Future ideas

Web

STAR App

• STAR had a mobile app around 2012, but it fell into disrepair. A new app is currently in production with aims to launch in Semester 2 of 2019/20.

Ajax/continuous audio

• Enable users to navigate website without audio stopping when the page changes. This seems to require Ajax, which isn't compatible with our current theme.

Now playing song

• Show the currently playing song on the website.

Studio/tech

Listener count

• Make live listener count and graph available to shows via studio.standrewsradio.com (studio Buzzbox computer)

Studio Livestream

• Live video from the studio, embedded on the website. Shows can opt-out by turning the camera off.
  • If streaming video via YouTube, will need to sync with delayed audio directly from standrewsradio.com, to avoid copyright strikes.

Phone lines

• BBC sometimes asks if we have a ISDN/Comrex line, so they can interview local academics over the phone.

Tech Quiz

• Buzzfeed-style quiz about the mixer/studio tech, aimed at returning shows in January/refresher for all shows.

Tech Videos

• Playlist of videos on starTV, showing both basic and advanced studio tech training.

Move SQL server

• Currently installed on Ingest PC, so Playout PC cannot play any songs through Myriad if Ingest is accidentally turned off. Moving SQL server to University space requires a new license, which costs monies.

Studio Computer Whitelist

• Give the studio computers access to Wikipedia, Twitter, and a weather service. This will allow us to use more of Myriad's features, e.g. automatic song information retrieval.

New mixer

• Motorised faders and remote control.
• This requires a lot of money.

Laptop

• A laptop to use for OB (outside broadcasts).
• Should have audio recording/editing software, and broadcast software.
• Could also have video editing software for starTV.

Silence Detection

• Automatically switch to AutoFade if X seconds of silence are detected on the stream.

Update: added February 2020.

Events

Starfields

• Take it back.

Roof Gig

• Get a band to play on the roof outside the studio. May need to wait for building manager to become intoxicated enough to agree.
  • Update 25/1/2020: building manager said no. Main reason cited is that the roof is too fragile to support more than a couple of people.

Church Gig

• Get a band to play in a church, which with the correct band would create a calming atmosphere. This would be ideal around exam time as a way to de-stress.

Update: Mauvey gig in Episcopal church (by Regs), February 2020.

Bring back launch parties

• Big party on first day on air each semester, whether a broadcast from the studio or just a trip to the pub

Set a Guinness World Record in the studio

• This is half an idea.

Music

Campus Jukebox

• A separate stream from live shows with continuous music queue. Anyone can add to the queue via song request. Local businesses can play this stream instead of the main stream with live shows.
  • The main argument against playing STAR in local businesses is that talkshows (and their potential unpredictability, due to the lack of Ofcom regulation) tend not to work as background audio.

Compilation CD

• Make a compilation CD/vinyl/cassette of local/student musicians. A playlist of suitable music is already on G'rilla Joe's Spotify account.

Music Submissions

• Page like wers.org/behind-the-mic/submit-music-events
• Musicians can submit songs
  • Songs go to a shared folder
    • Show hosts can access shared folder, and see if there's anything they want to play on their show.

Other

Laidlaw Music Centre

• Some kind of partnership with the music centre, so that we can help people use the recording studio there through STAR.

Card reader

• Buy a card reader, e.g. iZettle, once we're better at having a reliable merch table.

SRA

• Join the Student Radio Association; win all the student radio awards.

Style guide

• Make a STAR style guide, for things like font choices, colour codes, and capitalisations. Similar to the University's style guide, but less excessive.