Issue 55		SMARTS Broadcast Systems	   March 1999

Is it spring yet? The temperature is warming, the snow is melting, and we're seeing more daylight. Summer might actually be on the way. VIRUS CHECK I have received several responses due to the paragraph in last month's newsletter regarding viruses. Some wanted to know what to use for a virus check; others called to say they found a virus. So let's talk about viruses for a minute. They happen. It is a fact of life. Somebody had too much time on their hands, and wondered if they could build a program that would leave a funny message, copy files to a different part of the hard drive, delete data, or deactivate temporarily or permanently some piece of equipment. They then experimented with it amongst friends or sent it to their enemy/target/victim. And it spread. Being what it is, it attaches itself to various disks and goes from computer to computer when people move programs from one computer to another. This is why we have a reference in the Operators' manual. On the page entitled "A Word About The Warranty And Support System", the sixth paragraph warns of the dangers of adding programs and inadvertently refers to viruses. If nobody brings their disks from home, then the virus can't come from someone's home unit. Each station needs to have a policy of checking for viruses, and of not allowing anyone to bring outside disks into the station. Also, once a virus is detected, it must be eradicated. ERADICATED. That does not mean just this one computer. Each computer in the building must be checked and each and every single solitary disk must be checked. It also wouldn't hurt to have each employee's home unit tested for a virus. If you don't track it down and kill it dead…it will just show up later and wreck your day again. As busy as your day-to-day schedule is, you don't need the hassles of re-installing your software, or re-recording ALL of your audio, or replacing an important piece of the SMARTCASTER. Take the time to check for viruses, and if you find one take the time to kill it immediately. How important do I think this is? I just spent most of the newsletter talking about it, didn't I? Without dropping names, we recommend that you go to your local dealer and buy virus scan software that also allows you to go to their website and download their latest version. No matter what version of software you buy, there is always a newer virus. It is a vicious circle that can be beaten by getting the latest additions from the website. DEFRAG AND SCANDISK As long as I am preaching about preventative maintenance, I might as well mention Optimization. It is important to have a regular schedule for performing a Scandisk and Defrag on heavily used drives. A drive that just has music recorded to it doesn't need to be defragged more than once. Drives that hold commercials and see a lot of turnover need it often. Be sure to use the Defrag and Scandisk that are found on DOS 6.22. That version of DOS should be loaded on your SMARTCASTER by now. Optimization is a necessary evil that ensures your audio quality, and thus ensures your listenership. Please don't put it off. FILL ROTATION Are you using your Fill Rotation? On the older systems, there were just two numbers, one for 30-second audio cuts, and one for 60's. The newer systems allow you to put ALL of your P.S.A. script numbers in so that there is a rotation that doesn't imprint the listener. In either case, the Fill Rotation is there to cover for missing or outdated spots. Strategically set up, the listener hears a P.S.A. while the station staff hears an audio alert to check the system to see why the P.S.A. played. Feel free to read up on this in the manual and see if you can't use this to your advantage. EDUCATION You can increase the brightness in the room…by spending five minutes here and there reading the operators' manual. I don't recommend reading it cover to cover, but skimming through and picking parts that interest you. You may find a trick that works for your station…and makes you look good in front of the boss. Doug Burton

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