Overview……
OTR Web Creator allows you to automatically create web pages for your mp3 radio files. Obviously you must be running a web server or uploading to a server on the Internet. OTR Web Creator takes your ASCII text file listing and can create HTML files for a web server or Wildcat and a files.bbs file for importing file descriptions into a BBS. This program only works with MP3 files so if you have Real Audio files mixed in with your radio files purchase a program like total recorder from High Criteria ($12) and convert them to MP3. Web page options include downloading with Wildcat client, downloading with HTTP or streaming audio via Shoutcast.
Here are the basic steps you should follow:
1 Create Directory Listing File. Open a dos window and change to the directory where you radio show files reside (it is assumed you have separate directories or subdirectories per show title), Now type dir *.mp3 > filename.txt. Now edit the filename.txt file with an editor like dos' edit and remove all lines that are not a filename, this includes blank lines. If the shows are not in the proper order you wish displayed the cut and paste to put them in the order you wish. Make sure all filenames are consistent. All files must have dates if there is no date enter xx.xx.xx or xx-xx-xx unless date is at end of file. Also if episode numbers are used make sure they all have the same amount of digits however all files are not required to have episode numbers.
2 Run OTR Web Creator. Under File select open configuration file and select default. Next open source file. The source file is the file you created in step 1.
3 Adjust Configuration settings. You can adjust all settings to customize the web page. Everything in the main window and everything under Directory Paths can be saved to a configuration file. This allows for different file formats per radio show or directory.
4 Select Process. This will create the files based on the selections you made. A message box will appear when the process is complete. Press Ok and your done. Enter Your Text. Enter your text and pictures, organizing the information into portions of text ('chunks') that are easy to read and look neat. These 'chunks' of text would normally start with a clear and concise heading that stands out from the rest of the text. Remember to insert your pictures as 'Link to File'.
5 Save the Files then exit. Save your html and configuration and if wildcat is enabled your bbs file. I suggest you save them all with the same name. Then select either file exit or select cancel to close the program.
6 Final Test. Open your web page with your browser and check that everything works and that the page appears correctly if not adjust the configuration file and reprocess the page.
The Web Page Layout………
Creating
Source File……….
Remember to do the following:
Open a dos shell or full window
Change to the proper directory that contains the radio shows in mp3 format i.e. cd\directory.
Type the following: dir *.mp3 > filename.txt this will do a directory listing of all mp3 files in the directory and save them to a file called filename.txt.
Make sure to delete all lines in the file that do not have radio file names this includes all blank lines. This can be done in notepad, dos' editor or many other shareware text editors.
Remember any discrepancies in filename descriptions must be corrected by renaming the file not by changing in the text file. Rename the files and delete the text file and start over.
ISAN1~51 MP3 6,467,500 11-16-99 11:02a ISAN.1941.08.03_THE_TELL-TALE_HEART.MP3
ISAN19~2 MP3 7,139,683 10-03-99 2:34a ISAN.1941.12.07_ISLAND_OF_DEATH.MP3
ISAN19~3 MP3 4,318,197 05-15-00 12:00a ISAN.1942.09.20_THE_DEAD_WALK_AT_NIGHT.MP3
ISAN19~4 MP3 5,354,232 07-08-99 8:52p ISAN.1944.06.10_DEATH_IS_A_JOKER.MP3
ISAN19~5 MP3 6,917,398 11-03-99 10:02a ISAN.1944.11.29_VOICE_ON_THE_WIRE.MP3
ISAN19~6 MP3 5,122,176 05-29-99 3:24p ISAN.1945.05.15_THE_BLACK_ART.MP3
ISAN19~7 MP3 6,637,800 07-04-99 1:06a ISAN.1945.05.29_MUSICAL_SCORE.MP3
ISAN19~8 MP3 5,828,754 07-04-99 1:06a ISAN.1945.06.12_PORTRAIT_OF_DEATH.MP3
Entering Data in Main Window……..
Enter the Show Name This is the Show name that shows up in the page title and before each episode if short name is disabled i.e. Dimension X, Escape etc.
