The Voting System Here Is Completely Worthless

[frankwit]

I removed this...

[kinkysex]

I would have to agree.

But now the onus is upon us to replace it.

What do you suggest?

[tabulator32]

I think more of us would respond but, after reading your post, I imagine a lot of us are busy going out to...um, get some more votes!

8)

[podcastrant.com]

I think that the pickle's way of voting is superior to the alley's.

http://www.podcastpickle.com

You set up your favorites and they're good for 6 months at a time. You can always remove specific shows if they fall out of favor. Also you can go to their profile page and see all of their fans (the ones who have voted).

[ElNacho]

and over at da pickle, we dont cheat

[kinkysex]

I think that the pickle's way of voting is superior to the alley's.

http://www.podcastpickle.com

You set up your favorites and they're good for 6 months at a time. You can always remove specific shows if they fall out of favor. Also you can go to their profile page and see all of their fans (the ones who have voted).

Do "real" people use this system? ie... non-podcasters?

[ElNacho]

yes. some. not nearly as many as actualy podcasters, because u have to make an account...but hey, most listeners who are actually involved in the podcast stuff..is a fellow podcaster

[frankwit]

The pickle seems like a way better joint... i bet you 9 out of 10 people on the alley has faked votes. I say great, if you can exploit something to your advantage, but it certainly can't be trusted that the top podcasts our actually the most poplular, including our own show.

[ElNacho]

The pickle seems like a way better joint... i bet you 9 out of 10 people on the alley has faked votes. I say great, if you can exploit something to your advantage, but it certainly can't be trusted that the top podcasts our actually the most poplular, including our own show.

what gives u that number? i doubt that a lot

[frankwit]

I'm just saying alll you have to do is get all your friends and family to vote... do the P thing, vote from work etc etc. it's an imperfect method

[ElNacho]

i agree its a bad system, but i think ur ratio is waaaayy off. if ull notice thousands dont even vote for themself once. Getting one person to vote for u and voting for urself once gets u in the top, like, 500 overall

[pwfenton]

The pickle seems like a way better joint... i bet you 9 out of 10 people on the alley has faked votes. I say great, if you can exploit something to your advantage, but it certainly can't be trusted that the top podcasts our actually the most popular, including our own show.

Not sure what you are saying. If your show was suddenly higher (without your help) would you then say it was more accurate?

My problem is with how you determine that the results are inaccurate? Where do you get that information? You have some better way to determine which show is "really" more popular? I don't.

The Pickle is more anything. Standings at the Pickle reflect the feelings of the most active Pickle members... not at all a good sample of podcast listeners.

When I look at the number of downloads my podcasts get, and then compare that to the various rankings I get here and there from one day to the next, I just smile. Clearly rankings that depend on active endorsements don't reflect listenership. It only reflects the number of people willing to take the time to endorse your podcast on that particular directory.

[gregleck]

The pickle seems like a way better joint... i bet you 9 out of 10 people on the alley has faked votes. I say great, if you can exploit something to your advantage, but it certainly can't be trusted that the top podcasts our actually the most popular, including our own show.

Not sure what you are saying. If your show was suddenly higher (without your help) would you then say it was more accurate?

My problem is with how you determine that the results are inaccurate? Where do you get that information? You have some better way to determine which show is "really" more popular? I don't.

The Pickle is more anything. Standings at the Pickle reflect the feelings of the most active Pickle members... not at all a good sample of podcast listeners.

When I look at the number of downloads my podcasts get, and then compare that to the various rankings I get here and there from one day to the next, I just smile. Clearly rankings that depend on active endorsements don't reflect listenership. It only reflects the number of people willing to take the time to endorse your podcast on that particular directory.

Word. From my stats I see that I'm getting 100 downloads a day for mp3 files, even though my feedburner stats say my audience is 23. I have no votes on podacast alley.

[ElNacho]

The Pickle is more anything. Standings at the Pickle reflect the feelings of the most active Pickle members... not at all a good sample of podcast listeners.


When I look at the number of downloads my podcasts get, and then compare that to the various rankings I get here and there from one day to the next, I just smile. Clearly rankings that depend on active endorsements don't reflect listenership. It only reflects the number of people willing to take the time to endorse your podcast on that particular directory.

that's exactly right. rankings slightly reflect leadership, but more, id say, reflect involvement in the community. on the pickle, its not just the "most active members", but whichever fan takes the time to make an account and click the link. i agree, its mostly podcasters, but definetly not all the "most active members". it may seem that way...the pickle is more community-based, the more ur involved in the community, the more podcasts u listen to, the more favorites u have...
but anyways, my point is, there is no "accurate ranking system" for popularity besides strait up "average downloads per episode after given amount of time". Which is constantly kinda growin and shrinkin...

ergh...so basically just stop caring about ur ranking. be happy with watcha got. or get better. do it. stuff. not much is accurate. get over it, ur here to have phun not compete. if ur here to compete then u wont last long.

[frankwit]

The pickle seems like a way better joint... i bet you 9 out of 10 people on the alley has faked votes. I say great, if you can exploit something to your advantage, but it certainly can't be trusted that the top podcasts our actually the most popular, including our own show.

Not sure what you are saying. If your show was suddenly higher (without your help) would you then say it was more accurate?

My problem is with how you determine that the results are inaccurate? Where do you get that information? You have some better way to determine which show is "really" more popular? I don't.

The Pickle is more anything. Standings at the Pickle reflect the feelings of the most active Pickle members... not at all a good sample of podcast listeners.

When I look at the number of downloads my podcasts get, and then compare that to the various rankings I get here and there from one day to the next, I just smile. Clearly rankings that depend on active endorsements don't reflect listenership. It only reflects the number of people willing to take the time to endorse your podcast on that particular directory.

