1. What should I do first?
A. The first thing you sould do is to read the Blog! It will give you the latest information about the site, and news that you need to know.
2. Who sponsors this site?
A. This site is sponsored by the Old Time Radio Researchers group located at Yahoo, and on the web at www.otrr.org. Members and friends contribute to the cost of the server.
3. Are the programs here really free?
A. Yes, all programs are available for free downloads. They have been provided for your listening pleasure. Members have contributed them from their personal libraries.
4. Why is this site up when you can purchase mp3 files from FTP dealers?
A. This site is here to make sure that old time radio programs in mp3 format are available for free, for those not wishing to pay FTP sites for the right to download them. The vast majority of FTP dealers do not originate the material they sell, there being a few exceptions. Many of them get their material from one of the many otr groups located at Yahoo, from one of the local clubs, from purchasing it on E-Bay, or by becoming a member of another FPT site under a ficticious name. So they get it either free or extremely cheap and try to get you to pay for the right to download it. Their claim is that they are not ‘selling’ the program, they are just charging you for bandwidth to download it. Some say that you can make a donation. But if you do not pay or make a 'donation', you are limited to what you can download. There are no bandwidth charges, fees, or 'donations' required to download from the OTRRLibrary. All our programs are entirely free.
5. How can I know the programs are right? So many that the MP3 dealers sell are mis-named, mis-dated, duplicates or are just wrong.
A. Our programs are verified by the database program OTTER, which generally catches most errors. However, some few are missed. So we have members who download and listen to every episode to verify its' correctness. When they find a problem, they let us know, and we will let you know about it by posting to the blog. If possible, we will find a corrected or better episode.
6. How can I download from the Library?
A. First of all, you have to apply for a Library Card. Please fill in all the blanks. Cards that are not complete will not be issued. Also, don't use bogus names, addresses or phone numbers.
7. How long do I have to wait for my Library Card to be issued?
A. It can take up to ten days before your Card is issued. The Librarian has a lot of other duties. Please do not apply for another Card just because you think your first request was lost. People applying for multiple cards will have their download privileges revoked forever.
8. Do I have to remember my user name and password or will you supply it if I loose it?
A. When you apply for a card, you MUST WRITE down your user name and password in a safe place so that you can remember it. We DO NOT keep a list. While a list is kept by the server, it contains ALL of the Library patrons, and we do not have time to dig through all the records there to find forgotten passwords. That is your responsibility. Only in unique circumstances will we give you another name and password. Some suggestions - Use your first name for the user name and your last for the password, or reverse them. Use one of your names for the user name and your city for the password, or reverse them. Use one of your names with a number at the beginning or end for each. Keep it simple and easy to remember. I've seen combinations of letters and numbers that it would take a rocket scientist to remember!
9. What happens if I don't remember my username and password? Can I apply for another?
A. See section eight.
10. Do I have to be a member of the OTRR organization to get a card?
A. No. This library is set up for anyone, not just members of the OTRR.
11. What should I do when I receive my membership?
A. You should sign up for the blog and post a message to the
last blog posted giving a brief statement with you name, how long you've been collecting, where you heard about the OTRRLibrary, etc.
12. Are there any restrictions on bandwidth?
A. Yes. Our server only allows 50 logins at a time. Therefore we ask that you be reasonable about the amount of time you spend in the library. Give the other card holders a fair chance to obtain episodes they are interested in.
If you are on dial-up, then naturally it takes you much longer to download files than someone who is on DSL or cable. You can stay on longer.
For those of you who are on cable, there is a limit of 10 gigs per calendar month. If you exceed that amount, your card is revoked until the first of the next month. If you exceed that amount on a frequent basis, then your card will be revoked for good.
13. How can I tell if I am close to using my bandwidth?
A. Keep a watch on the number of episodes you downoad. You can generally estimate from that. However, if you want to be absolutely sure, we recommend that you get a fantastic FREE program called 'Netmeter'. It monitors your upload and download bandwidths. This is great for those with restrictions placed on their bandwidth by their internet service providers. Even if you are not restricted on bandwith by your isp, Netmeter can help you monitor your downloads from the OTRRLibrary. You can put in 9.50 Gigs in the ' Notifications' window, and then just run the program when you are downloading from OTRRLibrary.
