ABOUT THIS WEBSITE
THIS WEBSITE is a source of information and expression for those listeners
of Talk Radio in the Philadelphia and Delaware Valley area who wish to
add to their talk radio experience.
UNLIKE BROADCAST TALK RADIO, however, we are not restrained by commerial
interests and government regulation which would restrict what we discuss,
or the extent we discuss it. We do not have to "move along"
or simply ban subjects because of the "controversy".
Here, can engage in a lengthy coverage of an issue. We do not have to
"break away" to keep things "flashy". We could
use four letter words here (if we choose to) and no one will yank our
"license" or "sponsorship". We can honestly discuss
the quality of a sponsor's product or service, for example, because we
are not financially beholden to their good will. And yes, we can allow
people to say if they don't like a show.
Additionally, this website is a demonstration of various web disciplines
that we intend to demonstrate as a means of promoting more business to
Twin Seas web design and hosting.
The Nature and Structure of this Website
There are two levels of entities here. The first level
is the structure of this website, the second is the correspondent/user
layer.
The Website Layer
This website has cataloged Talk Radio shows and radio stations in the
Delaware Valley. We have provided a means by which our Correspondents
and users can freely voice their opinions about most anything related
to Philly Talk Radio.
In terms of the stations, shows, employers, employees and other agents,
the core mission of website will remain NEUTRAL. Think of this
website as the phone company, who really doesn't care WHAT you talk about
on the phone.
For example: if a popular show is threatened to be canceled, the correspondents
may write extensively about it, the users may post many messages about
it, and the news items, sourcing the authors, may be added. The general
structure of the website will not be changed, however.
We will not "devote" this website to the benefit (or detriment)
of any show or station. Market forces will make shows and stations
come and go. This website will remain.
Until further notice, this nature of this website will not serve as
an "agent" for anyone in the Talk Radio industry. (such as featuring
one show above other featured shows). We will not take "marching
orders" from any one in the business in return for intangable and
immaterial "favors" such as "promotion" or "inside"
information (which mostly comes out eventually). The general structure
of this website (as opposed to correspondent contributions) will not promote
petitions, campaigns, etc.
NOTE
This website runs on a relational database which contains tables
of information which dynamically interact with one another through the
computer programs which run on the web server. As it is structured,
there are three main entities of information kept track of in
our system: Stations, Shows and Correspondents. Other systems, however,
interact with this data, such as our Schedule system (which selects
the "On The Air" shows on the home page).
There are dozens of fill-in hosts, hundreds of people "behind
the scenes" such as news reporters and producers, and scores of
shows that used to be on which we'd all like to remember. As our system
is set up, however, in order for us to include a Show, it must be on
a Station receivable in the Delaware Valley area (that is, in our database)
and have a regular weekly scheduled time (for our schedule system).
Someday we hope we can include listing these other entities by
expanding our system.
The Correspondent and User Layer
The other "layer" is where the correspondents and users come
in. We expect and encourage these people to be passionate
advocates for and against talk radio stations, shows and issues. A correspondent
could be a listener, a regular caller or someone within the industry.
What they write about and the manner in which to express themselves is
their responsibilty. The source of correspondent articles and user
messages and comments are noted, and that content will remain separate
from the general structure of this website.
Notes
- To bridge these two concepts together, say you are in the industry
(a biased advocate), and you become a correspondent, freely adding your
own content, promoting shows, activities and issues as you please. The
wording you use and the number of contributions you make may vary in
strength in comparison to other correspondents. The presentation of
your contributions, however, will be given greater emphasis than other
correspondents because "you're in the business".
- The web will not take sides to discourage some philosophies over others.
- Simple personal attacks will be strongly discouraged (due to their
general lack of quality). Artful insulting and honest emotion, however,
may be well tolerated.
- Charles Cotton, is a correspondent himself. An effort will be made,
however, to clearly distinguish between the editorial / correspondent
layer and the "objective" website layer.
Content and Contributions
As it is, this website is dependent upon people to provide its content.
If there are stations or shows which we have failed to include in our
listings, it is up to the users (you!) to let us know of our omissions.
Featured Stations are a function of our shows listings. If
we list even one talk show on a station, that station automatically becomes
"Featured" (although the level of content will vary).
Featured Shows are a function of our Correspondents. In order
to a show to be Featured, it must have a supporting Correspondent. Featured
shows will have their own news, message forum and more, as the given correspondent
is willing to manage. Shows and Stations may have multiple correspondents.
The contributions of a correspondent are duly cited.
If you want something added, you have to tell us what to add!
(including links on our Internet links page).
Local vs Syndicated Shows
While we will try to sponsor locally produced shows due to their ability
to better serve this region, we have come to recognize the popularity
and influence that the nationally syndicated shows have. This being the
case, we will no longer put greater emphasis on local shows, nor will
we de-emphasize the national shows. We will label them as such, however,
and we hope our correspondents to be weighted toward the local variety,
but we will not require them to be.
Knocks on this Website and the People Who Run It
While we allow the free flowing exchange of ideas and opinions, let this
be your notice that we will draw the line when it comes to personal attacks
or similar vitriol aimed against this website or personally against the
people who run it. Any such personal attacks will not appear for long
on this website.
Correspondents who make online personal attacks toward other Phillytalkradio
staff, will be harshly dealt with.
How this Website was Created
PHP is the language that
every page of this website is written in.
The database backend is MySQL.
Every page was edited in UltraEdit.
Macromedia Dreamweaver
was used to help automate the production of the HTML markups and general
website management.
Adobe Photoshop, Macromedia Flash, Macromedia Fireworks
were used for Graphics.
Additional CGI and Java programs were used.
A personal
perspective by webmaster Charles Cotton
FOR OVER 30 YEARS I have been a fan of
talk radio. Growing up in Atlantic City, I remember during the late 1960's,
I used to look forward to Friday evenings, because it was then that people
as young as myself could get a call accepted at Pinky's Corner,
an evening talk show which was hosted by Pinky
Kravits on WOND.
Back in the day, I would listen to Pinky (who, incidentally, is very
tall much like "Wee" Willie Weber is and is STILL ON THE
AIR) would stir things up during the pre-casino years of Atlantic
City when it felt like a town in middle America. I vividly remember the
time that Mr. Kravits helped organize a meeting and established a volunteer
(or non-profit, at least) ambulance service.
I thought how wonderful it was to be able to take this medium of radio,
and instead of simple entertainment, or simply reporting news and sports,
it could actually help make a difference to our community.
We move to the West side of South Jersey in the early 1970's, (Pennsauken,
where I could see the Roxboro antenna farm across the river, then Woodbury,
from where I can see the top of Veteran's stadium). In 1975, I became
an intern at WXPN. At that time, WXPN and WWDB were both playing jazz
(WXPN's jazz was much more progressive compared to the "Latin Casino"
style that WWDB had been playing). Around that time, I became friends
with WXPN late night host Wayne Cotter (who now does specials for the
Discovery Channel). I was a member of a small number of regular callers.
I remember one night when we all got together for a party at the station,
and I did magic tricks for everyone.
In 1975, a news source (I forgot what it was, but it could have been
Rolling Stone) came out with a list of awards for Radio stations in Philadelphia.
"Best Jazz Station" went to the non-profit, student-run WXPN.
We at WXPN took the award in stride. We knew we had the best jazz.
The real ego boost, however, came within a couple of weeks after the report,
when our competition, WWDB, changed their format to Talk Radio in apparent
defeat!
Years passed. I was a loyal listener to Irv Homer, expecially during
the year of the Iranian hostage situation. It was then that Howard Jarvis
of California started the "tax revolt" and it seemed that Irv
Homer was going to take care of the East coast by educating people about
the IRS!
In the early 1980's, while I was working, I would regularly listen to
(and call in) The Susan Bray show when she was on the 9 AM shift. I recall
crossing swords with her on a number of times.
In the mid 1980's, when I worked in the Strawbridge and Clothier advertising
department's darkroom, I used to get ready for work while listening to
Dominique Quinn.
to be continued...
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