New Voting Online & Awesome New Features!

[theFerf]

Hey PodcastAlley Locals, Lovers or Visitors, this is your site admin, theFerf coming to you with some exciting news! There is a new voting script online and ready for you to use!

Whats so New about it?
- The new system is not a 5 star system. Show your support once a month by voting for each podcast you like. If you dont like a certain podcast, then dont vote for it. Each listener gets one vote per podcast a month.
- The new system allows you to leave a comment when you vote! Let your favorite podcasters hear what you have to say about them and how their show is progressing.

What Else is NEW on the Site?
- You can now see the details of each individual podcast including: votes, comments, genre, you can see previous podcasts and much more!

Did I hear Something about a Podcast Player?
- You are **** skippy! When you click in to "see details" about a podcast, look for the podcast player button. This will pop open a player for this podcaster and allow you to stream or sample all the shows they have online!

WOW, Whats Next?
- Well, if i told you all the secrets, there wouldnt be any more fun posts like this one! But I can tell you, there is LOTS more on the way! Have some ideas for me? Send them my way. You can reach me at info | @ | podcastalley.com

Thanks to all of you for making this site so wonderful!

[cc_chapman]

You can now see the details of each individual podcast including: votes, comments, genre, you can see previous podcasts and much more!


When I clicked on one of the links to a new podcast I see the new layout, but I don't see anything similar on most of the older podcasts. Is it just something that your doing bit by bit?

Dig the new voting system

[theFerf]

i didnt think anyone else but me was up at 4:30am on the website. You must have caught a page between updates. As far as i know, everything is updated and should be working.

and thanks! (about the voting)

[notyourusualbollocks]

Hey Chris - well done, particularly the streaming option. That just makes it so more convenient for anyone to listen to shows. One thing - my show seems to have lost all of it's comments. This seems to be the case for other shows as well.

MK

[allthewhile]

Personally, I would take off the "get podcast" link as it's redundant. The get details page is much better, and provides access to the same information.

[allthewhile]

the archived comments for dawn and drew doesn't have a scroll bar for me. not sure what's up with that.

[rwezowicz]

I'm getting a "The page cannot be found" issue from the email confirmation link. thoughts?

[theFerf]

notyourusualbollocks:
Im still trying to figure out how i want to display these. since none of them are verified, im trying to find a way to leave them on the site as "archived comments" and just show the new verified comments. The old ones are sill there, there is a link on the comments page on the bottom that says "archived comments".

allthewhile:
im trying to accomodate people who want a quick look and a detailed look. the get podcast link is redundant, but it is for 2 different types of users.

also, im working on the scrolling. it is on all of them, just havent got in there to fix it yet :)

[robaustin]

So - are these the top 10 podcasts for MARCH ONLY? Are that many people voting for Engadget still in March? Has it actually and truly garnered enough votes over the past 4 days to make it number 6? It seems like this is the same "all time" Top 10, as I saw on the site yesterday before the change was implemented. And you're not showing votes for March, you're still showing "all time" votes on the podcast's page.

Well Chris?

--*Rob

[theFerf]

robaustin:

Stop paying so much attention :) LOL

I just turned the new voting system on about 4 hours ago (at 4:30am or so this morning), so yes, it is still showing old data. I am letting the March database populate for a couple more hours before i make the official switch. I would switch it now, and it would be cool for podcasters, but it would probably confuse every day listeners if there were only like 2 people in the top 10. I Want to make sure at least 10 podcasts have been voted for before i make the switch.

cool?

[SledHead Radio]

Chris,

I liked the updates. I know you can't please them all, but here is a good comment for the books! :P

Nick

[Cat]

I like this new system, I was starting to feel cheated a bit with the old system with people voting 1 for other shows, just to move theirs up!!

This new way stops all that. Well done.

Looking forward to Monthly top 10.

Thanks Chris

[ferg]

I like the new features, and voting system a lot, but I'm confused.

How can the Dawn and Drew Show be #1 overall, but only #3 in the Comedy section????

[ptfigg]

Listen there are problems with the player. You are going to have problems due to variations in sample rates. For example, my podcast [ThePoint] is encoded with a 48kHz sample rate. This is probably the issue. If you listen to me with your player, the audio in horrible. Audio is running at at much slower rate. I spend lots of time perfecting my audio and I cannot afford to have my effort sounding this way especially here at PCA. Please advise.

-paul.

[karinnl]

Is is still possible to have people vote for my podcast on my own website?
If yes, where can I find a new script?
Karin

[Funtime Ben]

Awesome system! thanks for the work fellas!

