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All About the Because we radio types are a technical lot, I thought you might have some questions about how I put together and maintain the CHRS Web. I hope your questions are answered below. |
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All About the Because we radio types are a technical lot, I thought you might have some questions about how I put together and maintain the CHRS Web. I hope your questions are answered below. |
Q- The domain name www.CaliforniaHistoricalRadio.com is quite long? Can't you get something shorter, something with CHRS in it?
A - Actually, I tried to get "CHRS.com and CHRS.org." The former belongs to Cash Handler Retail Systems. They don't use it, but I asked and they want to keep it. CHRS.org belongs to the Capitol Hill Restoration Society and they use it. CHRS.net is Competitive Human Resource Strategies If you look at ours as I have written it above, it does have a certain symmetry. But I pay for a service that grabs domains when they become available and the CHRS names are on my list. It's the dot-com or dot-org that I want.
Q- What tools do you use to create and update the site? Hardware?
A - I use a 15" Mac PowerBook G4 1.6 gHz, although I check the site every so often on a PC to see what Windows users see at 600x800. Primarily I use a Nikon D-200 and Leica DigiLux 2, but I often take meet photos with my analog Nikon system (FTN, FM, F-100) or Leica (IIIf, M6, M7) and scan the negatives using a Nikon CoolScan V ED. Like AM radio, film is still alive.
Q - What software do you use?
A - My two basic programs are Dreamweaver MX and Photoshop CS2, running in OS 10.4.6. With these you can do everything. I always check everything I do on 2 browsers: Microsoft & Safari. Small differences, probably because the page design is very basic, all in tables. And while the most important tool is Photoshop, without ideas and content, it doesn't matter. Daily I tell my film making and radio and television students that It's not the technology, it's not the size of your camera, but it's the story you tell.
Q - Where do you get the art and graphics for the site?
A - Mostly I just take pictures, members contribute them too, always searching for a "photo op." Also, I use old radio periodicals and book covers. I have long been a fan, I have read and re-read all the Radio Boys juvenile fiction, as a child and as an adult. I like the style and I often super charge the existing bright primary colors in Photoshop to get that intense 50s Kodachrome look. Have you noticed?
Q - I have some ideas for a web page for CHRS. Do you want them?
A - Sure. I always need content for the site, to keep it fresh. current, and to encourage repeat visitors. I always want (just like the journal editors) articles about all things old radio, photos and stories of club activities, anything you think our viewers may want to see. Just make sure you do it electronically, E-mail is best. I have created a few examples of "sound byte" Web articles.
Q - What is the audience size of the CHRS Web?
A - I know we have had over 50,000 visitors in the past few years, probably many repeat, some from out of our primary service area, the San Francisco-San Jose-Oakland-Sacramento area of California. The little blue square with the red check mark at the botttom of the page shows daily traffic when clicked. It is about as accurate as you can get.
Q - Who are you in real life, How can I contact you, and will you answer my Internet-related questions?
A - I am the Chairman of the Department of Television, Radio, Film and Theatre at San Jose State University in the heart of Silicon Valley. E-mail is always best. Sure. All you have to do is ask. Also see my personal site or my SJSU site.
