Front Page Experiment & Audio Broadcasting

[Jason Dunn]

Based on feedback we've received, the full front page stories has been adjusted from five to ten. We're going to watch what our server does, and hopefully it will be able to handle the increased load. We cache it quite aggressively, so our hope is that it will work out. Let us know what you think of the change. For <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/subscribe.php">subscribers</a>, we're mulling over the option of having a static page that all subscribers would get with even more posts - say, 20. Is that something you'd like to see, or is 10 enough for you? Feedback welcome.<br /><br />Now let's talk about audio broadcasting, or "Podcasting" as some call it (what a lame term for it). I listened to an audio broadcast from another Pocket PC Web site, and I have to be honest, 90% of it was navel-gazing: he talked about his own site, and himself, for almost the entire thing. I don't see the value in that. But it did make me think about what was possible using audio broadcasting as a medium - is that something you'd like to see here? If so, what would you like to see? Commentary? Reviews? Questions answered? Weigh in!

[Jerry Raia]

I think it would depend on how often you check the front page. If you are looking at it a couple times a day 5 is plenty. If you only look every few days then 10 or more is more useful. Could it be scaled based on the last time a person checked? So if I come back in 2 hours say, I'll only get 5. If I come back in 3 days I'll get 15 for example.

[Bob S]

How about an audio version of the front page?

Read the top 10 stories of the day / week etc.

Add a couple of reviews. Some extra deep thoughts from Jason and crew.

That way I could hear the site during my commute.

Here is a link to a great newsreader for PocketCasting

http://www.feederreader.com/index.html

This would make it very handy to download and listen

Just my 2 cents worth

[Jason Dunn]

Could it be scaled based on the last time a person checked? So if I come back in 2 hours say, I'll only get 5. If I come back in 3 days I'll get 15 for example.

Unfortunately, no, because that would make it just as dynamic, if not more so, than what we had before. And hence the server load would be even more brutal. :-(

[Jon Westfall]

audio might be fun and good for commuting, etc. Probably wouldn't be to hard to implement - Editors could just record the audio when posting the story. I'm not sure how many readers really want to both read and hear my posts though....;)

[Jason Dunn]

audio might be fun and good for commuting, etc. Probably wouldn't be to hard to implement - Editors could just record the audio when posting the story. I'm not sure how many readers really want to both read and hear my posts though....;)

Hmm...I'm not so sure - I tend to swear a lot when my post isn't going right. :lol:

[Vincent M Ferrari]

I'd have to say that my opinion on podcasting is very simple: It kinda sucks.

Most of it is exactly what you said here; navel gazing and self promotion. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORING. I checked out a few podcasts I thought would be good only to find out they were really really boring, and these are people who are good writers.

I don't really see a value in doing it if you're PPC Thoughts. You guys knock the whole news community site thing out of the park daily; no need to add something that isn't really going to enhance the site for most people.

[rlobrecht]

I'm not at all interested in audio programming.

As for the front page, I'm ok with five or ten. I pull down the RSS feed a couple of times a day anyway.

[Anjuan Simmons]

But it did make me think about what was possible using audio broadcasting as a medium - is that something you'd like to see here? If so, what would you like to see? Commentary? Reviews? Questions answered? Weigh in!


I suscribe to a few podcasts (Leo Laporte, The Daily Source Code from Adam Curry, CIO podcast, and IT Conversations to name a few), and I have to say they make my morning commute a more enjoyable experience. Instead of trying to avoid reading Avant Go while driving, I just plug my earphones into my PDA and listen to the content I've copied to my device (which allows me to keep my eyes on the road and both hands on the steering wheel).

I don't think regurgitating what is posted on the site would be interesting. However, I would enjoy hearing the thoughts from the editors about new devices and the consumer electronics industry in general. Furthermore, and audio broadcast allows more nuances of emotion and passion of thought than just the printed page.

In summary, I would definitely subscribe to the Pocket PC Thoughts audio broadcast if one was made available and presented new content at least once a week.

