Frequently Asked Questions about Streaming
The Laura Ingraham Show

Q: So who are you, anyway?
A: I'm David Zinkin, a computer consultant living just outside Rochester, New York. Click here if you want the full story.

Q: Do you get paid for this?
A: Not at all. I do it because I'm a fan of the show.

Q: Do you, like, know Laura? Can you forward a message to her for me?
A: Sorry, but I can't provide any special services of that nature. If you want to reach Laura or the show, the best way is through her own site; for a direct link to her contact page, click here.

Q: Okay, enough of the personal stuff. What do I need to listen to Laura online?
A: You need the proper software, and a computer powerful enough to run it. For Windows Media (WMP) streams, you'll want Windows Media Player. For RealPlayer (Real) streams, visit the RealNetworks site and download either RealOne Player or RealOne Player Plus. (The Plus version has a few extra features, but none are needed in order to hear Laura; the standard version will do the job nicely, and it's free to boot.) For MP3 streams, iTunes is available for both Macs and Windows; WinAmp is another option for Windows only. As for the computer itself, each program's download page lists the minimum requirements to run the respective program.

Q: Why do some streams work only under Windows?
A: In order to allow their advertisers to customize commercials for each market, or pull the commercials entirely in order to meet union requirements, some stations use special Windows-specific "plug-ins," or add-ons, which provide the necessary technology; others use a version of Windows Media Player which does not yet exist on the Mac or other non-Windows platforms. However, if you have a sufficiently powerful Macintosh, you may wish to try listening under Virtual PC (from Microsoft), which allows the Mac to run Windows software; I have had great success listening to some of the streams in just this way. However, please keep in mind that you are effectively running two computers, one inside another, when you do this. If your Mac doesn't meet the requirements Microsoft lists for Virtual PC, or you're not comfortable running Windows at all, I recommend that you simply pick one of the streams not listed as Windows-only.

Of course, if the plug-ins become available for the Mac, or the stations switch to a different technology recognized by the Macintosh operating system, then the list will be updated to reflect the changes; please keep checking back for more information.

Q: It doesn't work. What am I doing wrong?
A: I wish I had time to give extensive technical support to everyone who has trouble with getting streaming software to work. (If it's any consolation, even those of us who work with computers full-time have trouble with it occasionally; streaming is still less than a perfect science.) However, the sites where you can download the software also offer technical information (those companies wrote the software, after all!), and I can offer some helpful tips to deal with the most common difficulties. If you can't play a stream, you may wish to try the following, but please note that whatever you do, I cannot be held responsible for any damage that may occur to your data, to your computer, to your house, to your family, to your pets, or to you. (Nor can Laura, so don't even go there!)

-- There may be a technical problem with the stream itself; the streaming computers do go down from time to time, connections may be lost, or there may be a break in the circuit between the studio and the streaming computer. If one stream doesn't work, try another.
-- Make sure that no other programs are running when you're using the streaming player. The players consume more resources than most other applications do; the less other programs compete with them, the better.
-- When asked to choose a speed, don't just choose the fastest one; pick the one that matches your connection. For example, if you have a dialup line, use 56K; for cable or DSL, use 384Kbps, 512Kbps or 1Mbps depending on the service level you have. If you're not sure, try each until you get a decent-sounding result; you're not going to break the computer by trying different speeds, so feel free to experiment.
-- You can clear up many problems by deinstalling the player (follow the instructions provided on each software publisher's web site), restarting the computer, and then reinstalling the player.
-- Make sure your browser is also up to date, or at least at the minimum level stated on each player's download page.
-- If you have a Windows machine, make sure you have the latest critical updates installed. Use the "Windows Update" feature in Internet Explorer to find and install the updates.
-- Your computer may have spyware installed; that can affect performance and block use of the Internet for streaming. Download AdAware SE (the personal edition is free) or Spybot (also free, though a donation is requested) — or, preferably, both — along with the latest updates for each, and run them to remove any spyware on your machine.

Q: Can I record the show and play it back later?
A: Sure. Hook up a cassette recorder, insert a tape, and hit the RECORD button.

Q: Very funny. I mean, can I record it to disk and play it back on the computer?
A: There are programs designed for just such a purpose. For Macintosh, you can check out Audio Hijack, AudioX or Coaster; for Windows, try Replay Radio or Total Recorder. Please note that I am not endorsing these products; I have provided these links as a service to those who would like to know more, but because I have not used the programs myself, I am unable to provide any assistance with them.

Q: Can I download Laura's show and play it back on my iPod/Rio/(other player)?
A: Not from Laura's or any other authorized site. However, you can use one of the programs outlined above, then convert the file to MP3 format and transfer it to your player.

Q: Can you set up a stream to play at (whatever) time? I'm away from home/busy/working/making dinner/playing with the kids during the listed times and can't be at the computer.
A: Sorry, but I don't set up any of the streams myself. I simply link to streams provided by the radio stations; you will need to contact each station's staff to ask if the show is likely to be moved to a more convenient time for you.

Q: Can you add (station X) to the list?
A: If the station provides a stream, I can link to it, but I can't create a stream for a station that doesn't already have one. That's up to each station's management; it would be a violation of copyright law for me to offer my own stream.

Q: Why doesn't my local station offer a stream?
A: Some stations don't want to deal with the legal hassles involved in offering a stream; others don't find it cost-effective to do so. Ask your local Laura affiliate; the worst you'll be told is "no, sorry."

Q: You don't have a stream in my city/town. What good is the list?
A: That's the beauty of streaming... you don't have to be in the same city where the stream originates, or even in the same country. I often listen to KRLA, for example, even though I'm in upstate New York.

Q: Do you archive past shows on the web? Does anyone?
A: Copyright laws prohibit me from making such archives available, and to the best of my knowledge, no one else offers such a service either. However, you can hear a selection of recent clips by visiting Laura's site.

Q: What about Rush Limbaugh? Sean Hannity? Michael Savage? Bill O'Reilly? Do you have lists for them too?
A: Sorry, but no... it's enough work keeping one list up to date!

Q: I tuned in at the time you listed, but something else was on!
A: Sometimes Laura's show is pre-empted for a sporting event; less often, a station may rearrange its schedule and either move Laura's show or (oh no!) drop it completely. In the former case, choose a different stream; I have yet to hear that Laura was pre-empted on every stream on the same day, so you're likely to find a workable alternative. If you know that a station's schedule has changed and that my information is out of date, obviously you can choose a different stream in that case as well -- but I'd appreciate it if you could please let me know so I can update my list accordingly.

Q: I think you made an error on your page. Am I allowed to offer corrections?
A: Of course! I don't pretend to be perfect; if I've made a mistake, feel free to let me know! Any help is appreciated.

Q: My station carries Laura, but I don't see it in your list!
A: Are you sure that the station has an Internet stream? My site lists only those stations which stream; visit Laura's site for a complete list containing all of her affiliates. Of course, if your station does stream and I haven't included it, please see the next question.

Q: You missed a stream!
A: By all means, please let me know if I've omitted any streams; the more choices we have, the better.

Q: Do I have other options aside from streaming and listening on AM or FM?
A: Yes! Some cable systems, such as Cox Cable of San Diego, carry the Talk Radio Network feed on a digital audio channel. Check your channel lineup or call your cable company for information; Laura's show airs from 9 am to noon Eastern. Also, satellite radio from either XM or Sirius is an excellent option; not only will you get Laura, you'll get many other conservative talk shows in the bargain for a reasonable monthly fee. (Yes, you'll also get Scare America, but you don't have to listen to every channel you receive!)

Click here to go back to the main streaming page, or here for Laura's main page.