Streamer is a p2p based Shoutcast/Icecast compatible streaming client/server application.

It works by having some listeners (red) who are downloading the audio stream from the server (green) then upload it to other listeners, who in turn upload it to even more listeners, forming a branching tree.

The broadcasting server only sends the stream to a few of them, instead of sending it to every one individually, as happens in conventional client-server systems.

New listeners tag on the the outside edge of the tree, and because each one provides new upload capacity to the network there is no limit to their number. They also move around in the tree according to their upload bandwidth and listening time, and as others leave and join the network. High bandwidth and long-stay listeners tend to move closer to the broadcast server (closer = less hops)

This all means you don´t need an internet connection with a lot of bandwidth to broadcast to a huge number of listeners. A low bandwidth modem connection can work just fine. Higher bandwidth connections naturally increase the quality of the audio that is possible. It´s almost-free broadcasting, for just the cost of a net connection.

It has a built in chat system, with a lobby channel, some other system channels, and a chat channel for each station, so you can chat with the DJ. It uses a gnutella-like mesh to distribute the messages. It also has an embedded web site for each station which streams alongside the audio. This can contain most html tags, images, banners, links etc. Add playlists, a web cam, ad banners, whatever you can think of. (currently though only the index.html is streamed, the other files must be on a web server).

It is a small download, for both listening and broadcasting. It has no spyware or similar crud, won´t put commercials (yuk!) in your stream, make you sign up, ask for money, show plop-ups, etc.