I don't see the player?

To view the SHOUTplay Radio Player, you will need to be using Internet Explorer on a Windows PC (98/2000/XP/Vista).

If your system matches the above requirements and you still do not see SHOUTplay, this is probably because your ActiveX settings, within Internet Explorer, are switched off or not configured correctly.

How to switch your ActiveX on...

ActiveX, like Java and .NET is a tool to provide you with richer, more powerful web content. There are already numerous ActiveX applications available on the Internet for you to enjoy, from online virus checking through to Microsoft Office style word processors and of course, SHOUTplay.

ActiveX is extremely powerful and in essence, when you run an ActiveX web service, you are running a full computer program. So it's worth keeping that in mind when the Internet Explorer Information Bar alerts you that, a website wants to install an ActiveX controller. Just ask yourself the question, 'would I be willing to download and install software on my system from this website?' If the answer to that question is 'No!', then you should reject the request. Remember too that, no legitimate website would try and install ActiveX controls from their homepage or from a page where you would not be expecting this type of request.

So if you approach ActiveX with the same sense of responsibility you employ when deciding whether or not to download a software application, you will remain safe, have more fun and a richer online experience.

In reality, because of increased browser and system security, very little adware etc. is written in ActiveX these days. There are much better ways of writing and delivering that type of stuff without resorting to ActiveX. That said, don't let your guard down!

Now here's how to safely configure Internet Explorer to run ActiveX applications.

1. Within Internet Explorer, open Internet Options. You do this from the

Main Menu > Tools > Internet Options

2. Having opened Internet Options (see above screenshot) select Internet Zone and then click the 'Custom level' button. You will then be presented with a new window, 'Security Settings - Internet Zone' (see below)

3. Scroll down until you find 'Automatic prompting for ActiveX controls' and check the 'Enable' button. Doing this ensures that you are alerted is a website tries to implement ActiveX.

4. Scroll down again until you find 'Download unsigned ActiveX controls' (see below). This should be set to 'Prompt'. NEVER EVER SELECT 'Enable' as this will leave your system vulnerable. SHOUTplay is an 'unsigned' ActiveX application and in common with many other small developers, getting an application 'signed' with a security certificate is an expensive process and one, I simply cannot afford. But with this setting set to 'Prompt' the decision is yours...remember, 'would I download and install software from this website?'

4. Finally, scroll down again until you find 'Run ActiveX controls and plugins' (see below). Again this setting should be set to 'Enable'.

That's it! You are now ready to safely enjoy the rich, interactive content provided by ActiveX and of course, if you now refresh the SHOUTplay Demo Page, you will be able to fully enjoy this service.