In order to turn your computer into a radio, you'll need to download a player like Microsoft Windows Media Player 11. Internet radio also commonly broadcasts in RealOne and QuickTime formats, also easily downloadable programs.
It is pretty easy to start exploring different radio stations immediately with Windows Media Player. Launch the player and click on the Radio button in the top right-hand corner of the player. You'll find a list of dozens of radio "stations" that have custom-built playlists of songs by genre, like Latin, Christian Hits, Jazz, Americana and Roots, or Rap & Hip Hop.
The Web is also a great place to search for music. Visit MSN Radio to choose from thousands of stations and multiple musical genres. Drop by Live365.com and pick from dozens of genres and wild indie radio stations featuring exotica, drum and bass, trip hop, and jazz.
Or listen to your own favorite radio station anywhere in the house on your computer. Most major music stations now have Web sites where you can access their music and broadcasts in real time—whether it's BBC Radio in England or C89.5 FM in Seattle.
McIvor is now a fan of many artists that can only be found on Internet radio. She's discovered several acoustic versions or remixes of well-known songs and has a new appreciation for them.
"It's also amazing to be able to pick any spot on the globe and listen to music, news, and commentaries from people who live in a completely different area of the world," she explains.
Of course, once you start listening to the radio online you may want other peripherals to enhance the experience. To get the most out of the stations you select, consider hooking up a good set of speakers to your computer. You can plug them into your headphone jack (or in some cases a USB port). Speakers that used to cost a fortune can now be had for under $200.
Answered by
Hem@nt ....
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12:43 PM on September 10, 2008
