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The DJ Toolbox is an integrated package of smaller programs that had previously
been written by Allen Software Development. When DJs were on air, they
needed to have many programs running. which had to be opened separately
every time they needed to do a show. The DJ Toolbox came about when management
wanted a program that contained all of these smaller programs which only
required the user to open one program. Features of the program are described
below:
Handover Helper: This program was designed to help each DJ handover to each
other at the start and end of each other's show. The inner workings
of the software are top secret to the station but the program displays
'ON AIR' when a DJ is on air and 'OFF AIR' when a DJ is not on air.
A popup system was added to let the DJ know if their on air status
had changed.
Playlist Logger: In the radio industry, it is a requirement to
log playlists of every show that is broadcast. The playlist logger
helps the live DJ to easily add songs to a list by dragging and dropping
them into a list box. The artist and title of the song are automatically
retrieved from the ID3 tags or the filename of the song as well as the
duration. A manual entry for the artist and/or title can be entered
if the ID3 tags or filename are wrongly entered. External playlists can
also be imported, namely ASX and M3U. The Generate button also enables
the user to generate a formatted forum post from the current playlist.
The Upload button then allows the user to upload their playlist to the web
server, via FTP in CSV (Comma Separated Values) format, so that it can be
dealt with by management. The playlist is also stored locally on the
DJs computer for future reference.
TOTH Clock: This simple program shows the current time in analog
and digital format and with the number of minutes and seconds until the
Top Of The Hour.
Time Calculator: It does exactly what it says on the tin. It's like
a regular calculator but it totals up lots of lengths of time. DJs can
use this to help work out the total length of songs, to fit nicely to the
top of the hour.
Pre-Record Monitor: Sometimes DJs are not available to present live
shows. The Pre-Record Monitor is used off air to keep the DJs up to date
with how much there is to the top of the hour, the end of the show and the
elapsed time. It also shows what the current time would have been if the
show was to be produced live!
Competition Manager: Off The Chart Radio thrive on interactivity on
the station. Many shows involve competitions in which listeners can enter.
The Competition Manager allows the DJs to enter names into a list box and simply
choose a 1st place, 2nd place and 3rd place winner.
Minibar: Contrary to its name, this is not a button for free alcohol
for the DJs! This button minimises the main program to a bar along the bottom
of the screen, above the taskbar. The minibar summarises the information
in the main toolbox, but sits Always on Top so that the DJ can use additional
software while keeping an eye on other things, like time and on air status.
The screenshots shown to the right are:
- DJ Toolbox Main Window: showing all the mini-programs mentioned above.
- Add Playlist Entry: The window that is shown when you add an MP3 to the playlist.
- Generated Playlist: Generates copyable text that can be pasted anywhere, e.g. a forum.
- Pre-Record Manager: What it looks like when it has started.
- Minibar
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