Podcast Alley is a SHAM!!!

[Nick Starr]

http://www.nickstarr.com/2005/04/05.html#a1046

Okay so where is the outrage? Here it is. Now it is no secret that I am friends with a number of podcasters. I have been mentioned on so many shows for various things I have done to help out or whatever....


Now let me first clarify, I am a Christian and not a Catholic but I have nothing against the Catholic Church at all. I share in the deep sadness the catholic people feel in the loss of the Pope.

That being said...WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON AT PODCASTALLEY? What sorts of voting fiasco are they trying...and believe me I know about voting fiasco's...I live in Florida.

I went to the site to cast my vote on the first of the month....because you can only cast 1 vote per month on the site as it is currently set up. Who was in the lead at the time? Hell if I can remember...because it was some nobody that should never of gotten that high on the ratings.

The top 10 changed hands a number of times over the next few days. What happened to Dawn and Drew...they were number one. So we are saying that we can only have one top podcast per month and then it is all gone to hell? What about a running total? Where is that? Why just a monthly vote???? WTF?!?!

This is just encouraging all these small podcasts to push their audience at the end of each month to vote on the first. This not only takes away from the content of the show...but it is just lame hearing people beg for votes. I can understand a host such as Dawn and Drew or Reel Reviews simply mentioning, "Hey you can cast an April vote at the alley in a few days...we appreciate your support"...but I have heard podcasters devoting large amounts of time begging the audience to "bring down the big-time podcasters" and vote for them on April 1.

Dawn and Drew have been on top almost the entire time while the voting system has been up on PodcastAlley, and on their forum....there is gigantic flame wars how they are cheating the system. I know Drew personally....First off he doesn't have time to go and create 10,000 gmail accounts and vote for himself over and over...Second, he doesn't have people who do that for him.

Why is there all these hate and flame messages? Why is everyone accusing him of cheating? HOW CAN YOU CHEAT?!?!

This is where the main outrage lies....Right now the Catholic Insider is number one...ARE THEY CHEATING??? ARE PEOPLE FLAMING THEM ON THE MESSAGE BOARDS?? WHY WOULD YOU DO IT FOR DREW BUT NOT THE CATHOLIC INSIDER???!!!?!!?!? Why the hypocrisy?

I can't understand why people who are jealous of the success of Dawn and Drew would go out of their way to express how much hatred and accuse them of crimes against the system...but when a Catholic Church member does it...there is not a single word of outrage.....

Listen to me, no one is cheating. You can't and if you do then you have too much time on your hands. Listen...Drew doesn't create multiple email addresses and vote multiple times...OTHER SHOWS DO BOTH! Who is doing the real cheating? Someone check the ip address' from all of the votes and use that data to weed out multiple votes...yeah it might disqualify some valid votes...but I'm sure that you would find get rid of a more invalid ones.

Another thing….check PodShow.com. BoKu is the owner of this site.. Adam Curry and his partner Ron Bloom are joining with podcasters to form this networks or whatever it will be once they make their “**** Announcements�……

Now check this site: http://catholicinsider.com/godshow WHAT THE HELL?!?! Stealing the site design from other people? The Catholic Insider is in NO WAY A PART OF BOKU!!! Yet they are stealing everything down to the flash player built into the site. YOU ARE JUDGING DAWN AND DREW ON THEIR CONTENT??!? THEIR CONTENT IS ORIGIONAL…AND OF OF THEIR OWN DESIGN!!! THE CATHOLIC INSIDER IS STEALING THE WORK OF OTHERS AND MAKING IT HIS OWN!!!

Now I do want to say that the theme of my website is similar to Adam Curry’s….but theme’s for blogging software are all found on a central server for anyone to pick from. It isn’t a DIRECT COPY OF AN ORIGIONAL SITE DESIGN LIKE THE CATHOLIC INSDER IS DOING….He is STEALING!!!! Isn’t that a commandment????!?!?! …AND REMIND ME HOW DAWN AND DREW ARE THE ONES TO BE JUDGED FOR THRIR QUESTIONABLE CONTENT?!?!?!?!? WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE? WHERE IS THE FLAMING? WHERE ?!?!?! SHOW ME!!!!

