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The BBC made some significant changes to its site in January which prevented previous releases of Steam from playing some of the stations. Release 3.1 fixes this as well as introducing several exciting new features.

Steam 3.1 The program reads and stores the schedules for the user's choice of BBC Radio and TV stations and displays a list of what's currently on in a small window. It will remind you when a favorite programme is about to start and allow you to quickly start that programme playing through RealNetworks' RealPlayer. New in this release: An "Embedded" player, you no longer need to use the Real Player application (though it must be installed on your system) Now Playing window can show the time in the UK and has even more flexibility in appearance options Added flexibility in using the Find command Personalize the "listen again" page for each station to pick a different URL The Embedded player is a major new feature. As Steam no longer needs to launch a separate application to play the BBC streams, your programme will be playing that much quicker. Having everything in one program makes things that much more convenient. The interface improvements aren't just eye-candy, they make Steam even easier to use. Finally, we've quashed a number of bugs and brought even more consistency to the interface. Download Detailed Documentation

Advantages over just using your browser:

• Schedules only stay on the BBC web site for 24 hours after broadcast and they are gone forever, Steam will retain them for 30 days or any other interval you choose.
• If you use your browser to track what's on you have to use a significant portion of your screen to do so, Steam will fit in a small corner.
• You have to be on-line to read the web site but not to use Steam. Using iCal and iSync you don't even have to be at your computer!
• Steam always shows you times in your own time zone and stitches together in one schedule window what may actually be broadcast on different days in the UK.
• Daylight saving time is automatically taken care of (this is a big deal during the spring for North American users).
• You can simultaneously search all the stations' schedules for several weeks in one second or less (the program you just missed on Radio 4 may be repeated later on the World Service.)
• You can be reminded of the start of particular programmes or any programme whose description matches something or someone you are interested in.

Upcoming Releases

There are lots more new features coming in the next few releases. As well as popping up a reminder, we plan to give Steam the option to speak the reminder, start playing the programme or even to automatically record it for you in your absence. We will also add the 40-odd local radio stations that are now available on the BBC web site.

Shareware Registration

To use this version beyond 30 days you'll need to register and pay a shareware fee. If you've previously sent us a donation you should have received a registration code already. If not, please let us know. If you don't think Steam is worth the modest fee, you may download the old freeware version from the link below.

Flixton Software Home Page

Previous release Steam2.2.dmg.hqx

Email: Problems, suggestions, questions? Email us at FliXton Software