I can't prove anything, but I know after a little experimenting that it's very easy to "fix" the voting, probably almost as easy as a national presidential election ;)

I agree with you about listenership stats and what voting reflects. Good Comments!!!

[etomorrow]

i see the alley as a way to get your podcast in front of a couple more people. never put much faith in the voting system, other than a way to have your link sitting a bit higher in the rankings maybe a few more people will check it out.

[frankwit]

i see the alley as a way to get your podcast in front of a couple more people. never put much faith in the voting system, other than a way to have your link sitting a bit higher in the rankings maybe a few more people will check it out.

I'm convinced though that lazy *** people only look at the top 10. The Mediocre Show rocks!

[etomorrow]

yeah i am convinced everyone is lazy.

[frankwit]

I know I am :wink:

[LoveHouseRadio]

I agree that the main impact of the rankings is in the top ten- it is something I glance over at myself and don't go digging into. I would imagine that when someone first comes to the alley to be introduced to Podcasting, the list will catch their eye and they may not get beyond the ten but it may also have no bearing on what they initially listen to as they will probably search for a topic and the show names in the top ten may or may not fit as part of that search.

But hey, I keep begging for votes and I guess my listeners are super lazy because no one is helping me cheat the system :P

[ElNacho]

i found out that the top whateverlist in most directories is definetly not the best podcasts for whatever i wanna listen to. its taken me over 5 months to find the fourty or so ones im currently listening to!

[smcminn]

I would have to agree with most. The votes don't really matter. Heck, I think I've received only 2 votes in the past two months. But, that doesn't concern me for a couple of reasons.

First, I'm just having fun doing this, and I have never had this kind of medium to experiment with storytelling before.

Second, my subscription rate and downloads are slowly increasing, which, to me, is more important than reaching the top ten (will being listed in the top ten bring me more listeners? maybe).

Third, I find it a little annoying to hear people contantly asking for votes. While it doesn't bother me so much that I will stop listening to podcasts, it is getting a little redundant.

I do like the pickle's way of doing things better, though. There seems to be more of a community building there than a competition going on.

[yippie]

Not that people are really lazy or that a show doesn't have listener's but I think it's more the fact that you MUST enter an email address to vote and it's just a hassle. Nowadays people just don't like to give out their email to just anyone or post it in any form because of SPAM! If there was someway that still made the voting process valid, but did not require an email then it would probably cause more voting for different shows by legitimate listeners/voters. PodcastPUP is sort of on it's way to a good rate system, because it doesn't require an email, but still has some bugs. See what I mean at our PUP Page.

Our PUP Page: http://www.podcastpup.com/podcast_details.asp?SiteID=132

[ElNacho]

i dont really see what u mean, considerin there's only one ranking :roll:

a ton of directories have just plain, 1-5 star ratings. not really much better than anythin else, but yes it is easier. in a way.

[yippie]

i dont really see what u mean, considerin there's only one ranking :roll:

a ton of directories have just plain, 1-5 star ratings. not really much better than anythin else, but yes it is easier. in a way.

Yeah it is similiar to many others, but not only does it average the star rankings, but it also counts the number of people who ranked the podcast and then tallies that as votes. I think the main thing is the easy part and no email address to give out.

:D

[cinesnob]

No offence Nacho Man: The voting process is a little to high school for my tastes, "Vote for me, my podcast rocks!"

[ElNacho]

i agree...thats why like to say "vote for me so other peeps can see the goodness that is el nacho" rather than "cuz u no im qik ***"

[yippie]

i agree...thats why like to say "vote for me so other peeps can see the goodness that is el nacho" rather than "cuz u no im qik ***"

I like that El Nacho! :lol:

[paulyb]

I wish I knew how to fix the votes - Punky! would get thousands off me! Personally I'm all for charts and ratings and what have you as if it means the music we play reaches more people, it's great. You can tell who are getting genuine votes anyway if their comments/votes ratio is fairly level. I'm really flattered by how many people take the time to leave a comment for us (No matter how abusive!) as it shows that they genuinely like what we're doing. One good coment is worth ten fixed votes in my book.

[cinesnob]

Punky Brewster rocks!

[paulyb]

I've modelled my entire life on Punky Brewster, oh - and Marmalade Atkins. Still not helping us break the top 50 though...

[Kell]

Wow good thread. I can honestly say I have no clue how to fix votes. I can also say I wouldn't do it even if I knew how.

My hubs and I will ask for a vote every once in a while. We have however decided to stop asking, it takes us off topic & takes time we could use to be talking about something really important :roll: okay maybe not important.

We said it in the beginning "We are the lazy mans podcast" no need to e-mail or vote - were just going to be happy someone is listening.

I'm going to check out idiotVox (http://www.idiotvox.com/url) - I think Eric & Cohry are involved with that. I know they have a ranking & review system.

[ElNacho]

i think abuse of ur "hub" is important :lol:
anyting that makes me laff is important! like play doh!

[cinesnob]

Hey Punky Brewster: I have almost 2,000 listeners and I'm rated 4762nd in the Podcast Alley Top 10,000 podcasts, so you're light-years ahead of me, brother!

[yippie]

Just do it for the fun!

What makes PodcastAlley the authority in ranking a show anyway right?

Podcasting = Fun

:D

[Kell]

i8play_doh :wink:

We don't have 2000 listeners but I whined really bad on show 19 - I'm slightly embarrassed about it :oops: - I offered people I would e-mail them a dollar and be their best friend if they did vote. I felt bad after, but like I said I vowed not to ask again. :D

[LoveHouseRadio]

i8play_doh :wink:

We don't have 2000 listeners but I whined really bad on show 19 - I'm slightly embarrassed about it :oops: - I offered people I would e-mail them a dollar and be their best friend if they did vote. I felt bad after, but like I said I vowed not to ask again. :D

How much did it end up costing you?

