WyethDigital
Apr 3rd, 2005, 08:55 PM
Granted, my expertise is purely based on my own listening habits and no one elses. I know there are other listeners out there on the board. I'd be really interested in hearing what your turn ons and turn offs are, and how you evaluate Podcasts.
Here are the top 5 ways I find and evaluate the Podcasts I listen to:
1) Content/Subject matter. Whether it's a plug in a Podcast, or a description in a database, this is my most important consideration.
2) Recommendations (plugs). I will usually try a Podcast if it's from a Podcast I respect (has consistent quality or topical material). This doesn't mean I always stick with them, but I do try it out for a couple of episodes. Cases in point (not dissing on them), Adam Curry plugged the Poopcast and Yeast Radio -- I felt the concepts were better than the implementation, but I can understand why other's find them fun. I don't disregard Adam Curry's plugs because I didn't like a couple of Podcasts he was promoting.
3) LENGTH! This was almost number two, but this is ultimately one of the ways I judge a Podcast, and has very little to do with finding them, so it ends up as number three. I like Podcasts that go for about a half hour to 45 minutes at the max. You guys are cranking out good ****, so I like shorter Podcasts which allow me to sample a bunch of the work out there!
4) Consistency. I realize that Podcasting is a time consuming hobby/labor of love. If it wasn't, I'd be doing it myself. So I don't mind if you miss some Podcasts. People need time off for their own lives. That said, if a Podcast says they're going to be producing new shows once or twice a week and then disappear for a month or more at a time, then I probably won't continue subscribing to your feed. The Maccast is good, because Adam will sometimes put up a one or two minute minicast to tell his listeners if he's not going to be doing an episiode.
5) Quality. If a Podcast lacks basic audio quality, and has lots of hiss (possibly from sloppy encoding), or fumbling around (Adam Curry can be guilty of this quite often, and when he is, I don't listen), I tend to lose interest. The sad fact is, I'm a professional who works in video (and thus with audio), so when I hear something that can be prevented, it's like fingernails on a chalkboard. I wish I could just shut that little quirk of mine off, but I can't. Sorry!
Well, I'm sure this will generate some discussion. Again, just because I might have used a Podcast that you put together or like as an example of something I don't like, it's not an insult to your character, your talent, or your taste. Look at it more as a divergence of opinion.
Peace,
Eric
Here are the top 5 ways I find and evaluate the Podcasts I listen to:
1) Content/Subject matter. Whether it's a plug in a Podcast, or a description in a database, this is my most important consideration.
2) Recommendations (plugs). I will usually try a Podcast if it's from a Podcast I respect (has consistent quality or topical material). This doesn't mean I always stick with them, but I do try it out for a couple of episodes. Cases in point (not dissing on them), Adam Curry plugged the Poopcast and Yeast Radio -- I felt the concepts were better than the implementation, but I can understand why other's find them fun. I don't disregard Adam Curry's plugs because I didn't like a couple of Podcasts he was promoting.
3) LENGTH! This was almost number two, but this is ultimately one of the ways I judge a Podcast, and has very little to do with finding them, so it ends up as number three. I like Podcasts that go for about a half hour to 45 minutes at the max. You guys are cranking out good ****, so I like shorter Podcasts which allow me to sample a bunch of the work out there!
4) Consistency. I realize that Podcasting is a time consuming hobby/labor of love. If it wasn't, I'd be doing it myself. So I don't mind if you miss some Podcasts. People need time off for their own lives. That said, if a Podcast says they're going to be producing new shows once or twice a week and then disappear for a month or more at a time, then I probably won't continue subscribing to your feed. The Maccast is good, because Adam will sometimes put up a one or two minute minicast to tell his listeners if he's not going to be doing an episiode.
5) Quality. If a Podcast lacks basic audio quality, and has lots of hiss (possibly from sloppy encoding), or fumbling around (Adam Curry can be guilty of this quite often, and when he is, I don't listen), I tend to lose interest. The sad fact is, I'm a professional who works in video (and thus with audio), so when I hear something that can be prevented, it's like fingernails on a chalkboard. I wish I could just shut that little quirk of mine off, but I can't. Sorry!
Well, I'm sure this will generate some discussion. Again, just because I might have used a Podcast that you put together or like as an example of something I don't like, it's not an insult to your character, your talent, or your taste. Look at it more as a divergence of opinion.
Peace,
Eric