Enter Domain Name i.e. WWW.OTRHOME.COM http://WWW.OTRHOME.COM. The IP address can also be used.
Are you using Wildcat as your web server? If yes enable Wildcat. If you are using another BBS package and want only the file.bbs description file then enable Wildcat and enter a phony FILE Area and run program once save the BBS file the disable Wildcat and run again for the Html file. This will eliminate the Wildcat only tags from appearing in the web page.
File Area is only needed for Wildcat and should match the file area you setup in the Wc-config program. Ignore if not using Wildcat.
Select File Transfer Type either HTTP or Stream. Stream requires Shoutcast to be running on your server and all radio files in subdirectories below it i.e. shoutcast\content\Jack Benny. If HTTP the files will be downloaded to users system.
HTTP File Area Path is the path to your radio files. Only needed if HTTP is selected.
Stream Path is only required if you selected stream and are running shoutcast. i.e. content/Radio Show Subdirectory.
Date Format if the date is at the end of the file description (which is the worst place to put it when sorting programs) then select the proper End of File format. Note: All dates must have 2 digit month and day. If date is not at the end of the file make sure EoF Off is selected and enter the following:
Month enter column number for the most significant digit of the month.
Day enter column number for the most significant digit of the day.
Year enter the column for the most significant digit of the last two digits of the year. I.e. 1939 the 3 is the most significant digit.
Description Start is the column number where the show description actually starts. i.e. Assume that the following starts at column 45:
Jack Benny 390112 Jack plays the violin.mp3.
Jack Benny 400222 Ep12 Jack has his 39th birthday again
Description start would be 63 in both cases.
Episode enable only if episode numbers are used in file descriptions. Note: not all shows must have episode numbers, but if they do they all must have the same format and number of digits. If no episode numbers are used select Use Episodes No. If episodes are used then make the following selections:
Ep Prefix if there is a Ep or ep prefix for episodes numbers then select EP Prefix Yes.
Number of Digits enter the number of digits for the episode numbers usually 2 to 4.
If episode at beginning of file if for some reason the episode number is at the very beginning of the file select this. Note these entries are based on listings I purchased on CD's.
Closed in () if episode is closed in parenthesis select this option.
Process press this once all configurations are complete and both a configuration and a source file have been selected. If successful a message box will pop up stating the process is complete. Press OK then save the files.
Selecting the File Menu……….
Open Configuration open the default.cfg file the very first time. Afterwards you can modify configuration files you have saved to cut down on redundant entries. The configuration file contains everything on the main window as well as everything that is set-up in the Directory Paths Menu. This file is an ASCII file so you may edit it with a text editor if you feel that it save you time.
Open Source File this is the file that you created with a text editor that contains all the files listed in the directory.
Save HTML As after the process is complete then you can save the HTML file as whatever filename you choose.
BBS Save As after the process is complete and Wildcat was enabled then you can save the BBS file to whatever filename you choose.
Save Configuration As whenever you are done entering all data in the configuration you may save it. You may choose to do this before processing the source file in case it bombs for some reason.
Exit ends and closes the program. The Cancel button will also do this.
Data in Directory Paths………
Graphic For Button this is the path and filename to the graphic that is selected to download or stream the radio show. If a graphic is not wanted then enter a semicolon then the Radio Show name will be the link.
Background Graphic this is the path and filename for the background graphic for the web page enter a semicolon if not being used.
System Name Copyright enter the copyright info. ie. Jim's Home Intranet.
Radio Main Menu Page It is assumed you are going to have a menu page that lists all the different Radio Shows and then selects the show page. ie. http://www.localhost.net/OTRShows.htm.
Html Add-in Code this is where you enter the show description or the actor's bio. If you are entering more than one paragraph you must use the </p> tag at the end of the first paragraph and the <p> tag at the beginning of the next paragraph. If you have one short paragraph and wish to have it align at the top of photo then add several <br> tags until the text appears where you want it.