[GSmith]

audio might be fun and good for commuting, etc. Probably wouldn't be to hard to implement - Editors could just record the audio when posting the story. I'm not sure how many readers really want to both read and hear my posts though....;)

If you include the audio as an enclosure in the exact message you are posting, then users have the choice of reading or listening. Also, if you have a Text-to-Speech engine on your Pocket PC and want to try out using TTS to read an RSS post, I've added support in FeederReader for this. I'm looking for someone to help me test this functionality!

PocketCasting is great for commuting and great for being able to do other things, like program the next version of FeederReader (!), while soaking up information.

I posted on PocketPCAddict.com the following, which summarizes my experience:

I like podcasting because there is a wider variety of "shows" available than on local radio. I'm an avid NPR listener and a mild talk radio listener. Podcasts fit into my life the same way that NPR and talk radio do. I can listen while programming. With blogs, I can't do that. It's like time-shifting radio that I can listen to whenever I want.

Talk radio shows get boring to me after I figure out the "pattern" of the host. Unless the host is fair and reasoned. In my years of listening, I've found exactly one radio host that is fair and reasoned, listening to both sides of an argument.

If you're the type that doesn't listen to radio or new (to you) music at all, then I would think podcasting may not appeal to you. Well, except if you don't listen to radio because it's boring, trite, annoying, or too patterned. Then podcasting is *perfect*.

Talk radio pattern:

1) Get caller
2) Listen to first half of caller's statement
3) Cut off caller and pronounce stupidity of caller
4) (Optional) Make unsubstantiated and/or unreasoned arguments occasionally supporting superficial claims.
5) Repeat for one hour.

Music radio pattern:

1) Announce "The New 100.3" for the first 3 years of existance.
2) Left-ear, right-ear sweep with beeps, boops, and the echoey AM-sounding voice. Sometimes add siren.
3) Introduce and play brand-new song #1. Play song that sounds exactly like Britney Spears, but may or may not be.
4) Introduce and play brand-new song #2. Play song that sounds exactly like Matchbox 20, but may or may not be.
5) Introduce and play brand-new song #3. Play song that sounds exactly like Nora Jones, but may or may not be.
6) Play lound and obnoxious local automobile ad.
7) Repeat for six weeks with exactly the same songs.
8) Get three new songs. Repeat for three years.
9) Change format to talk, or country, or Adult Contemporary, or Urban. Repeat with three brand-new songs in new genre.

Of course, I prefer getting my podcasts directly downloaded to my Pocket PC using FeederReader. No need for a desktop and syncing and all that. Download on the road.

Videocasting is also coming soon (well, already here for early adopters). FeederReader already handles videocasts, too.

"The future of podcasting is so bright, I gotta wear headphones." - Greg Smith

Greg Smith
Author, FeederReader - The Pocket PC RSS, podcatcher, videocatcher
www.FeederReader.com - Download on the Road

[powder2000]

audio might be fun and good for commuting, etc. Probably wouldn't be to hard to implement - Editors could just record the audio when posting the story. I'm not sure how many readers really want to both read and hear my posts though....;)

Hmm...I'm not so sure - I tend to swear a lot when my post isn't going right. :lol:

That would make it that much more entertaining. The problem with "podcasting" is that it is nice but would take some work to have a long enough and meaningful enough segment on a regular basis. It would be cool though, I think it would add just one more positive dimension to ppcthoughts.

[surur]

Yea for the increased front page posts. I prefer 10 to five not so that I can catch up to all the stories, but because it encourages conversation for much longer. When the story goes of the main front page often views of the story become a trickle, and people stop adding to any discussion. Ive noticed an increasing number of stories pass without comment at all.

In the end this site is more than news (else it would be like the Register) Its also a community. If you reduce the interaction in the community you also kill the community.

In short, I think this is great news.

Surur

[flooder]

10 front page post seems reasonable to me.

Becuase of schedule, I rely on the email blast most of the time.

Audio casting -- :sleeping: -- I won't use it.

[dean_shan]

I think it would be great if there was a PPCT Podcast. It wouldn't have to be a very regular thing, maybe every couple of weeks or so. Kind of have it a long the lines of the Engadget Podcast (http://podcasts.engadget.com/). I little news, some rants maybe an interview or a how-to.

