Featured Channels

Changes about to happen

permalink

OK. So, pretty soon, over the next few hours, I'm going to upgrade the site system. If anything goes kooky, hang in there. It will all be fine soon - either different, of back to what it was before.

We shall see. :)

Fingers crossed!

Breakthrough Bingo!

permalink

Yes, yes, yes. I know I keep saying 'coming soon' - but this time, sooner IS sooner! If you know what I mean. We had a massive breakthrough yesterday on a crucial part of the system being built here for you all. The hardest part of the jigsaw is now solved!

Soon, the layout of the site here will change in readiness for the abilty for you to sign up and start to grow your own directory tree of podcasts and find the content you care about, or even created!

We also had some incredible news today which I hope we can share with you all as soon as possible. It's good news for all of us and especially those publishers of podcasts who want to truly extend the reach of their content.

We're VERY excited! Stay tuned! The puzzle is nearly complete. When it is, the abilty to make YOUR jigsaw as complicated or as simple as you like - with any 'image' you want will be there for you.

All connected and connectable. It's a potentially infinite Social Media Network - and it's coming your way. Soon ;)

The 'proper' way for me to deilver this news (ie: a podcast!! argh!) is coming... soon ;)

Dev Updates and New Stuff

permalink

Well, after nearly a year of work on Podcast.com I find myself at the next thing on the list - to revisit the Flash-based OPML browsers and editors I built last year.

We're still heading towards the proper beta, where people will be able to sign up and look for podcasts and manage their 'feed folders', along with a load of other useful stuff we've been brewing.

It seems like I have had my head in code for ages now - it'll be nice to get back into the Flash and the rich UI's it can do.

But alot has changed in the last year - there are so many ways we could *do* the UI now - which is ultimately why I choose to hit the data nut first :)

Lots of great apps could be built opon the underlying OPML and RSS at podcast.com so easily, using any technology.

Expect docs, examples and widgets etc soon.

In other news, you'll see a minor change in the search results. The main thing being that you can now see an RSS feed for the results which have been tidied up a bit too. More stuff in that area to come, thanks to our new developer Richard, who joined us recently.

And another thing I can let you take alook at now, but things may rejig about a bit, is our feed index A-Z. Check out http://index.podcast.com where you will find an easy way to navigate the feeds which have been submitted.

Eventually this will all tie into the feed folder management tools we are building now and things should all start to clunk into place.

Major Directory Rendering Overhaul

permalink

Well, after ages of thinking and and coding, I have managed to do a huge overhaul of the podcast.com code, mainly in the directory / feed folder rendering department.

Ever since I built the first rendition of the renderer. I knew I'd have to rethink it somewhat, to cope with many, many users without losing the very cool functionality that I have put in there (for good reason).

Now you will find that the site loads ALOT faster. A quick peek at the OPML for each folder (see the red opml icons - which may change - when you open a feed folder) will show you that we use inclusion at every level now. This helps the whole system to scale.

The old way : http://podcast.com/opml/1907

The new way : http://opml.podcast.com/1907

Also, this means that one user can now link easily to another user's folder without breaking the 'tree'. It works with internally generated and managed 'feed folders' (creating OPML) as well as external OPML.

Check out the 'KOZTEST' folder at koz.podcast.com (another user to the main user, called 'rooty')

Notice how you can permalink to any feed folder level. ;)

When you view a feed, you will also notice with added a link to show 'where' this feed appears in our users' folder structures. (OK.. not so many users as yet, but we hope to add to them by the end of October) Also, you'll see a button to show single-click subscription methods with a list of chicklets.

Another cool thing you should see is that EVERY folder has a permalink url - also with some links to add to del.icio.us or digg

We want the data here to work EVERYWHERE. We have an opportunity to work with EVERYONE.

We love you guys. Now I gotta do me a podcast!

Exciting changes to come

permalink

Wow! Sorry about the radio silence recently, we've been sleeves rolled up and deep under the bonnet here at podcast.com.

There are a few things that will change soon.

We're working on how the directory side of things render in a sensible way so it can handle the potentially infinite hierarchy of folders you might want to create. Luckily for all of us, OPML is very handy at helping out ;) So, look out for a big change in how you browse the directories on the site - and please do let us know what you think. Which brings me to another point...

Comments are on the way for this blogging and podcasting system - which you're currently reading - which has also been upgraded.

Not only comments here, but the ability for you to provide feedback and testimonials of podcast feeds you find here are also on the way. We can't let you comment on a per episode basis, but you'll at least be able to comment on the podcast itself and help the show's producers and makers know how you feel.

We would be interested know if the people who have given their contact email in a feed might want to be contacted when comments and testimonials are posted. They'll all be available as a feed themsleves, but we're interested in what you all think about that idea. We'll build a way for you to let us know.

We really are firing on all cylinders here at the moment, between Boston and London, making sure you have all you need to get the most out of podcasting. Many things have been designed and built that we can't talk about just yet, but that time is coming fast.

To all the developers out there, we're thinking very hard about you all too. In fact from the outset we want to not only build a system which caters for the podcasters and listeners alike - but to give all you developers plenty of data to play with. Currently, you'll see all the small red OPML icons dotted around the place here. The data insdie them provide a huge resource for building any podcast client you could dream up and build. Flash, AJAX, whatever. It's all there.

We also have built a useful and innovative function set to power the site, which will form the heart of the API we're building for you. In way manys, as we know, the OPML and RSS here already provides a nice API with real live data for people to build all sorts of widgets with. We're also building some widgets for you too. Some of which we'll share the source code to, to encourage those with passion to learn about how all these things work.

Stay tuned - and thank you for you patience. The feedback we have had so far has been amazing! Thank you all for taking the time to let us know. This system has a strong solid focus on what we want to achieve, but we will evolve based on your feedback.

The beta launch is on the horizon now - we can see it. By 'beta' launch, we mean that you'll be able to sign up and start trying out the system and toolset we're building. One step at a time - in a sensible order and we hope we'll get it right.

I'll do a podcast about this very soon and try and explain all this to you wherever you happen to be when you listen to podcasts. ;)

Anywhere? Everywhere! ;)

Freshest Feeds!

permalink

You should see a new icon over on the directories here at podcast.com - its a green feed icon. We chose green, as it feels FRESH.

When you click a green feed icon next to a directory folder, the site will load up all the most recent entries to all of the podcasts within that folder.

Also, the results displayed by these icons and the freshest feeds menu button on the left, provide you with an RSS feed link which you can use in your favourite aggregator to subscribe the latest podcasts automatically.

Ah, the beauty of distributing content via XML. We love it!

There will be some more very cool new additions to the site coming very soon and we are working around the clock and the globe to get the doors opened up for you here, so you can start building your own podcast.com.

GnomeDex 6.0

permalink

I'm over in Seattle for the next few days attending Gnomedex 6.0! So, if you're going too, or are in the area, head on over and hang around outside and check out all the cool geeks ;)

Subdomains are evolving

permalink

Lots of new code went into the subdomain content management system over the past 48 hours, in celebration of the worldcup.podcast.com launch.

This is an important step towards the system we're creating for you to be able to manage your podcast directories!

Very soon you will see more content on these new subdomain hompages, including links to relevant websites and promotional tools to highlight the most popular and favourite podcasts within each subdomain.

For those of you wondering what a 'subdomain' is - it's the bit before the domain name. Eg: in worldcup.podcast.com, 'worldcup' is the subdomain and 'podcast.com is the domain.

I think one of the great things about a generic term (podcast) as a domain name, is that it means if you were to put a brand name in as the subdomain, our domain name will not 'dilute' the brand used.

It also makes for VERY easy to remember urls. I like that VERY much! ;)

We can see that we're getting quite alot of instances where people were trying in *anything* dot podcast.com (you know who you are ;) ), so I've fixed it so if that subdomain does not exist in our system, it will redirect you to the main podcast.com site and directory.

OK... here's a teaser : go to http://koz.podcast.com .. you'll notice that the directory presented to you is not in the main directory. It's me testing. :) This directory was created by me, but while logged in as 'kosso'.