[Kell]

Nada - Scan dollar & e-mail :lol:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d35/Sinmngrl/OneDollarSmall.jpg

[LoveHouseRadio]

I have a co-worker that will send you a dollar based on your picture alone ! :shock:

[kickasspodcast]

Just do it for the fun!

Podcasting = Fun

:D


HELL YEAH!

[Kell]

I have a co-worker that will send you a dollar based on your picture alone ! :shock:

yea, but after they see me in the morning they always want their dollar back :lol:
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d35/Sinmngrl/CrazyLadyAvatar.jpg

[paulyb]

Hey Punky Brewster: I have almost 2,000 listeners and I'm rated 4762nd in the Podcast Alley Top 10,000 podcasts, so you're light-years ahead of me, brother!

That's "Marmalade Atkins" to you, if you don't mind. We've picked up votes/coments from listeners on here because we request it. Judging by the number of different podcasting sites there are It's like boxing - we've got our eyes on one belt but we're nowhere near unification! We don't brag about how many listeners we've got, though and for the record, American Idol is watched by millions but it doesn't mean it's any good :lol:

[cinesnob]

Personally, having 2,000 listeners isn't bragging, by any stretch. According to The Podcasting Do-It Yourself Guide: A podcast with 1,000-4,999 listeners is considered to be a small audience. Medium is 5,000-14,999 listeners and Large is, of course, 15,000+ listeners. At my current numbers Blogmatrix isn't giving me the bandwidth fish-eye, so I can rest easy. If I was a size medium, I'd probably have to go on a dedicated server and goodbye $10 a month podcasting...

[SteveRunner]

No one asked, but here's my .02

Feedburner says my circulation is around 50 per day, and I get around 100 hits on my website each day, so I'm guessing I have a pretty small audience.

Since I started asking for votes on PCA a few months ago, I've gotten 130 or so votes in November, 150 in December and so far 140 this month, yet somehow my rating is pretty high (25) so here's how I interpret my numbers:

1. I have a tiny audience, but they're all dedicated runners like me, most of whom are training for a marathon (I'm training for the Boston Marathon in April).

2. Just about everyone who is subscribed or listens to my show votes for me.

That's it, that's all I know, and I'm pretty happy with that! I'm reaching exactly the audience I had hoped for, and the the PCA counts are pretty accurate, in my estimation.

[paulyb]

You're doing a grand job, matey - perhaps the PCA charts actually reflect the enthusiasm of the listeners and not their actual numbers. I wonder how many of us would be happy to throw open our webstats for all to see and do the vote that way?

[Wintersheart]

Exactly the enthusiasm of the listeners and how many proxy servers they have access tooo. Really the system does not work it needs a way to measure downloads its simple.

I was a listener for 2 months before I started a show and I never voted for any shows simply because I was in the car or on a train when I was listening and really why would I...... Go to effort to vote when the podcast is free? Unless the podcaster Chanallege me or there was something in it for me I didn’t vote until I had my own podcast and I saw how much it meant to people.

I would say the normal listener will never vote if they like you they will download the next show that’s a bout it.

Also noted that people with high votes and no comments looks suss.

The only way to get them to vote is to spark a high emotional reaction in your audience to give them a reason to vote. I'm done really with podcast alley I don’t think we have asked for votes for a few shows now. I've been asking for pickle votes. With that said go over there and vote for me we only need 2 or 3 people and we are on the top 25 list! ;)

I will throw this out at ya .. Why not just HARD CODE THE top 10 list and abolish the voting system them less competition and more harmony...

What do u guys think?

[kinkysex]

Why not just HARD CODE THE top 10 list

Sorry, what's that?

[SteveRunner]

Why not just HARD CODE THE top 10 list and abolish the voting system them less competition and more harmony...
What do u guys think?

I respectfully disagree. I believe that you’re not interpreting the data that PCA provides in a way that would be more useful to you. Let’s take a look at the list right now:

As I write this in the afternoon of January 17th, the MuggleCast PodCast has 645 votes in January, and is rated the number one PodCast on PCA.

That’s pretty good, no? By your suggestion, many of those votes are manufactured by some complex automated system, but you have no evidence of that, or do you?

If so, then how inaccurate would you call the numbers? How many of those 645 votes are you challenging as not being “authentic”? What evidence do you have to support your claim? Is it just a “gut feeling”, or do you have some inside information?

I’m not trying to attack here, but you asked “What do you guys think?”, and it’s my opinion that a grand majority those 645 votes are real, from real listeners.

But let’s suppose you’re correct, let’s say that 95% of those votes (that would be 612 of the votes) were automatically created by a computer programmed by a single person.

What have they (the Mugglecast producers) achieved? What is the major significance of being #1 at anything, if you know that, in truth, you have not earned the position?

In your post, you imply that there is something wrong with competition and that we lack “harmony” under the current PCA system. I could not disagree with you more.

Competition is, and always will be a good thing for PodCasting. I see it in my own little niche where there are only a handful of “Runners” PodCasts, and I am eager to listen to many more in the next year! All of these will have much higher PCA ratings, and a significantly larger audience than my goofy little PodCast will ever have: and that’s a good thing, because it means that other runners (my listeners) will have a wider variety of content to listen to!

Secondly, it’s probably just my ignorance, but what examples can you provide where harmony is lacking due to the current PCA system? I’m wracking my brains over here (very tiny little brains mind you) trying to conceive of any example or case where there would be disharmony because the Mugglecast inspired 645 listeners to actively vote for that show.