Home Page this is the first page of your web site usually default.htm. In wildcat just enter a /. I.e http://www.localhost.net/default.htm
First Show Date This is the date the first show aired. ie. Jul 12, 1938. If you do not wish to use then enter a semicolon to ignore it.
Last Show Date This is the date the last show aired. ie. Dec 7, 1941. If you do not wish to use this feature then enter a semicolon to ignore this feature.
Show Broadcast Years enter the year the show first aired then a dash followed by the last year the show aired. ie. 1939 - 1944. Again if you wish to ignore enter a semicolon.
Episode Log Link is a link to the episode log. It can be an Internet address or a page link if you have it stored locally. ie. http://otrhome.com/episodelog,htm. Again enter a semicolon if you wish not to use this feature.
Show Photo this is the path and filename to a photo related to the show. ie./public/graphics/show.jpg. Again if you wish to ignore this feature enter a semicolon.
View Source This is used to make it easier for you to set your columns on the main page. The first 44 columns are missing to make it easier to see what you need to enter.
Font Face enter the font you wish to use the default is comic sans ms.
Background Color This is the RGB color for the background color. If using a background graphic this is not needed. The default = FFFFFF which is white. See color chart for standard colors or use hex values to create any color you want.
Text Color This is the RGB code for the Text color. The default = 000000 which is black.
Link Color This is the RGB code for the Link color. The default = 000000 which is black.
Vlink Color This is the RGB code for a visited link. The default = 000000 which is black.
Enable DHTML this script puts a scrollable window on the page allowing the user to scroll through radio shows without scrolling the web page. This is not recommended for file areas with 6 or less shows or if you are publishing for the Internet. This script works with Internet Explorer and Netscape. Enter a 1 to enable or a semicolon to disable.
Shoutcast Logo Enable if set to a 1 a shoutcast & winamp logo will be added to bottom of page with a link to their website. To disable enter a semicolon.
Shoutcast Path this is the path to the two logo files included (sc-logo.gif and wa-logo.gif) ie. /public/graphics. Again only needed if Shoutcast Logo is enabled.
Short Name Enable this is for enabling a short show name for files.bbs which can only handle 40 characters total, or if you want a short name in front of each episode on the web page. The selections for this are 0 or semicolon = disable, 1 = both web & BBS, 2 = BBS only.
Short Name This is the short show name you use for show name on the files.bbs file and/or on web page for each episode. This is to cut really big show names like CBS Radio Mystery Theater in which you want the whole name at top of the web page but not on each episode and definitely not in the files.bbs description file.
Detect Words in String if enabled with a 1 the program will separate words that have been run together in the filename. This requires that all words start with a capital letter. Also, if this is turned on then you cannot have file names with all capital letters as it will try to separate the A's and I's. 1 = enable 0 or semicolon = disable.
The Help Menu……….
Contents or F1 brings up this help file.
About gives you Version, registration, copyright and system information.
Registration this is where you enter registration info to disable the lockout process.
Configuration File Layout………
Line 1 Wildcat Enable 1 = Yes 0 or ; = No.
