Recently I've had this idea that just keeps popping up in my head, so I'll take a risk and post it here.
ProgressiveU has grown exponentially over the years. I mean, there's now ProgU merchandise available at Zazzle.com, A ProgU Facebook page, a Creative Writing site, and some lovely sponsorship from GoodSearch. All in all, some great strides for a great site.
I think ProgressiveU should branch off into other media, in this case a podcast. Podcasts are like Internet radio shows streamed on a webpage or through something like the iTunes Store where you can download it for free and subscribe to new shows.
This podcast would have a host--one of the dedicated members of ProgU. I'm thinking it might be difficult for one person to be the host all the time and have a regular podcast (weekly/monthly), so several people could take the helm.
The focus of this podcast/radio show would be interviews with important people (motivational speakers, authors, other people of progressive merit), reviews of progressive books, and mentions of notable blogs on ProgU.
EDIT
I've been doing some research on podcasting. Here's some of what I've learned. (And I used Goodsearch to find this out too!)
I found the official iTunes page about podcasting and it definitely helped. Here's the link: http://www.apple.com/itunes/whatson/podcasts/creatorfaq.html
From what I know, a podcast is recorded using a program (I'm not yet clear if only QuickTime Pro 7 is the only one that I can use or not), then uploaded to a server, and then following a link on that page you can post it on iTunes to be removed for appropriateness and such. iTunes doesn't keep track of subscriptions, but somehow you can. I think.
Another very interesting thing that I didn't know until now: even though podcasts are free, you can make money off of them. And by that, I mean ProgU can earn money.
"Can I earn money by linking to the iTunes Store?
Yes. You can earn a commission on sales of songs, movies, tv shows and audiobooks purchased by customers who linked to the iTunes Store from your web site — even when your link leads to a free podcast. When you sign up as an iTunes Affiliate, you are given an affiliate tag to embed in your web links. When users click on these links, a session variable is set in their iTunes client application, and anything they purchase in the next 24 hours is credited to your affiliate account. The iTunes Affiliate program is available in select countries."
I need help with technical stuff. One issue is I need a server to use. I could use the one at my school, but then it would only be available to me for the next 2 years, and that's too shortlived. Does ProgU have it's own server, and could I remotely access it for this podcast?
I'm going to continue researching and see if I personally will be able to do this. First I'll have to determine if I have a face for radio... :)
I love it.
"Consistency is not a human trait" - Maude, from Harold and Maude
I do like the idea, but it would be difficult for us to do right now, simply because our staff is stretched to the limits right now. If a lay-member would like to do this, we would have no objection to it, and would probably do whatever we could to help them. We just can't do it ourselves right now.
~C
Check out the latest entry in the Between The Lines column!
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I was thinking that a non-staff members would take the helm. I realize the staff members have a lot on their shoulders and do a great job at what they do.
I'm going to see what it takes to make a podcast. I don't yet know whether you need a special program or how you post on iTunes...
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This is a signature, an automated thingy that pops up when I comment, not a demand to see my blog!
Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
I will probably be studying communications. I do not have any equipment available to me at the moment, but I know people who study communications at certain colleges and get to use the equipment for their own purposes outside of class.
Please, keep me informed on any progress on Radio ProU (no pun intended)
"what kind of world would it be if we settled for being human"
Fred Friendly
Thanks for the comment!
We'll see. It's looking like this is very possible at this moment. I've got some recording software that I've tested. I've submitted an email to ProgU's Ideas section and everything looks positive so far. I'll post an update in the forum post when anything changes.
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I need some more input from y'all here in this forum topic: A ProgressiveU Radio Show/Podcast
I think this is an idea that can improve the ProgressiveU community and add a new dimension to t
I like it. I don't have an iPod, though (it's an evil technology). Does that matter? If not, then I would listen, depending on how well the host did them (and seeing that ProU seems to have a lot of smart people, the hosts will probably be good).
You dont even need an iPod to use iTunes. I use it, because I like the store better than Rapsody, which is associated with Real Player, but I've never had, and probably never will have, an iPod.
~C
Check out the latest entry in the Between The Lines column!
Want the highest rated list to change? RATE those blogs, then!
Yeah, you can simply listen on your computer. You can download if you have iTunes and if ProgU does the linkup I want to have, you might be able to listen right on the page. Who knows?
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I need some more input from y'all here in this forum topic: A ProgressiveU Radio Show/Podcast
I think this is an idea that can improve the ProgressiveU community.