Please don’t be offended, my tone here is not offensive: I suspect you have excellent examples to support your position, and I continue to reserve the right to be a dummy. :)

Run long and taper

- Steve

[Wintersheart]

Mugglecast is not a good example look at others that have no comments.

I'm sure the primary school system is supporting them. I'm not saying all of them cheat but some are. I'm sorry you lack the technical skills to see this any 2 bit computer programmer can. I am not going to expose anyone for cheating but its happening its also not my place.

I think you are very defensive about your own podcast and blinded to actually understand anything I was saying. Your more interested in defending your own votes.

As for harmony read any thread in the everything else thread section and the locked threads.

I think its funny you are blinded to any issues and choose to challenge rather then look yourself.
1) I can tell you now people are cheating with proxy servers.

p.s Kinky Hard coded is a programmer term. For code that doesn’t change.
O yeah nothing personal ;)-
-Lynne

p.s Steve I think it was off that you did spit the dummy and I find your posts offensive and a personal attack considering your post is a challenge. Rather then an investigation or solution to the problems here at podcast alley. Which I think is what people would like a fair and just voting system.

There is no new information I have revealed in my comments that has not already been discussed in this thread hence your personal attack on me.

Also I wont reply as I am not here to fight with you which is what your post was designed to do (personal attack) throw down the gauntlet or something lol I refuse to be baited by you.

[SteveRunner]

I think you are very defensive about your own podcast and blinded to actually understand anything I was saying. Your more interested in defending your own votes.

Again, I write this with all due respect, and am sorry if you have misinterpreted my post here as a personal attack or as a defensive response on my part.

Were we in the same bar-room together for this conversation, I’d have bought you a beer and spoken in the polite tones that my previous post was intended to convey.

Anyway: I was not being defensive, although I can understand why you might think that was the case. I was simply trying to understand what concrete evidence you possessed to prove your claim about PCA?

I’m happy that I amuse you, at least you and I have expressed some harmony: but let’s assume for a minute that I hold an electrical engineer degree and that I’ve done what we call “a bunch of technical stuff” (errr…yeah, I is a engineer BTW), what leads you to make a blanket statement like “the system does not work”, and that we should “abolish the voting system”?

The only reason I disagree is because I assume people are honest and that the service provided on PCA is a good one: what I lack is any evidence to the contrary.

I’m sorry that you feel that I am being defensive, but the burden of proof is with you.

Here, let me get you another beer! :D

[kinkysex]

p.s Kinky Hard coded is a programmer term. For code that doesn’t change.
O yeah nothing personal ;)-
-Lynne

Could you explain in a little more detail?

I can code. What kind of code would you like?

I don't understand how HTML (for example) would help you. That code doesn't change. Would you like the top ten to 'be locked' or random?

[foolafoola]

I personally do vote for podcasts that i like. I think the voting system is fine. It could inspire a higher quality in podcasting.

[vator]

...I'm done really with podcast alley I don’t think we have asked for votes for a few shows now. I've been asking for pickle votes. With that said go over there and vote for me we only need 2 or 3 people and we are on the top 25 list! ;)I will throw this out at ya .. Why not just HARD CODE THE top 10 list and abolish the voting system them less competition and more harmony...

What do u guys think?

Everyone here is so nice, I'll say it. The reason you don't get votes are
1. Your show sucks.
2. You appeal to kids in grade school who play role playing games.
3. You talk about kids ****, but your music is for older kids.
4. You review movies that everyones already seen. How stupid is that?
5. You do a vid cast that makes you look like a fat idiot.
6. Your show sucks.

Frankly anyone who listens to you, has far too much time on their hands.

[smcminn]

Everyone here is so nice, I'll say it.

That was a little harsh.


...I'm done really with podcast alley I don’t think we have asked for votes for a few shows now. I've been asking for pickle votes. With that said go over there and vote for me we only need 2 or 3 people and we are on the top 25 list! I will throw this out at ya .. Why not just HARD CODE THE top 10 list and abolish the voting system them less competition and more harmony...

What do u guys think?

Is that what podcasting is all about? Votes? Man, if it's not a debate about money, it's a debate about votes. Looks like a new medium carrying the same old s**t.

May I ask a question? How many people are doing this for fun?

[tabulator32]

Everyone here is so nice, I'll say it. The reason you don't get votes are
1. Your show sucks.
2. You appeal to kids in grade school who play role playing games.
3. You talk about kids sh*t, but your music is for older kids.
4. You review movies that everyones already seen. How stupid is that?
5. You do a vid cast that makes you look like a fat idiot.
6. Your show sucks.

Frankly anyone who listens to you, has far too much time on their hands.

Frenetic whiny little bitch, isn't he?

8)

[SteveRunner]

I personally do vote for podcasts that i like. I think the voting system is fine. It could inspire a higher quality in podcasting.

I agree completely with you Foola: in fact. I always vote for my favorite PodCasts at the beginning of every month because I want to encourage the producers to keep on producing! I also encourage my listeners to vote on PodCast Alley for shows they like (not including mine).

I was as happy to be #153 (in September) as I was #24 (last month), hell: I was happy to have even a single vote (probably my wife) because it meant that someone approved of what I was doing in my show.

I don’t anticipate ever having a big audience (I’d probably be too self conscious if my audience grew to more than a hundred or so), but PCA is encouraging and I think it’s a fair system. I accept that, as with every system, there will be flaws: but I think the design of the website, and the way that listeners can vote without having to sign up for an account is a great feature of the site.

