People like podcasts - bit-tech.net Forums

WilHarris · 21st Jul 2006, 14:58

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2006/07...like_podcasts/

Firehed · 21st Jul 2006, 17:53

I must agree. Free, decent length (most of mine are 1hr+), and entirely or nearly ad-free, and usually pretty decent content.

Rich_13 · 22nd Jul 2006, 14:24

I disagree... it seems more like a "do you like them" question which won't consider how many people dislike them.

In fact if we can make a poll lets do that. :-D i'd like to see the results..

Bindibadgi · 22nd Jul 2006, 15:44

I dont see why anyone would dislike them? It's just radio - when you want it. And global. And there are so many on loads of subjects you've got to find one you like.

Laitainion · 22nd Jul 2006, 23:39

That's the bit I don't understand, they're just audio files, why oh why the need to call them 'podcasts', and what's so mobile about them? again, they're just mp3s with non-music content, I really just don't understand why anyone thinks they're anything special or new or inventive. Don't even get my started on the name, I am sick to the back teeth with Apple's iSpagtastic naming convention and the blooming iPod/iTunes vendor lock in. In fact, Apple just annoy me generally...

Sorry about the rant, it was a difficult day at work (yes, I work weekends, have work again tomorrow... *sighs*) and needed to blow off some steam.

RTT · 22nd Jul 2006, 23:49

It isn't that the actual making or concept of podcasting that is new - the newness is that people are perhaps shifting from listening to (or not even having) dedicated tech radio shows and are now getting their content from the net, Laitainion. Like, the net is making shows like TWiT possible, where as that kind of show wouldn't get any air time on a national radio station

careyd · 23rd Jul 2006, 05:34

Well, the most common accepted definition of a podcast is media (audio/video/other) attached to an RSS feed or some other similar mechanism that allows subscription and automatic updating of content.

Podcasts are wonderful because they are the catalyst for the sea change in the democratization of content and a revolution in content distribution.

Most of the successful podcasts so far have been niche-type content. The kind of content that builds significant audiences across the global internet yet would have a hard time building enough share to garner a spot in any given traditional local media market. It's also by an large much more user and producer controlled content. Even though big media are getting into the podcast game, the exciting part about podcasting is the leveling of the playing field by which the little guy has a shot at publishing/'broadcasting' his stuff out there with minimal risk and red tape.

The portability aspect is exciting to a consumer because now there is a way to redeem time otherwise spent commuting, etc. where you pretty much were stuck with whatever the mainstream media were offering...this is a chance to have *YOUR* content on demand on your schedule...on the go. The portability aspect is exciting to content creators/distributors because now they have a better shot at connecting with their audience. Several more hours of consumable media time just opened up each week for most people.

Shows like This Week in Tech have been most successful initially because the early adopters are generally a tech-savvy audience and are proving by the hundreds of thousands each week that there is a huge potential market for quality tech content. BTW I love it when Wil Harris guests on the show and wish Leo would have him on every week! This Week in Tech is really a great show.

Anyway, I know I listen to as many podcasts as I can and many/most are tech oriented, because that is my interest. I listen to many in my office while working but also in the car. I actually get behind on the video podcasts more than the audio ones because the video ones demand more of my attention and make it harder to multitask while listening/viewing than audio

Carey

Firehed · 23rd Jul 2006, 12:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laitainion

That's the bit I don't understand, they're just audio files, why oh why the need to call them 'podcasts', and what's so mobile about them? again, they're just mp3s with non-music content, I really just don't understand why anyone thinks they're anything special or new or inventive. Don't even get my started on the name, I am sick to the back teeth with Apple's iSpagtastic naming convention and the blooming iPod/iTunes vendor lock in. In fact, Apple just annoy me generally...

Sorry about the rant, it was a difficult day at work (yes, I work weekends, have work again tomorrow... *sighs*) and needed to blow off some steam.

By definition, a podcast is compressed audio files (almost always MP3) that are linked to through an RSS feed. It just got the name since the iPod has something like 80% of the market. I rarely listen to mine on the go, especially since hooking my iPod up to the car (either by line-in cable or cassette adaptor) is a bit of a pain, especially when actually driving, and I'm rarely in a place away from the house where I can listen to a podcast.

I gave up on radio about the same that I got a 48x CD burner. Podcasting just lets me get content I didn't already have but still interests me. And yes, Wil, you need to become a proper regular on TWiT, or start a BitCast (I'd chat if I ever buy a mic

)

ghounds07 · 24th Jul 2006, 03:37

I guess I make up one of the 94% of users who don't use podcasts...oh well.

airchie · 24th Jul 2006, 15:00

I've started listening to the 'Security Now' podcasts with Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte lately and I really like them.
I always learn something.

ie, I learned that wireless networks are nowhere near secure unless you have WPA-PSK encryption on them.
MAC filtering and SSID hiding to jack.
WEP is so badly broken its scarily easy to hack now.

www.grc.com/securitynow F-T-W!