[Ian]

Excellent job. Now anyone can be #1. I can't wait for all those old votes to disappear!

[SledHead Radio]

Is anyone else getting a page not found error when someone votes from your site?? :?:

Not Found

The requested URL /vote_process_monthly.php was not found on this server.
Apache/2.0.50 (Fedora) Server at www.podcastalley.com Port 80

Nick

[theFerf]

I like the new features, and voting system a lot, but I'm confused.

How can the Dawn and Drew Show be #1 overall, but only #3 in the Comedy section????

currently, the genres are not sorted by votes. they are just listed in a random order. working on getting them in the ranked order.

[ptfigg]

What about the problems with the player?

-paul

[theFerf]

Is anyone else getting a page not found error when someone votes from your site?? :?:

Not Found

The requested URL /vote_process_monthly.php was not found on this server.
Apache/2.0.50 (Fedora) Server at www.podcastalley.com Port 80

Nick

Sorry:
looks like you are using the old voting script. You are going to update to the new one ( i am assuming you get this error when you vote from your site). Shoul have some standard code ready later today for this.

If anyone else wants to put some together, thats cool, else i will get to it in a few hours.

[theFerf]

What about the problems with the player?

-paul

what would you like to do? im not sure how to compensate for sample rate. would you like to opt out of the player on your detailed listing? thats about the only option i can think of.

let me know and i will try to code something up.

[ptfigg]

Yes, please remove the player from my listing

thanks.

-paul

[SledHead Radio]

Chris,

Thanks. I am understanding now. Please ignore my emails then. I will be glad to add the code to the site when you have her ready. :)

Nick

[bramley]

Really excellent changes.

About the archived comments, is it not possible to at least include those older comments left by people who included a web address? They seem legit, no?

Also, like others, I'm not able to scroll through the archived comments.

[theFerf]

Yes, please remove the player from my listing

thanks.

-paul

i have added a switch to remove player from your details. anyone else wanting this, please let me know.

http://www.podcastalley.com/podcast_detail.php?pod_id=622

[theFerf]

Really excellent changes.

About the archives comments, is it not possible to at least include those older comments left by people who included a web address? They seem legit, no?

its a debate right now. since the comments where not email verified before, there is no way to know if the emails are accuate. I can make them a little more obvious in the design if you like (at least that is the plan, not sure how soon i will get to it.)

[SledHead Radio]

Ok, I feel good I can actually bring something to the table here at Podcast Alley. :)

In order to get the vote working from your site, you need to change the following code:

Originally (old way):
<form action="http://www.podcastalley.com/'something'_vote_monthly.php" method="post" name="form">

To:
<form action="http://www.podcastalley.com/one_vote_process2.php" method="post" name="form">

Hope that helps some of you out.
Nick

[bramley]

Yeah, making them more obvious would be nice, if possible.

Sorry to throw another, "I don't get the new system" question at you when we should all probably stop asking questions and just let you get on with more great changes, but... I'm confused about the top 50 list now. This is still the all-time top 50, yes? But it isn't ordered? Or is it? I think I missed something because it's a seriously different list than when I went to bed last night. And it doesn't completely make sense to me.

[theFerf]

Really excellent changes.

About the archived comments, is it not possible to at least include those older comments left by people who included a web address? They seem legit, no?

Also, like others, I'm not able to scroll through the archived comments.

scrolling has been fixed... THANKS!!

[theFerf]

Yeah, making them more obvious would be nice, if possible.

Sorry to throw another, "I don't get the new system" question at you when we should all probably stop asking questions and just let you get on with more great changes, but... I'm confused about the top 50 list now. This is still the all-time top 50, yes? But it isn't ordered? Or is it? I think I missed something because it's a seriously different list than when I went to bed last night. And it doesn't completely make sense to me.

the top 50 section are the CURRENT TOP 50, (as is the top 10) based off of people voting for the last 5 hours or son.

[bramley]

Lovely. Thank you for fixing the scrolling. You're brilliant.

I see about the top ten. So, everyone's old votes remain listed but they don't completely count? I suppose there would be a big brew-ha-ha if you erased the number of voted actually listed and started all over again.

[Ian]

As I understand it, the old votes will be erased sometime today! I'm looking forward to this leveling of the playing field.

Ferf, perhaps you could make one slight modification to the Details page. The only way to vote from the details page is to click on the number of votes. Perhaps a "Vote" link would be a little more obvious.

Regards,
Ian

[ptfigg]

Ferf,

Also, you need to remove 'Listen to stream' This also runs the player with the bad audio.

-paul.

[camilian]

Chris - What sample rate do the podcasts need to be at to work with the player ? Right now I sound like a chipmunk taking a poo... pretty funny, but still would like to have it play correct.

Thanks for the changes, it looks great.

[theFerf]

Chris - What sample rate do the podcasts need to be at to work with the player ? Right now I sound like a chipmunk taking a poo... pretty funny, but still would like to have it play correct.

Thanks for the changes, it looks great.

this is a world i know nothing about. maybe someone else here does?

[jawbone]

I don't know if this would help out with anything, but I've found that that I had the same problem when I played podcasts through Tivo and the network. But when I went back to play the file again, it was fine. I don't know why it speeds up the audio though.

[phylaxis]

I still am not getting it? How can I have almost 800 total votes and still be ranked 14th in the Top 50 list? Is the top 10 list for the month or the last 5 hours worth of voting? I just want to understand the new rankings better.

Thanks.

[phylaxis]

My files seem to have the same issue.

I agree the new changes look great!

Chris - What sample rate do the podcasts need to be at to work with the player ? Right now I sound like a chipmunk taking a poo... pretty funny, but still would like to have it play correct.

Thanks for the changes, it looks great.

[theFerf]

I still am not getting it? How can I have almost 800 total votes and still be ranked 14th in the Top 50 list? Is the top 10 list for the month or the last 5 hours worth of voting? I just want to understand the new rankings better.
Thanks.

I have not updated that visual part of the script yet. the "800 votes" was before the new system was in place (thats why it does not change when you get a vote). Everyones votes now are closer to 40 or less. it should be fixed this weekend.

[phylaxis]

Alright. I will just keep watching and put out the call again for all my listeners to come and vote. :wink: You are doing a great job. Thanks for all the hard work.

Adam

I have not updated that visual part of the script yet. the "800 votes" was before the new system was in place (thats why it does not change when you get a vote). Everyones votes now are closer to 40 or less. it should be fixed this weekend.

[Illinoise]

Of course I love the new layout. More democratic than ever.

My first observation, however, is that 99% of all the comments now will be positive. The reason? Since pairing the voting form with the comment form, and seeing as how all votes are positive votes, most everyone who votes (thinks the show is worthy of praise) will leave a comment. People who don't like the show will have to go out of their way to leave a comment.

The good news is that we're already seeing more comments than you can shake a stick at (© 1902, my grandma). And aren't comments what it's all about?

ONE SUGGESTION, though. How about displaying the comments in descending order (newest to oldest)? Right now, we see the same first comments every time we look at podcast details. If a show takes a turn for the worse (or better) as months go by, listeners won't know it until they scroll to page 7 of the show's comments.

A SECOND SUGGESTION, because I'm a jerk, apparently. How about ELIMINATING the ability to vote from sites external of Podcast Alley? Chris has put all this hard work into podcast alley, yet it's now possible for people to vote by script and never really visit the site! Don't we want this to be a community? Then let's encourage our listeners to visit podcast alley, VOTE for our shows while they're here, check out OTHER shows, get on the FORUM boards, etc. Should be easy for you to disallow external voting, Chris, and would encourage more genuine voting.

Aw, who am I kidding? I'm just splitting hairs (©1901, my grandpappy) now! You've reinvented yourself again, Chris! Bravo! Podcast Alley will be around a long time after this whole "pod casting" thing dies out.

[robulon]

hear hear. the new system is ace, especially when its properly working ;)

ust waiting on a nice vote code for our blog site, at the moment im linking the actual vote popup window content..

Rob

[Craig]

I've got no complaints about the new system, especially since there are 10 GodCast Network shows in the Top 50 at the moment! (I doubt that will last long.)

Two questions:

1. The Top 50 is based on votes in the last 5 hours? I assume that's temporary and that as time goes on it will be based on votes in the last month?

2. Assuming the answer to #1 is yes, will the counts start over at the beginning of each month or is it really based on the votes in the last 30 days (which would obviously be preferable)?

Thanks for all the hard work Chris...hopefully the new system will solve a lot of headaches for you and everyone else.

Craig

[Ian]

I agree with both of Illinoise's suggestions. I like driving people to this site, and the idea of reversing the comment order is brilliant.

Regards,
Ian

[Brian]

I'm with Just Pete! Good call, man.

