just trying to find help starting

[Sunnydays777]

Sorry to jump in here, but I don't know where else to start. I have read through many posts.... I am wanting to download and install the Shoutcast tools but I am completely discouraged by so many problems that are way over my head.

DOES ANYONE OFFER any kind of guided (like remote assistance) for a fee to help me get up and running if I have problems? I do not have the TIME or the computer skills to tackle these very complex problems associated with your free tools, but I also can't afford another monthly expense to run this on some simplified plan like Live365 etc.

last question - does anyone know if i an run this Shoutcast on my VPS and also on my PC either one or the other or both?

I would appreciate any guidence.
Thanks
Wayne

[DrO]

Originally Posted by Sunnydays777

I have read through many posts.... I am wanting to download and install the Shoutcast tools but I am completely discouraged by so many problems that are way over my head.

what problems exactly?

Originally Posted by Sunnydays777

DOES ANYONE OFFER any kind of guided (like remote assistance) for a fee to help me get up and running if I have problems? I do not have the TIME or the computer skills to tackle these very complex problems associated with your free tools, but I also can't afford another monthly expense to run this on some simplified plan like Live365 etc.

some users may offer to help you out doing that or if you explain what you want and what you've tried and what problems you've had, then those can be answered and config files, etc can usually be provided. though really hassle-free setup usually implies going via a hosted service who would just give you the login details needed to connect the source software to the DNAS server without you having to worry about things like machines or config setups.

Originally Posted by Sunnydays777

last question - does anyone know if i an run this Shoutcast on my VPS and also on my PC either one or the other or both?

you can run it on either or both at the same time as a cluster if really wanted.

-daz

[Sunnydays777]

Thanks for your help. The "problems" i refer to are the problems contained in the posts on this link... anyway, i have to start from the beginning. Can someone tell me what the following paragraph means?

It is assumed throughout the documentation that you have a basic knowledge of how to use the command-line console for the platform you decide to install the tools on i.e. how to run and control a program via the command-line console including being able to pass to it commands and the sending of signals as is appropriate to the platform being used.

i'm told I'm supposed to find some manual by means of searching for "how to use the command prompt"

Do you see how daunting this all feels? This is so far over my head i don't even know where square one is. So i will search for how to use the command prompt i guess. If anyone can help me speed up this process I would appreciate it.

NEXT QUESTION = do i have to use the wavestreaming service if i want to be on the shoutcast network? This is 30 bucks a month. I was hoping to get started cheaper, but i want to be on the shoutcast network, not some other network. Any cheaper alternatives?

Thanks
Wayne

[DrO]

Originally Posted by Sunnydays777

The "problems" i refer to are the problems contained in the posts on this link... anyway, i have to start from the beginning.

I'm not seeing any clickable link though based on the following part of your post i'm going to have to assume you're referring to the getting started guide.

Originally Posted by Sunnydays777

Can someone tell me what the following paragraph means?

It is assumed throughout the documentation that you have a basic knowledge of how to use the command-line console for the platform you decide to install the tools on i.e. how to run and control a program via the command-line console including being able to pass to it commands and the sending of signals as is appropriate to the platform being used.

i'm told I'm supposed to find some manual by means of searching for "how to use the command prompt"

Do you see how daunting this all feels? This is so far over my head i don't even know where square one is. So i will search for how to use the command prompt i guess. If anyone can help me speed up this process I would appreciate it.

the DNAS is a console program and the purpose behind that part of the guide (which you seem to be one of the few to acknowledge having tried to read it) is to try to make that obvious. since not everyone is happy using such types of programs, it's there effectively like a get out before you go to far stage as the tools have never really been designed as a simple click and go option. and it probably doesn't help that the part you've quoted is an attempt to cover off both the Windows and non-Windows version differences in one go (which has probably confused things further).


