Will the real Airtime please stand up?

Some of you may have heard that there’s a new Airtime in town. No, we’re not talking about Airtime, our open source radio software released today, but airtime.com.

In fact, given that airtime.com was set up by Napster founders Sean Parker (also president of Facebook) and Shawn Fanning with an estimated $33.5 million in start-up funding, we guess they’d be pretty disappointed if you hadn’t heard of it yet. They’ve been pretty secretive about their plans, but we do know that they have exceptional taste when it comes to product names.

So, how do you know which is the right tool for you? Welcome to our handy differentiation guide...

Do you want to create or participate?

Our Airtime doesn’t just let you start conversations, it lets you start a radio station. Anywhere. All you need is a computer with a web browser and you are ready to go. Airtime can network large communities of DJs over the net, or be installed on a local server and used to broadcast via FM.

Reach out to the world

Want to meet someone new? Radio stations and their listeners form amazing communities, bringing together people from all walks of life, everywhere. Unesco noted during their recent World Radio Day that radio is a “low-cost medium, specifically suited to reach remote communities and vulnerable people.” It’s still the most widespread communication medium in the world. Who would you like to talk with?

Open ears, open people, open source

We don’t really like the secret approach. Stealth launches are not our thing. Airtime 2.1 was crafted by hundreds of feature suggestions from people all over the world. We do weeks of public consultation, testing and feedback to make sure that we’re build a tool that really works for people.

Interested in privacy and online security?

While engagement with social media is important to spread the word, Airtime and radio are not reliant on other services. Your identity is not tied to a Facebook account, nor does your content sit under someone else’s third party agreement.

Join the virtuous cycle

One of Sourcefabric’s main aims is to promote a virtuous cycle of innovation. By downloading, promoting or feeding back on Airtime, you’re creating a sustainable media environment for other people and organisations worldwide. How? Every bug report and new release is improving the experience for users everywhere, whether that’s West Africa Democracy Radio or NationTalk. We're a not-for-profit organisation too which means the software is free now and free forever. And, if we do start raking in millions, you know it's going straight back into the software!