<nettime> Public Access Streaming Media Network Goes Online

[info@aedigital.com (David Meinert)]

Seattle June 1, 2000 Representatives from nine established Internet
destination sites announced today that they are joining forces to build
an international "Public Access Streaming Media Network" based on the
participation and collaboration of streaming media providers and
enthusiasts around the world.

"HugeCaster.Com will both serve as a portal to streaming media on the
Internet, and also as a means for streaming media enthusiasts to
collaborate with each other on productions." said Allan Steed,
President of AEDigital Media Networks. "What were really doing here, is
building a decentralized point to point media distribution network."

Todays announcement was punctuated by the addition of two more members
to the rapidly growing ranks of the Netcasterz Organization. Netcasterz
is a collaborative organization sponsored by HugeCaster.Com. Members of
the Netcasterz Organization are enabled by the sites chat and
videoconferencing facilities.

B2-92 Free Radio Belgrade, a pivotal player in the Serbian opposition
movement, has been collaborating with Netcasterz member Microradio.Net
to establish a "North American Mirror" network to distribute the
stations Internet audio feed more effectively. Jonathan Jay, a
spokesperson for Microradio.Net said, "Were thrilled to be able to help
StudioB (B2-92). And its nice to see them listed as a member of
Netcasterz. This opens the door to all sorts of exciting joint
projects."

De Hoeksteen, a Netherlands based streaming media provider, has also
joined Netcasterz, after a recent collaborative netcast of the DIAC 00
conference sponsored by Computer Professionals for Social
Responsibility. AEDigital Media Networks and De Hoeksteen "teamed up"
to provide live coverage of the conference from the University of
Washington. De Hoeksteen relayed AEDigitals live video feed, presenting
it both on their website, and also on Dutch cable television.

Roderick Hatfield, a Seattle film and event promoter, announced today
that his web site Ultrareel.Com would participate by sponsoring the
provision of DSL aboard Seattles historic art deco ferry M.V. Kalakala.
"Were wiring the boat" said Hatfield, "So we can netcast live shows and
events held on board to both HugeCaster.Com and Ultrareel.Com. Were
also encouraging other sites that stream media to use this connection
as well. We especially look forward to collaborating with others. This
is the way it should be done."

Ben Sims, a spokesperson for Speakeasy Network, a Seattle Internet
service provider, confirmed "with the subscribers permission" that an
order for Speakeasy DSL had been placed for the Kalakala, which is
currently docked on the North shore of Lake Union. Sims said. "Placing
DSL on the boat presents an exciting opportunity for us to advance
broadband distribution of all kinds of media. Were very excited to be a
part of this."

Reed O Bierne, proprietor of Emeraldreels.Com, is pleased by todays
announcement. "This validates and promotes everything weve been doing
on the net for the last two years. And its impressive. Weve done
Webcasts before, and they have always turned out OK, but the last one
was dynamite. I think that owes to the participation of some real
talented network engineers and production people, drawn from
Netcasterz."

David Meinert, the charismatic promoter and manager of HugeCaster.Com
is now also dedicating his energies to the development of HugeCasters
adjunct domain HugeVoice.Org. HugeVoice will function as a
clearinghouse for political activism on the Internet. "We could sure
use some angels on the case of HugeVoice" said Meinert, "Theres real
potential for us to integrate streaming media and political reform in
ways that have never been explored.  Its exciting. And its going to be
huge."

In a recent lecture to communication students at Seattle University,
Allan Steed, President of AEDigital Media Networks, promoted AEDigitals
model for decentralized networked media distribution, saying, "Its
important to recognize that this is all happening very organically. Its
a response to the demands placed on anyone who endeavors to produce
live streaming media. We recognized early in the game that there are at
least 4 separate skill sets required to effectively pull off a live
netcast. We define these as Artist, Producer, Network Provider, and
Promoter. Its rare to find any small organization in possession of all
these skills. But through clever collaboration, and resource sharing,
smaller and independent organizations can field live content on
substantial resources. " Steed also encouraged students to participate
in any endeavor promoting freedom of media distribution, saying, "The
large corporations that have used radio and television to sell us more
soap for the last 88 years should shake in their shoes. This will, if
allowed to flourish, be a strong catalyst for the demise of that
paradigm. I only hope that we succeed in building a substantial network
in time, before they succeed in their attempts to sew up media
distribution on the Internet. If we dont succeed, theyll quietly
regulate us out of the game without opposition. Lets be standing, ready
to defend the rights we have today, when that comes along."

Additional relevant information on HugeCaster.Com, and the Netcasterz
Organization, is available at http://www.hugecaster.com

###

Please direct replies to info@aedigital.com

----

Contacts: David Meinert

(206) 250-1177

AEDigital Media Networks

(206) 320-9979


#  distributed via <nettime>: no commercial use without permission
#  <nettime> is a moderated mailing list for net criticism,
#  collaborative text filtering and cultural politics of the nets
#  more info: majordomo@bbs.thing.net and "info nettime-l" in the msg body
#  archive: http://www.nettime.org contact: nettime@bbs.thing.net