PodShow Podcast Queue -- What gives?

[WyethDigital]

Gonna keep giving you guys Kudos for fixing my feed (in a different thread), but this problem deserves it's own little discussion. There's a problem in the PodShow player to be overcome, and I hope it's dealt with quickly!

Why is it that after a show in one series plays to the end (for instance, How-To Video Podcast), it jumps you to something called the queue where there are other (presumably) PodShow-chosen picks of other podcasts lined up and waiting? And don't tell me they're random, because they're not. It's the same ones after each play! What about the next episode in my podcast series, why not play that? It only makes sense to.

Here's the thing... I could just look at the queue as a feature that I'm not wild about, and all would be well with the world. The real issue is what's in the queue! Look you guys, our show is work and family-safe. What makes you think I, or my audience, wants to see "Dr Cockney" pop-up in a player asking Brits about their sexual experiences right after someone is done watching our videos about carving pumpkins or doing their nails? What's in the queue wouldn't even be an issue if it was based off user preferences (because then I'd have no one else but me to blame for my poor taste in podcasts), but I saw nothing that indicated that it was adjustable by the user. And it auto plays, to boot!

C'mon guys! Our audience ranges in age from pre-teen to middle aged women (and a few men). Our target demographic are young women, teen-through college. This isn't what I would call an appropriate follow-up program to a work/family-safe podcast, or something that we would expose our young audience to after our own show.

Eric

[starcom]

And now, time for another episode of Pod Executive Theatre:

Podcaster: You know, I got into podcasting because I listened to your show all the time. You really inspired me. I can't wait to be a part of your deal. By the way, what's the knife for?

Pod Executive: Glad to have you aboard. What knife?

Podcaster: The knife you have in your hand. You wouldn't stab me in the back or anything?

Pod Executive: Of course not. We are different. We're not like those big mass media companies, record companies, or huge corporations.

Podcaster: Ok if you say so. But I'd feel a lot better if you'd put the knife down.

Pod Executive: It's not really a knife. It just looks like a knife.

Podcaster: Oh well, in that case.

SFX: Knife entering flesh or meaty substance.

Podcaster: You stabbed me in the back! What'd you do that for?

Pod Executive: Well, gotta run and take this big sack of money to bank. Don't worry about the knife wound, I'm sure you'll get used to it.

[AmericanCliche]

Eric,

Have you emailed PodShow and asked them how the queue is supposed to function? I know that they just relaunched the new version of the site two days ago so they are still working out the kinks. I'd be curious to know what you find out.

starcom, yes, of course, it's another PodShow conspiracy. We haven't heard those comments from you before. Maybe there could be one thread in here with PodShow's name on it where you don't comment about how they are the devil. Too much to ask?

[starcom]

starcom, yes, of course, it's another PodShow conspiracy. We haven't heard those comments from you before. Maybe there could be one thread in here with PodShow's name on it where you don't comment about how they are the devil. Too much to ask?

Where does it say Podshow in my post? This could be any of the podcasting companies that have show hosts as executives.

As for your one post request, check out my posts defending Podshow's contracts when they we're getting the heat from KATG. Those you'd probably find acceptable.

[WyethDigital]

Eric,

Have you emailed PodShow and asked them how the queue is supposed to function? I know that they just relaunched the new version of the site two days ago so they are still working out the kinks. I'd be curious to know what you find out.


I have not emailed them directly about the Queue. I did not see a place to report the queue. So I came here, to PodShowJoe's stomping grounds. You may disagree, but I think this is one of those "squeaky-wheel" issues.

Eric

[PodShowJoe]

Why is it that after a show in one series plays to the end (for instance, How-To Video Podcast), it jumps you to something called the queue where there are other (presumably) PodShow-chosen picks of other podcasts lined up and waiting?

The functionality of the player is designed such that when the selected episode is finished playing, then a predetermined playlist is loaded and the player will start playing though this.

And don't tell me they're random, because they're not. It's the same ones after each play!