[surur]

I think it would be great if there was a PPCT Podcast. It wouldn't have to be a very regular thing, maybe every couple of weeks or so. Kind of have it a long the lines of the Engadget Podcast (http://podcasts.engadget.com/). I little news, some rants maybe an interview or a how-to.

You actually got me to listen to my first podcast, as I find engadget to be a cool site. Man, that phil terrone has a nerdy voice! If I was him I would consider a) some voice filters or b) hiring Dan Rather :twisted:

Surur

[Jonathon Watkins]

Man, that phil terrone has a nerdy voice! If I was him I would consider a) some voice filters or b) hiring Dan Rather :twisted:

So what would you think of us then? ;-) I'm not sold on the audio-casting myself it has to be said, for just that kind of response. :P

[bigkingfun]

This...

Man, that phil terrone has a nerdy voice! If I was him I would consider a) some voice filters or b) hiring Dan Rather :twisted: Surur

...is why I would never want to be a podcaster myself. :D

Try as I might, I just can't get into the whole podcasting craze. I feel drawn to it as another way to use my iPod, but I just haven't found any programs that hold my interest.

I would much rather read my PPCT posts than hear them. There is just no substitute for a good screenshot or an easily-clicked link to get more information. Neither of these would translate into audio, and I would end up back at the site to find the information after hearing it.

[Darius Wey]

audio might be fun and good for commuting, etc. Probably wouldn't be to hard to implement - Editors could just record the audio when posting the story. I'm not sure how many readers really want to both read and hear my posts though....;)

Hmm...I'm not so sure - I tend to swear a lot when my post isn't going right. :lol:

Yup, that makes two of us. :lol:

Doing the podcasting may be a little time consuming and some readers may not be interested at all, but as Dean suggested, if the idea were to take off, maybe one done every couple of weeks would work. I'd be interested to see how well it goes though.

[Tye]

audio might be fun and good for commuting, etc. Probably wouldn't be to hard to implement - Editors could just record the audio when posting the story. I'm not sure how many readers really want to both read and hear my posts though....;)

If you include the audio as an enclosure in the exact message you are posting, then users have the choice of reading or listening. Also, if you have a Text-to-Speech engine on your Pocket PC and want to try out using TTS to read an RSS post, I've added support in FeederReader for this. I'm looking for someone to help me test this functionality!


Other than Fonix (which only half works in WM2003[SE]) and Elan (sp?) what PPC TTS engines are available? Or at least, what's available that would allow you to "plugin"? I'm really interested in this...

[Tye]

Based on feedback we've received, the full front page stories has been adjusted from five to ten. We're going to watch what our server does, and hopefully it will be able to handle the increased load. We cache it quite aggressively, so our hope is that it will work out. Let us know what you think of the change. For subscribers (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/subscribe.php), we're mulling over the option of having a static page that all subscribers would get with even more posts - say, 20. Is that something you'd like to see, or is 10 enough for you? Feedback welcome.

Now let's talk about audio broadcasting, or "Podcasting" as some call it (what a lame term for it). I listened to an audio broadcast from another Pocket PC Web site, and I have to be honest, 90% of it was navel-gazing: he talked about his own site, and himself, for almost the entire thing. I don't see the value in that. But it did make me think about what was possible using audio broadcasting as a medium - is that something you'd like to see here? If so, what would you like to see? Commentary? Reviews? Questions answered? Weigh in!

I like the 10 post format. 5 was too small. 20 is really more than I think I need. Can't speak for others here...

Please don't podcast. But if anyone knows a simple way to read via SAPI5, I think that could be a nice bonus. I do that through my PPC all the time anyway.

[Tye]

BTW, for FireFox users, there's a cool extension called FoxyVoice that you can use to read websites. I know there are other tools that do this too, but this one is free and plugs right into the browser. Works even better if you buy higher quality voices.

[GSmith]

audio might be fun and good for commuting, etc. Probably wouldn't be to hard to implement - Editors could just record the audio when posting the story. I'm not sure how many readers really want to both read and hear my posts though....;)

If you include the audio as an enclosure in the exact message you are posting, then users have the choice of reading or listening. Also, if you have a Text-to-Speech engine on your Pocket PC and want to try out using TTS to read an RSS post, I've added support in FeederReader for this. I'm looking for someone to help me test this functionality!


Other than Fonix (which only half works in WM2003[SE]) and Elan (sp?) what PPC TTS engines are available? Or at least, what's available that would allow you to "plugin"? I'm really interested in this...

I've seen Fonix and I've seen two different compiles of flite. I've tried both versions of flite and I could not get them to read an existing file. The source code is available, though, for the extremely motivated to recompile.

There is a Custom Export capability in FeederReader that allows you to write a file, then call a program with the name of a file in the argument list. Once set up, it appears as a menu item within FeederReader. If you're interested in getting this going, I'd be happy to do what I can for you!

If you have a TTS engine that can be called with the name of a file as a command line argument, then that's all that we should need.

Greg Smith
Author, FeederReader - The Pocket PC RSS, podcatcher, videocatcher
www.FeederReader.com - Download on the Road

[JayM]

Jason,

I agree a lot of Podcast are as you’ve described. However, there are many that are very informative. If you haven’t listened to “Dave’s PDA (http://directory.pocketcasting.com/index.php?ax=list&amp;l=clicks)” it’s a very good podcast and the top rated on my webiste. If you produced one like this I think it would be very successful. I also think you would have the opportunity to influence mobile users about podcasting with your website.

I also agree with the name (Podcasting) that’s why we’ve got “Pocketcasting.com (http://www.pocketcasting.com)” a website which follows the development of podcatching without an iPod. A lot of the focus is on Pocket PC’s and Smartphones, but we look at other mobile devices and ways to enjoy them with any audio player. We’re getting ready to launch a media portion of the website that will have audio and video content formatted for Pocket PC’s via RSS feeds. Check it out.

Jay

P.S. I've also had an article posted on Pocketpcthoughts.com (http://www.pocketcasting.com/archives/2005/01/04/ipodder-and-the-pocket-pc/)before on how to get podcast on a Pocket PC. If anybody is interested.

[opus]

Just wanted to say that ten posts is perfect, and a huge relief. I also agree with the earlier poster about fostering longer discussions / building better community. Thanks Jason!

[isilver]

I love the 10 postings on the front page. Their is more to read. I think you should pay more attention to your users. If the server load is too high then upgrade the servers.

I don't think I will really use the audio option though. I usually listen to music when surfing the internet so I don't get much of a chance to listen to what a web stream has to tell me. But I can see some benefits to a person who has trouble seeing to be able to hear the articles from the site.

So that is 1 vote for 10 headlines and a 0.5 vote for the audio stream.

[CrashX]

10 posts on the front page is perfect. Thanks for the improvement! :)

[sheik]

Thanks for increasing the stories to ten - I was definitely reading fewer articles when you switched to five.

Creating an audio feed sounds reasonably time consuming and I don't think I would ever listen in after the first one.

Maybe do a "just for fun" trial so people can base their opinion on an actual example?

/\dam

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Man, that phil terrone has a nerdy voice! If I was him I would consider a) some voice filters or b) hiring Dan Rather :twisted:

So what would you think of us then? ;-) I'm not sold on the audio-casting myself it has to be said, for just that kind of response. :P
You know I've been told on a few occassions in the past that I talk like a radio DJ. I even have this one friend who keeps telling me I should try out for ESPN Dream Job. Ah! I can see it now, "Hello, this is your ESPN Sportscenter news anchor and in addition to bring you sports, you can also find me on PocketPCThoughts.com touting my iPaq hx4700!" :D

[hal]

Front Page Stories, 10 is much better,
I check every day or 2 and was not bothering to look at some of them when they were into the Previous Stories.

Audio, don't expect I'd use that.

For the previous stories, could there be a little more detail for the most recent, possibly like the RSS feed text to give more idea on the content of the story.

[sub_tex]

If you haven’t listened to “Dave’s PDA (http://directory.pocketcasting.com/index.php?ax=list&amp;l=clicks)” it’s a very good podcast and the top rated on my webiste.

Nice find! Thanks for the link. I'm enjoying the show now.