My opinion (hope it’s still safe to voice an opinion without being called “defensive” and “offensive” at the same time) is that the PCA rating is interesting and fun to talk about, but it’s the number of votes that really count. For me, having more than 10 votes a month is an incredible feeling, because it means that like minded runners are “tuning in”; I’ve gotten a lot of positive response from marathoners like myself, and will be having my own “PodCast Meet-Up” at the Boston Marathon expo this year! How cool is that?

I’m still hoping someone can articulate how PCA leads to disharmony and how competition is a bad thing…not to mention a single example of how “cheating” has somehow ruined the sanctity of the voting here, all I know is I have at least 10 votes for my PodCast this month, and I didn’t vote for myself: so unless my wife is over there at her computer “cheating” the vote; I think I have the smattering of an audience: and for me, that’s the whole point of PCA.

Trust me: you wouldn’t want to listen to my show: so my ranking doesn’t mean all that much: to me it’s the fact that there are at least 10 runners somewhere on the planet who were kind enough to vote for me! How frickin’ cool is that?

[Wintersheart]

Everyone here is so nice, I'll say it. The reason you don't get votes are
1. Your show sucks.
2. You appeal to kids in grade school who play role playing games.
3. You talk about kids sh*t, but your music is for older kids.
4. You review movies that everyones already seen. How stupid is that?
5. You do a vid cast that makes you look like a fat idiot.
6. Your show sucks.

Frankly anyone who listens to you, has far too much time on their hands.

Wow what a personal attack!

I never said I was pretty or slim, I never said I had the best show all I said is the system isnt fair! Also I love first time posters.

Also who says I don’t get real votes ? Or people don’t listen ? You would be surprised at actually how many downloads a show I get.

[smcminn]

Trust me: you wouldn’t want to listen to my show: so my ranking doesn’t mean all that much: to me it’s the fact that there are at least 10 runners somewhere on the planet who were kind enough to vote for me! How frickin’ cool is that?

That is cool. Listeners are cool. Podcasters are cool!

I just enjoy watching the subscription rate and downloads go up. Heck, I've doubled in a week (of course that may or may not be a lot to some when they base it on the orginial numbers :wink: )

[kinkysex]

a single example of how “cheating” has somehow ruined the sanctity of the voting here

i just voted for Griffin's Guide to the Galaxy twice from my desktop computer. From here: www.proxy.org

names: Steve & Runner. I can forward you the confirmation e-mails if you'd like.

I could have voted 1000 more times, but I'm busy.... well, not BUSY - lazy. ;)

[UncleThursday]

...I'm done really with podcast alley I don’t think we have asked for votes for a few shows now. I've been asking for pickle votes.

My problem with Pickle...

I have more episodes up than they are showing. They seem to be using my RSS feed for the info; so where are the rest of my episodes?

Any basic RSS reader will show you all of my casts in it. It makes me wonder what sort of retarded aggregator they use.

[Kell]

Yeah - ummm FYI - kids are not the only people that game.
I know several adults that game.

I know several older movies that I haven't seen, and I think it's sorta nice to get a review of them. Not every podcast is for everyone, but there is no reason to attack people personally.

:)

[vator]

Everyone here is so nice, I'll say it. The reason you don't get votes are
1. Your show sucks.
2. You appeal to kids in grade school who play role playing games.
3. You talk about kids sh*t, but your music is for older kids.
4. You review movies that everyones already seen. How stupid is that?
5. You do a vid cast that makes you look like a fat idiot.
6. Your show sucks.

Frankly anyone who listens to you, has far too much time on their hands.

Wow what a personal attack!

I never said I was pretty or slim, I never said I had the best show all I said is the system isnt fair! Also I love first time posters

Of course you never said you were pretty or slim. Of course you never said you had the best show, no one is that gullable. That's great that you have your simpathy votes, because that's pretty much all you have. If you like the pickle so much, why the hell are you here fatso? I can't stand when people talk about other places, saying the other places are superior. Who the **** are you? GO, you virus! Some of us like the Alley, and think the Alley works. I personally think it's the best. You speak like a defeated hag. And that's not a personal attack, that's how you sound, like a crybaby. VOTES mean ****, it's only you bitches that cry about it. Make a good show, how about that? Novel hmmm? Now your friend over there is talking about cheating and voting for you? Pathetic *****les. I'm glad for this thread so we can see who's who.

[tabulator32]

Its spelled "sYmpathy", you illiterate, festering, whelp of a child.

Now, **** off to your legos and your PS2 and wipe the piss from your leg.

There now...**** off.

That's a good boy.

Thanks.

[yippie]

Just do it for the fun!

Podcasting = Fun

:D


HELL YEAH!

As I said before:

Podcasting = Fun

Hey everyone vent your frustrations and leave us a YIP!

:)

[Wintersheart]

Wow so much hate because I said the system is unfair I think something else is going on here, and by the way I'm not going anywhere.

I think my mate kinky was trying to give an example of the system.

The lovely, wonderful, talented, Arty, Witty, funny, caring,
Mother of 2

Lynne Gryphon

[kickasspodcast]

...I'm done really with podcast alley I don’t think we have asked for votes for a few shows now. I've been asking for pickle votes.

My problem with Pickle...

I have more episodes up than they are showing. They seem to be using my RSS feed for the info; so where are the rest of my episodes?

Any basic RSS reader will show you all of my casts in it. It makes me wonder what sort of retarded aggregator they use.


All my experience on the Pickle tells me that their aggregator is fine. 99% of the feeds work great. Look at this Pickle Page (http://podcastpickle.com/casts/?988) of a Podcast with episodes in the Feed going back 2.5 years. Unfortunately there is no universal aggregator (yet) and so you can't really blame a specific aggregator. I have that issue on my pickle Page (http://podcastpickle.com/casts/?936) also, and my feed validates through feedvadlidator. But it doesn't mean that feed will work perfectly with all aggregators. Soon enough my friend, 2006 will give birth to (finally) a superior, universal aggregator.

