We're Number 4!

I spoke with a podcaster at the Podcast and New Media Expo over the weekend that had just made the switch from Libsyn's statistical system to Raw Voice Generator. The first thing he noticed was that while Libsyn didn't report any contact with myPodder, Raw Voice's system showed myPodder to the 4th most popular client downloading his show. I wonder if they take that into account when Neilson certifies Libsyn stats...

In a hurry?

One of out users asked in the forums why myPodder doesn't automatically begin downloading new episodes upon execution. Having the program pause after scanning the feeds to allow users to de-select episodes we thought was the best default, but we have been working to make it an option.

Although the option isn't implemented yet, there code is there and its easy to implement for Windows users. Basically, create a shortcut to the 'mypodder.exe' program in the 'mypodder' folder and add "-download" at then end of the path. This will force the application to load in an minimized form (look for the butterfly next to the clock), scan your feeds, and automatically begin downloading.

Below, is the contents for an "autorun.ini" file that will make this auto-download initiate from Windows autorun menu or when you double-click on the devices drive icon in "My Computer". Simply replace the contents of the current "autorun.ini" file with this text, remove the device, and reconnect it. There are a few notes, so check the forum post for the details.

[autorun]
action=Get your podcasts
icon=.\mypodder\pictures\DEVICE.ICO
open=mypodder\mypodder.exe -download
label=myPodder iPod
includeRuntimeComponents=True
includeRuntimeComponents=True
shellexecute=mypodder\mypodder.exe -download
shell\Auto=&AutoPlay
shell\Auto\command=mypodder\mypodder.exe -download
shell=Auto

This is an undocumented feature and not officially supported yet, but if you have any questions or problems please let us know.

Using Channels

Podcast Ready provides each user with their own channel. A channel is simply a personal feed to which you can add anything you wish. By default, this channel is private and is used to deliver specific episodes of podcasts directly to your player.

But by making your channel public, you can create a mash-up of any content to share with the world - and by adding friends you can allow them to contribute to your channel as well.


Here is a quick video tutorial showing how to set this up.

Media Ready is now "Podcast Ready"

In a press release dated yesterday, mediaREADY announced their new partnership with Podcast Ready. Quoting Jeffrey Harrell the CEO of mediaREADY:

Soon select MediaREADY portable media player products will become Podcast Ready-enabled. The MediaREADY Glider and MediaREADY Aero will be the first models to come pre-installed with Podcast Ready's myPodder™ podcast management software. Weighing just over an ounce and under 4" in length the ultra-portable Aero™ Audio Player/FM Tuner/Recorder is clearly the brightest new star in the MediaREADY™ line. "The partnership with Podcast Ready is yet another exciting development for MediaREADY and is a great revenue sharing opportunity for us

Dennis Miller is "podcast ready"

Podcast Ready is one of two directories listed on his web site. 3 guesses who the other one is...

myPodder on an iPod

Two people asked me yesterday how to install myPodder onto their iPod so that they could download their subscriptions from work (where they are not allowed to install any software). So I decided to make a quick little tutorial showing how to do it. Its not hard, and it doesn't mess up any content that you have already put on there (or will put on there) through iTunes.



Let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Drive 100,000 new listeners to your podcast

"100K Play" Contest

What's it worth to get 100,000 first-time downloads of your podcast? Here's your chance to find out. Podcast Ready is giving away one placement on every copy of myPodder to one lucky podcaster. This means that your podcast feed will be pre-configured on MP3 devices from iRiver, Cowon, Skullcandy, and Wolverine (just to name a few) as well as in every copy of myPodder downloaded from our site, and other's. Your show will remain in the line up until you've received 100,000 downloads from new myPodder users.

This is a huge opportunity to expand your audience, and its free!

Here's how you enter:

1. Send an email to 100kplay@podcastready.com and include your contact information, your show's name, website address, feed address, and a desired promotional code.
2. Urge your listeners to visit Podcast Ready's site (http://www.podcastready.com) and register a new account (this will require a valid email address) or update their existing profile using your promotional code.

It's that simple. The show with the most registrations wins. And one lucky listener who registers using the winner's promotional code will win a free video iPod!

What's the catch? No catch. Before you can be entered, I will have to check out your show and make sure that it's not overly offensive or anything. After all, your podcast will end up on MP3 players sold through Amazon and Wal-Mart so I have to make sure that the content is "retail safe." (And before you ask what "retail safe" is, it's entirely up to me to decide... I'll know it when I see it).

Once you've received confirmation that your promotional code is registered, then you are set. The contest will end on August 31st, so what are you waiting for... more?

Okay, here's a little more: if you have a Podcast Ready chicklet on your site when you register your promo-code you will automatically start off on the scorecard with 1000 registrations to your credit! Now what are you waiting for?

iPod and U3 Users of myPodder get an upgrade

Recently we've upgraded our myPodder^TM to 1.6.5. A few minor bugs have been fixed and the iPod support has been greatly improved. For instance, when you now connect your iPod to any computer (Win, OSX, or Linux) it correctly places the content in the "podcast" section of your player and calculates that playing time for all those off-the-wall bit rates properly.

U3 devices also now have an upgrade. For those of you that are not aware of U3, its a technology that enables thumb drives to run U3-compliant applications right from the drive without installing anything on the host computer.

So you can take your Firefox, instant messenger, and Open Office applications with you where ever you go.

Interestingly enough, we've seen a huge amount of uptake from the U3 community since we won their application design contest back in June. It seems that even though a large portion of the podcast audience listens to podcasts at their desk, they really like the idea of having their content in one location (their U3 drive) and listening to (and managing) that content from whatever computer they happen to be at.