14. After I receive my card how do I download the episodes?
A. Go to the series you wish to check out, click on the series name. A pop-up window will open. Put your user name and password in the window. You only have to do it once per each on-line session.
15. I am on cable. How long can I stay on at any one time?
A. We ask that again, you be reasonable. These files will be here for a long time, unless the server and bandwidth are continually abused. Don’t try to grab all the files at one time. We have a two year contract with the server. Again, remember your bandwidth limit.
16. How can you tell when someone has reached their download limit?
A. We have access to a daily report generated by the server that gives a wide range of information about the site, including who logs on, how much time they spend, the number of files they download, and the bandwidth they use. Your computer id number is also shown in that report.
17. How often are new series or episodes added to the site?
A. During the construction phase you will find new series every few days. When the site is fully constructed, new material will be added as we obtain it. You will probally find it helpful to check on a weekly basis to see whats changed on the site.
18. Even though all the files are free, I want to help OTRR to get more series and/or episodes. How can I do that?
A. It is the policy of the OTRR organization that all radio programs should be available for free in the mp3 format, for those not wishing to pay for them. Our files are totally free, and you will never be asked to pay for the privilege of downloading. However, if you wish to contribute, the OTRR does have a treasury that assists in purchasing transcription disks, reel-to-reels, cassettes, CDAs, and other formats. We've spent over $10,000 in the past two years acquiring new materials. You can e-mail the Librarian for information on making contributions. But again, we emphasize, you will NEVER be asked for any money to download any of the programs from this site.
19. I have some series or episodes that are not included in the library and want to donate them. How can I do that?
A. E-mail the Librarian to see if they might be in line for uploading. If they are new, then you will be provided with instructions on how to best do this.
20. I'm a member of another group or forum. Can I post anotice there about this free library?
A. We would prefer that you do not. Posting to a group or forum with a large number of members creates an enormous drain on time and bandwidth when we have to add dozens of new borrowers at a time. However, feel free to recommend it to your friends in single e-mails to them.
21. I notice that you have a list of dealers who do sell old time radio programs. What’s that all about?
A. Yes, we do recommend some old time radio dealers. These are people who we feel should be supported. They primarily sell otr as audio files, and the vast majority of them introduce new materials to the hobby on a regular basis. We feel that they are entitled to make a profit in order for them to continue to make new series/episodes available. And if you prefer to have old time radio programs on CD audios or in extremely high qualith audio, we highly recommend that you consider purchasing from these fine people. Most of them work closely with the OTRR organization, and supply us with needed materials, on request. Support those who have made this hobby what it is.
22. I like to listen to these programs. Are there organizations that I can join and support?
A. Yes, there are. You can do a search on Google for ‘old time radio organizations' that will give you a large number of groups that you can join. Additionally, there are many fine local clubs that would be happy to have you as a supporting member. You can find a list of these recommended clubs at ‘The Old Time Radio Club Network.
You can also access the Old Time Radio Researchers website. This is the largest of the internet organizations and is international in scope.
We have members in over 20 countries, all working to research, preserve and make available the finest in old time radio, all free to those requesting it.
You may also find a wide range of old time radio programs available at the Archive Library site. Just do a search on ‘old time radio’ in the search engine, located on their home page.
23. I notice a section called 'OTRR PRE-Certification'. But I cannot log into that section using my name and password. What is the problem?
A. That section is reserved for the volunteers in the Old Time Radio Researchers group that are doing 'second listening' on series that are being worked on for certified archival release, and is not open to the general public.
24. I want to start my own FTP Pay site. Can I download programs from it to start it?
A. Well, you could, but that would not be honest or ethical. This site is free. Why would you want to offer programs anyone can get here for free? Anyone who we discover is downloading from the OTRRLibrary and re-offering series/episodes for a charge will be dropped and the computer id noted so that they will be prevented from ever becoming a member again. Please do not abuse the generosity of the members and friends of the Old Time Radio Researchers organization.