with the current version of the DNAS and when that was written, the DNAS at least for the Windows version is not just a click and go program and either requires you to specifically tell it what file to use for the configuration details (hence the need to know how the basics of how to use the command-line)
or
you can double-click it and depending on how things have been setup it will give you a list of config files to choose from
or
if using Windows then you can drag + drop the required config file onto the sc_serv.exe


there are changes in place for the next release which will make it so just double-clicking will just run it with a default configuration file or allow you to run a setup mode which configures most aspects needed which would likely alleviate some of your problems. and with that most of the documentation will be overhauled as i've ended up setting things at a level too high (based on what i'd been told) which doesn't match up with most of the support questions i have to answer relating to it.

however it can often be that using a hosted service is just simpler overall as they will have setup things as needed, deal with the bandwidth requirements and all you need to do is provide the stream data via your source software of choice.

Originally Posted by Sunnydays777

NEXT QUESTION = do i have to use the wavestreaming service if i want to be on the shoutcast network? This is 30 bucks a month. I was hoping to get started cheaper, but i want to be on the shoutcast network, not some other network.

you don't have to use Wavestreaming if you don't want to and you could run it off your own home PC if wanted as long as you had enough bandwidth for the number of clients you think you'd get. there are other streaming hosts though i'm not in a position to recommend one over another as i have to remain neutral on such matters.

-daz

[Sunnydays777]

Thanks again. I will try to install the program. I will just have to ask for help along the way. I can't afford hosted services and I don't know when some easier version will come out.

I have downloaded the tools but now it says i should use the window installer and install the contents of the folder (all the files in the folders i guess?) I don't have anything called windows installer on my windows 7 that i can find. I'm supposed to look for this program i guess and download it?

There seem to be various programs associated with this windows installer, some which seem to be installing windows (which i don't want). Any links or recommendations what I should download? Am i going the right direction here?

P.S. I downloaded the tools to a newly created folder on my C drive so to avoid the errors that you say might arise regarding administrative permission (which i also know nothing about).

Thanks for your kind help
Wayne

[Sunnydays777]

I WILL PAY FOR SOME PHONE SUPPORT...

Daz, I thank you for your help but as i look forward through the next steps i see there is no way i can proceed. This stuff is not for people unskilled in programming and working with servers, etc.

If someone wants to take me through the steps getting me set up we can talk about an agreed upon price - nothing too high - something around 30-50 bucks or so. I'm poor, but I have a dream to do this radio thing.

So if anyone wants to do a good deed please email me at alvie7777@gmail.com and maybe you can help me get my dream started.

Best Regards
Wayne

[DrO]

Originally Posted by Sunnydays777

Daz, I thank you for your help but as i look forward through the next steps i see there is no way i can proceed. This stuff is not for people unskilled in programming and working with servers, etc.

i did try to say but i don't think i did too well in my prior reply, SHOUTcast does require a certain level of ability and setting it up yourself is not always going to be something everyone can do -as i'm absolutely baffled by your post about the installer / downloads.

i will have to leave this for someone with the time and locality to assist you.

-daz

[Sunnydays777]

Thanks, but not too optimistic anyone will help. Time will tell. Sometimes communication is difficult between experts and beginners. Regarding the windows installer, it sounds like you were saying to download some program called windows installer?

I have downloaded the files of your tools into a folder but don't know what to do next. I have clicked the executable file but no install wizard or anything comes up. I wish there was a step by step guide for telling me what to do.

If anyone wants to tell me what my next step is in very clear and easy to understand language i will try to follow it, but at this point I'm lost.

I believe someone could guide me on the phone and in about an hour i would probably be set up. For this i am willing to pay. otherwise, I'm stuck.

Wayne

[DrO]

you just need to double-click the installer file which should start with sc_serv2_ and that should then take you through installing the DNAS program file and examples.

it doesn't require anything specific to allow it to run and from re-reading what i put in the guide, i'm not sure where the 'download some program called windows installer' part is coming from. then again the whole guide needs to be re-done as everyone complains it is rubbish *shrugs*


and yes it probably is easily done over the phone but that's not something which is feasible from my-side (UK -> US is expensive enough as it is) and for the monetary amount you mention, you could probably get a chip as chips hosting service for a few months for that.

