Where Oh Where Has Our Little Podcaster Gone?

It’s probably pretty obvious that I have not posted much on my blog in the last couple years. It may not be quite as obvious that I haven’t posted much original work to my podcast either. I’ve been mostly reposting prior episodes, since I have such a large back catalog of them. I haven’t been doing much more than keeping up on favorite bloggers I follow, clicking likes, and once in a while contributing a comment. Sorry about all the laziness, and slacking off.

I don’t know how far I’ll get, but I’m going to try to make it a goal to post more content in the upcoming year. I have some plans for my podcast coming soon. For now, maybe a brief explanation might be due for this blog entry.

The last time I posted regularly came to an end roughly the time of all the Covid lockdowns. But that’s not why I laid off from activity. It was also around that time where I had a massive breakdown on my Web server that controls the various websites that I maintain.

It wasn’t the first time, but it pretty much culminated in the worst. As usual, it took a good 72 hours of no sleep to find and squash all the bugs and malicious hacking, and then most of the rest of the week to begin to bring things up. Reinstall website platforms, reinstall databases, reinstall CSS themes. Oh wait! That theme is no longer supported. Guess what customer! Your site now has a new makeover! No extra charge.

In some cases, websites rebounded quickly, and then others are still in the recovery process all these years later. The attacks came at a time where I had just migrated as many files as I could into the servers at Blubrry. But it still meant that about two thirds of my podcast episodes went away. The drain on my time meant I wasn’t able to record new introductions to handpicked episodes as I had been doing since 2007. At one time I had been doing introductions to three shows per week, and posting as many as nine shows per day with original show notes. That bubble burst when I had some major family changes in 2012. From that point on, I tried to limit my daily posts to about 2 to 3 episodes. And try to do at least a couple of original introductions during the month.

It seems that about every couple years there some sort of attack on my server. Especially after the big meltdown in early 2020 I installed some intensive firewalls and haven’t had as much trouble since.

Rather than trying to do massive uploads into the server, I decided to take it one day at a time, repost episodes that I had previously done, and re-uploading each file into my Blubrry space. It took time to nibble away at it, and some increases to my monthly upload bandwidth on Blubrry podcast server. There is still plenty of shows that I am finding that need to be replaced, but I think I’m over the hump. The benefit to uploading the shows into Blubrry’ s space is that their servers are faster than mine. Also, If I managed to find a show in a better quality, I upload that one.

I’ve also been taking the time to be more diligent and spellchecking my show notes. In my early years I wasn’t so concerned about that. I was just some minor player in the spaces of old-time radio. Somehow over the years, when doing searches for information, my podcasts kept turning up quite often. I figured if I’m going to be a resource, I might as well clean up my act, and make the attempt to correct spelling and grammar.

Another item that I’ve been trying to do to improve the look of the podcast is in including artwork is featured images. I try to seek out open-source images, or I hope they are, of the original artist to appear in the episodes. Sometimes if I can’t find any of the original promotional items, I try to tap into a collection of clipart images that I own. The tricky thing about that collection is that it is supposed to be free to use. However, the way things work out in our modern world, if there is ever an image you feel is copyrighted, be sure to let me know. I will gladly pull it down, unless we can work out a licensing agreement.

Hopefully, all that wasn’t too boring for followers of my blog. But it’s been a long tedious climb to recover from the malicious attacks a few years ago. Now I just need to find time to press towards my goal of writing more often in the blog.

Website Facelift

It mnever hurts to change things up once in a while. I always try to keep the sstream of old time radio coming, so that hasn’t changed, and I’m always looking to keep the mix of shows interesting. . Comedy, adventure, Detectives, drama, western, serials and more.

The notable thing lately is that I made some drastic dchanges to the web page itself. The reason is that a hacker had caused some trouble and messed up operations of the web site. Not only this site, but a handful of others I maintain, some of them paying customers.

After a week of taking things down and clearing out my public spaces, the malware was finally gone. Fortunately, all I had to do was reload the data backups, after a small glitch. I used a different setup script that used a different table prefix. (Yeah I know, too much teckie info). The short story is that it took a little longer to get back up and running, but here I am.

The rebuild gave me the chance to try out some new, streamlined appearances.

A couple features are gone. Sidebars and widgets have been rearranged, and should be more simplified for viewing both on full and mobile screens.

One casualty of the rebuild is that I had to take down my library of shows. The posts are still there, but the media links may not all work. If you find an image that only shows a placeholder, let me know. If you find a show that doesn’t play, let me know.

Episodes in recent weeks should be OK, but if you browse to older posts, many may not play. Feel free to contact me to let me know. With rare exception, I can upload it again, and in some cases in much better quality. .

So get going to <a href=https://retrro-otr.com>Retro Radio Podcast</a> and see for yourself!

Attention World, Here’s How You Can Join My spam Filter

Some time ago I started using a commenting system to cut down on the amount of spam I get. The problem is that was difficult for real people to use, for that matter it was difficult for me to use. and the result was that nobody was commenting much.

recently I switched back to the standard commenting system and decided to run some other filtering software that promises to catch the junk from all the forms on my site. Cool.

Is it working?

I guess so. I get more comments now, but there seems to be a certain amount of junk trickling through.

Sorry for the long preface, so here are my tips to follow if you want your comments to go directly to my spam box, and never see the light of day on my humble web page.

1. Name. I want to know you really exist and have a human-sounding name. If you want to be flagged as a spammer, don’t include the real name of a human being in the name field. I don’t need company names, cutesy or fake code names, URL’s, IP addresses. All these are automatic spam to me, no matter if your comment sounds nice, or even flattering.
2. Web page link. This is one field you can skip. In fact, if you do, I just may approve your comment, no matter if the other fields look fishy. Why? It means you aren’t pushing a visitor to a web site. You have no product to sell. No agenda to take advantage of readers of my web site. Trust me, if your link sounds like a tacky, useless, unrelated product… go directly to spam. Do not pass Go. Do not collect any of my web traffic. I click links, and if the page is spam, guess where your comment goes. If you say its related, but isn’t… spam. Do you have a blog or a personal site? Great, you’re in, even if your blog is unrelated.
3. Email address. I can be forgiving for crazy sounding email names or domains, although if it looks like its blatantly fake, it may not be a deal-breaker, it will raise a flag of suspicion.
4. Comment. Linking to web pages in the comments is a free pass to go directly to my spam box. The exception is if they indeed are related to my general topic of old-time radio, the theme of the particular radio program or episode. Broken English? No problem. As long as you use your real name, your URL is legitimate, and there is no reason a flag of suspicion has been raised. Did you leave a glowing comment of praise or controversy? Nice. But if your URL looks like spam, sorry. At worst I’ll send it to spam. At best I’ll post it, but with no links and a real human name that I make up.

Now you know.

Please world, drop me as many comments as you like. I love the feedback. It is a fun and free way to support me in producing content for the blog and podcast. Just remember my rules. Real (or real sounding) names, no bogus, or unrelated web site links whether in the URL field or in the comment section. If there’s no blatant fishiness going on, even if your grammar isn’t up to being impeccable, you’re in. Love a show? Hate one, or even me? Fine, tell me. I’m here to listen and offer a web page, blogging, and podcasting experience that you want. I know I can’t please everybody, but I try to respond to all requests.

Thanks to the Unnoticed Folks Who Continue to Make Sheltering in Place Possible

With rising temperatures, and signs of Spring well under way, people are eager to break free of cabin fever. Is it a wise move? Under normal circumstances I’d say to go for it.

For those who can manage staying in, keep safe, and give thanks where it’s due.

The fact you can still shelter in place at all means you either have a job you can do at home, or live on some other fixed income or retirement.

The whole idea of being able to take extended shelter means someone is out there working to keep the lights on, the gas for the furnace, water in the pipes, and of course Internet and cell phone services to keep in touch with the outside world.

How long do you think shelter in place would last without those kind of civic services?

I don’t want to take away from the heroic work of those working in medical fields, or as first responders, but I just wanted to give a huge shout out to the unseen, unnoticed folks who made it possible for the majority of us to avoid the germs out there.

I’m Kind of liking the Corona Virus

I know that sounds terrible, enjoying such an allegedly deadly virus, but for now, it has changed my daily routine.

Usually, I get up, do the bathroom thing,, get dressed, have breakfast, and spend the day upstairs in my office. Reading, researching old radio shows, listening to shows and jotting down possible show notes for the web site. Then I emerge for supper, and relax by touching base with various social media on my phone, or cue up some podcasts or an audio book before heading to bed.

Not a lot of public contact, so this hype over the Corona Virus scare, and staying home is just more of the same for me.

Despite the widespread encouragement to stay home, I decided to venture out today. It was great.

I loved it. I went to the bank to take care of signing some documents. No lines. I got right in and out. Next was a visit to a government office notorious for taking a number and waiting. No lines. I got right in and out. I was able to run nearly an entire day’s worth of errands, all before my morning coffee began to kick my bladder and announce it had run its course, and would kindly like to be let out now. After today though, I plan on returning to my introverted, reclusive routine.

I will say, I avoided shaking hands with people though. Not because of any fears of the virus, but due to the fact nobody has had any toilet paper for a while now.

Enjoy your time off, and hunkering down at home. It’s what I do every day.

daydreaming of Discounted Distractions

I know that was a tacky headline, but I’ve been a horrible blogger. It has been over a year since I last posted something. I like the tool that WordPress offers to let you know your streak in posting. Since it also grabs my show notes from my podcast (hey, it’s really a blog with media embedded) ) I haven’t missed a day in probably a year and a half. Even the days they say I missed (like one day last week that caused my streak to restart) I really didn’t miss. I sometimes repost things I did several years ago. I guess cheating like that doesn’t count.

Here I am, doing a little stream of consciousness rant… taking a break on doing some reading and proofreading a book I had to process using OCR (Optical Character Recognition). Typos and munched words galore! Yippie.

I just thought I’d dig into my archive, and thinking of a way to get some random results, I used the “Word of the Day” from a mailing list I’m on to see what jumps out at me from my podcast notes.

Among a handful of others, including some adventures with Superman, or those fine folks down in Pine Ridge, Arkansas, I thought a vacation sounded fun. That’s how I came to spin up this oldie from the world of “Our Miss Brooks.”

Everybody’s favorite English teacher, Connie Brooks is trying to win a discount on a trip to Europe.

The episode is titled: Planning A Trip To Europe, and it’s a fun mental journey back to July 17, 1955.

Listen to the show by downloading it here.

Or just read my highly intriguing, thrilling, and classy literary summary of the show. (Dang! With such an amazing literary style someone should put me up for a Pulitzer prize right now! At least a book deal). I wonder what Grammarly will tell me when I run this through it? Shut up! My use of commas is not as horrible as all that!)

At home, Connie talks with Mrs. Davis about her Summer plans of going to Europe, and the real likelihood that she actually has of affording to go. Miss Brooks tells about the deal she got from the travel agent. All she has to do is get three friends to pay for a European trip, and she can go for a third the price.

The day gets off to a bad start when Mrs. Davis has to turn Connie down so she can spend time with her absent-minded sister Angela. Who else can Connie hit up? What about Walter? Will his parents like to send him away to Europe? Well, they might like to, but It’s not looking very likely.

Setting her sights on her other targets, school principal Mr. Conklin and the bashful biology teacher Mr. Boynton, Connie heads to school. Meanwhile, Harriet Conklin is doing her own buttering up of dear old dad. Mr. Conklin hints at the promise of a special vacation. Can you guess? Connie isn’t the only one trying to earn a cheap vacation. The rest of the escapade has Connie bouncing from friend to friend that all have their own vacation ideas, and agendas.

Who will win out, and get the trip of their dreams? Just when you think it’s all over, even the head of the school board, Mr Stone gets his hand in the mix.

Features: Eve Arden, Gale Gordon, Frank Nelson, and Richard Crenna.

[tags: Vacation, Escapade, School, Bargains]

Showing Support

The purpose of this article:

• Changes have been made in how to do a one time donation.
• I changed my Patreon tiers and goals to be in line with the one time donations.
• All these changes to consider moving my files to a faster podcast hosting service.

Someone recently asked me how to contribute to support the podcast. My “Piggy Bank” icon sometimes shows up (usually after someone asks about it) then it disappears (usually after months of nobody clicking it, even after asking about it). It takes up space on the web page, and I don’t like to always appear to have a hand out to ask for funds.

I came up with some ways too show support for the podcast, meaning monetary support that are more unified in what you get in return.

Showing support for free is easy. You can hit the “Like” button, share something to Twitter or Facebook,, or leave comments and emails. Thanks for making me smile, and giving me a big head.

If you visit my Facebook page, the “Sign Up” button will take you to my Patreon page to become a monthly supporter.

Here’s a direct link for you: https://retro-otr.com/patreon

What? You still can’t find it, or want other options that won’t zap your bank account every month?

I often talk about my “Piggy Bank” button. I just updated it, and gave it its own page on my main web site.

For all the details, visit: Https://retro-otr.com/donate

I made 3 different donation levels. The page explains what you get at each level of a one time donation.

After the last button, I link to my Patreon page, with a short description of the recurring support, and benefits to you.

Either way you choose, there’s possibilities of:

• Shoutouts.
• Sponsorship.
• Helping in programming an episode.

Please consider the ongoing support through Patreon. One benefit it has is in helping in tracking goals, and budgeting expenses to pay the bills for the “free” podcast.

If there’s something extra I can build in for a bonus, let me know. Through Patreon, there are extra possibilities for including you in exclusive community, or special download content.

Breaking the Slavery Ring of Technology. Meddling with Robots

Or: Space Patrol – Frightened Robot. ep163, 541113

At a world ruled by robots, Cadet Happy and Commander Correy aren’t present to meddle in affairs they don’t have any control over. The robots have their own government, and officials.

Why are our heros here then? Suspicion of enslaving humans is rumored. Is it possible to get close to the robot ambassador to get answers, or will Commander Correy find a crack in the walls to sneak through the administration building? Voltar is their inside man who gives Commander Correy what he needs to find his way inside, while Cadet Happy returns to man the patrol ship.

Humans are the lower class workers in the world of robots. When Correy is discovered, he has a difficult time convincing his fellow humans that he’s there for good. With the help of an anti-gravity belt, and a nudge from Cadet Happy, they are on their way to free the 500 people from laboring in the mines.

Danger awaits as the robots are confronted, and a lesson is to be learned. When done correctly, robots can serve men, not making men their slaves. Hey, if people are enslaved by their technology, it’s a voluntary slavery. Now stand away from your computer keyboard. Put down that iPhone, and go do something outside!

Lum and Abner – Playing Checkers By Phone. 441120

Download, and listen now.

Abner is not only quarantined, he has come down with his own case of measles, and is stranded at the Johnson place. Today, Lum still has the trouble of the visiting school official. He explains the developments to grandpap when he pops in at the Jot Em Down store. Abner is feeling well enough to want someone to come out to play checkers with him.

Phinus arrives to lend a hand in the store. Lum runs out to deal with his school woes. Grandpap and Phinus worry over Abner’s health, and Phinus tells about someone he knows who got married over the phone. The idea sparks a notion in grandpap to play Checkers with Abner over the phone.

The board is all set, and grandpap makes the call. With a board set up on Abner’s end the game begins. Phinus keeps distracting grandpap to tell about other folks he knows. Will the party line pick up any spectators to the action? The moves get closely monitored. What happens if someone needs to order groceries? Complications pile up that grandpap didn’t count on.

Racing Against Death, at the Speed of Lightning Jim

Remember the days when a hero was a hero? Especially in the realm of Westerns, where the good guys didn’t wear spandex suits with capes. They ore a big hat, carried a six shooter, and never missed with their bravado, and sense of justice.

One nearly forgotten hero was Lightning Jim, and his trusty sidekick, Whitey Larson. . None of the shows I have are dated, but come from sometime in the 1940’s. Kids were the target market, so there’s plenty of horse chases, gunplay, and fist fighting action as the hero steps in to befriend the helpless person in need.

In the case of: Lightning Jim – Races Against Death. Episode 5.

The story opens with a murder trial. The condemned rancher claims he’s innocent. His father in law, the sheriff, believes him, but can’t see how to rescue him. Then Lightning Jim rides into town. Through flashback sequences, Jim is told the real story.

Doing his own investigating, Jim turns up evidence and motive that the court didn’t have in the trial. To set things right, Jim and Whitey set out to solve the mystery, and find the real killer. Can they do it before young Gil faces the gallows?

Ride along on this Western adventure, full of chases, cattle rustlers, ambushes, gunplay, and bad guys. Race the clock with our hero to make sure justice is done.

Download: Race Against Death. Episode 5.