So, this means that we're very close to letting you log in and import, create and manage your own directories at podcast.com - with a VERY easy to remember URL ;)

Thanks for your patience :) We're geting there - fast!!

World Cup Podcasts in one place

permalink

I'd forgotten to post about about this, having blogged about it on my other personal blogs, but I noticed today (while browsing the Irish Bloggers OPML list) that James Corbett aka 'The Eirepreneur' has spotted our http://worldcup.podcast.com subdomain.

We went and added all the World Cup (not *just* soccer) podcasts we could find and created a little OPML list of them. Then I logged into my account, and imported it - while 'grafting' it on to the Sports folder.

With that done, I was able to then create a new subdomain and assign that new World Cup folder to be the 'root' of that subdomain. Voila! It only took a moment! I'm looking forward to getting these tools out to you, and also some cool ideas I've had on how we can get more relevant content in the maidn 'home' pages or each sudomain and feed page.

The longest part of the process was looking around for dedicated podcast feeds. But now we've done that, so you don't have to. :)

A quick test

permalink

testing....1 ..2 ..1 .2.... :)

Subdomains amplify

permalink

Just a quick note to let you know about a new subdomain we added, which 'taps' into our directory at a specified 'node/branch'.

This time, by popular demand, we have added all the podcasts aggregated by NPR (National Public Radio) - you can browse, graze and listen to them all by visiting http://npr.podcast.com

Nice and easy to remember url, I think you'll agree ;)

We have previously done this with all the podcasts available from the BBC, which you can get to by visiting http://bbc.podcast.com

Also, our growing directory of video podcasts can be seen at http://video.podcast.com

We think one of the great opportunities available by controlling the domain for the generic term is that we could effectively provide a subdomain (the bit before the domain name) for *any* BRAND. The beauty being the fact that it provides a VERY easy to remember url for people to promote and also that our *brand* (ie: podcast.com) does not dilute or interfere with the brand and values of the potential brand name used for the subdomain.

We think that's very cool. Please do drop us a line using the feedback form if you are interested in the possibilities here.

Time to feed!

permalink

OK. We just switched on the RSS feed for this blog. Sorry it took so long, but there are so many things to do for this system, that sometimes the easiest things (yes, RSS feeds are *easy*) take longer than they should as we concentrate on the mechanics of the whole system. ;)

Here's the url you need to subscribe : http://inside.podcast.com/develupdates/feed

Next up, we're working on sorting out a nicer way for people to submit their podcast feed to the system. Since launching we've had a constant stream of emails from people asking to be included in the directories (using the feedbcack form) . Once the new system is in place, we'll clear the backlog and open up the submission forms for people. This is the first big step towards having you all able to sign up and create or import your own podcast directories.

Also, if you ever see me [Koz Farina] flying around in Second Life, feel free to let me know your feed details by IM. The new system (and effectively a 'ping server) will also allow us to set up a very easy way to submit your podcast feed url from any 'universe' you might find yourself wondering around in ;)

New stuff on the way

permalink

I've been cracking away under the bonnet here some more to get more feature up that are well overdue! Feeds for our internal blogging and podcasting system (ie: this and others - then yours) and some fixes that are needed in the directory display and navigation.

I noticed that Mike over at Grazr has released a new version. Great job Mike! I will give it a go with our OPML here, to create an alternative directory browser. Let's see how it works. Then see what tweaks might be needed if we wanted to try a fully customised version, which works with the rest of our site navigation scripts.

The new stuff should get up on site of this weekend, or Monday - as it's my birthday tomorrow. ;) eek! I plan on doing a podcast for you all here to, when that lot is done.

Cheers for now!

Give us your feedback

permalink

OK. So now we have added the 'feedback' button to the site, over on the left menu.

Please use it to let us know what you think.

Oh, and by the way - looking for the RSS feed fro this blog? It's coming very soon! :) With some cool feature to help manage feeds in a hopefully more sensible way than many of the feeds we have seen. Some people still put their entire back archive in their main RSS feed, making some of them weigh in at many megabytes! Clearly this is an issue we would like to help address.

There's also a form coming for you to let up know about your podcast rss feeds.

Stay tuned! Devcast on the way too!

Some brief instructions

permalink

OK. So here's a few pointers to how things work around here:

One of the main things we are trying to do, along with all the directory *stuff* is to make listening to podcasts easier. To do this, we have used quite a bit of Ajax-like functionality so you are able browse a podcast feed and click the play button on an item and you should hear the podcast play in the Flash based MP3 player up in the top left corner. Then you can keep looking through the directory and reading feeds without reloading the page and interrupting the podcast you are listening to.

If you find yourself lost in the site while listening, you can cllick the top podcast.com logo and the central content block will refresh to the home page content. Or you can click the 'home' option which will reset the whole page, including the mp3 playback.

Also, notice the 'pathbar' above the directory - it says podcasts (audio) by default. The folders within this directory level can then be 'hoisted' up to the pathbar by clicking the small round uparrow icon next to the folder.

Look out for the small square icons around the place - they are links to permalinks for the directory level you are on, and also links to RSS feeds and OPML files (again - available at each level of the 'tree')

We have alot more things to add, as well as the feeback forms, for you to tell us what you think of the site and system and point outany gaping holes we have missed. One step at a time and very soon, we'll be in a position for you to actually create your own account and manage your own podcast directory.

We think this is very cool.

Oh yes, and naturally, we'll have an RSS feed for this 'develupdates' section of the site and a load of blogs and podcasts we're putting together for you 'infotainment'.

And before you say "ooo, that's not a very big directory" or "I don;t like the lok of that bit" - this is day one. We will be adding the tools in the next few days for you to able to add your feed to the system if you already a podcaster.

Have fun!

We're OPEN!

permalink

Well, while sat here at Harvard law School in Austin Hall while attending the first OPML Camp , I just opened up the doors to the site so people can come in and start browsing the site and start sampling podcasts!! What better place to launch a site than the spiritual home of RSS - and OPML!! (in a round about way! ;) )

Please be aware that the documentation and instructions are still in the pipeline, but we're hoping you'll get the basic idea behind the site.

Many parts of the system are not quite finished, but do work (though maybe not as well as they could just yet). The search looks horrible, the templates will change, and things will get better and iterate every day.

Please bear with us as we go through this exciting time! ;)

Feedback forms are on the way!

Cheers!

kosso

Here we go!!

permalink

Well, after much coding, fiddling, feeding and frenzy, it's time to start opening up doors to podcast.com - finally!

To begin with, we have the start of a podcast directory we've been putting together. We hope you find it intuitive enough to find your way around, There are help files and docs on the way. More feeds too!

This is only just the start. We have many features and gadgets for you all to play with. There's alot to do still, but the pieces of the jigsaw are getting nicely to the point where they should all slot into place fairly quickly now. (And hopefully smoothly!)

As well as tools for you to be able to build your own podcast feed directories, or 'media lists and trees' (we like to call it 'treedia') we're building some nice and easy tools for you to use for podcasting too, if you want to have a go. In fact, I'm using it now to post this. But along with many of the other features we have built for you, it needs some refining to get it all working nice and easy - the way things should be.

Along with those things, were putting together loads of information about podcasting and how to get started if you feel the need to after sampling the wonderful world of podcasting for youself. There's alot of inspiration out there, whatever your point of view or preferences!

You might be an old hand at podcasting, or it might be totally new to you - either way, we really hope you find this site useful. We're very, very passionate about podcasting and the great work that everyone puts into this powerful new medium and method of media delivery and distribution.

We want to help make it easier to be heard if you are a podcaster, easier to find podcasts if you are a listener and also easier to start podcasting, if you want to.

Please bear with us as we start knitting it together - things might break!

There will be some weirdness here and there to start with. Next on the agenda is to set up the feedback channels so you can let us know what you think and if you find any gremlins. This also includes all the things you'd expect to find around a podcast and blogging system, like comments and feeds.