Archives
I've been doing some updates to this website over the last couple days. Mostly it is back-end stuff that you won't notice, but it makes organizing and maintaining it much easier for me.
For instance, I've added some more categories to the types of posts I make here. My music is now a blog category that only shows up in the music section. This makes it easier for me to add, sort and organize my mixes, and the page is generated automatically with my template. But that should all be transparent to you. One thing that you should notice though, is that the archive section is slightly updated with a new "view by category" section. So now you can go back and see all posts that are photo posts, main journal posts, or other categories.
Another change you might notice is that my DJ mixes now have two versions. They still have the main 320 kbps mp3 versions, but I also added lower quality versions at 128 kbps. This is because those versions are much smaller in file size and some people don't have as much space to spare for such things. So if you don't mind a slightly lower sound quality, you can download them faster and take up less space on your hard drive.
Another change I've been working on, but which isn't completed or added to the live site yet, is a new addition I'm making. I've been looking into podcasting. A podcast is basically a recorded audio file distributed over the internet as a "show", kind of like a radio show. It is distributed using syndication feeds, like RSS, so that people can easily subscribe to them. For those of you that don't know, RSS is basically a file that lists updates to something, like a blog or podcast, and which resides at a permanent spot on the internet. I have one for this blog linked at the bottom of the page: Velvety Couch RSS.
Everytime I update my blog, that file gets updated with the changes. So you can download a free feed reader which regularly looks at your RSS feeds and lets you know when they've been updated. The feed reader is usually a program that just always runs in the background, checking the status of all your subscriptions. That way you don't have to manually check when websites you are interested in are updated - you are notified when they are. Firefox has a built in feed reader that I often use (if you use Firefox, simply clicking my RSS link should bring up the options). Google also has a cool looking feed reader that is free (and web based) that I may start using. It automatically downloads the podcasts you subscribe to, which is nice so you don't have to download them once you see they exist, it just automatically happens.
Common things that people subscribe to are news feeds, weather feeds, sports feeds, blog feeds and podcast feeds. Podcasts are generally like someone's personal radio show. They talk about something that fits their podcast theme for a while, maybe have some guests "on the show", and maybe play some music. You don't need a bunch of fancy equipment or anything to produce these things, just a computer, internet access and a microphone. Some really popular podcasts must be paid for (like $2 on iTunes per episode). But most are free.
I subscribe to a few music related ones that provide DJ mixsets every episode, I also check out a few that talk about new technology and interesting things happening in the computer world. In today's busy world, people often download daily or weekly podcasts they like, and put them on their iPods or other devices and listen to them on their way to or from work. I often just listen to them while I'm working as background music. And of course, you don't have to use a feed reader to listen to podcasts. In the end they are just mp3 audio files that you download and listen to. Syndication feeds just add a way to subscribe to them and track them, if desired.
Anyways, podcasts have been around for a few years and aren't exactly new. Most of you probably already know all about them, so I don't want to seem like I'm describing some new technology. What is new is that I plan to start producing a podcast show. There are a few reasons for this.
The first is that I don't want this blog to start to get stale. I want to branch out a bit and keep things interesting, both for myself and for anyone that visits this site. Also, I already release DJ mixes on here fairly regularly (at least I have been for the past short while). So combining that into a podcast really isn't much more work for me. It also gives me a stronger focus, theme and drive for keeping that up. Additionally, I get to branch out and expand my skills, and knowledge of things like podcasts and web related technology. There isn't much to podcasting, but it's still something I'd like to keep up with. Also, I can improve my skills at "public speaking" and talking in general. The shows aren't live, they are pre-recorded and I can edit them if I screw up. But talking to an audience, even if it isn't right in front of you, is a skill I could use more experience with. So this is a good way for me to improve that as well. Lastly, I think it will be fun. I can continue releasing DJ mixsets with the additional content of me discussing the music I've chosen for the set, why I chose it, my inspiration, and anything else that may be related to music, DJing or whatever catches my fancy.
So, I plan to start releasing a monthly podcast to feature my DJ mixes, and I'll be calling it "Home with House" (being that I'm producing it at home, and it's main theme is house music). The episodes will include some short dialog discussions at the start and end of my mixes. I may even feature guest mixes from friends sometimes. I'll see how things go from there. I haven't mapped out any grand goals for this, for now it's just going to be a fun side project to work on. But who knows, I may branch the show out more as time passes.
Another thing I like about podcasting is that it will keep all my mixes and shows in a nice organized system where people can easily subscribe and listen, or go back and listen to old episodes. Sometime next week you should see the first episode appear. I'm working on a logo and site update to include a spot for the shows. I've also purchased the domain www.homewithhouse.com so that the show's "brand" will easily be searchable on Google and point to this website. So stay tuned for the first episode soon!
Comments:
Man, you're really cranking up the webbiness. I like it!
It's hard to keep up with every single web 2.0 trend happening, but there are certain ones like this (podcasting) that just fit well with the purpose of this site. Webbiness++. :)
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