I recently started writing about a new way to distribute audio content online called podcasting. Here are some more items related to this emerging field that have caught my interest.
TOP OF THIS LIST: It’s a tie:
Podcasting: Not Ready for Prime Time (by John C. Dvorak, PC Magazine, Oct. 25) and John C. Dvorak Trashes Podcasting and IT Conversations (by Doug Kaye Blogarithms, Oct. 25).
First, Dvorak gave podcasting a hard time for poor usability. OK, I can see that. Podcasting is currently in its infancy and so it’s kind of a technical hack not suitable for people who can’t handle anything more involved than point-and-click or plug-and-play (which is, let’s be honest, most people on the net and elsewhere). For that matter, webfeeds are still more geeky than they should be in order to be widely adopted. It’s how the techno-game goes.
Outraged by Dvorak’s review (which highlighted flaws Dvorak perceived in Kaye’s podcast IT Conversations), Kaye responded that Dvorak missed the point. He wrote:
“Podcasting isn’t about the HTML interface. It’s about the RSS feeds and the transparent (i.e., no UI) transfer of audio files directly to players. Did Dvorak use one of the many fine podcatching (receiving) utilities, even one for Windows? No.”
…Ahem… Sorry, guys, but you BOTH missed the point! When it comes to podcasting, IT’S THE CONTENT, STUPID! This new media channel allows more people to have more access to more types of audio content from more sources than ever before, on demand. That’s what matters most. We’ll hash out the technical issues as we go, but for now please don’t lose sight of the big picture.
Read the rest of this list…
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