My solutions for PodcastAlley:

* Leave your shitty monthly voting system whatever...

* Create an accumulative system where all the previous votes are considered (yeah it favors the long timers but umm..they deserve it they are the pioneers)

* Delete all votes where more than 2 or 3 votes come from a single ip address.


..and please can we stop this fighting....or at least be consistent and flame the catholic insider...but he's a member of the cloth..and we COULDN'T do that....whatever...just because Dawn and Drew curse doesn't make them any worse off than the Catholic insider....flame him for cheating if you feel so strongly about shows weaseling their way to top.

[PupuStudios]

anger management

[Version3]

Nick needs to get a hold on himself... your are super biased dude, you are the number one D&D groupie.

I think nobody is flaming the Catholic Insider because quite honestly nobody has complained about his content (meaning he must put out a decent podcast) he's been plugged a TON recently on Adam's podcast, and then there is that little incident with the Pope passing away, and the fact that it is the CATHOLIC podcast. Perhaps people are subscribing more for a unique non-Americanized view of what is going on.

Stop pissing and moaning about it... D&D shouldn't even care about the votes, because they've already got what the votes are supposed to result in. -listeners.


You are way off base, and just come off like an ***. This may be the wrong forum for that.

[jeffoest]

A number of people including myself have posted proposals for modifications and additions - i.e. how the voting system could be enhanced for, ultimately, the listener in mind. How do we, as podcasters, create a system that facilitates a listeners experience in the selection and discovery process?

I don't find Chris to be close-minded about any of it.

Not sure how your 'rant' is helpful to the dialogue. We tend to be a bit more grown up and positive around here... well, except for Yaz.... (just KIDDING!!)....

[travishoffman]

Who gives a flying **** who is number one. That's all this forum is anymore, people bitching about how someone cheated or how the voting isn't accurate. You know what if you a podcaster, just ****ing podcast and put out the best show you possibly can, if you are just a litsener, then enjoy the podcasts that you listen too. I don't know why people have to go on about how they have to be in the top...whatever. Just do it. Podcasting is..of now..a free medium. I do it because it's enjoyable and it's fun, if our listeners enjoy it great. But for the love of god all this ****ing drama is completely uncalled for.

Just my two cents take it or leave it, i don't really give a ****.

[Nick Starr]

I'm not really this mean or evil...I just was checking out the forum here and felt a TON of hatred towards DnD for "cheating" and other such things..and it seems to be a bit unfair for them..

Just because they are popular they are picked on. They legitametly have a ton of listeners who are very willing to vote them to the top.

As Verizon said...I am a friend of Dawn and Drew and I know them personally. I just feel they have been unfairly been portrayed and I find that it is not right to have entire threads on here to "take them down" and gripe how they "cheat."

Why isn't there threads for people griping how all of the other small shows cheat around the first of the month. Just seems people are a bit prone to pick on the head guy..and it happens everywhere...look at politics.

Just wanted to get a few things off my chest..and I didn't mean to come across so brash. I think some of the options I offered are valid ones, especially the ip address one. It would be something that should be very easy to implement.

[Craig]

Hey Nick, http://catholicinsider.com/godshow is part of an elaborate April Fools prank. (And you're not the only one who got taken in by it.)

Also, IP addresses ARE checked. You have to have a unique email address AND an unique IP address in order to vote successfully.

Craig

[travishoffman]

I apologize for my profanity laced post, I went off and apologize for the offensive content. The offensive content does not represent my podcast at all. Quit the opposite. Thank you.

[justSue]

I apologize for my profanity laced post, I went off and apologize for the offensive content. The offensive content does not represent my podcast at all. Quit the opposite. Thank you.

Well, as people love to say around here, "Content is King" and aside from the f-bombs, it was the best post I've read in weeks.

[Ian]

To my knowledge, IPs are checked. This doesn't stop someone with a dialup account from going to town. I have not accused anyone of cheating, but I am interested to know how the top two shows have racked up so many votes. They must have amazing strategy or access to major email lists.

I'll take this opportunity to say I like the monthly voting system. It gives a chance to the newer podcasters. If they aren't cheating, then more power to them! It's like a race that starts over every month.

