View Full Version : Redirected MP3 links
Craig
Jan 28th, 2005, 10:46 AM
Has anyone experimented with redirected MP3 links for tracking purposes? If so, does it cause problems with any of the podcasting clients?
Craig
Real-ity
Jan 28th, 2005, 12:17 PM
It breaks a bunch of clients. A few can handle it. I've made pretty much everyone aware that I was using it, and wasn't going well. I think most client developers are working on it now, though.
cc_chapman
Jan 29th, 2005, 07:42 AM
I guess I'm not following what or why people are doing this.
Can someone explain?
Craig
Jan 29th, 2005, 09:07 AM
It allows you to track hits to your MP3s if you don't have access to your server log files or if your ISP isn't giving you enough details on your MP3 hits. It also allows to track access to MP3s in realtime if your ISP is only updating your stats every 24 hours.
Craig
cc_chapman
Jan 30th, 2005, 04:40 AM
OH....ok....
FLEB
Jan 31st, 2005, 07:10 AM
Instead of linking directly to the MP3 in the RSS file, you would link to a script (Perl/PHP/ASP/etc.) that would record the "hit", then redirect (using an HTTP Status Code) to the real file.
The only problem is that a lot of clients don't follow HTTP Status Code Redirects.
vinylpodcast
Jan 31st, 2005, 11:58 AM
Funny you should bring this up. I just figured out that a problem I was having with my podcast was related to redirects. Turns out that iPodderX handles redirects without a problem. Evidently iPodder Lemon ignores them. Can't comment on other aggregators.
Real-ity
Feb 1st, 2005, 11:17 AM
I've reccomended nimiq to my listeners and friends who want to listen because redirects work with it for windows users. Ipodder lemon does not work. My feed relies on 30x's, so I hope they all get it working soon.
Daniel
Feb 2nd, 2005, 11:18 PM
Just noticed your thread.
My new client (RSSRadio) works ok with your feed so i'd assume any Windows client written correctly with .net will be fine.
-
RSSRadio
(http://www.dorada.co.uk)
beatfreax
Feb 8th, 2005, 04:52 AM
Has anyone come up with a solution for this problem yet?? I'm really looking for an answer since my podcast has to go live today....
No PHP readfile's or redirects work in iPodder, anyone? Please!
Lance
Feb 8th, 2005, 07:24 PM
PPR handles redirections fine.
beatfreax
Feb 9th, 2005, 12:52 AM
PPR handles redirections fine.
Hmmm, iPodder doesn't... seems like some work to do to get everything compatible (I'm NOT in for another Mac/PC/IE/Mozilla struggle again - this has to be done right from the start I think)
Had to fall back on a PHP file generating the RSS. Can't measure seperate downloads with this, though total number of subscribers do get logged. It's a start :)
shadowfax
Feb 21st, 2005, 08:14 AM
Craig,
Are you using Apache mod rewrite redirects for the code? Or some other way?
I think chuck was using apache but im not sure it is working for everything...
Craig
Feb 21st, 2005, 03:47 PM
I'm not using anything at the moment until I find something that's compatible with all clients. I also don't have full server access with my current host so I'm limited in terms of what I can do.
Craig
dog_spawn
Feb 25th, 2005, 08:40 AM
Craig, you cannot stop doing what you need just because some clients are broken. I sometimes have to mail people to tell them their user-agent has bugs. 9 times ouf of 10 they will fix it within a few days if you give the details. They have usually made an honest mistake and will be happy to hear your comments.
Please everyone, feel free to follow the specs (HTTP as well as RSS). Don't be put off by "dumb clients".
GL
PS If you post the problem user-agents I will email them also.
FLEB
Feb 25th, 2005, 09:08 AM
I would have to say that this is one of the more important issues with clients, although I imagine a lot of users wouldn't cite it, the potential once this bug gets taken care of is tremendous.
TheGeekSpeaks
Dec 6th, 2005, 11:57 AM
Anyone have updates on this topic? Seems like this is still hit or miss when it comes to support by podcatching software. Most importantly though, iTunes doesn't seem to support these.
We are using 302 vs 301 codes (the default in .Net and ASP). Should this make any difference if we are saying permanent or temporary redirects?
Any new input on this subject would be greatly appreciated!
alexkillby
Dec 6th, 2005, 08:52 PM
I always assume that the targeted mp3 file returned the redirected mp3 as a php function. In that case, the client wouldn't notice any difference. That would make most sense, but then I suppose the site doing the redirecting would require alot of processor power and bandwidth.
I just started using podtrac, and it troubles me that some clients now dont work :(