that it keeps announcing when nobody is even chatting and so we get a page filled up with just the bot talking. I think this is why people are looking for a minimal approach to the announce.
If the bot comes up every half hour, that is sufficient. It is there to serve a purpose, so a regular notification is needed. If nobody is chatting, how is anyone there to notice that that bot is coming on every half hour?
I wasn't indicating an argument about the chat/radio/forums relationship, only that the bot is one way to do this, and the radio page's links is another, and the chat/radio links here at the forum are the third. Each points to the other two. I think it's cool, these simple link pointers.
We have built more of a varied community that many others online. How many sites have a forums, a chat room, and a radio station, all up and functioning? We deserve a pat on the back for doing all this hard work. And an extra one to Kemp for driving more traffic here in recent months. I bet a lot of people are impressed by what we have created :)
I got no problem with the bot. Anything to support the radio station I say!
The radio announcements are fine by me either way. Does not spam the room that bad and is worthwhile info. Keep up the good work Cenny and Kemp
Booosh
QuoteIf nobody is chatting, how is anyone there to notice that that bot is coming on every half hour?
I am not surprised that you are asking that.
There are many regulars who stay logged into the chat 24 hours/day 7 days/week. They go away... maybe go to sleep, wake up and stop in and many like to read what has been going on during the night, that they missed. They come back to their pc, after being logged in all night and there is a page or two of nothing but the bot announcing. I didn't say it was a major problem.... just that some have complained when there is a screen full of radio announcements. It appears to be overkill/spam/whatever you want to call it. I fully know that you don't think it is overkill. But it must be said since it has come up.
That said, I am only asking you to keep this kind of thing in mind. People talk, I listen.... and now I am just voicing what has been said.
uh, name the bot 'Spf Radio' then have it say as an action (/me) 'is playing %current_title% via %current_dj% | Turn on . . . Tune in @ http://spfradio.yage.net' (http://spfradio.yage.net'). %current_title% can include 'artist - title' as it sometimes does though, sometimes it doesn't. 'via' can be replaced with 'from', in the end it would look like this:
• SPF_Radio is playing %current_title% via %current_dj% | Turn on . . . Tune in @ http://spfradio.yage.net (http://spfradio.yage.net)
It's not SPF Radio. It's SpiritPlants Radio. And the "Turn on. Tune In." should be at the end, not in the middle. The way we have it now is intended to mirror how the DJs say it on their shows, so all is consistent.
Well, add my suggestion to this so called poll, wherever it is. Other than that I am bowing out of this discussion as frankly, it is not really that big of a deal to me. It just seems everything anyone puts forth just gets shot down.