Line 2 Domain Name
Line 3 Background Graphic Path & Filename semicolon = None
Line 4 Button Graphic Path & Filename semicolon = None
Line 5 Home Web Page Wildcat = /
Line 6 Radio Main Menu ie. OTRShows.htm
Line 7 Copyright & System Name
Line 8 Radio Show Name
Line 9 http path to Radio Files
Line 10 Stream Audio Path ie. Content/shadow
Line 11 Wildcat File Area Number
Line 12 Stream Enable 1 = Yes Semicolon = No
Line 13 Description Start Value
Line 14 Month Start Value
Line 15 Day Start Value
Line 16 Year Start Value
Line 17 Date EoF Mode 0 = Off 1 = (MM-DD-YY) 2= MM-DD-YY 3 =(YY-MM-DD) 4 = YY-MM-DD
Line 18 Number of Episode Digits
Line 19 Episode Enable 0 = Off 1 = On 2 = Ep Prefix 3 = Begin of File 4 = In ()
Line 20 Broadcast Years Semicolon disables
Line 21 First Show Date Semicolon on both first & last disables
Line 22 Last Show Date
Line 23 Episode Log Link Semicolon disables
Line 24 Show Photo Path & Filename semicolon disables
Line 25 Background color default = white (FFFFFF)
Line 26 Text color default = black (000000)
Line 27 Link color default = black
Line 28 Vlink color default = black
Line 29 Enable Java script 1 = Yes 0 or ; = No
Line 30 Font default = comic sans ms
Line 31 Enable Shoutcast & Winamp Logos 1 = Yes 0 or ; = No
Line 32 Path to Shoutcast & Winamp Logos
Line 33 Short Show Name enable 0 or ; = No 1 = both 2 = BBS
Line 34 Short Show Name
Line 35 - end Html Data add-in
Directory Listings and Setup Examples………
In the following examples Year = 50 Month = 53 Day = 56
Description Start = 59
Date Eof = Off
Use Episodes = No
JB1953~1 MP3
57,293,846 07-25-01 9:34p JB.1953.11.16_Wings_of_the_Hawk.mp3
JB1950~1 MP3
69,016,557 07-25-01 6:42p
JB.1950.01.08_Guest_Star_Frank_Sinatra.mp3
JB1944~1 MP3
14,247,936 07-27-01 8:14p
JB.1944.10.08_Jack_is_looking_to_Replace_Dennis_Day.mp3
In the following examples Year = Month = Day =
Description Start = 45
Date EoF = (MM-DD-Yr)
Use Episodes = Yes Beginning of File 2 Digits
01THEO~1 MP3
6,682,624 05-29-01 4:50p 01 The Outer Limit (04-08-50).MP3
02WITH~1 MP3
7,047,296 05-29-01 4:49p 02 With Folded Hands (04-15-50).MP3
03REPO~1 MP3
4,960,384 05-29-01 5:00p 03 Report On The Barnhouse Effect
(04-22-50).MP3
In the following examples Year = 52 Month = 55 Day = 58
Description Start = 61
Date EoF = Off
Use Episodes = Yes Ep Prefix = No BoF = No 4 Digits
SPAC1~41 MP3
7,140,101 08-03-99 3:13p
SPAC.1953.10.17_0055_RESCUE_FROM_PLANET_X.MP3
SPAC1~42 MP3
6,968,320 08-03-99 3:17p
SPAC.1953.10.24_0056_THE_SECRET_OF_ADARGO_RUINS.MP3
SPAC1~43 MP3
6,939,376 08-15-99 1:33a
SPAC.1953.10.31_IRON_EATERS_OF_PLANET_X.MP3
In the following examples Year = 45 Month = 48 Day = 51
Description Start = 70
Date EoF = Off
Use Episodes = Yes Ep Prefix = Yes BoF = No 3 Digits
47-06-~2 MP3
14,786,560 07-28-01 6:18p 47-06-17 PHILLIP MARLOWE EPxxx Red
Wind.mp3
48-10-~2 MP3
28,230,635 06-26-00 9:52a 48-10-17 PHILLIP MARLOWE EP004 WHERE
THERE'S A WILL.MP3
48-10-~1 MP3
29,106,259 06-26-00 9:55a 48-10-24 PHILLIP MARLOWE EP005 THE
HEART OF GOLD.MP3
In the following examples Year = 45 Month = 47 Day = 49
Description Start = 52
Date EoF = Off
Use Episodes = No Ep Prefix = No BoF = No 0 Digits
401003~1 MP3
4,808,750 02-19-01 11:53a 401003
HIGHWAY THAT GRAFT B.MP3
410621~1 MP3 6,040,622 02-19-01
11:53a 410621 WALKOUT FOR PROFIT.MP3
410705~1 MP3
6,787,654 02-19-01 11:53a 410705
MURDER ACROSS THE BO.MP3
Color
Chart………
One of 16 colors. Consult HTML documentation for colors. (RGB #000000 = Black #FFFFFF = White) etc.