Automatic PODCAST RSS Feed Creation
Whant to Automatically update your RSS feed whenever you create new audio?
If you are like me, and have tons of productions and projects filling up every available minute of your time, you would probably love a script that could automate the process of updating your RSS FEED whenever you create new audio for your Podcast.
I have found such a script. It's FREE and it works great!
It's called DirCaster, and the new version is v0.4.
Drop this script in a directory and it will generate an RSS feed suitable for iPodder, etc based off the MP3 files in that directory. To 'cast a new file, simply upload it to the directory containing this script. It's really that easy.
I've been using this script since day one and it has been a very welcome addition to the whole process.
This script does require that your server supports PHP4 or greater.
You will need to edit some of the text in the file to make it reflect your feed.
That's it.
While this script does work great if your using a PHP website, perhaps on a Unix box, it is a little tricky to get working if you are using NT, especially with FrontPage.
My main website uses the FrontPage extensions. We do this so that the crew that updates the website can do so very easily. It has it's pluses and it's downsides. In fact, probably more downsides than upsides. We will be leaving this to a straight PHP website in the near future, but for now, we wrestle that monster known as Microsoft.
I have been able to get the script to work. I had to adjust some variables, especially the ones that determine root URL, but once it was done, it has worked great.
Give it a try.
DirCaster v0.4 by The Shady Dentist Click Here Check out my latest
Comedy Audio and
Parody SongsWebsite Design and Marketing
Podcasting on Ebay?!?!
You know you’ve made it when….
I was browsing through Ebay looking for a telephone hybrid for my studio, when what did I see? It was an auction on Ebay claiming that the particular Hybrid was “Perfect for Podcasting”.
Perfect for Podcasting?,
Well folks, Podcasting is now a selling point for equipment. Wow.
FYI. A telephone hybrid is a device that allows a production studio, or broadcast studio, to incorporate phone calls into their mix. A Hybrid properly balances a telephone line so that you can record or play telephone calls in your studio or over the air. You are able to converse with the caller via your studio microphone, while recording their audio over the board. Every radio station uses them. It’s the professional way to take phone calls. There are many great models and versions, but I recommend a digital hybrid. Telos makes great units.
Well, it was only a matter of time before Podcasting became a selling point for something. What next? This Chair is great for Podcasting….
Who's Listening?
Yesterday, a friend of mine who works as a DJ in radio asked me a good question. Who’s listening to your Podcast? Who would listen to any Podcast?
It’s important to understand that to radio guys Podcasting is a joke without much merit. They can’t understand why anybody would want to listen to amateurs ramble on about nothing. To those that have heard a Podcast, these “amateurs” usually deliver their shows with the same bad habits that weekend rookie DJ’s exhibit. Unfortunately, in many cases they are correct.
In radio, as with television, shows or programs that have bad announcers, and poor production, usually rank very low in the ratings and are eventually cancelled. Radio personalities are trained to not make these mistakes because over the years they have learned what works and what fails. Poor show planning, aimless vamping, and mindless banter, all fall under the category of what does not work. DJ’s that use crutch phrases, have poor annunciation, exhibit odd vocal habits while talking, such as smacking their tongue against the roof of their mouth, eventually annoy their listeners to the point that they receive horrible ratings and are subsequently fired.
On the other hand, DJ’s that plan out what they are going to talk about, execute their conversations correctly, and refrain from bad habits, are rewarded with higher ratings, more listeners, and notable careers. Experienced DJ’s exhibit charisma and enthusiasm that can be considered contagious and often draw listeners into the conversation. There is much than can be said about delivery and style and its’ ultimate effect on cumulative listeners. As my boss use to say, “The proof is in the numbers”.
As of the time of this post, there are over 2000 Podcasts listed at Ipodder.org and the number grows every day. It’s honest to say that 99% of those Podcasts are performed by amateurs with very little, to none, broadcasting experience. It’s also true that more and more professional broadcasters and radio shows have responded to the Podcast movement by adapting versions of their show especially for Podcast. What we have is a huge eclectic mix of amateur and professionals providing unique audio available for Free download.
So then, who would listen to these amateur Podcasters?
The answer is anyone and everyone. I know that one of my shows has been downloaded almost 15,000 times, with new people downloading it everyday. I have received emails from all over the world complimenting me on the Podcast with requests for future shows. I’ve heard that some of the older and more popular Podcasts have 10’s of thousands of subscribers. There is little doubt that anyone with an IPOD or other portable MP3 players is a prime candidate for listening to Podcasts, however anyone with a PC and speakers is fair game. People are always looking for something new and entertaining, especially if it’s free. Add the fact that Podcasts are uncensored and free of government influence and you have a ripe media ready for the picking.
The future of Podcasting looks good; however the landscape will certainly change. With 2000 plus Podcasts already to choose from, new listeners will find that many of the feeds will contain boring content delivered by amateur personalities over low quality equipment. I’m sure many newbies to the media could quickly become disenchanted with the whole process and quit, especially after waiting forever to download 40 minutes worth of audio only to find out that the Podcast totally sucks.
New Podcasters will find that the initial rush of doing a Podcast will fade, especially after they realize how much work it takes to do an entertaining show on a regular basis. I’ve known many a new radio personality to come to the same realization. Doing a quality show is hard work, it takes time, and thought, and planning. It requires a commitment that many people just can’t make, especially when there is no money in it.
The real Podcasting talent will survive this over saturation and eventually rise to the top, while the less talented and trite shows will undoubtedly fade away. This is the nature of all media. New listeners will enjoy browsing through the listings of unusual shows and eventually find favorites that they will patronize. This is the same thing that happens with cable T.V., hundreds of channels, but you really only end up watching a couple of your favorites. It’s the same with Satellite radio, the variety is nice, but you always go back to your favorites.
I believe that due in part to the vast amounts of portable MP3 players sold around the world that a huge number of technologically savvy people will find that Podcasting is a viable solution to providing unique and quality entertainment to compliment their ongoing mobile music library. Eventually, a business model will arise and pollute, as well as, propel Podcasting into the future. Some of the early pioneers will grow with it; most will fade away into obscurity. This is the way all media grows and the way talent grows with it.
Who’s listening? I am. Better yet.. Who’s Podcasting?
What kind of show should I Podcast?
Podcast Format?
So, after several Podcast's, I have found myself at a dilemma.
What kind of show do I want to do?
Of course, the majority of Podcasts are either low budget talk shows consisting of one or two people talking over a computer microphone, or they are a mini music show with a "dj" introducing RIAA free songs. It would be easy to do either, however I'm just not sure.
My first thought was to do a highly produced show, featuring some of my favorite radio elements, as well as, featuring some comedy bits and parody songs. In fact, that is exactly what you hear in my first Podcast, heavy production and polished content. The first show received many positive emails, however I thought it lacked many things. I wasn't all that pleased with it.
My second Podcast was the complete opposite. Instead of the heavy production I opted for spontaneity and improvisation. Once again, the Podcast received many positive emails and seemed to be very well received. Upon listening to it myself, I found that it was very similar to the majority of Podcasts and had a nice natural flow to it. The only flaw that I could find to this style Podcast was that it almost seemed like an audio diary, somewhat aimless and pointless. I really couldn't see myself doing this sort of show on a continuous basis without feeling like some kind of dork meandering around in a mindless haze.
So, we are back to the original point. What kind of Podcast to do?
A friend of mine called me on his cell phone just the other day. He was listening to his IPOD while driving home from work. He had the IPOD on random shuffle. As he was talking, I could hear the music change in the background, and at one point one of my parody commercials played. It sounded great! It sounded like some crazy ass radio station from the twilight zone. I mentioned it to him, and he told me that the comedy bits and parody songs made the shuffle sound better.
It occurred to me that maybe, rather than doing a "show", I should do little audio snippets, parody commercials, comedy bits, news, whatever, and Podcast them. This way listeners could use them in their IPOD's along with their songs and shows.
I really don't know, and that's a good part about Podcasting. You don't need to know. You have the freedom to experiment without the risk of failure or loosing your job.
Any ideas?