I disagree that the "pioneers" should get any sort of advantage beyond the fact that they already have a listener base from which to pull votes. It's clear that the system, historical or monthly has no effect on DND's ability to dominate the charts. Don't sweat it, Nick.

Best Regards,
Ian

[theFerf]

So we are saying that we can only have one top podcast per month and then it is all gone to hell? What about a running total? Where is that? Why just a monthly vote???? WTF?!?!
Nick: Check the details pages for podcasts. They all show the overall total votes for each podcast. And as you know, b/c you have been around the Alley long enough, I am constantly working on new ways to make everything, including voting, better. I am actually in the process of coding the following:
- top 10 overall
- top 10 monthly
- top 10 genre
- top 10 downloaded
- and tons more :)
This is where the main outrage lies....Right now the Catholic Insider is number one...ARE THEY CHEATING???
in case you missed the news, the pope died. lots of people loved and/or respected him. if you understand anything about marketing or how the news works, then im sure you understand the popularity of the "catholic podcast" (where the producer ACTUALLY went to Rome). Catholic, Pope and similar terms and the relating websites are some of the most visited on the net right now. check out http://tinyurl.com/3oh9q for proof. they traffic this week has gone up 210%. It is obvious to me this podcast is at the top for the same reason.
Someone check the ip address' from all of the votes and use that data to weed out multiple votes...yeah it might disqualify some valid votes...but I'm sure that you would find get rid of a more invalid ones.
IP Addresses and emails are already logged.
The Catholic Insider is in NO WAY A PART OF BOKU!!! Yet they are stealing everything down to the flash player built into the site.
How do you know this, did you talk to Curry about it?
My solutions for PodcastAlley:
* Leave your shitty monthly voting system whatever...
* Create an accumulative system where all the previous votes are considered (yeah it favors the long timers but umm..they deserve it they are the pioneers)
* Delete all votes where more than 2 or 3 votes come from a single ip address.
- done.
- done.
- done.

im glad to see we are indeed on the same page. Please make sure you know your facts before you start calling people out. :)
..and please can we stop this fighting
I am 100%, No Doubt, Whole-Heartedly in support of this.

[Nick Starr]

So we are saying that we can only have one top podcast per month and then it is all gone to hell? What about a running total? Where is that? Why just a monthly vote???? WTF?!?!
Nick: Check the details pages for podcasts. They all show the overall total votes for each podcast. And as you know, b/c you have been around the Alley long enough, I am constantly working on new ways to make everything, including voting, better. I am actually in the process of coding the following:
- top 10 overall
- top 10 monthly
- top 10 genre
- top 10 downloaded
- and tons more :)

..and please can we stop this fighting
I am 100%, No Doubt, Whole-Heartedly in support of this.

Thank you. This is all I was asking for. I am sorry for not checking about the ip issue before posting. I think that the improvements mentioned in adding the multiple categories will greatly help out with the way the results turn out. I am not sure how you are going to be able to verify number of downloads, but you run the site, not me.

I do agree with travishoffman that the podcast should be about the content, but the fact remains that people look at Podcast Alley as a voting site for the podcasts. The podcast is separate from this site...the podcast SHOULD be about the content...but the content is suffering when every month people are begging their listeners to run over to the Alley to vote.

They must have amazing strategy or access to major email lists.

See this is what I am talking about. Bringing up ridiculous claims, even if you are simply snidely sliding them in. Dawn and Drew couldn't even afford an iPod photo...how are they going to get the money to buy email lists and such. These claims are the basis of my rant. This type of behavior is simply bringing down the community as a whole, and it needs to stop.

That’s all for now, I must get going I am going to Terry Schiavo’s memorial. I hope that what I have said has taken heart and am very pleased to hear of the addition of multiple categories. Take care and have a lovely evening.

[Version3]

I think Ian was talking about the small shows having a ton of votes suddenly... not D&D specifically.


People are always calling me Verizon... **** that telecomm company!

Can you hear me now? :twisted:

[Anonymous]

- top 10 genre
- top 10 downloaded
- and tons more :)


I think these will make great additions. Especially to break it down by genre since Podcasts are so diverse. An overal Top 10 is good, but a genre with small population of listeners will really benifit from this.

