Ask HN: Is anyone here deliberately low‑tech? If so, why and how?

I love SomaFM so much. Been a listener for around 20 years, maybe a bit longer. Nice surprise to see this posted today, it must be fate that I happened to wearing my Soma FM t-shirt to work.

ETA: Other stations I listen to sometimes (that have web sites anyway):

https://www.friskyradio.com

https://www.protonradio.com

jdsnape · 1d ago

Your comment made me stop and calculate and I was surprised to find I’m similar. When I really need to focus groove salad has always been my thing. Sometimes I find myself reluctant to putting it on because I know I’ll get sucked into the task and not surface again for a long time.

bityard · 1d ago

Yes! There is also a Groove Salad Classic channel now too.

mooreds · 2d ago

Yeah, it's my go to "heads down" music. It's the only mobile app I've ever paid for[0]. Wish I was in SF to celebrate with everyone.

0: https://www.mooreds.com/wordpress/archives/1666

vFunct · 2d ago

Yep. Same for about 20+ years. IndiePop generally my station while programming.

StefanBatory · 1d ago

After over 20 years of nonstop streaming, Proton Radio is evolving!

Starting August 26th, the 24/7 live stream will officially shut down, and all Proton Radio shows will move to YouTube.

jmclnx · 2d ago

I found them many years ago because Slackware shipped and still comes with "/usr/bin/soma". I still listen and send soma a few $ to keep them going!

Favorites:

* Left Coast 70s

* Mission Control

* Deep Space One

FWIW, Deep Space One is active now :)

bityard · 1d ago

Now I wonder if that's how I found them? Very likely through some open source stream player, at any arte.

captn3m0 · 1d ago

I think I started listening because Clementine shipped with it in the default Radio station list.

ohm · 1d ago

Besides SomaFM I would also recommend https://kexp.org/, https://www.yourclassical.org and FIP radio under Directs section of Radio France app.

YourClassical also has monthly stories for kids podcast https://www.yourclassical.org/podcast/yourclassical-storytim...

lastdong · 1d ago

Congrats SomaFM! It also brings back memories of Monkey Radio, no longer active.

https://web.archive.org/web/20050204025216/http://monkeyradi...

xboxnolifes · 1d ago

I've been using SomaFM for some time now since I saw someone mentioned it on HN a bit back. Synphaera Radio is one of the few sources of music I can listen to that helps me focus rather than being a distraction. Most of the music is the perfect amount of background noise to prevent my mind from wondering.

imperalix · 1d ago

I have been listening to groove salad since high school. I was happy to run into the team at defcon and express my gratitude. Also, if you love the station, don't forget to donate/support[1] them.

1. https://somafm.com/support/

efskap · 1d ago

Discovered groove salad from watching Notch take part in ludum dare game jams. I quickly adopted it as my coding music as well. So great to see they're still going.

ompogUe · 1d ago

First fell in love with Groove Salad.

100% #1 BEST Christmas/Holidays playlists. Topped off with 4 hours of a "Auld Lang Syne" playlist starting at Midnight NYE!

Deprogrammer9 · 1d ago

https://www.bassdrive.com/ has been going longer! ;P

klipklop · 1d ago

So much nostalgia going back to SomaFM. I discovered a lot of music from this site over the years. A good reminder to tune back in.

chickensong · 1d ago

Still have my mug from Y2K (groove salad, secret agent, and drone zone tiles)! Thank you Rusty!

psyclobe · 1d ago

If you want to cool down after a bad trip nothing beats Drone Zone

nunez · 1d ago

Love these folks. Here's to 25 more years of Groove Salad!

jonahbenton · 2d ago

Big congrats. Listener from the beginning

StefanBatory · 1d ago

I love their SF radio with police chatter - I can't explain, but it's just so engrossing. Genuinely my favourite.

Also, I learned about SomaFM in the past from HN too :)

sillyfluke · 2d ago

Not to be confused with Soma Records.