Should We Remove Engadget?

[theFerf]

Okay folks, I am tired of hearing about it, so lets talk about it. This is found in many forums on the site so I thought i would take a formal poll.

Who wants me to remove the Engadget Podcast from the site and why? Here is the deeper sense of the question:

- If I remove the podcast, it is legitimate because it is no longer a valid podcast (no posts since late December 2004). However, the content may or may not still be good (valid dates).
- If I remove the podcast, what are the potential ramifications? The power of podcasting is that you listen to it, when you want to listen to it. If I remove it, this kinda says that you have to continue to make podcasts in order for your previous ones to stay active.
- If I remove this podcast, this will start a prescedant. How long of a time has to pass between podcasts before it is considered inactive, and need to be removed from the directory?

Your Thoughts?

[camilian]

The good thing about podcasts is you can listen to them when you want. If Engadget is still popular I feel it should stay on the site.

[bob]

I completely agree with leaving it up. No where is podcasting defined as "shows that expire in a few weeks"..

It's also a source of motivation that a show that hasn't been produced in months is still kicking most of our butts vote-wise..

[SledHead Radio]

I agree. Leave it up there. They worked hard to establish themselves and it is a good 'cast to listen to. The whole point of this medium is being able to download and reference something at anytime. Maybe bring this topic back up in a month or two.

My 2 cents,
Nick (SledHead Radio)

[Ian]

I voted no. Everyone should remember that it's because they've been around for a while that they are on the top of the charts. Once the "Monthly Top Ten" arrives, I predict that engadget will not make the list.

Ferf, please don't let this issue distract you from completing the monthly top ten system. We're excited about it!

Ian

[Cat]

I agree - I don't think they should be taken off - maybe if it has been a certain amount of time since a show - eg. 3 months, then maybe you can disactivate the voting on that show - and make it an inactive show, but still in the list, so people can enjoy the work that was put into it.

Just my opinion

Cat

[paulc]

The way the voting system works (total num stars), if it is still in the top 10 it means new people are downloading it and rating it.

I vote leave it up. If Engadget close the feed themselves then it should be removed.

[robaustin]

I think it should be removed. The information the podcast provided eventually becomes stale and dated. If they're not making anymore podcasts, then they're "blocking up" one of the top spots on the page - a spot that a more current and "hot" podcast could potentially take up, and use for additional exposure. I've said before here and in other venus that the system as it is now is very flawed. It needs to be better balanced, where votes eventually become stale - so the only way for a podcast to remain on top is to get a steady stream of votes on a regular basis. The amount of time that a votes become "stale" is debatable, but as it is right now - there is little chance of anyone cracking the top 10.

--*Rob

[Ian]

Rob,

You should know that the Ferf is working on a "Monthly Top Ten", which will remove the senority problem the current top ten suffers from. The Monthly Top Ten will give all new podcasts a shot at being #1!

[robaustin]

That is excellent. That, along with an "all time Top Ten" I think would be the way to go. What I was suggesting though was a more dynamic system. Say votes have a freshness of 10 days (or whatever number you want to use). That's 10 actual days - not going by a calendar month basis. So a vote placed today, expires and does not count once you hit March 7 - ten days from now. What that would do would ensure that a more steady stream of votes would be needed, and would be a better indicator of a podcasts' ACTUAL popularity on a daily basis. Because votes can be placed, AND expire on any day, it is much more dynamic. Then - you can also count votes up fromt he same database for a calendar month, or for "votes to date." I know what I'm suggesting is a little more complicated - but what would be really cool about it is that you could poetentially see a lot more podcasts cracking the top ten. Usually there's an initial burst of interest in a podcast, then it might settle in to a top ten or top twenty position if it's really good. If not - maybe it then settles down to 40 or 50 or out of the top 50 - but it had a shot at being recognized.

You could also start a "bubbling under" chart - podcasts that are showing significant gains the past X number of days - but haven't hit the Top 50 yet.

The reason I'm suggesting all this is because ultimately - it would let more podcasts be given the spotlight on any given day. As new people come to the site - they see the top ten and check them out - but a lot of the podcasts that are more "general entertainment don't get a lot of notice. With this - the "mainstays" would still get the recognition they deserve as well the new guys. Everyone wins.

I know I know...some of this is in the works. Just trying to help - because this seems to be "the site" all the media is paying attention to for the top rated podcasts - and if it's not that accurate - the newbies are getting a very skewed version of what's out there.

--*Rob

[Insomnia Radio]

If we removed it, I don't think Eric Rice would be too thrilled about that. :D
Now that he has assumed hosting duties, the show has a shot of adrenaline and someone devoted behind it...[/url]

[theFerf]

Thank for the *BUMP to the top, Jason :)

And I agree, obviously, Engadget should stay...last thing I need is Mr. Rice flying to the PodcastAlley Studios to rip me a new one.

[Larryo]

Engadget finally posted a new podcast on 3.21.05. It sounds better and the production is slicker. Eric Rice is hosting instead of Phillip Torrone. I'm not sure if I like the new format, but will wait and see. Check for yourself:

http://podcasts.engadget.com/entry/1234000970036858/

[spaz]

....they're "blocking up" one of the top spots on the page - a spot that a more current and "hot" podcast could potentially take up, and use for additional exposure....

--*Rob
If the current and "hot" podcast is so hot, why worry about an old podcast...I think it should be left up.