Downloaded will also be a good idea, but since the content is hosted elsewhere, I am interested to see how to do this.

[jeffoest]

Well, I'e always said it - I'm impressed with the way Dawn and Drew have cultivated a very loyal listerership. I think that Nick is right that there is undercurrent jealousy of the podcasts consistenly in the top spots from some but I think that most of us are generally supportive (while maintaining a degree of competitiveness!) of the overall community and other podcasts.

I think it's a bit silly to quibble about the 'quality' of the DND show. I've been to their chat board and, as I've said, have found an incrediblly loyal and vibrant fan base. I believe that there is something there to be learned and emulated not ridiculed.

I guess I'm saying that ideally this forum should be a place where we can share ideas, foster friendships and business partners, and ultimately learn a thing or two from each other (while not giving away all our 'tricks' because of good healthy competition!).

[theFerf]

I guess I'm saying that ideally this forum should be a place where we can share ideas, foster friendships and business partners, and ultimately learn a thing or two from each other (while not giving away all our 'tricks' because of good healthy competition!).

Well said.

[yaz]

man, that guy was pissed, i thought i got pissed when i was driving...

[Ian]

Ferf, what favor do I need to perform to get into the Political/Cultural category? It was not around when I joined, and Music/Radio isn't really appropriate for my show.

Thanks,
Ian

[theFerf]

There is a paypal donation button on the homepage :)

Just kidding, I will move it now. PS > Working on a system still for you to edit your own, cant wait till its done!

[Ian]

Thanks, we'll be sure to mention PCA on-air again.. actually we mention you at least once a week.

[indiekid]

the ferf is amazing...

[jjohnson]

I find the whole voting thing to be pointless.

I do not vote on podcasts and never will. I could care less who is number 1. I listen to wjavascript:emoticon(':(')hat I want to. The world is so full of idiots that I don't care what other people are listening to.
I do think it's important for a podcasters to know that they have listeners so i post comments on their sites letting them know I'm a fan but I'll never vote.

[Barefoot Radio.com]

One thing I want to say is that podcasters who complain incessantly like you're victims is HAVE CONFIDENCE IN WHAT YOU DO OR QUIT.

The more I've stood back and observed PCA, the more I understand a few things.

First, for me it's been the greatest archive and source for meeting other podcasters. I've met many people who I'm making great connections with. On the other hand, I'm annoyed by a bunch of insecure people hurting others who obviously work very hard.

I also get a decent amount of traffic from PCA which I'm grateful for.

What I do think though is that NO ONE should totally put ALL their eggs in "the podcast alley" basket. I'm not saying this to insult the ferf at all. I'm just saying that PCA is not enough to make any ONE podcaster a commercial success.

It's more important to build a SOLID listener base for one's show than be #1 on podcastalley.

Having said that, do I want to be number one?? Hell yeah! But honestly, the longer I go on I think I'm realizing that instead of getting caught up in the voting competition here, it's MORE important for me to PRODUCE a good show.

YES, I just used the word "PRODUCE." That's what the real pros are doing. There's NOT a fine line between podcasting as a HOBBY, and podcasting as a profession. Rather the line is a fat *** highway median that easily distinguishes quality from foof.

I'd sincerely rather be doing what I'm doing with MY podcast, and have it be what it is, than BE IN THE TOP 10 WITH SOMETHING TOTALLY AMATEUR. OUuu, there ARE good shows in the Top 10. I'm just annoyed by the over rated "audio diaries."

The truth is that I WANT to see the good podcasts in the top 10. And in saying this, I'm not even referring to myself. I just want to see the best naturally rise to the top. That's the way it should be.

Lastly for the record, I like how the ferf is adding other raking lists with different genres. I wish there were one for "production value." Or even "original content." ->should "hobbyists" be separated into their own rankings?

Anyhow, that's my 6 cents worth. Good luck, everyone!

[yaz]

hey jjohnson, if the world is so full of idiots why should we even care about what you wrote?

[docsnavely]

OMG, I haven't seen so much rage since my father caught my step-mother going down on a midget circus clown! :shock:

dude, one word "Prozac" a.k.a. "Sarafem"!!!!!

And yes, whoever mentioned anger management, I did think that was a good movie! :wink:

[yaz]

nick starr needs to be donkey kicked to get his nose out of dnd's ***...