If you email P. Dilly, I'm sure he'll be more than happy to help work out any problems, if it is the aggregator, he'd probably appreciate your input, perhaps even a Featured Podcast!

I personally use 2 aggregators and twice that many Podcast Directories. As far as rankings I think its best to look at several podcast directories and judge for yourself, there is no end-all, be-all. Its actually better to look at the average (imho) than take one site as the gospel.

@Vator I for one would really appreciate it if you were a bit nicer to the ladies in this forum. I am the 1st guy to rationalize being pissed, but I think your being a bit heavy handed. Be Kind. I'll be nice today if you will!


Jack

Off to play CS

[UncleThursday]

...I'm done really with podcast alley I don’t think we have asked for votes for a few shows now. I've been asking for pickle votes.

My problem with Pickle...

I have more episodes up than they are showing. They seem to be using my RSS feed for the info; so where are the rest of my episodes?

Any basic RSS reader will show you all of my casts in it. It makes me wonder what sort of retarded aggregator they use.


All my experience on the Pickle tells me that their aggregator is fine. 99% of the feeds work great. Look at this Pickle Page (http://podcastpickle.com/casts/?988) of a Podcast with episodes in the Feed going back 2.5 years. Unfortunately there is no universal aggregator (yet) and so you can't really blame a specific aggregator. I have that issue on my pickle Page (http://podcastpickle.com/casts/?936) also, and my feed validates through feedvadlidator. But it doesn't mean that feed will work perfectly with all aggregators. Soon enough my friend, 2006 will give birth to (finally) a superior, universal aggregator.

If you email P. Dilly, I'm sure he'll be more than happy to help work out any problems, if it is the aggregator, he'd probably appreciate your input, perhaps even a Featured Podcast!

I personally use 2 aggregators and twice that many Podcast Directories. As far as rankings I think its best to look at several podcast directories and judge for yourself, there is no end-all, be-all. Its actually better to look at the average (imho) than take one site as the gospel.

Jack

Off to play Counterstrike...

Mine is just missing everything from Episode 2 on.... yours is completely jumping around, with episodes showing up earlier or later than they should.

Something is wacky.

But I'm now on like 10-15 podcast directories, as well.

[kickasspodcast]

But both of our feeds validate. Mine was made by a program just for RSS feeds, yours is generated by feedburner.

Funny thing is...


Here (http://feedvalidator.org/check.cgi?url=http%3A%2F%2Fpodforumblogger.blogspo t.com%2Fatom.xml) is the XML feed to my blog (blogspot) having a trainwreck with feed validator. Won't it be nice to have a universal aggregator?


Best of luck man, hope you give the pickle another chance! I'm sure my Druid from Tibia (http://www.tibia.com/) could pwn you on Warcraft (LOL JK!)!

Jack

[paulyb]

Wow! I'm glad Jack's here to get us back on track! This thread's really sorting the men out from the hags :shock:

And for the record, I think Lynne's well tasty. She gets my vote anyway...

...At least thanks to Kinky we will know exactly who suddenly gets a load of votes as a result of this thread. I haven't looked at that proxy thingy but suddenly it's almost a challenge NOT to get votes to prove how pure you are!

If I were you lot I'd have done with it and go and vote for "Punky!" immediately. Let's face it, if you're all only doing it for fun then you won't mind, will you?

[smcminn]

vator: I think an apology is in order. No one should be talked to the way you did in the forum. You're way off. Way . . . way off.

Jack: I agree with you on this one.

paulyb: I'm off to vote now.

[paulyb]

good boy!

So anyway, what do we all think about the PCA voting system? Personally I think it's great when we get votes and rubbish when we don't, but then I'm a bona fide hypocritical wankpot.

[kinkysex]

I going to try again....

We all know the voting system is tainted. Anyone who wants to can sit at the computer and vote themselves into the top 10.

So, bitching, whining and moaning aside.... it's broke, how do WE FIX IT?

Has anyone seen a system that works?

Podcast Pickle's method (favorites, with registration) has been suggested.

Anyone else have a better way to produce a top ten?

Please, for debate on WHY WE NEED A TOP TEN, start a new topic.

[paulyb]

Maybe we could base it on who's got the biggest knob. Punky! would win hands down - we've got Butch Tony!

[UncleThursday]

Here is the XML feed to my blog (blogspot) having a trainwreck with feed validator. Won't it be nice to have a universal aggregator?

Only if everyone followed the same standards for it in generating their feeds, and having them read.

You know, like how we have this nice, wonderful web design/programming system for web sites for compatibility issues and such called CSS... yet not every browser supports CSS the same. IE has crap CSS support, always has, always will because MS doesn't own it. Mozilla/Firefox supports it better, but not completely, and has its own issues with other web standards. Konqueror/Safari has the same problems as Mozilla/Firefox, just in different places. Opera has its own problems. Etc.

Basically, even if there was a universal aggregator, the problem will lie in each versions' usage. Maybe RSS reader X does it this way, maybe RSS reader Y does it that way, etc. Unless there is some sort of standards board that puts its foot down and makes every RSS reader use the exact same aggregator (which is unlikely, being as then there may not be a way for improvements later on as easily).

Universal standards are basically like Nirvana (the plane of existance, not the band). You can dream of them, but never get there. Even though standards are a good thing, people (and companies) feel that having universal anything stifles competition and innovation. Of course, this is only true until something better does come along, and it is adopted as the new universal standard... but, then we have the problem of implementing that standard into existing products/software or patches, etc.

