Droxy (Digital Radio)

New York Times launches podcasts

Chris Thilk — 2006-01-27T14:06:00+00:00

According to Steve Rubel the New York Times has launched a couple of new podcasts. One will be a daily recap of the day's biggest stories and the other - and this seems like kind of an odd choice - is a music review show. Steve doesn't seem to have all his facts straight, though. Or at least he hasn't checked for an update. In his post he says the shows are available only through iTunes but if you check the podcast page on the Times website you'll see a button to add the show to My Yahoo or just grab the generic RSS feed. Anyway, if you're interested check them out.

[graphic via Rubel as well]

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Droxy's Love/Hate Relationship with The Daily Source Code

Ryan Saghir — 2005-09-28T07:10:40+00:00

Filed under: Reviews

Adam Curry is the Podfather. We know that, great. We can't give Adam, and of course Dave Winer, enough credit for not only creating Podcasting but also pushing the medium to become what it has. Much respect in that regards.

But this isn't about Adam Curry as a person or about what he's accomplished - this is about The Daily Source Code. There's a battle of emotions that ensues within me whenever I listen to The Daily Source Code, and unfortunately I feel like I *must* listen to it for the hope of hearing some juicy info about the Podcasting Community.

Now, I know DSC has a massive following so I'm probably opening myself up to a public flogging by criticizing it, but I can't hold this in any longer. Continue reading Droxy's critique of The Daily Source Code after the jump...
The whole reason why I love Podcasting is because it's NOT Terrestrial Radio. I don't want to listen to wacky-radio-DJ with their awful segways and scripted babble. I'm sick and tired of repetitive formats and that goddamn fake radio voice. But when I listen to The Daily Source Code, that's exactly what I hear.

(ducking)

I know, I've criticized The Holy One. I'm sorry. Allow me to continue.

Everytime you listen to DSC, it's almost the SAME THING for every day. No? Don't agree? Here's the pattern I hear nearly every episode:

(Intro)
1. Tell the current time of recording.
2. Give weather report.
3. Briefly bring a personal discussion to the table (helps audience relate and establishes a personal connection).
4. Give a teaser of what today's podcast is about.
5. Play music.
6. Talk a little about current events. This could include personal/business relations (PodShow) or news.
7. Play promos.
8. Talk a bit more about news and stuff. (When PodShow/Adam/iPodder/PodSafe Music Network are criticized publically, insert retort here).
9. Play promos.
10. Play Hit-Test (or equivalent).
(End Music)

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's a BAD Podcast. How could I? I continue to listen to it for almost an entire year now (has it been a year already?!), but there's times when I just throw down the headphones in disgust because I just can't stand hearing the same crap over and over again. But then again, DSC has an odd draw to it that keeps me subscribed, but at certain times makes me wonder why the hell I just wasted all that time listening to it. Maybe it's the fact that I so need a daily podcast? Maybe it's the Senseo burps? Maybe it's the fact that I find myself yelling "THE POWER OF YOUR INTELLECT" in an empty bathroom for the echo effect?

Like I said, it's a love/hate relationship.

Look, I know it's not an easy thing to do to come up with a near-daily podcast, and creating a format to adhere to can really help speed things up. I also understand that Adam Curry is one busy man with everything he's got his hand in. So maybe I'm being rough on the guy and need to cut him some slack. Right?

Maybe it's the fact that I know Adam Curry's background is in broadcasting, so he's essentially trained to use that lovely deep "radio voice" - and something about it just rubs me the wrong way. The purist in me makes me feel that I'm being duped that into believing this is a true "indie" podcaster talking to himself alone in a room. Maybe the radio-voice, the formats, the well crafted intro music and perfectly timed segways, just leave me with a bad taste in my mouth and it upsets me that I can't be entertained by something with less bling-bling.

I don't, what's everyone elses opinion? Daily Source Code - love it or hate it?

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Diggnation: Why we Digg it so much

Ryan Saghir — 2005-08-16T16:36:32+00:00

Filed under: Reviews, Technology

Diggnation, the weekly podcast for the social bookmarking engine Digg.com, is now on it's seventh episode and in only a month and a half has taken Podcasting audiences by storm. Within it's first few weeks, it quickly shot up the ranks of the iTunes Podcast Directory (as well as other directories), and has in the process created a fan-following for a Podcast like no other (buy your t-shirts here).

Why has it grown so quickly in popularity? Sure, you can attribute it to the huge number of the Digging masses subscribing to the show (not to mention the iTunes hack *cough*) but Diggnation hasn't just jumped in popularity and fizzled out, it continues to grow by leaps and bounds. And to tell you the truth, it's one of the only Podcasts I listen to that I can't wait to hear the next episode. It truly captures you from beginning to end.

So let's disect it a bit and maybe we can learn a thing or two from Diggnation's skillz.

The Opening Music. Lasting no longer than 15 seconds, Diggnation starts off with different music everytime (ok, Episode #6 had a quote from the movie "Fear and Loathing"). Usually the music is something with some hype behind it, so you get revved up immediately.
The Introductions. Next, Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht always announce the episode number, the name of the podcast, and the basic purpose of the podcast on EVERY EPISODE. This is key for people who subscribe to a billion podcast feeds and for new listeners alike.
The Beer. On every episode of Diggnation, both Kevin and Alex pound back some beers while chatting with us. It's a nice touch because you get the feeling that you're hanging out with the crew bullshitting about geek stuff. Plus it adds an ongoing bit they can fall back on (snarfing the beer, talking about how it's going to their head, dropping it, etc) to prevent dead-air.
The Voice. Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht actually DON'T have the classic deep "Radio Voices" we've been exposed to for so long on terrestrial radio. They also don't do the cheesy wacky-radio-guy "Heeyyy everybody!" voice either. No, instead they talk normally as if they were talking to a group of people in front of them. What's really nice is that both Kevin and Alex have very distinct voices. You can tell one apart from the other very quickly and that makes for a more exciting recording.