[yalborap]

Dude, what do you expect?! dnd are big. There is a very "against the man and the big corporations" attitude built into people from society. We want to strike down those who are giants, so that we can become giants ourselves and be struck down appropiately. That's how the world works. Microsoft will always be called "teh ebil!" with people saying apple is the good counterpart. Same with dnd. it's just how things work.

[owyn]

I had to read this thread twice before responding. Couple of comments.

1) The PCA is not a sham. It is a great place to learn about podcasting and podcasts. I find the most recent forum threads on the home page to be very useful and informative. Heck, that is how I found this thread.

2) The Ferf is dead on correct about why Father Roderick is up there. I had never listended to the Catholic Insider before, but, with all the death of the Pope, I wanted to hear what a Catholic Insider was saying. I stayed for the ride because of the content of the show. Cringed at a couple of the mini-sermons, but, what the heck, a priest has got to be a priest.

3) I listened to DnD when I first started listening to podcasts. I have stopped listening to them now because they are other shows that I like better and there are just so many hours in a day that you can listen. While I was listening it became obvious that they were total freaks who have built a community of like minded individuals. Nothing wrong with freaks, but, just not my favourite niche/taste.

Finally, podcasting has changed what I do. It is interesting to explore the technology. It is a pleasure to listen to what I want to listen to. It is educational to see how individual podcasts change and improve over time. And, it is worth my time check into the Alley to find out what is happening.

Keep up the good work.

[WyethDigital]

I'll take this opportunity to say I like the monthly voting system. It gives a chance to the newer podcasters. If they aren't cheating, then more power to them! It's like a race that starts over every month.

Hey Ian!

That sounds kind of... oh how do I say this? Socialist! :P


Ironically,

Eric

[WyethDigital]

Nick! I listen to DnD. I'm impressed with the smarts they show with promotion (taking a quiz to download the "secret" Valentine's show was a stroke of genius that others could learn from)! I saw very few forums spring up on the other shows I listen to, until Drew put one up. And I'm impressed by your generosity in helping my "neighbors" (I live in Wisconsin about an 1.25 hours from them - or so I estimate). As someone pointed out, you are one of the über-fans!

So here it is: You were out of line. A whole F•••ing lot! As arguably the DnD #1 fan, you are in effect an ambassador for them. Not just a champion. They deserve better recognition for their work than what you brought to the Alley with this thread. As a fan of DnD myself, I think you owe it to DnD and Podcast Alley to post a public retraction (in it's own thread) for your baseless attack against Podcast Alley -- certain members who spam DnD's board notwithstanding. After all, it wasn't the Ferf who started the negative threads.


Hoping you do the right thing,

Eric

[docsnavely]

WOOT!! Go Eric, Go Eric! Fight for the man!!!! :P

[yaz]

it not about tearing down "the man" or "the giant", its about bringing to light how much a show sucks and how so many people can say its great...unreal...

[WyethDigital]

it not about tearing down "the man" or "the giant", its about bringing to light how much a show sucks and how so many people can say its great...unreal...

Yaz, I got no problem if you don't like Dawn and Drew. I don't care if you say you don't like DnD. Although, I suspect that if you listened to it more (if you're even old enough to), you would find the show is "smarter" than what the hosts let on. If nothing else, you could probably learn a lot about promotion and marketing. These guys are geniuses in regard to that stuff, especially Drew.

Where I have a problem is when you start a "We hate Dawn and Drew" crusade. If I made the rules around here (and you're lucky I don't), I would tell you to take those kinds of threads to your own forum on your own site, and say all the **** you want, instead of putting Podcast Alley in the middle of it. If you read here (http://www.podcastalley.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=366&start=15), you'll see that theferf made it pretty clear what he intends this community to be. So yeah, Nick went way overboard, but I think you're also part of the problem!

Now would you guys please play nice already????

Eric

[yaz]

well, what is how old enough??? and i did listen to the show, and it didn't seem smart to me..and yes their show is about marketing and being fake, im not interested in purple haired cows cursing and talking about sex...im not gonna comment about their show anymore (at least for now) because i don't want to offend you...i have told theferf that ill be nice, so i am doing my best...