Best of luck man, hope you give the pickle another chance! I'm sure my Druid from Tibia could pwn you on Warcraft (LOL JK!)!

Bah. You and your Windows-only MMO (Linux through Wine, though).

[paulyb]

So that's a "No" to the knob suggestion then...

[kickasspodcast]

The whole rankings things is a quandry. I still think its best for each directory to decide (preferably vastly different methods) how they want to control rankings. If the idea behind the discussion is to make it easier for people to find podcasts then perhaps an amazon.com style system of refferals would be supperior.

If its just about the top 10 etc.. who knows. I still think its best (atm) to use at least 5 sources and do an overall judge for yourself on what you think is the cream. Skepticality for example is not currently in the top 100 here, that is clearly not a good representation of whos listening to what, but you have to go to other directories to learn that.

I don't really think anyone is spending hours using a4 proxy to spam the server, but who knows? I personally prefer a top 25 on the front page and even better would be a top 10 per genre and sub genre, but those are just my opinions and i'm sure that others would disagree. I do however think that nobody will ever agree upon the appropriate interval for when votes are reset. Ultimately it would be nice for all systems to be based on total downloads + total subscribers BUT, we'd probably only see radio podcasts and commercial podcasts out ranking everyone else across the pod directories. I don't know what the best solution, for now I think it is to have multiple methods for determining popularity.

Pauly, finally got a listen to Punky today man... pretty solid, i'll be checking it out again.

L8-

Jack

[paulyb]

Nice one Jack - glad you thought we were sturdy.

[kickasspodcast]

Why can't there be databases of all available (ok so like 95% of the most commonly used) tags and formats and have some algorithms figure it out based on some pre-defined requirements. It cant be that hard... I should have been a bit more clear. Universal as in, everyone uses it. 'Your mom's aggregator'. The aggregator that everyone uses for news, podcasts, vidcasts, family feeds, reading lists, everything. I think the answer lies in OPML somewhere, so many managed feeds all being generated in different ways all working for most people. Its not perfect but it works for now. For what its worth I think Opera's builtin RSS support is about as nice as I've seen. Makes its really easy to subscribe. Will be cool to see what ends up happening with Flock and RSS.

I could see there RSS running two courses, a mainstream course that is pretty much standard (like html) to syndicate to the world, and then smaller proprietary versions with unique tags based on the needs of the company or group or church etc... it will be fun watching it change!

Jack

More
on aggrevators, universal and motherly (http://static2.podcatch.com/blogs/gems/snedit/cn05Jan02.mp3)

[vator]

You all ruined the place you love!

Yes especially Lynne and all those other idiots that gave people info on how to ruin the alley! The voting system WAS working and you gave people a way to cheat! **** you!!!

here's what popped up within the last hour or so...
podcast id: #17676
GENRE: General
COMMENTS: 266
JANUARY VOTES: 361
OVERALL VOTES: 361
MEMBER SINCE:
01/09/2006
MONTHLY RANK: 7

WHAT??? 361 VOTES and a member from 1/9/6???? Before I could weed out what was real and fake, next month you will see a slew of fake voting! THANKS TO YOU DUMBASSES! Sure it wasn't perfect, no system will ever be, but now it's nothing! This is so **** obvious it's unbelievable. Now do something good and report this to the ADMINS, get this podcast banned from the alley! Next month, I fear, the alley will be a wasteland of all you *****les trying to crawl over eachother!

[smcminn]

You all ruined the place you love!

Yes especially Lynne and all those other idiots that gave people info on how to ruin the alley! The voting system WAS working and you gave people a way to cheat! f*ck you!!!

here's what popped up within the last hour or so...
podcast id: #17676
GENRE: General
COMMENTS: 266
JANUARY VOTES: 361
OVERALL VOTES: 361
MEMBER SINCE:
01/09/2006
MONTHLY RANK: 7

WHAT??? 361 VOTES and a member from 1/9/6???? Before I could weed out what was real and fake, next month you will see a slew of fake voting! THANKS TO YOU DUMBASSES! Sure it wasn't perfect, no system will ever be, but now it's nothing! This is so d*mn obvious it's unbelievable. Now do something good and report this to the ADMINS, get this podcast banned from the alley! Next month, I fear, the alley will be a wasteland of all you *****les trying to crawl over eachother!

Umm. Wasn't that the point of this thread. To expose how the voting sytem is weak at the alley. Now, according to you, there is proof.

BTW: I think most of us would appreciate it if people would stop making personal attacks on others. You disagree fine. That's the prupose of this forum. However, peronal attacks canonly weaken an argument.

[vator]

You all ruined the place you love!

Yes especially Lynne and all those other idiots that gave people info on how to ruin the alley! The voting system WAS working and you gave people a way to cheat! f*ck you!!!

here's what popped up within the last hour or so...
podcast id: #17676
GENRE: General
COMMENTS: 266
JANUARY VOTES: 361
OVERALL VOTES: 361
MEMBER SINCE:
01/09/2006
MONTHLY RANK: 7

WHAT??? 361 VOTES and a member from 1/9/6???? Before I could weed out what was real and fake, next month you will see a slew of fake voting! THANKS TO YOU DUMBASSES! Sure it wasn't perfect, no system will ever be, but now it's nothing! This is so d*mn obvious it's unbelievable. Now do something good and report this to the ADMINS, get this podcast banned from the alley! Next month, I fear, the alley will be a wasteland of all you *****les trying to crawl over eachother!

Umm. Wasn't that the point of this thread. To expose how the voting sytem is weak at the alley. Now, according to you, there is proof.