Their voices also keep you awake. Sure, they're both ex-TechTV guys, so they understand the basics in broadcasting, but they break the mold of classic broadcasting by speeking very rapidly, which only serves to fortify the geeky aspect of the show. They have a level of excitment in their voices that really keeps the listener tuned in. Pitch, tempo, clarity - all these things are extremely important when Podcasting.
The Personality. Each Diggnation Podcast has a purpose - to talk about the top stories of the week - but it's the comedy and human side of Diggnation that connects the listner to them. Alex serves as almost the comic-relief while Kevin balances him out - perfect. They talk about the stories, and then veer off into a tangent that leads to crazy discussions that a bunch of friends would be having while just hanging out.

And I think that's really the beauty of Diggnation - just a bunch of geeks just hanging out talking about geek stuff. The sound quality if great, the conversation is awesome, and you feel connected with them. Not like listening to a guy in a room talking to himself, but rather as part of the Digg experience.

I digg it.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Podcast review: Pirate Weather

Kevin C. Tofel — 2005-07-23T07:36:48+00:00

Filed under: Podcasting, Reviews

Ok, so this isn't what you would typically consider a podcast, but it's a great use of RSS and podcasting technology. Pirate Weather provides local weather for every zip code in the United States on their website. The weather information is very detailed and rivals that of more well known sites. Pirate Weather provides something that the other sites don't however: the ability to subscribe to weather forecasts via RSS, and more importantly, weather conditions via podcast!

To receive a voice-synthesized version of your weather via podcast, simply subscribe to the Pirate Weather feed. The link will tell you to add your zipcode to the end of the URL; we tried to write this post so it work for everyone's zip code, but we can't do all of the work.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Interscope's Rock Podcast

Ryan Saghir — 2005-07-22T09:53:56+00:00

Filed under: Podcasting, Reviews, Tunes

The major record rabel Interscope recently released The Rock Podcast program through Apple's iTunes. The first episode contains tracks from a number bands published by the label (like NIN, U2, and AudioSlave)with interviews and other good stuff coming in the future.

This level of endorsement from a major record label like Interscope shows that the industry has quickly embraced this medium as a way to promote their artists.

While I think it's great, it would be even better if they included the entire song in the Podcast, truly embracing it as a replacement for radio - but only adding snippets, it's just not the experience that Podcasting should be.

(via Punknews.org)

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Podsafe Music Network

Ryan Saghir — 2005-07-18T14:23:13+00:00

Filed under: Music, Podcasting, Reviews

The Podsafe Music Network was officially announced to the public on last Friday's Daily Source Code and after spending several days messing around on it, I have to give this thing a 5 star review. It's really truly an amazing resource, for both the Podcaster and the Musician. For the Podcaster, we finally have the ability to easily find and play Podsafe Music to our heart's desire. For the Musician, there's now the ability to publish your music in an organized method, and most importantly, to allow your music to propegate throughout different Podcasts.

For unsigned artists, this marks the true beginning of a revolution. In the past, being an "indie" musician meant having to go from gig to gig, and praying to be played on the local college station. That was really the only way for the word to spread about you. With Podcasts, we now have a mass distributed method of exposure. It's like Syndicated College Radio. The Podsafe Music Network puts it all under one area, and best of all they "get it" when it comes to the balance of making money and providing a service.

Awesome. Three thumbs up. 5 Stars. Great job boys, keep it coming.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Podcast Review: SIRIUS' Lance In France

Ryan Saghir — 2005-07-15T17:37:17+00:00

Filed under: Sports, Reviews

It's not a common occurence when you hear about a Satellite Radio company offering up Podcasts. Afterall, Podcasts are free (or should be) and Satellite Radio isn't free (nor should it be). Both are considered to be competition to each other, though each providing a much needed alternative to Terrestrial's boring portfolio.

So when you see a Podcast offered up by Sirius Satellite Radio, eyebrows raise and ears perk up. Enter the Lance In France Podcast. Short, quick, audio snippets updating the curious Tour de France masses with Lance's progress. Nothing fancy, just what you want when you want it.

Sirius uses this as a promotional vehicle, which is neither unexpected nor overly annoying. In fact, it's done "just right" in a way that not only provides the listener with the updates they want, but captivates us in a way that makes us desire more. Perfect.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Podcast Review: The Governator speaks

Chris Thilk — 2005-06-07T22:20:05+00:00

Filed under: Podcasting, Reviews

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has launched a podcast. I give points to Ahhnoold for his enthusiasm but there's not a whole lot of substance to what he's talking about. It's basically a five or six-minute state of the state report about how just unbelievably fabulous California is doing and how things are just great and destined to get better. The podcast is worth listening to if for no other reason than to hear Schwarzenegger say "Calleeeforneea" about a half-dozen times. He also seems to get tired about two minutes into it which raises all kinds of speculation about how many takes he had to do for his movies.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments