Talking Point: Blogs and PodCasts

[Guest Paul [MVP]]

Talking Point: Blogs and PodCasts

Welcome to 'Talking Point', our 'MoDaCo Feature' for Friday!

Today I want to talk about Blogs and Podcasts. Attached to this topic is a poll, 'Do you read Blogs / listen to PodCasts?'... please submit your answer!

The reason I bring this topic up is because I am trying to start a blog at http://www.PaulOBrien.net, and am having trouble getting into the swing of blogging my thoughts. It's not that I don't have enough interesting things to blog, I think I do, but I just don't immediately think 'ah I must blog that'... it's a mindset thing. There's also the quetsion of course 'Does anyone care?'... self doubt sets in ;)

I have also thought about doing a PodCast (my pubCast idea), but this is currently on hold (not indefinitely) due to time constraints.

If you do read Blogs or listen to PodCasts, it'd also be interesting to know which ones... I'm not short of sites to visit, but I could do with something interesting to listen to in the car on the way to the office!

Anyhow, i'm rambling now... get replying people! ;)

P

[Guest James]

Well, as you might or might not be aware i have a blog on MoDaCo, it the first blog i have ever had.

I really started the blog to keep track or steps that i have taken to progress my current 'project' or current hobbies.

I have no idea also who reads it or keeps up with events?? i would be nice to get some comments once in a while.

But even if no one does read it, i think it make a nice little record a bit like a diary.

I read yours Paul, but i do notice the lack of updates and additions.

KEEP IT UP!

i have tried a few POD Casts but Blogs are much better because of the use of pitcures and other media included.

PS. PLEASE please please let us attach files to Blog entries on MoDaCo!

[Guest Disco Stu]

To be honest I have neither the time nor the energy to pore over the details of other peoples' lives. I struggle to keep up with my own :roll:

[Guest Paul [MVP]]

jlowap, you should be able to upload attachments up to 1MB already?

P

[Guest Alex_le_brit]

I read a couple of my friends' blogs, I haven't yet got into them so much tht I'll go read a random blog, like some people do - to read about someone I don't know at all doesn't interest me, but as a way of keeping up with old friends no dispersed round the world it's not too bad, even though sometimes it remeinds me of those round robin letters you get in some people's Christmas cards.

I think the essence of a good blog is interactivity, to be able to leave comments which are read by the blogger and which get replies keeps my interest in a blog much more even than loads of photos or dancing multi-media.

As for keeping a blog myself, I know what you mean Paul, it's all to do with a mindset and some people perhaps just don't have the right mindset. The advent of Smartphones and blogging ability has helped a lot, because now I can blog at the time I have the thought, and upload it later (I'm not that techno-weenie enough that I'd actually pay to upload a blog on the move, when I know that I can dock my SPV and upload it for free later).

As for podcasting, I do listen but only to "commercial" style podcasts, and I'll often (shh don't tell them) record BBC streamed programmes using Audacity on my PC for podcasting later on my SPV. I'm involved in a podcast project to get English language media for Brits in Brittany, but my biggest problem is that when I play myself back I think I sound like Tony Blair.

I do like the fact that I can use my SPV as a podcorder although the quality is only any good for voice, I'm still looking for a decent microphone I can try with it, to see if it can record live music.

[Guest Rob.P]

I think there are 2 mindsets that can be used with Blogging, the one where it is more a social interaction and your looking for comment, which means youcan end up a bit dispondent.

The other is treating it more like a an internal dialogue, they always say writing stuff down helps clear and re-focus your thoughts. The only drawback being that you get too into this mindset too much and you could forget that there are somethings you still want/need to keep personal. The big advantage being with this mindset is that you can at least forget about feeling paranoid that no-one is looking at, as it's not for others but more for your self.

I have played with the MSNmySpace, I like the idea and I would like to use the Blog for a bit of internal mind clearing especially if I blog about some technical work stuff. I think once my M2000 arrives I might find it easier to carry on with my blog, at the moment my C500 fails miserably to keep up with my life, (poor thing ;) ) ;)

[blimey, I think I've burnt something in my brain, it's too early to be talking like this, COFFEE!]

[Guest nickcornaglia]

BLOGS:

There are a few of blogs I read periodically. But if there is one thing that stinks, it is a blog that is not updated. RSS Feeds help reduce the disappointment of visiting the site to see no new updates...but I have scratched many old favs off my list for this reason.

I tried to start a personal blog. Mostly to update distant family with new family pics and news. But admittedly, is is very hard to get into the swing of updating it, especially when no one is really reading it. My personal site is constantly changing, mostly to learn Flash and HTML, etc. But one thing that never changes is the content. Every new site gets the same content it had originally. After one or two updates...I make another version of the site. The reason for this, I believe is that my blog/website NEVER had a true purpose. This, I believe, is key.

I would classify blogs in two categories, Personal Blogs & Content Specific Blogs.

Personal Blogs are nice when updated regularly and the writer and their content is actually interesting in some way. Whether you personally know them or not. There are some out there that are almost like soap operas and are fun to visit regularly.

Content Specific Blogs are great because you know what you're going there for. Tech, News, Pets, Games, Politics, etc are all great.

The one thing that never works for me are blog sites that combine both. If I'm visiting your site for tech updates, I dont want to read about your personal life. In turn, if I'm interested in your personal happenings, I dont want to read a review of something. Make two different sites if that's what you're after.

In short, blogs should be consistent. Blogs should be updated regularly. Know your readers/potential reader base and cater to them to keep them coming back. Otherwise, you'll fall into the abyss of blogs all over the web that you run across in search engines that were last updated in 2003.

PODCASTS:

I'm just starting to get into podcasts....almost forcing myself to listen to some. I like the idea....but I havn't found a consistent/easy way to update my phone with them to listen to at work or in the car. I wish it were as easy as the radio, where one could just switch to another if it's boring. But because I took the time to download and transfer the podcast...I force myself to listen to it.

I also wish there were a less space consuming way to listen to them. Most are 20 to 40MB. On a PC that's fine....but my preference for Podcasts is mobile. If someone could stream them thru my WMP in an efficient way...I'd be happier.

Does anyone actually download PodCasts via GPRS?

[Guest James]

jlowap, you should be able to upload attachments up to 1MB already?

P

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

nope..... try it!

i cant see the attachment ;)

[Guest Gears]

This is the main reason I ended up doing the PodCasts from my car. Time constraints are pressing down more and more now.

As for my blog, it tends to have fits and spurts - I sometimes do quite a few posts in a week, although maybe not 7 or 8 a day like msmobiles.

Mostly my blog now consists of "stuff that doesn't fit on the site", like funny emails I get, things I've snapped on the C500 while I'm out and about etc.

I've ended up covering photoblogging, regular blogging and podcasting too. Partly because I wanna see who's interested and partly so I know how the whole deal works.

I'd like to see something more from MoDaCo, especially Paul - come on mate, where's all those baby photos on your blog ? You should be putting stuff up like "Man, you should have seen the contents of her nappy this morning! WoooooooooOooooooooooo!!!" ;)

Edited May 13, 2005 by Gears

[Guest simon211175]

I have my own blog at mobile9.com and was really happy to get it....until I found out that I really actually had nothing whatsoever to write about. So much for the budding writer in me.

I read one blog mainly, my brother's at www.joeblade.com.

[Guest rhaleuk]

I really enjoy listening to PodCasts. It feels like a great new kind of entertainment. I love the honesty and oddball comments you get.

My favourite is the Dawn and Drew show, but I also like the MacRumors podcast and DvdReview podcast. I occasionaly listen to the Daily Source Code which is recorded by the guy who basically invented PodCasting: Adam Curry... he's occasionally a bit full of himself and he gets on my nerves a bit.

A similar thing I do, which is not technically podcasting is record Chris Moyles on my BUG DAB Radio and listen to it throughout the day/evening.

In summary, I think radio on deman/podcasting is a great form of passive entertainment.

[Guest www.msmobiles.com]

I occasionaly listen to the Daily Source Code which is recorded by the guy who basically invented PodCasting: Adam Curry... he's occasionally a bit full of himself and he gets on my nerves a bit.

Read here to find out that Adam Curry has not invented podcasting - due to his celebrity status (former MTV VJ) he managed to hijacked this invention for himself and capitalize on it.

Regarding "Talking Point: Blogs and PodCasts" my opinion is such: blogging is not so important but podcasting is much important, so Paul maybe could produce a podcast once monthly or monce weekly - it really doesn't take so much... but what can I know? I know nothing...

[Guest rhaleuk]

Read here to find out that Adam Curry has not invented podcasting - due to his celebrity status (former MTV VJ) he managed to hijacked this invention for himself and capitalize on it.

Regarding "Talking Point: Blogs and PodCasts" my opinion is such: blogging is not so important but podcasting is much important, so Paul maybe could produce a podcast once monthly or monce weekly - it really doesn't take so much... but what can I know? I know nothing...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You are right of course. I just didnt have the patience to explain the whole history/argument at the time. You are definately spot on about him using his "status" to claim credit... but its worked. He's got a 2 year contract with Sirius in the US.

[Guest Disco Stu]

Isn't a podcast just an audio blog ?

[Guest www.msmobiles.com]

Isn't a podcast just an audio blog ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, kind off, but instead of using internet explorer and click on you "download" link of given MP3 file you can download files also automatically with iPodder software. For example websites of some podcasts (non-Windows Mobile) I don't visit at all - each morning I just look into iPodder application that was running in the night on my PC and I copy new podcasts that appeared overnight to my Pocket PC phone to listen to them later!

[Guest]

Most of the comments here seem to relate to the personal type blog, and though I read a lot of blogs via RSS, the vast majority are tech news types. It's a great way to keep up to date with advances in technology.

I agree that regular posting (IMHO) is the secret to a successful blog.

Haven't got into podcasts yet, mainly cos I don't have time, and because I've only a dial-up internet account at the moment.

[Guest nickcornaglia]

http://rsspopper.blogspot.com/2004/10/home.html

I was looking for options other than Newsbreak and came across this FREE PC based solution for reading RSS Feeds and Podcasts.

It creates folders in your Outlook. You could then sync or autosync and then read the news items like email.

I would guess if you were syncing via Exchange...this is a cool solution for you. Since I am not...it's a cool, free PC solution.

[Guest Alex_le_brit]

http://rsspopper.blogspot.com/2004/10/home.html

I was looking for options other than Newsbreak and came across this FREE PC based solution for reading RSS Feeds and Podcasts.

It creates folders in your Outlook. You could then sync or autosync and then read the news items like email.

I would guess if you were syncing via Exchange...this is a cool solution for you. Since I am not...it's a cool, free PC solution.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's great, thanks. I was using Newsbreak as a free trial, but I would only ever use it via activesync anyway, so this seems like a good alternative and I don't have to pay ;)