[WyethDigital]

well, what is how old enough??? and i did listen to the show, and it didn't seem smart to me..and yes their show is about marketing and being fake, im not interested in purple haired cows cursing and talking about sex...im not gonna comment about their show anymore (at least for now) because i don't want to offend you...i have told theferf that ill be nice, so i am doing my best...

Well, just to put you at ease a bit, when I say "old enough," I'm talking about Dawn and Drew's 18 years or older disclaimer, not your age/maturity level.

I appreciate your not wanting to offend me, Yaz, but it really doesn't matter to me if you say you don't like them. I certainly can understand why you wouldn't. Hell, there are times when they're too much for me! To me this whole mess isn't about opinions, it's about conduct. That's all.

Honestly, I'm not just trying to pick on you, there are others here who've pulled similar stunts (I linked to one such thread in another post), but you are the most recent. What bothers me is someone coming in here, to a place that should essentially be neutral territory trying to start a flame fight.

So keep having your opinions, keep up the Podcasting... and good luck!


Respectfully,

Eric

[yaz]

well, im not like the others...

[feastoffools]

It's just a show. It's not like people are dying in some bad war in some far off country. It's just a show.

[theFerf]

It's just a show. It's not like people are dying in some bad war in some far off country. It's just a show.

well put. what i think is most important is that they keep doing the show. i mean, i cant remember something that i have been so dedicated to before in my life...and they continue to put out show after show no matter how good or bad people think it is.

For whatever reason it matters to them and to some others. we dont have to like every podcast that is out there, shoot we couldnt even listen to all of them. but everyone does a podcast for a reason, and we cant give them a load of crap for it... its their thing.

[jeffoest]

Not only do DND have amazing longevity (I wonder how many of us will last that long!) but they have an incredible listenership. I suspect that they are probably the closest among all the 'amateurs' of us to actually have a marketable 'brand name'.

Check this: Today I went around the office and asked people if they knew what a podcast was. Of course, most didn't. Then I asked him if they ever heard of "Dawn and Drew" and about a third of the people that didn't know what a podcast was have heard of them. They associated it in most cases with some type of 'internet show'. Not exactly a 'scientifc study, but that's still pretty powerful stuff...

I believe that as that brand name helps pull people into the podcast world, we will all benefit. Maybe kinda' sorta' like the Michael Jordon effect of popularizing the NBA. Lots of other NBA players have benefited from his popularity.

[feastoffools]

Remember, this is an emerging medium/art form, and like all others that come before us (film, video, performance, radio, painting) the more sensational and sexy stuff will attract more attention. (porn has always been at the forefront of all these media). So in a way, the reason Catholic Insider got so much attention (besides being a good program) is the nature of people wanting to gawk at the Pope's dead body. Now that he's gone, I think it will drop in popularity.

Why does it matter to get votes on Podcast alley? Because, like it or not, right now they have become the "neilsens" for our podcasting genre, even though its not accurate at all. (Anyone can fudge these ratings)

Even though, we live and die by our audience, and if nobody listens to what we do as broadcasters, then our show loses it's relevance. That's why if you REALLY hate something out there, the WORST thing you can do is to talk about it.

For someone to insult me (who isnt a personal friend of mine) on their show is a high compliment, because its publicity, no matter how deep it hurts your feelings.

But when your own friends shout bitter/shady comments to you about unresolved personal issues, it just makes things worse and ruins your friendship. This isnt good/bad publicty, its just immature and misguided.

Enjoy the early days of this medium, because in a blink of an eye, it will not be a virgin territory and the exciting sense of new-ness will be gone. (shudder)

Imagine SPAM meets RSS feeds! UGH. Telemarketing on your iPod. Say it isnt so, but where there's a will there will be a way.

•••••••à ¢â‚¬Â¢Ã¢â‚¬Â¢

It's just a show. It's not like people are dying in some bad war in some far off country. It's just a show.

well put. what i think is most important is that they keep doing the show. i mean, i cant remember something that i have been so dedicated to before in my life...and they continue to put out show after show no matter how good or bad people think it is.

For whatever reason it matters to them and to some others. we dont have to like every podcast that is out there, shoot we couldnt even listen to all of them. but everyone does a podcast for a reason, and we cant give them a load of crap for it... its their thing.