-daz

[Sunnydays777]

Thanks Daz, i don't have a file sc_serv2 i have an application file sc_serv i click this and it opens a black window installing some files. I will look to the next step now. I will just keep going until i can't go and then seek help. For phone support i would just call through yahoo.

Anyway, my goal is to get this on my vps server since I'm already paying a monthly fee there. I assume i would do the same steps i'm doing here but do those steps inside my vps to get Shoutcast installed on my vps? I am just installing on my non-vps to figure out the steps.

If you can tell me the next step i will try or i will get to the manual and see if i can figure it out.

Best Regards

[Sunnydays777]

Well, I guess i can go no further. Configuring the server is not possible as i must translate some example to my server and fill in the missing parts. I might as well be reading Chinese.

I guess this will be my last post here. If you or anyone wants to discuss helping me finish this set up for a fee then email me at alvie7777@gmail.com

Hope to hear from anyone
Wayne

[DrO]

i have an application file sc_serv i click this and it opens a black window installing some files

that would be the DNAS server itself and the list of files is available configuration examples which can be used, there is no installing done.

my goal is to get this on my vps server since I'm already paying a monthly fee there. I assume i would do the same steps i'm doing here but do those steps inside my vps to get Shoutcast installed on my vps?

not all VPS will allow you to run a DNAS server on them due to port restrictions and other things like apache already running on them since if the DNAS cannot be run on an open port then it's not going to work (and i've feeling that will just have confused things further).

also is it a linux or a Windows VPS as there is going to be enough of a difference between the two that i think is going to confuse / frustrate you more than is already the case (mainly variations between how the paths are specified). if it's linux then there are videos on how to install the v2 DNAS (i believe 'thinktink' created one or more videos for doing that).

though the sudden mention of a VPS is somewhat of a curve ball into things.

Configuring the server is not possible as i must translate some example to my server and fill in the missing parts. I might as well be reading Chinese.

sc_serv_simple.conf is the most basic configuration file that can sensibly be used and all you need to do is change the passwords from the example values before using the file.

then you'd need to select sc_serv_simple.conf from the list of files shown when just double-clicking sc_serv which will then use those settings and put the DNAS into a wait state for the source to connect. or as might be simpler is to drag and drop sc_serv_simple.conf onto the sc_serv program file so you don't have to deal with the loading prompt.

[Sunnydays777]

I asked my windows vps service and they say i have full root access and can run any program and any port can be open. The company was a little unclear of the term DNAS they said, "do you mean DNS?" and i said i don't know. They said they thing it is probably the same thing. Is is the same thing?

So if i can use my vps to install shoutcast then i just need someone to walk me through. I will re-read your last post, but at this point i don't believe i could do this alone.

cheers
Wayne

[DrO]

DNS is completely different from DNAS. DNAS is the name of the SHOUTcast server i.e. sc_serv.exe and is an abbreviation of it's full name of 'Distributed Network Audio Server'.


if you are using a Windows VPS then moving config files from the local machine to the VPS should not be an issue (it only can be a problem if doing Windows to linux or vice-versa and with most VPS being linux i naively assumed that is what you'd have).


i had a bit of a think about the config file from what was said earlier and just doing the following is enough (to keep things as absolutely simple as possible):

password=<password for the source software>
adminpassword=<password for accessing login pages on the DNAS>
streamid=1

with that i would just save it as a text file called sc_serv.conf in the same folder as sc_serv.exe and remove the other conf files.

then you could also create a batch file e.g. called start.bat saved in the same folder with just the following in it:

sc_serv.exe sc_serv.conf

and use that to run the DNAS (makes it easier and mimics what the DNAS will be doing in future versions) i.e. that's what you double-click to start things running.


it cannot go any simpler than that without a newer version of the DNAS and i'm not prepared to provide an internal build as none of the documentation relating to how to create an authhash for your stream (if wanting to be listed in the Directory) matches with what is in the internal version (and i mean this in the best of ways but i honestly think that difference would confuse you).

-daz