[Craig]

I definitely agree with JP on the reverse comment order. I disagree with the voting scripts though...I think having them on people's sites promotes Podcast Alley more than a simple link would, especially with the way Chris has the new voting window setup. For an example check out the way I have the external script set up at http://www.btscast.com.

Craig

[Cat]

Craig, that is a great external script - was it hard to do - can you pass on the script?

I also agree with JP - we should encourage our listeners to check it out! - But then again, everyone knows about the Alley!!

Thanks Chris for all the work!! (again)

Cat

[Illinoise]

Craig continues to make me VERY angry! I mean, do you even HAVE a podcast, "Craig"? No offense, Mr. Patchett, but WE were featured in the Heyworth Star, serving all of greater Heyworth, Illinois. Have you ever been featured in a major media story? Doubtful.

Next you're going to tell me that you don't like the idea of an entire podcast performed while on the toilet! Unbelievable.

Okay, on a slightly less serious note, I think Craig and I are actually speaking the same language. Note that Craig's form directs people to the pop-up window ON podcast alley ... so technically, this is NOT external voting. Now see the form we have set up on http://www.Illinoise.net . This would be an example of external voting because the vote is sent from our site.

So what's the difference? NOT MUCH! Thanks a lot Craig. Now that he's on vacation from BTS, he's all about befuddling people!

[Craig]

OK, you have me there...my media exposure has never extended as far as the Heyworth Star. But a man can dream, can't he?

Craig

[Cookiepuss]

Looks like some nice changes. i thought I was the only one up till 5am every night. ;)

As an alternative to the people with sample rate issues with the Flash player you add to the script to generate a .m3u file from the download links for recent shows? That way people could just have a listen with WinAmp or whatever player they have.

[PupuStudios]

Maybe I missed the post on the determining of the top 10 or even 50 so forgive me if I'm being redundant.., but I think it makes the most sense to add up all of the votes from the previous month starting on midnight of the first day of the current month. That way, the podcast ranks change consistently.... that probably doesn't make sense, let me give an example: On April 1st add up all the votes a podcasts received since March 1st and THAT should determine what rank the podcast has for the month in comparison to the others.

In my opinion, this would reduce a lot of grief in many ways. I can explain further in necessary, but I think you guys get the point.

[Craig]

Maybe I missed the post on the determining of the top 10 or even 50 so forgive me if I'm being redundant.., but I think it makes the most sense to add up all of the votes from the previous month starting on midnight of the first day of the current month. That way, the podcast ranks change consistently.... that probably doesn't make sense, let me give an example: On April 1st add up all the votes a podcasts received since March 1st and THAT should determine what rank the podcast has for the month in comparison to the others.
I'm assuming that's what's going to happen (I posted a question earlier in this thread asking the same thing), but since this whole new system just started up this morning the one month cycle can't start until 5/4.

As an aside, for those who haven't realized it yet today's date is 3/4/5!

Craig

[Craig]

Craig, that is a great external script - was it hard to do - can you pass on the script?
Thanks Cat, but it's pretty much lifted from stuff Chris and others did. Here it is along with the necessary other pieces:

This stuff needs to go between the <HEAD> and </HEAD> tags at the beginning of your page:

<SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript">
<!--
var popup=0;
function newWindow(newURL,left,top,width,height)
{
popup = window.open(newURL,'popup','toolbar=no,location=no ,directories=no,status=no,menubar=no,scrollbars=ye s,resizable=yes,copyhistory=yes,width='+width+',he ight='+height+',left='+left+', top='+top+',screenX='+left+',screenY='+top+'');
}
//-->
</SCRIPT>

#podcastalley {
background: #4477AA;
color: #FFFFFF;
border: 1px solid #000;
padding: 4px;
display: block;
margin-bottom: 3px;
}
#podcastalley a {
color: #FFF;
}

a.podcastersub {
color: #000;
font-size: 9px;
font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;
text-decoration: underline
}

This goes where you want the voting block to appear (its width is determined by the layout of the page so you may want to put it in a table):

<div id="podcastalley">
Vote for
My Podcast

at Podcast Alley </a>

<center>http://www.podcastalley.com/images/iconvote.gif (#)
<font size="-2">&nbsp</font>
http://www.podcastalley.com/images/iconseedetails.gif (http://www.podcastalley.com/podcast_detail.php?pod_id=920)</center>

Vote monthly!
</div>

Replace all instances of "My Podcast" with the name of your podcast, obviously, and all instances of "920" with the Podcast Alley id for your podcast, which can be found at the end of the URL for your podcast's Details page.

