Movies, Music and Radio

PodWHAT?

Have you heard of podcasts but have no idea what they really are? Webmaster, Drew, explains what a podcast is and why you would want to download one.

A podcast is a digital media file made up of audio, video or both. Podcasts are released episodically and downloaded through the internet to then be played on your computer, iPod or other portable device.

Radio should be seen in a similar light to newspapers. You can never listen to all of it and need to be selective about what programs you plan to listen to. I have been a fan of ABC radio for the last couple of years and find myself listening more and more to their podcasts instead of live radio. This type of listening is more efficient use of my time, as I get to choose from topics I am interested in, in a similar way to reading a newspaper. A prime example is the ABC Overnights show which has some very interesting topics, but runs from 2am-6am, which is sleep time for many of us. I log onto the ABC Overnights podcast area of the website and browse through the recent uploads. I can then download as a podcast for later anything of interest or stream the program over the internet if I want to listen immediately.

Previously, I used to listen to music when exercising or driving, but now I feel that I am making these somewhat dull “jobs”, into something I find entertaining, and informative.

If you are interested in creating your own podcast to share your views on a subject with friends and family, you can visit www.blogtalkradio.com for more information.

You can also create your own www.youtube.com channel and record yourself on webcam and share this link with friends and family.

The spoken word

Want to hear some ABC radio talk back on rethinking retirement? Click here for a podcast when Kaye was interviewed on this subject last month.

*You will need to scroll down to Rethinking Retirement posted February 27, 2010*

Trip down memory lane

It was the era of free love, the space race and televised war but what were people talking about at the water coolers in August 1969?

Popular culture always has a place in history, so let’s take a journey back in time and revisit the songs and films that dominated the charts in Australia 40 years ago!

Top three songs – August 1969

1. The Ballad of John and Yoko – the Beatles
A lovely guitar track that unfortunately would eventually break the hearts of Beatles’ fans everywhere. It seems Yoko had bigger plans for John and the ‘Fab Four’ went their own ways - Paul to Wings, John and George to solo critical acclaim and Ringo to the voice of Thomas the Tank Engine! I guess it was destiny.

2. In the Ghetto – Elvis Presley
A heartbreaking tale of an unwed mother who is struggling to feed her child, which was a little rich coming from Elvis, who, a little after 1969 could have fed all the unwed mothers “in the Ghetto” with the scraps from his ‘dunch’ (the meal he ate between dinner and lunch)!

3. You Can’t Always Get What You Want/Honky Tonk Woman – Rolling Stones
A song that became the anthem of the end of the sixties, the song was the Rolling Stones answer to the Beatles’, Hey Jude. An orchestral and lyrical masterpiece, it reinvented the Stones and set them up for the next 89 years of touring.

It seems that the outlook was bleak in August, 1969. “Christ you know it ain’t easy, they’re gonna crucify me”, sang Lennon. It’s also clear the bleak picture that Presley painted in his song and when Jagger cooed, “You can’t always get what you want”, you could be forgiven for thinking that the 70s was going to be a rough ride. However, the war ended, disco was invented and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Top three films – August 1969:

1. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
One of the highest grossing films of the era, this buddy comedy about bank robbers is still regarded one of the best films ever made.

2. Midnight Cowboy
A daring comedy about a young lad (Jon Voight) who moved to New York City and tried to make it by any means necessary, with the help of his crippled friend Ratso, played by Dustin Hoffman.

3. Easy Rider
A landmark counterculture film, which told the tale of two bikers travelling across America, with the hope of achieving freedom. The film is legendary for its use of real drugs and other various substances.

And in 1969, as long as you were riding something, you had a box-office smash on your hands! Horses in Butch Cassidy, motorbikes in Easy Rider and in Midnight Cowboy…well if you’ve seen it, you know!

Digital radio broadcasts

On July 1 Digital radio broadcasts started in many parts of Australia. But what IS Digital Radio?

Digital Radio allows listeners who have purchased a Digital capable radio to listen to signals at close to CD quality while the LCD display provides the weather, latest news and song titles. Further more you can pause and rewind Digital radio if you miss something!

