Chicago - Sep 1, 2007 - In planning its on-air, online community called Vocalo, Chicago Public Radio planned to reach a diverse audience through both channels. The effort also includes a new broadcast format that touts the cultures and communities of the Chicago region. To accomplish the online portion, Chicago Public Radio contracted Optaros to help bring its vision to life. Optaros developed a social networking site that targets all population segments.

The site was developed using the Drupal content management system and the Optaros video Web service plug-in for Drupal. The Optaros Integrated Assembly Environment (IAE) provided for a seamless transition from solution assembly to support and ongoing enhancements.

Available at vocalo.org and at WBEW-FM 89.5 (Chesterton, IN), radio programming consists of a collage of commentaries, personal stories, local satire, music and other content originally uploaded to the website.