Listen to the radio on your computer

Remember the shortwave radio your parents
  (or grandparents) had in their house? You could skate the glowing needle along the numbers and pull in exotic music and strange voices from all over the world. That sort of magical radio still exists—inside your computer.




Any computer with an Internet connection can easily be turned into a global radio receiver. All it takes is some software and some tips on where to look so you can listen. Let's spin the dial.



First, some background. All over the world, radio stations and many individuals have created Internet radio stations. The National Public Radio and CBC are real-time or archived broadcasts of public radio programs you can listen to at your leisure. Others, like ChoiceRadio and Moontaxi, are "radio" stations developed specifically for the Internet.



Deborah McIvor, a graphic/web designer, just recently discovered online radio stations. "I'm hooked," she says. "I really love the absence of annoying commercials and especially appreciate finding music from artists that are not continually being rotated through the local commercial radio stations."



The best thing about listening to music on her computer? "I don't have to worry about carrying around a ton of music or players with me. I turn on my computer and it's right there," McIvor says.



In order to turn your computer into a radio, you'll need to download a player like Microsoft Windows Media Player. 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. Drop by Live365.com and pick from dozens of genres and wild indie radio stations featuring exotica, drum and bass, trip hop, and jazz. Another great option is Pandora.com. Tell the site your favorite musician, composer or song, register for free, and a radio station will be designed just for you, that you can access anytime.



Or listen to your own favorite radio station anywhere in the house on your computer. Most major music stations now have websites where you can access their music and broadcasts in real time, no matter where you are located. To find your local radio station, go to Bing.com and type in your station’s call sign (for example: 94.9). Once you’ve opened the station’s website, look for a link that says something like "Listen Live" or "streaming" and follow the instructions provided by the site to get the music started.



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.



Article written by Wayne MacPhail and adapted from an original piece from Microsoft Home Magazine.