BTW: I think most of us would appreciate it if people would stop making personal attacks on others. You disagree fine. That's the prupose of this forum. However, peronal attacks canonly weaken an argument.

Okay, I appologize. Lynne I'm sorry...I don't like your show, but you already know that. Now take off the links that you gave out! And everyone report the offenders! I did!

And everyone knew there was loop holes, but you guys just opened up a can of worms. So what's done is done, now do something instead of complaining! I do not think this voting system can be fixed because it is based on 2 things IPs and Emails....and thanks to you guys, everyone knows it. So fix it!!!! I'M SO PISSED AT YOU GUYS! I'm not going to do the personal attacks, but you guys seriously need to join together and think of saving the alley before it becomes a joke! :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:

edit; it was 30 mins ago I made the original post. they now have 374 votes!

[Wintersheart]

What links I didnt give any links on how to do this?

Wow this is crazy

-Lynne

[kinkysex]

vator -

ip spoofing? Proxy services?

You think no one here knew how to ip spoof?

umm... it's as common as water. Use google.

I've known about this for YEARS.

So does my nephew. He's 9.

Anyone could have done this at any time.

Just 'cause you didn't know, you think that makes it a secret?!?!?!

OK.

http://www.proxy.org

[vator]

kinkysex
You're a stupid ****, you know that? You know that right? I never said I didnt' know it, but I'm not about to tell people about it and **** up PCA like you are doing. What a **** head! You think everyone knew? Well they do now *****le!

This month and for several months before, I'd say there was some problems in the top 10, but next month....Next month when the votes are all ****ed up and crazy through in the top 200, go ahead and thank yourself. I'm sure the Ferf will thank you too. What a dumbass!

[kinkysex]

kinkysex
You're a stupid f*ck, you know that? You know that right? I never said I didnt' know it, but I'm not about to tell people about it and f*ck up PCA like you are doing. What a sh*t head! You think everyone knew? Well they do now as*hole!

This month and for several months before, I'd say there was some problems in the top 10, but next month....Next month when the votes are all f*ck up and crazy through in the top 200, go ahead and thank yourself. I'm sure the Ferf will thank you too. What a dumbass!

You're cute.

You think I messed up PCA. You think I told people about this PROXY.ORG.

You are, I assume, unable to use google.

But, keep attacking me. It's really good for PCA,

Keep cursing, that really makes this place look smart to the 200 guests lurking at the moment.

Yeah, kiddo, I'm the problem.

[smcminn]

What dismay!

[vator]

I can't believe none of you see my point of view! So if next month the votes are ****ed, then you'd believe me right? Am I that off?

[kinkysex]

I can't believe none of you see my point of view! So if next month the votes are f*ck, then you'd believe me right? Am I that off?

Vater, buddy - this thread is four days old. Any damage done has already been done. The cat is out of the bag. Let it go.

This is why I suggested TWICE that we put our heads together and FIX THE PROBLEM.

[vator]

Me too! That's why I appologized to Lynne. And then you went and posted that .org site, which in my opinion you shouldn't have, even if it is old news. Because you say the cat is out of the bag, but only to those who know. These things have to be fixed one step at a time, and that's a step back in my opinion.

I said everyone should report this to the admins and mods. I did.
Everyones gotta help and report these things, they can't mod 24-7.

they now have 380 votes! WTF!!!

[kinkysex]

and then you went and posted that .org site, which in my opinion you shouldn't have, even if it is old news.

Correction: I RE-POSTED the .org site. It was posted four days ago at the beginning of this thread.

Also, the example you are citing, doesn't he have 350-ish votes and 247-ish comments?

That's probably legit. I'm not saying it IS legit... I'm just thinkin' the real cheats will have 300 votes and 12 comments.

[vator]

No it's not legit. You have to remember comments mean nothing to tell if it's legit. Used proxies have nothing to do with it either, because both cannot be proved who used them (unless you are the ADMIN). I don'g need to prove to show which ips he's used, but I bet I can. And I can bet you money he did! The key here is "if it walk like a duck" Look at the signs....

1. He is brand new to the alley
2. He has one show out
3. His one show is only 3 mins long.
4. He's gotten over around 300 votes and comments in one day.

Think about it, he wasn't listed until about 2 hours ago!

[PEZ]

i want to say something here. i love the alley too, i hate most everyone who post here. i hate the the arguements and everyone kissing everyone ****ing asses. i could live without ever posting in these forums again, becuase so many have forgotten why we podcast....because we love to do it. and like jack and other said for fun! 1 listener or 10000 listeners, i could give a **** because i have fun doing it.

vator is right. the top 10, the top 50 will be based on how much proxies and time a person has rather then how hard you work on your show. i know many of you put out audio blogs and i do to, but i put out a long show out too, i put my heart into. the votes are nice because it reflects how people want to interact with your show. but imagine, now it won't matter how good a show is, and in the end the quality goes down.

oh and vator, i respect that you appologized, but you better watch your ****ing mouth! that **** wasn't cool!

[AaronfromQC]

While we're busy scaming the system, can someone make me #2? 1 is too obvious.

[jeffoest]

I think this thread has played out.

Also. please keep in mind the community rules. Among them:

* While debating and discussion is fine, we will not tolerate rudeness, insulting posts, personal attacks or purposeless inflammatory posts. Members should post in a way that is respectful of other users. Flaming or abusing users in any way will not be tolerated.

Personal message:
Heated discussion and debate is good, useful, entertaining and welcome. Insults and inflammatory posts don't add to a discussion and usually reflect poorly on the poster.

For your own protection and reputation, post as if what you write may show up on the front page of your local newspaper with your name on it. It's generally a good guide. And it shows respect for others.