If this doesn't work let me know...I may have left something out.

Craig

[Berniquen]

Excellent new system.

[shadowfax]

Craig continues to make me VERY angry! I mean, do you even HAVE a podcast, "Craig"? No offense, Mr. Patchett, but WE were featured in the Heyworth Star, serving all of greater Heyworth, Illinois. Have you ever been featured in a major media story? Doubtful.

I assume your joking and not trying to be a jerk?

Craig's podcast was talked about on NBC morning news here in los angeles. I doubt that Heyworth has more population than Los Angeles. Not to mention Craig was in a CNN article and many others....

Personally I think the whole vote thing is stupid and this FIGHT to be number one which means nothing as to the actual content or value to the show.

[allthewhile]

he was joking. read the post again.

[Ian]

Personally I think the whole vote thing is stupid and this FIGHT to be number one which means nothing as to the actual content or value to the show.

Some people just take voting too **** seriously. :lol:

Of course voting says nothing about content. Do our politicians have any content? Hell no! It's just a popularity contest.

Being in the top 10 doesn't make anyone "the best". How could they be? There are so many different podcast genres, formats, and presentations it would be impossible to have a "best". Just because Howard Stern or Rush Limbaugh make lots of money doesn't make them the "best". They are just popular.

That's it and that's all. Some podcasts want to be popular, some don't care. To each his own.
Ian

[Illinoise]

How DARE anyone compare Los Angeles (I'm guessing this is in California or Nevada?) with Heyworth! See for yourself, unbelievers:

http://www.commerce.state.il.us/communityprofiles/profiles/HEYWORTH.htm

This is no "hick town". It is a metropolis that is to be feared and revered. Imagine, now, a 2nd-page article--ABOVE the fold--in the city's largest media conglomerate. Largest ... only ... whatever. Maybe you've of the world's only Lawn AND Video store (http://www.google.com/local?num=30&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&client=safari&rls=en-us&q=bell%27s+lawn+and+video&near=Heyworth,+IL&sa=X&oi=locald&radius=0.0&latlng=40313333,-88973611,16215255213400892001)? Also in Heyworth.

The truth is, "Craig" (not his REAL name, by the way) and I have a storied grudge that dates back several days to when I created the world's most ridiculously awesome band name (http://www.illinoise.net/archives/cat_podcasts.php3#000449). Well, needless to say, only hours later, the domain name was snatched up and my dreams of rock 'n roll superstardom were dashed.

I told myself I wouldn't cry.

Great site changes, Chris!

[shadowfax]

he was joking. read the post again.

sorry... i guess I shouldn't be reading posts so early! lol... i apologize :)

[theFerf]

I definitely agree with JP on the reverse comment order. I disagree with the voting scripts though...I think having them on people's sites promotes Podcast Alley more than a simple link would, especially with the way Chris has the new voting window setup. For an example check out the way I have the external script set up at http://www.btscast.com.

Craig

ask and you shall receive. the comment order has been reversed, newest comments at the top :)

[Craig]

The truth is, "Craig" (not his REAL name, by the way) and I have a storied grudge that dates back several days to when I created the world's most ridiculously awesome band name (http://www.illinoise.net/archives/cat_podcasts.php3#000449). Well, needless to say, only hours later, the domain name was snatched up and my dreams of rock 'n roll superstardom were dashed.
Why Pete Moore, whatever are you talking about? This smacks of a shameless publicity stunt to me.

Craig

[radioclash]

Chris you know my reservations on voting in general but the new voting system and changes are better and will make this a friendlier place...good one.

No ranking should reduce ort stop the tactical voting...which was so obviously happening it was quite depressing and sad :-(

(and no I'm not talking about my cast...)

One thing is it's a bit difficult to see the comments, took this befuddled bear a little time to realise you can click on the number! :lol:

[Craig]

That's a good point Chris...maybe you could show the last one or two comments on the details page with a link that says "See all comments" under them if there are more. (Or something along those lines.)

Craig

[theFerf]

i like that idea. give me a minute, lets see what i can do.

[theFerf]

ok, i implemented this:

1. scroll to the bottom of your listing in the directory
2. its shows your latest 2 comments and has a button to see more or add one.

is that cool?

[radioclash]

I noticed that - it's very cool... :)

[Craig]

Excellent! (Except the section is titled "Recent Podcasts" instead of "Recent Comments") Thanks.

Craig

[theFerf]

huh. all the minute coding details i get, and i forget to change that.

go figure. fixed now, thanks for noticing.