The playlist that is loaded is the most recent episodes of the shows listed in the lower righthand column entitled "Program Guide". We feel that by autmatically allowing the player to continue playing, it exposes the audience to additional high-quality content that they may not find otherwise.
What about the next episode in my podcast series, why not play that? It only makes sense to.

This is a good suggestion, we'll take a look at this further and if it makes sense, we'll see what we can do to implement it.

C'mon guys! Our audience ranges in age from pre-teen to middle aged women (and a few men). Our target demographic are young women, teen-through college. This isn't what I would call an appropriate follow-up program to a work/family-safe podcast, or something that we would expose our young audience to after our own show.

Eric - I understand you concerns. We are in the process of collecting user feedback and making adjustments as neccesary. Thanks for providing your thoughts here in the forum.

[WyethDigital]

Joe, I'm sure responding to a rather frustrated-sounding post is probably as high on the days' "Fun List" as a root canal, so I appreciate that you took the time to reply.

The functionality of the player is designed such that when the selected episode is finished playing, then a predetermined playlist is loaded and the player will start playing though this.

The playlist that is loaded is the most recent episodes of the shows listed in the lower righthand column entitled "Program Guide". We feel that by autmatically allowing the player to continue playing, it exposes the audience to additional high-quality content that they may not find otherwise.
Okay, I suspected as much as to why the queue exists, and I'm down with exposing folks to new podcasts. Like I said, the way it jumps from one series to another isn't a feature I want (as a consumer or a producer), but I can see the logic in it. The problem I have is with what is in the "pre-determined playlist."

This is probably going to look like a retread to you, but I can not emphasize this enough! For all the hard work you and your team do, this is probably the worst implementation you could have come up with. What if you were a parent setting your kid up to watch The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd, or some other kid-oriented podcast from the PodShow player? I can see it now: Dr. Floyd ends, and all of a sudden, instead of jumping to the next episode, Soccergirl Inc, or Dr. Cockney, or Yeast Radio pops up! If you think I can be a pain in the butt, wait until some irate parents get on a roll!

If you're insistent on pre-determined playlists, I have a solution which would work reasonably well (I leave it to your talented crew to figure out how to implement it, since I'm not a programmer). I know that not every podcast utilizes the "explicit" or "clean" tags, but many do, and for those that do, couldn't you filter the playlist based on the "explicit" or "clean" tag in the podcast RSS file that is played prior to the files in the queue?

Example: If current podcast RSS tag is "clean" = "Clean" shows in queue

"Explicit" podcast listeners probably don't care as much whether a "Clean" or "explicit" show comes up next, but some family conscious folks will.

I'll be honest, it's obviously not a perfect solution, and I can see some holes in it myself, but it beats what you have by a long shot.

I suppose you could even get away with a simple checkbox or a toggle to accomplish the same thing. Toggle to "clean" for only clean shows in the queue or mixed to allow others. I suppose you could even make it possible to toggle on or off the queue in general. If you really do want to create a first-rate user experience, give the user some control over their own content. I mean, that's what you guys are all about, right?

Eric

[Seuss]

I couldn't agree with Eric more on this one. Beyond his correct Dr. Floyd/Dr. Cockney what if, I have to say I don't see any good to come for you folks from not rectifying this total screw up ASAP.

BTW slapping a beta (or "un-beta" in this case) on a site doesn't making continually screwing up ok. What exactly are you folks spending all those VC bux on anyhow?... Must be all the print and mainstream media ad campaigns. Or not.

PS Does podshow ignore COPPA?

[WyethDigital]

Yeah. Now the next show up in the Queue is Port City PD with the opening scene of two guys pointing guns in each other's face.

Not cool!

Podshow, Overall, I like how you've laid out the service (even if I don't like every feature), and I appreciate the hard work, but this is ridiculous! Actually, it's beyond that...

This is a case of a good idea without afterthought. You can do it, but should you do it? I guess that's up to you as a company. What is up to me is whether or not I block you guys from carrying my show. Because I'll tell you right now, if this is not resolved soon, it's a deal killer. If I have to, I will pull my show off of PodShow's PodShow+ directory!

Eric