Total and complete newbie to podcasting

[craigert]

Hey there,

Well here's the story in minute details:

Got an .mp3 - Check
Got Hosting - Check
Got ftp - Check

Now, the ftp client is 1and1. I've had no probs with them at all one iota. However, that said, I've created a directory on the ftp named the folder, uploaded the file to the folder and viola! NOT!!!!

I try to validate the darn thing and getting an error.

So....

I go to OurMedia... Upload the file and viola! NOT!!!! I place the url to the validator and guess what?? Error.

Okay, I'm new to this thing.... I've searched up and down on help, but I keep getting the same answers and I'm sure they're the solutions, but I'm the dummy. Can someone please explain in lamense terms what I'm doing wrong here? Because if I'm having trouble here, imagine what hell I'm gonna go through with XML.

Much Appreciated.

[dpeach]

Is the folder at the website actually being created? Is the file actually getting uploaded.

You say that the FTP client is 1and1, but they are not a client, they are a host. The client is something like CuteFTP or FTP Explorer (assuming you are using Windows). Do you have one of those and are you able to browse to the folder/file that you are trying to upload and confirm that they exist?

I don't know what OurMedia is to give any thoughts there.

Can you provide a link to your website?

[craigert]

I can tell you that I have the mp3 on the website, but given by the description, missionary, you may not like it... at all really.

www.demonbooks.com (http://www.demonbooks.com)

I have an mp3 page, but wouldn't know how to podcast it.

Sorry about the confusion on the client, host thing. I have confirmed that the mp3 is there, but there's an "ftp" directory that it's stored in.

CraigerT

PS. I wasn't being sarcastic on the "missionary" thing above, I just wanted to point out why you're not likely to like it.

[WyethDigital]

Sorry about the confusion on the client, host thing. I have confirmed that the mp3 is there, but there's an "ftp" directory that it's stored in.

Did the FTP directory exist on your server before you uploaded your file, or was it something created by the program you used to upload it?

Also, what level of service to you have at 1and1? Does it include the blog and the RSS builder? In most cases, the blog goes hand-in-hand with the podcast and RSS file (make sure it's an RSS 2.0 or at least an Atom Feed).

Here's what I would do (knowing only the basic info you've given us):
1) Create a directory specifically for the mp3 files you intend to podcast.
2) Check out 1and1's EasyRSS builder to determine if it ties into the blog, or if you even need one.
3) If you do, create a blog using 1and1's blog platform, following their instructions to include media enclosures.
4) Following the instructions for the the EasyRSS Builder and/or blog, link your file to either your blog post or directly from your RSS feed.

If you do all that, then you should end up with a podcast-ready feed. Let us know how it goes.


Eric

[dpeach]

I can tell you that I have the mp3 on the website, but given by the description, missionary, you may not like it... at all really.

Knowing nothing about the book, I probably would not like it. But, I am more put off by an audio file playing when I go to the website. That means that I was just there long enough to figure out which one of my many tabs had the music playing and then I closed it.

[craigert]

Hi DPeach,

Again, I should've taken serious consideration with posting the URL after having seen that you are a missionary. I thank you for your time in posting and wish you all the best.

CraigerT

[Yotto]

I'm not a missionary, but knowing that your site could blast music out of my speakers has kept me away. And it will keep many others (missionary or no) away. Autoplaying sound is the flashing red text on a black background of the new millennium.

[craigert]

Okay look people, here's the scoop.

The music to my website is now removed. Now, can we please get back to the question at hand?

Thanks,

CraigerT

[craigert]

Hi WyethDigital,

My apologies for not seeing your answer sooner. I got tied up with website issues first it would seem, in a podcast help forum. Imagine that. I'll check out the 1and1 information you posted above and will have a look. I'll keep you updated on what I find out.

Thanks,

CraigerT.

[craigert]

Hi Eric,

Just checked out the info with 1and1. It appears that because I have the MS hosting and not the Linux, the blog option is not available to me.. Funny, it was at one time I'm sure... Anyhow...

I created the directory "Prologue" and uploaded the Mp3 to it.
I do have the Easy RSS feed with my package.
And last, but not least, I created an xml for Itunes.

Now, I'm just gonna head over and try something, but I figure I'll be back.

I do have a website with the Mp3 file embedded.. (No.. Not the infamous file playing in auto, that's dead now.) I could probably use that link as my podcast, but I want to do more later, which is why I want to set it up as an RSS.

Oh, and before I forget, exactly how does one upload an .xml file and what must be done to check it?
Do I upload it through an ftp client program?

[dpeach]

Oh, and before I forget, exactly how does one upload an .xml file and what must be done to check it?

Do I upload it through an ftp client program?

You upload the xml file just like you would any of your other pages. Any FTP client will work.

Are you interested in using blog software for your site, or just because it makes the RSS feed easier? If you are interested in running a blog there, then you can install WordPress (or just about any other stand alone blog software). I use 1&1 for 2 of my sites which run WordPress. I believe the 1&1 blog is just a tweaked version of WordPress anyway. It is just supposed to be easier to set up if you use theirs.

If you are only interested in a blog because it makes the RSS file creation easier, I am not sure what the best path on that is.

[craigert]

Hi DPeach,

I'm glad you said you're using 1and1 for a couple of sites. The reason being is that I used the Netobjects Fusion software to load that URL. Do I use that same web authoring software to post the xml? I must confess, as I did cheat big time when making the site. I didn't do any html whatsoever, so it goes without saying, I wouldn't exactly know how to proceed with the xml.
With the authoring software, I did a whole lot of point and clicking without so much as looking at the code for the website.

The mp3 is embedded on one of those webpages and I get an exact URL up in the addy bar when I click on the mp3 itself. Would that suffice as a feed? When I click on it in Firefox, it automatically plays on a different page. (Explorer gives you the option to save and or play).

But again, this whole xml thing... I cheated and used shareware to write it for Itunes... Is a blog necessary if the mp3 is embedded and operating from my web page? Also, is it still possible to use rss because it is coming from a webpage?

Thanks for your help,

CraigerT

[dpeach]

No, you don't need a blog, it just makes everything tons easier (once you get it set up).

You have everything you need to make this work, you only lack an understanding as to what the RSS/.xml file (or feed) does. That special file is what makes all of this work. Your individual .mp3 files can stay where they are, but they are not a feed. The feed is the file that tells all the feed readers (iTunes being one of them) where to find the mp3 file each time you release a new one.

http://www.apple.com/itunes/store/podcaststechspecs.html

That link is a good place to start reading. It looks like a lot (and it is) but it is really important stuff if you are going to be writing the feed by hand. If you use WordPress, all of that is a moot point. Word Press does it for you (as well as other blog software).

Can someone jump in and tell us if just using Feed Burner will create the feed for him, or does he have to have a feed that Feed Burner works from?