What is TalkSpot?
TalkSpot is a production of WorldStream Communications, Inc., which produces over nine hundred hours of live programming each month via the Internet on several channels. What makes TalkSpot unique is that it provides a fully integrated, live talk show on the Web. It is, in effect, the ultimate online chat. A typical broadcast combines discussion between the host and guests via broadcast sound, a chat "auditorium" where attendees can type in questions for the guest or exchange comments with other attendees, view graphics displayed that reinforce the discussions, see live studio cameras, and participate in surveys. All of this is available in real time--as you watch it. These programs are designed for the new medium of the Internet, and take advantage of current technology. You can even phone in questions to a toll-free telephone number.

Of particular interest to genealogists is the show "Generations: Find Your Roots," which is broadcast each Wednesday evening from 8:00 to 9:00 P.M. ET in the U.S., at http://www.talkspot.com. Hosted by Elon Gasper, the show has been around since March of this year. It features interviews with authors, columnists, software and publishing companies, expert genealogists and contains a wealth of timely information for genealogists of all levels. Recent guests included Cyndi Howells (owner of the famous "Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet" and frequent guest/co-host), Brad Steuart (president of Heritage Quest, talking about their new digitized census CD-ROM products), Myra Vanderpool Gormley (syndicated genealogy columnist with news from the genealogical community), DearMYRTLE (genealogy columnist and author of magazine articles), and Frank Leister (designer of Reunion genealogy software).

Not only can you hear the discussion live and participate, there's also an archive of the audio portion of the broadcasts that you can listen to in case you missed them live.

How Do I Get Involved?
TalkSpot takes advantage of audio-streaming technology. Simply put, as an audio file is broadcast, it is sent to your computer in a stream of many pieces. The initial piece is transmitted and queued up in your computer. The second piece is transmitted while the first piece is played by your computer. This continues until the broadcast is complete, until you terminate the connection, or unless there is an error. Fortunately, your computer and the originating server computer work behind the scenes to correct most transmission errors before it is time for that piece of audio to be played.

Before you can participate in a TalkSpot Generations broadcast, there are several things you need to do in advance of the broadcast:

1) Make sure you have a current Web browser, such as Netscape 4.x or Internet Explorer 4.x or higher.

2) Make sure your computer can handle streamed audio files. An easy way to do this is to go to the TalkSpot Web site and try to play one of their archived Generations broadcasts. Simply go to http://www.talkspot.com/archives/Generations/jul99/ and select a broadcast from the list. Click on the date and, if your computer has an audio player software package installed, such as RealPlayer, and you have your speakers turned on, you'll soon be hearing the archived broadcast.

3) If you don't have an audio software package, never fear. You can download one for free from RealNetworks' site at http://www.realaudio.com/ (Go to the Web site, look for the "Free realplayer G2" box, and click on the "Free Download" link.) Download the file to a directory on your computer and, after the download is complete, locate the file and run it to install the software. (It will link itself to your browser if you have Netscape 4.x or Internet Explorer 4.x or higher.) Once installed, try connecting to the archives as described above.

4) Assuming you have sound now, proceed to the TalkSpot site at http://www.talkspot.com. Click on the item labeled 'Register' at the top left corner of the screen. You have to register yourself to join in the fun. Registration costs nothing; it is only a matter of setting up a login ID and password to get you into the site and to provide an identity for you in the chat auditorium. Once your registration is processed you will automatically be transported to the News & Politics channel so that you can test your new account. Make a note of your login ID and password!

That's all it takes! On any Wednesday evening, prior to 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT in the U.S., go to the TalkSpot Web site. The show's topic will be shown. On the right, you'll see the text, "Click here to login at showtime." Click there and you'll be taken to a screen where you'll be prompted to type in your login ID and password. It takes a few minutes but a new browser window will open, all the components will be loaded and you'll enter the auditorium. (If you have problems with the audio, close the auditorium window and login again.)

On TalkSpot Next Week
I'm very pleased to have been invited to participate on TalkSpot next Wednesday evening, September 1st. I'll be discussing my book, The Genealogy Forum on America Online: The Official User's Guide, and talking about how the Genealogy Forum can help people expand their family history research and solve research problems. I'll also be there on Wednesday, December 1st, to discuss "Genealogy Orienteering: How to Effectively Use Maps in Your Research." I hope you'll join me on TalkSpot's "Generations: Find Your Roots" next week, and I hope you'll make it a part of your weekly routine. It is the newest wave in online discussions on the Internet.

Happy hunting!

George

The article originally appeared in the Genealogy Forum on America Online. You may send e-mail to alonglines@aol.com. George Morgan would like to hear from you but, because of the volume of e-mail, is unable to personally respond to each letter individually. He also regrets that he cannot assist you with your personal genealogical research. Visit George Morgan's new Web page at: http://members.aol.com/alonglines.

George is also the author of "The Genealogy Forum on America Online," which is available in the Ancestry Online Store at: http://shop.myfamily.com/ancestrycatalog/
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