KRUU models Open Source Radio

KRUU is a community FM station of the new "low power" breed that is intended to serve local areas with noncommercial programming. As the FCC puts it, "The approximate service range of a 100 watt LPFM station is 5.6 kilometers (3.5 miles radius). In KRUU's case that range nicely covers the town of Fairfield, Iowa. The station's Web stream, however, is unconstrained by those physical limitations. I listen to it in Santa Barbara, and it's already one of my faves.

The station's About page tells why it's especially relevant and cool:

KRUU's commitment to community also extends to the software and systems that are in place at the station. All the computing infrastructure uses only Free software (also sometimes termed Open Source software). The Free in this case is in reference to freedom, and not cost - all the software comes with the underlying source code, and we contribute all our changes, edits and suggestions back to the Free software community. The reasons for using Free software go far beyond the scope of cost. KRUU wishes to build local knowledge using systems that do not impose restrictions or limitations on use. To this end we support software that is licensed under a "copyleft" or "open" clause, and content that is licensed under Creative Commons.

The word "open" runs through everything KRUU plays and values. From 5-6am seven days a week they run the "Open Source Radio Hour". And that's just the top of the freeberg.

For listening with Linux, they profile XMMS, Banshee, Amarok, VLC and RhythmBox. They stream in MP3, but they also podcast in Ogg Vorbis. I listen to a lot of radio online, and I don't know of a station that's more committed to free software and open source values than this little one. Find them at kruufm.org.

— Doc Searls