eYak Talkshow Control Panels

eYak developed a server on which regular telephone calls could be converted to IP and the data streams combined and controlled. One interesting application for this, in light of the time's growth of active web communities and web-radio, was the ability to host a call-in radio show entirely over the Web. Callers could connect via telephone or VoIP, and could listen online via streaming audio as well as on the telephone.

The host could view the list of people who had called in to participate (they entered a name when connecting to the service, to be given the call-in number and identifying PIN). The host ccould control who was able to be heard by checking the "on air" box, or disconnect them by pressing the "x" by their name. He could write his own notes about each caller as a memory aid, and view the text questions they sent in via their web interface. Another popular feature enabled the host to play sound clips.

The web listeners would see this panel, in which they could control their streaming audio, send in a text question, or see if there were lines free and get information on what number to call to participate. An ad banner helped pay for the service.

If the host pressed the "web listeners" button they could get a popup listing all web listeners by nickname and see their questions, similar to an IM format, so he could respond to someone who was not on a voice connection.