[n1ck]

10 stories on the front page is much better for me. I don't normally listen to Podcasts so doubt that I would use the audio option.

[Jason Dunn]

Dave Conger's audio broadcast is one of the best I've ever heard - good production quality, he has a good radio voice, and he's actually talking about the news rather than himself - which is refreshing. He certainly sets the bar high! I'd have to learn a lot about radio broadcasting to meet that level of quality.

[Googles]

Aha! Here's why it sounds so good:

http://www.thenewstribune.com/ae/music/story/4398874p-4178971c.html
http://www.davespda.com/siteinfo/

Hmm. I'll have to think about this some more. I don't like doing things unless I can do them really well, and I don't know if I have the time to do this really well. :-)

Glad to hear everyone likes the 10 stories on the front page - that's what I expected. ;-)

[sub_tex]

I'd love a PPCT podcast. I would rather it be commentary on your stories or something along those lines rather than just reading off what's on the site.

I like how the Engadget podcast was (it's been a while since it's been on), and I enjoy Jeff Kirvin's podcasts for 1src.com as well.

Dave's PDA podcast is good, but he's really just reading. I'd like more of a conversational tone as opposed to the blurb-ishness.

And don't worry about your voices. If the content is there, people listen.

[JayM]

Hmm. I'll have to think about this some more. I don't like doing things unless I can do them really well, and I don't know if I have the time to do this really well. :-)

Jason,

I would be happy to help you out with this if you want to give it a try. If your interested just PM me and I'll point you to some good how to's, links and tip's I've learned from my research.

Jay

[deich]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the expanded front page. I have a very slow internet connection at work, so if I need a quick break or have a few minutes, hitting the web is the last think I think of. As a result, I tend to check this site once a day. The larger front page is very nice for my use.

I don't see any value in podcasts. I tend to skim a lot of material, reading in detail probably only 10% of everything I look at. The problem with podcasts is that skimming is just about impossible. As for listening while driving, I have noticed that there are limits on how effectively I can focus on two things at the same time. When I listen to audio books, I miss large chunks of information. It's pretty easy to fill in the blanks. I don't think detailed information is for me while driving.

[Darius Wey]

Aha! Here's why it sounds so good:

Heh. I haven't listened to his broadcast yet, but I'm hoping there's a good one with him mixing some beats. :D Ah... the DJ within me.

Edit: Oooh, there are wicked beats! ;)

[PPCRules]

Too bad these two subjects were put together. The front page feedback gets lost in the rambling about 'podcasting', about which I couldn't care less. I say, if that diverts anyone's attention from delivering what we currently come here for, I vote 'no'.

On the front page changes ...
First of all, I'm a regular visitor that never missed a front page post. Listing only 5 wasn't working at all for me. When things slip onto the "title only" list, it is really hard to identify what I have or haven't read (just like the archive lists). Once I couldn't be sure I was getting every item, my motivation to visit regularly dropped significantly. So, the visual layout of more than five articles is important to me to maintain the value of regularly checking the site.

But, I ask, what was wrong with the "page two" approach? That way, a person could quickly scan the next group of posts in a visual way. Frequent visitors won't ever need to view that page, and the first page could remain smaller. (I suppose no one wanted to advertise on 'page two'.) Also, as far as server load, I'd suspect the largest part of that now is serving ads; the content is probably inconsequential.

Actually, I'd suggest putting the latest 8-10 on the front page, and always maintaining the balance of the past 72 hours (or so) on a 'page two'. That way, if I left town early Friday afternoon, I'd know I had until noon Monday to catch the posts in a visual form before I'd have to poke through the 'title only' list.

Keep up the good work, Jason.

[Jason Dunn]

Also, as far as server load, I'd suspect the largest part of that now is serving ads; the content is probably inconsequential.

This is absolutely not the case - we've done tests where we've disabled the ad server and it hardly had an impact on the server load. The real load comes from our forums...which is content. ;-)

[Dave Conger]

Dave Conger's audio broadcast is one of the best I've ever heard...

Thanks Jason and others who have stated they enjoy the podcast. I am looking to expand the program to add a more conversasional tone to parts of it and am always looking for people to contribute, just give a call to 214-594-0529 if you are interested.