[spaz]

It may be just a show, but it has the effect of polarizing people, either you really like it, go crazy and yell at everyone, or you mock it and piss people off....personally I think they're freaks, but that's just what I think...

[yaz]

i have been asked not to talk about them anymore from my partner in crime, but i still think they suck...and that purple haired thing makes me wanna vomit...and i never vomit...

[bjason.com]

that purple haired thing makes me wanna vomit

Jesus. You're a tool. She is still a person, ****wit. They still sit in a rural farmhouse, jabbering away, having a good time without sounding contrived.

DND were very early on the scene, people got personally invested in the ongoing story. That's all. Power to DND, and to anyone who can create that kind of momentum.

Stop jacking off to your stats, people, and just put good stuff out there, whatever your personal definition of that might be.

[johnandwayneshow]

Votes? Let's talk bandwidth....that's how I measure how well our show is being received across the board (PCA and beyond)...that and daily hits on our site....

A voting system is nothing more than a popularity contest...and I'm not about to ask for votes on our show...and about 3 out of every fifth podcast I listen to asks for votes on PCA, which is fine, if that's what's important to you....

Personally I'd rather fill that "lobbying time" with something else....say -- anything!

Wayne

[yaz]

ha! ****wit, i like that...btw, my counterpart is the tool...

[bjason.com]

ha! ****wit, i like that...btw, my counterpart is the tool...

In that case, I wholeheartedly apologize.

Tool.

[owyn]

Votes? Let's talk bandwidth....that's how I measure how well our show is being received across the board (PCA and beyond)...that and daily hits on our site....

A voting system is nothing more than a popularity contest...and I'm not about to ask for votes on our show...and about 3 out of every fifth podcast I listen to asks for votes on PCA, which is fine, if that's what's important to you....

Personally I'd rather fill that "lobbying time" with something else....say -- anything!

Wayne
In general, I agree with you. I hang out in the alley because it has, in my opinion, the best directory available. Chris has done a great job of packaging truly useful information with great tools. As he mentioned in his Podcast Solutions interview, the voting has drawn attention to the Alley and made it a must have registration site. Great. That means that I can continue to check here first when I want more information about ANY podcast.

I found the first podcasts I listened to by coming here. I found the latest podcasts I listen to by asking for recommendations (http://www.podcastalley.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1298) here. Worked great. Found a pile of new shows to take a look at. Gradually working my way through them. Found a few definite keepers.

I just took a look at my download directory. It has 89 folders. But, I only continue to subscribe to 65 of them. And, as time to listen runs out, more of them are going to go. No sense in subscribing to something that I just don't listen to.

But what about the new podcatchers? They need to find out about the shows that are right for them.

Quality = Presentation + Content
Success = Quality + Marketting

The Alley is a key part of the marketting.

[spaz]

I found all of the shows I listen to here, usually by deciding who seems the most interesting in their posts. I don't mind when podcasters ask for votes, it's usually only a one or two sentance thing...I determine who I continue to listen to by content.

[bjason.com]

I found all of the shows I listen to here, usually by deciding who seems the most interesting in their posts. I don't mind when podcasters ask for votes, it's usually only a one or two sentance thing...I determine who I continue to listen to by content.

Right, absolutely. The only two possible purposes for the top ten are to stroke the egos of the podcasters on the list, and to maybe act as a primer for newcomers to the medium. Once the novelty wears off, though, content will rule as the determining factor.

(I must admit, however, that I regularly listen to five of the shows currently in that top ten. And I've been listening since podcasting's inception.)

[yaz]

I've been listening since podcasting's inception

OOOH! OOOH! im cool, i've been doing this all along...

[spaz]

...some people are easily pleased. I know, I'm one of them....

[bjason.com]

I've been listening since podcasting's inception

OOOH! OOOH! im cool, i've been doing this all along...

Erm, OK. Not really what I said, but whatever. Just trying to make a point, nozzle.

[yaz]

nozzle...hmmmm...

[Craig]

If Chris ever manages to figure out a way to handle the rating system so voting has nothing to do with it I'll send him $20 as a personal thank you.
Craig