Live365 allows individuals to internet broadcast their own "radio stations" at low cost. Among the many thousands of stations provided, there are surely a few that play some things you'll like, and things you'll never hear anywhere else. From rock to hip-hop to classical to live whale songs, all Live365stations use streaming MP3 format. Stream data speeds are usually 24k, 32k, 56k, or "CD Quality" 64k which is their max. The 24k stations sound pretty good, too; in stereo it's about like modern AM stereo. In mono, it's closer to the sound of mono FM. Most streams that are smaller than 24k seem to be talk stations.

Listeners will need to register to listen to Live365 (unless you use the RealAudio page). Then, you'll have to sign in whenever you listen, unless you have your computer "remember me." When you use Live365 the first time, their automated system will likely check out your setup to find out your connection speed and if you have the proper players. They'll recommend you use their player. That's fine, but if you have a good MP3 player, like WinAmp or RealPlayer, you'll be better off using it. There'll be a player with controls you're familiar with, and you can save the address as a preset in your player.

Most Live365 links will bring up the small player page. For programmed broadcasts (playing MP3 files), this box will show you the station's name, current song and artist, and the last two songs. That's nice if you're trying to find out who the artists are. But, that box will also generate popup ads, one every few minutes. If you're using your own default MP3 player, you can close this box and stop the popups once you've got audio running. (If you chose the Live365 player, closing the box will stop the music.)

When you register as a listener, they'll ask you your connection speed. If you're using a 28k, 33k or 56k dialup, lie a little and tell them you're using the next faster speed. What they claim is a 33k stream is actually probably 24k, so you could hear it fine with a 28.8 modem. What will jam it up is the popup box and its little cousins taking up the other 5k. You might even have pretty good luck hearing the 56k streams with your 56k modem, even they want you to have a high-speed connection to hear it.

Broadcasters spend at least $5 a month to operate their stations, and can spend way more than that. Listening is free, but you'll hear ads. Broadcasters who've never agreed to pay the $5 monthly administrative fee are still "on the air," but can only be heard by "Preferred Listeners." You get to be one of those by subscribing for $3.65 a month and up. For that, you get to hear all the stations shown on the Mikini Mele page, and you won't hear any ads. There won't be moments of silence where the ads were; there are actually two separate broadcasts of each station, the one with ads and one without. (They obviously aren't in sync.) Subscribing also adds greater emphasis to your voice when you rate stations and I'm sure gives you some other options and/or benefits.

For extended listening, I'd definitely recommend you use WinAmp and kill the popup box if you don't need artist and song info. If you're listening to Hawaiian 101 or Slack Key Paradise, don't worry, I'll tell you the artist's name with each song.

Here's a link, in case you're interested in becoming a Preferred Listener: