Skinhead.Com.my : Can you discuss a specific challenge you faced as a developer while building a web radio station (Radio Endstation), and how you creatively overcame it to ensure a seamless and engaging user experience for listeners?
Lokke : The skinhead and punk scene in Germany is quite small, and each potential listener whom we, as web radio operators, aim to reach and engage typically has their own preferences regarding how they would like to receive our noise and on which devices. Therefore, at the outset (and still ongoing), the most challenging task has been to provide each individual with a simple means to access the station without requiring extensive technical knowledge.
So, near the start of broadcasting, access points had to be established for web users, Android users, smart home speakers, and standard internet radios. It turned out to be much more work than I initially anticipated for this project.
Skinhead.Com.my : How did you approach designing and implementing features to enhance user engagement on the web radio station you developed? Can you provide specific examples of features or functionalities you integrated to create a more immersive and enjoyable experience for listeners?
Lokke : In the first place, it's actually our goal to not bind every random stranger to our website but rather to retain only the absolute scum of society with us - but yes, I understand the actual question. Even the most seasoned listener would turn off the radio if the technology didn't work intuitively. Especially the Android app was therefore quite straightforwardly structured in the past - it only had one button for Play/Stop 😄 - nothing more. I also thought that should make everyone happy - well, I'm naturally a lazy piece of meat.
Well, it happened as it had to - more listeners, of course. And with more people tuning in, naturally, there were more preferences and wishes regarding what an app or website should be able to do - or something like that. So, I ended up with a bit more work on my hands.
So, the website got a decent theme from a ready-made kit, and we swapped out some dodgy software for better ones. The Android app got a proper overhaul and now it runs smooth even on rubbish network, or it just kicks back in once the internet's back.
Users can now hit up the mods and fire off their music requests and messages on the web and app. As for our iPhone users, I'm holding off on an app for now - Apple's asking for $99 a year just to have it on their store. That's like 10 crates of beer! Nah, not worth it yet.
Skinhead.Com.my : Since when the website have been online?
Lokke : The Website have been officially online on 31 December 2020 and the Radio had it's "birthday" on 01 January 2021
Skinhead.Com.my : What technologies and programming languages did you primarily use in the development of web radio stations, and why did you choose them?
Lokke : The website primarily consists of a messy heap of Wordpress code in the background, with various semi-decent customizations I've implemented. Changes were made selectively when deemed important or when time and inclination allowed. It's worth noting that I oversee the technical aspects of the radio, and I address issues only as much as they bring me joy, rather than immediately. Nonetheless, I must admit that it looks quite good in its current state, considering the level of my laziness. The fun, so to speak, is mainly built from PHP, CSS, and a bit of CSS Voodoo. However, I tend to touch this aspect less, as changes have been drowned out by plugin solutions, requiring no "real" programming knowledge.
Additionally, the Alexa Skill is merely a slightly modified Node.JS script using the ASK-SDK, and the entire setup can be viewed on GitHub. However, significant effort went into the development of the Android app, as Google often implements new guidelines every few months, which cannot be easily managed with ready-made code or plugins. The app is written in Java, reflecting the necessity for "real" programming work. Furthermore, a big shoutout to the developers of AzuraCast. AzuraCast, despite occasional breakdowns every few months (like webhooks malfunctioning or incorrect track titles during transitions), serves as the backbone of our actual broadcasting operations and forms the heart of the radio. Considering it's (I believe) a two-person open-source project, it's quite remarkable.
Skinhead.Com.my : What is your web radio all about ? what genre do you mostly broadcast on your radio? What your favourite kind of genre and your favourite band?
Lokke : Finally, a question that's a piece of cake! Our main genres on the radio are or were Oi! Punk and Ska. Though Ska is gradually taking a backseat, and instead, it's mostly Oi! Punk and snotty German punk rock that's blasting through our stream now. This totally hits the spot for my taste in music, as well as our other moderators', and hopefully, our listeners' too. And if our listeners don't dig it, they're more than welcome to tune into another station.
Speaking of tunes, my current favorite bands are "Biertoifel", "4 Promille", "Oi!sturm asozial", and "BoigruB". These bands are the real deal, perfect for some serious rocking out!
"Biertoifel": https://biertoifel.bandcamp.com/track/streetpunk-skinhead-crew
"4 Promille": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClWkrOjNPH8
"Oi!sturm asozial": https://oisturmasozial.bandcamp.com/track/berstunden
"BoigruB": https://boigrub.bandcamp.com/track/die-liebe-ist-ein-seltsames-spiel
Please Visit And Support this amazing website and radio :
WEB : https://radio-endstation.de/
APP : https://link.lokke.de/app
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