21st Jul 2006, 14:58	#1
WilHarris Just another nobody Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Oxford Posts: 2,671	People like podcasts http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2006/07...like_podcasts/

21st Jul 2006, 17:53	#2
Firehed Why not? I own a domain to match. Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: An hour north of Boston Posts: 12,576	I must agree. Free, decent length (most of mine are 1hr+), and entirely or nearly ad-free, and usually pretty decent content. __________________ hire me @ eric-stern.com - web developer and php ninja pics @ my smugmug :: Twitter @firehed :: blog @ firehed.net 40D\|580EXII\|285HV\|AB800\|70-200f/4LIS\|17-50f/2.8\|150f/2.8Macro\|50f/1.8 MacPro @ 8x2.8GHz, 10GB FBDDR2, 3TB HD :: MBP @ 2x2.2GHz, 4GB DDR2, 320GB HD

22nd Jul 2006, 14:24	#3
Rich_13 Hypermodder Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: London /Essex Uni Posts: 716	I disagree... it seems more like a "do you like them" question which won't consider how many people dislike them. In fact if we can make a poll lets do that. :-D i'd like to see the results.. __________________ [Gaming laptop:][Intel Cour Duo2 T7200 ] [Nvidia7900GS GO] [1920x1200 display] [2GB DDR][Creative 6.1's ] My blog

22nd Jul 2006, 15:44	#4
Bindibadgi Richard Swinburne bit-tech Staff Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Omnipwntent Posts: 28,275	I dont see why anyone would dislike them? It's just radio - when you want it. And global. And there are so many on loads of subjects you've got to find one you like. __________________ Made you look, made you stare, made you clicked this in your underwear! Den of Geek!

22nd Jul 2006, 23:39	#5
Laitainion Minimodder Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Loughborough, UK Posts: 44	That's the bit I don't understand, they're just audio files, why oh why the need to call them 'podcasts', and what's so mobile about them? again, they're just mp3s with non-music content, I really just don't understand why anyone thinks they're anything special or new or inventive. Don't even get my started on the name, I am sick to the back teeth with Apple's iSpagtastic naming convention and the blooming iPod/iTunes vendor lock in. In fact, Apple just annoy me generally... Sorry about the rant, it was a difficult day at work (yes, I work weekends, have work again tomorrow... sighs) and needed to blow off some steam.

22nd Jul 2006, 23:49	#6
RTT bwarp Moderator Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Berkshire Posts: 12,985	It isn't that the actual making or concept of podcasting that is new - the newness is that people are perhaps shifting from listening to (or not even having) dedicated tech radio shows and are now getting their content from the net, Laitainion. Like, the net is making shows like TWiT possible, where as that kind of show wouldn't get any air time on a national radio station

23rd Jul 2006, 05:34	#7
careyd Minimodder Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: minneapolis, mn, usa Posts: 22	Well, the most common accepted definition of a podcast is media (audio/video/other) attached to an RSS feed or some other similar mechanism that allows subscription and automatic updating of content. Podcasts are wonderful because they are the catalyst for the sea change in the democratization of content and a revolution in content distribution. Most of the successful podcasts so far have been niche-type content. The kind of content that builds significant audiences across the global internet yet would have a hard time building enough share to garner a spot in any given traditional local media market. It's also by an large much more user and producer controlled content. Even though big media are getting into the podcast game, the exciting part about podcasting is the leveling of the playing field by which the little guy has a shot at publishing/'broadcasting' his stuff out there with minimal risk and red tape. The portability aspect is exciting to a consumer because now there is a way to redeem time otherwise spent commuting, etc. where you pretty much were stuck with whatever the mainstream media were offering...this is a chance to have YOUR content on demand on your schedule...on the go. The portability aspect is exciting to content creators/distributors because now they have a better shot at connecting with their audience. Several more hours of consumable media time just opened up each week for most people. Shows like This Week in Tech have been most successful initially because the early adopters are generally a tech-savvy audience and are proving by the hundreds of thousands each week that there is a huge potential market for quality tech content. BTW I love it when Wil Harris guests on the show and wish Leo would have him on every week! This Week in Tech is really a great show. Anyway, I know I listen to as many podcasts as I can and many/most are tech oriented, because that is my interest. I listen to many in my office while working but also in the car. I actually get behind on the video podcasts more than the audio ones because the video ones demand more of my attention and make it harder to multitask while listening/viewing than audio Carey

24th Jul 2006, 03:37	#9
ghounds07 What's a Dremel? Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Duluth, MN Posts: 9	I guess I make up one of the 94% of users who don't use podcasts...oh well.