To find which stations are broadcasting near you, visit the Digital Radio Plus website and put your postcode in the top left hand corner of the website.

Or to find out more information on what Digital Radio is, click here!

Digital radio explained

You have been hearing how analog TV’s are being phased out by digital, but unlike TV’s, radios will not be phased out. The recent introduction of Digital radio within the last two months means better quality radio and services for those seeking it!

How do I get Digital Radio?

You will need to purchase a digital radio, which are available from most large retail stores Australia wide. Unlike TV, you cannot buy a product such as a set-top box for your radio.

What will I get from Digital Radio?

Close to CD quality output on all radio stations. Unlike analog radio, where buildings, hills, structures etc will effect the signal you receive, digital radios have receivers built in to them to clean up the sound, further to this, if you purchase a radio with a LCD display, stations can build into their signals the names and artists of songs being sent, the weather forecast, news headlines and other cool features of value.

One of the most convenient features is the pause and rewind function on Digital radio. This is a new feature to radio and it great for when you hear something important but don’t get all the details!

Most radio stations in city areas have introduced digital radio but unfortunately, the Australian Government has not mandated any digital radio requirements for stations in regional areas so you will need to check with your local radio station to see if they have introduced digital to your area!

Budget cinema tickets

Luxuries like going to the cinema can be the first to go when living on a budget. Cheap tickets to movies are available, you just need to know when and where.

There are several ways to make a trip to the movies more affordable. Enjoy some of the latest blockbusters by following our tips;

· Many of the big cinema groups have a cheap day for watching movies, usually a quieter day like Tuesday or Wednesday, this is a good time to take advantage of cheaper tickets
· If you qualify as a senior, then take advantage of cheap seniors tickets on certain days
· Become a member of you nearest cinema’s movie club.  Often free to join, you get special offers, members ticket prices and the chance to win passes to new release movies
· Club together with your friends and buy a book of ten cinemas tickets, you can save up to 25% on ticket prices when buying in bulk
· Cinemas often have a discount movie of the week or a bargain screening on a movie that has been showing for a while.
· Sign up for newsletters and be first to find out about great offers.
· Finally, keep you eyes open for some great YOURLifeChoices movie giveaways

For more details of offers and cinema clubs, click on the link below of your nearest cinema.

Hoyts
Australian Multiplex Cinemas
Village Cinemas
Greater Union/Birch & Carroll
Palace Cinemas

If your local cinema has an offer that is too good to miss, why not share it with other YOURLifeChoices subscribers on the Meeting Place

Movies

The Internet Movie Database is a huge database of films and DVDs. The site's search engine quickly brings up the movie with credits, story line, reviews, ratings and comment. Plus theres news and updates on the latest in cinema.
Go there

Music and Radio

• ABC Streaming Radio. Audio and video from the Australian leader in streaming media, with live and recorded programs from many of the ABC websites.
  Go there
  
  
• Amateur Radio. The Wireless Institute of Australia - describes the activities of the WIA supporting the interests of Australian Radio Amateurs. You'll also find information here about becoming an Amateur Radio operator (or "radio ham"), and about enjoying the hobby of Amateur Radio in Australia.
  Go there
  
  
• Australian Music Centre. Online resources including composer biographies, searchable database of scores, books and recordings, the Australian Music Calendar Online, links and more.
  Go there
  
  
• Golden Days Radio - Popular Golden Days musical selections form the basis of the programming of this Melbourne FM station but it also features specialised information and entertainment segments.
  Go there
  
  
• Halcyon Days Music. Halcyon Days Music web site contains an ever growing collection of MIDI music files of American songs from the early 1900s through the 1920s and 1930s. Each song is accompanied with its lyrics and a scan of the sheet music cover.
  Go there
  
  
• mymusicindex.com. A comprehensive, quick-reference, informational music resource, with many links.
  Go there
  
  
• Radio-Locator. This US resource allows you to find a radio station by type of music, by country or for US by station call letters, city or state. Over 250 Australian stations are listed. You can select from some 50 different types of music and news.
  Go there
  
  
• Radio Yesteryear aims to provide well known artists and songs from the 1930s to the 1960s.
  Go there