What: Internet broadcasting utility By: Rogue Amoeba Software Cost: $40 Download: www.rogueamoeba.com Nicecast turns your Mac mini into an Internet radio station. This is not something for everyone, but it could be more useful than it at first might seem. For example, a friend of mine uses Nicecast to Webcast his iTunes music library so he can listen to it in his office or send music to parties. Another friend has Nicecast connected to a radio scanner so that members of his radio club can listen to fire calls. You can also use it to feed a larger radio server at a site such as Live365.com. The figure shows three Nicecast windows for controlling the Webcast, server selection, and special effects. Note that you can use external serverssuch as Shoutcast and Live365if you don't have enough bandwidth on your Internet connection to support the number of listeners you desire. Why I like it: Because I'm a radio geek. I even have call letters: N5FDL. |