Patent ID: 7584291

Claim:
A system management server comprising: a processor; and a memory medium coupled to the processor, wherein the memory medium has stored therein program instructions executable to: receive a request from a client computer to establish a connection over a communication network to receive streaming audio content from a first audio content provider; in response to receiving a subsequent request from the client computer to establish a connection with a second audio content provider, direct the client computer to stop playing streaming audio content from the first audio content provider and to play one or more of a plurality of audio files until the client computer establishes a connection with the second audio content provider and completes buffering a predetermined amount of streaming audio content provided by the second audio content provider; in response to the client computer buffering the predetermined amount of streaming audio content provided by the second audio content provider, direct the client computer to stop playing the one or more audio files and begin playing streaming audio content provided by the second audio content provider; wherein the one or more audio files are distinct from streaming audio content from the first and second audio content providers, and wherein at least one of the one or more audio files provides, when played, an audible identification of one or more of the first and second audio content providers.