[BC] WideOrbit Automation

[SteveOrdinetz]

I've been using Google Radio Automation for about a year and a half 
at one of my sites.  All in all, it's pretty solid.  I have one PD 
who manages to crash it occasionally, but for the most part it runs 
well.  I don't think I've had to reboot the server except when I've 
done MS updates...this compared to the old Scott dispatch that needed 
it weekly.
One of the stations is a news-talker that's probably 90% satellite, 
with a large number of sources.  It handles 2 BTools 16x4 switchers 
no problem.  Writing templates is a snap...the PD picked it up in no 
time.  The airstaff seems to like it, much more than the Maestro that 
it replaced.

My biggest complaint, one that Wide Orbit seems to not want to deal 
with is the lack of a good production workstation audio interface 
(ie-a simple, intuative way do dub in audio).  They insist on using a 
kluged version of Adobe Audition 3.  Our programming/production staff 
HATED it.  The installer ended up using a slightly hacked version of 
TLC (which is what our programming people used with SS32).  It's not 
completely compatible, and I understand even less compatible with 
newer builds of GRA, but it gets the job done.  I understand the 
rationale behind using AA since production staffers are already 
familiar with it, but the GRA interface is clunky and only one-way 
(ie- no easy way to search for existing audio by title/artist (or 
client name).  I'm also opposed since it's too easy to do the actual 
production in GRA instead of the production computer, and eating up 
drive space with various workparts.