Heroscapers Podcast Information

[funrun]

Well gentlemen and ladies, we are about to launch a Heroscapers.com podcast! We are still working out some bugs, and details about the podcast itself will be released with the first episode, but part of our launch schedule includes posting this thread to explain (hopefully in layman's terms) everything that a Scaper needs to know about podcasts.

Use this thread as a reference and troubleshooting guide so that when the first episode is released you will be all set and ready to listen! If you have any questions or problems with getting set up for podcasts, please post them here.

What is a podcast? Simply put, it's an RSS feed with mp3 or video files attached. When the RSS feed is read by a podcast player, such as iTunes, the information contained in the RSS code is reformatted into what you see in the iTunes Music Store as a podcast. The only difference between a videocast and podcast is that the author of the podcast included a video file (ex. mov) instead of an audio file (ex. mP3).

What is an RSS feed? RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. It is used to list and summarize news articles and link to their full text articles. In the case of podcasts, the same RSS code is used by podcast players to format the podcast.

How do I listen to podcasts? We will feature a summary of each podcast episode as a front page article. Each article will end with direct links to our RSS feed, free subscription link to our iTunes Music Store podcast (if you don't have iTunes installed it will automatically prompt you,) and a link to each episode's MP3 file for individual streaming or download.

Why should I subscribe to a podcast instead of just downloading the mP3 files individually? Subscriptions are a free, convenient, time-saving service. A podcast is intended to be a frequently updated reoccurring show with individual episodes relating to one topic. As new episodes become available, you can chose to be notified and have them automatically downloaded for you. With iTunes, podcasts are easier to put on your iPod, plus, the visual formating that a podcast player provides is a lot better than the plain RSS feed. Once you get iTunes installed, navigate to the Music Store> Podcasts and pick one to test one out.

Do I absolutely have to use iTunes as my podcast reader? No. There are other major podcast readers to chose from. You may try:
• iTunes (Windows/OS X)
• Juice (Windows/OS X/ Linux)
• jPodder (Windows)
• iPodderX (OS X)

How do I view the RSS feed? You need a web browser with an RSS feed reader installed. The most recent versions of Firefox (2.0), Internet Explorer (7), and Safari all have built in RSS readers, so just upgrade your browser version and you should be all set. Once you have your new browser installed, here is an average RSS feed to test if it works: http://rss-feeds.msn.com/autos/autosfuture.xml If you get an error message or only see a bunch of code, then you don't have an RSS reader.

[hextr1p]

:drool:
Sounds delicious...

And I know this must be no small task, so a big...

THANK YOU

... to all who are involved in putting the PodCast together. Looking forward to it!

[johnny139]

I can't wait!

...

Wait, yes I can. I don't have an mp3 player. :cry:

[Grungebob]

I can't wait!

...

Wait, yes I can. I don't have an mp3 player. :cry:I don't think you need one. I just click on them and they play in Quicktime automatically like any other streaming media.

[johnny139]

I can't wait!

...

Wait, yes I can. I don't have an mp3 player. :cry:I don't think you need one. I just click on them and they play in Quicktime automatically like any other streaming media.

Really? I thought they were just for mp3 players. Then again, I don't have Quicktime either, so that's a moot point...

[Cavalier]

I can't wait!

...

Wait, yes I can. I don't have an mp3 player. :cry:I don't think you need one. I just click on them and they play in Quicktime automatically like any other streaming media.

Really? I thought they were just for mp3 players. Then again, I don't have Quicktime either, so that's a moot point...

Do I absolutely have to use iTunes as my podcast reader? No. There are other major podcast readers to chose from. You may try:
• iTunes (Windows/OS X)
• Juice (Windows/OS X/ Linux)
• jPodder (Windows)
• iPodderX (OS X)

[Chimpy]

How long do you plan on the podcast being?

[truth]

How long do you plan on the podcast being?

Episodes will be 10 minutes bi-weekly.

[Chimpy]

It sounds cool.

P.S. It is just Audio, right?

[truth]

It sounds cool.

P.S. It is just Audio, right?

Yes

[funrun]

I don't have an mp3 player. :cry:As was sort of pointed out above, iTunes is an MP3 player, and it is free. :)

[Grungebob]

It sounds cool.

P.S. It is just Audio, right?All the admins have listened to the first podcast and.... YES!! It is cool and will be an excellent site resource!!!

[Hahnarama]

It sounds cool.

P.S. It is just Audio, right?All the admins have listened to the first podcast and.... YES!! It is cool and will be an excellent site resource!!!

You know it's not my style to weigh in with a negative view point, but I really do not see the point of it. I mean what new information is a Podcast is going to offer me than what I already get from the forums?

[hextr1p]

[You know it's not my style to weigh in with a negative view point, but I really do not see the point of it. I mean what new information is a Podcast is going to offer me than what I already get from the forums?
BAN HIM!! BA-A-A-A-AN HI-I-I-I-IM!!

;)

I'm speaking as an uniformed, but I can see this as a nice "here's what's going on in the forums" summary session, of sorts. Not everyone reads every single post, nor every single thread. Thus, there might be some overlooked information out there. Especially for folks who visit the site only for current news and product previews. There are a lot of different positive and creative type reports that can come from this PodCast, aside from rehashed forum fodder. So I'm reserving judgement until I'm able to listen to it.

[truth]

It sounds cool.

P.S. It is just Audio, right?All the admins have listened to the first podcast and.... YES!! It is cool and will be an excellent site resource!!!

You know it's not my style to weigh in with a negative view point, but I really do not see the point of it. I mean what new information is a Podcast is going to offer me than what I already get from the forums?

I'm glad you asked that Hahn! This podcast, much like the rest of the site, is designed to enhance the feeling of belonging and community. Each podcast is an interview of a different heroscaper, and thus you get a broader sense of who the people laying down the text in the forum are. It is also a way of highlighting heroscapers and what is important to them.

[K/H_Addict]

i nominate netherspirit to be interviewed first!

[hextr1p]

A quick note about not having an MP3 player or Quicktime:

If you're running Windows, you should have Windows Media Player. This will also play the PodCast. The players FunRun referred to in the first post were those which manage podcast subscriptions which automatically update with the current podcast should you subscribe.

[truth]

i nominate netherspirit to be interviewed first!

I'm not taking nominations.

[funrun]

You know it's not my style to weigh in with a negative view point, but I really do not see the point of it. I mean what new information is a Podcast is going to offer me than what I already get from the forums?No, not your style at all. . .

i nominate netherspirit to be interviewed first!. . . Hahn is the first guest. Not a bad point though, but ironic considering he volunteered to be the test dummy. I wouldn't say the podcast is supposed to be a resource per say, it is more entertainment and community feel to me.

[cavie]

This is great! Looking forward to it and 10 minutes sounds just right.

[K/H_Addict]

so how are you going to be interviewing the people that live in different states? or countries for that matter? Like, when it was Euryons turn, how would that work?

[Hahnarama]

You know it's not my style to weigh in with a negative view point, but I really do not see the point of it. I mean what new information is a Podcast is going to offer me than what I already get from the forums?No, not your style at all. . .

i nominate netherspirit to be interviewed first!. . . Hahn is the first guest. Not a bad point though, but ironic considering he volunteered to be the test dummy. I wouldn't say the podcast is supposed to be a resource per say, it is more entertainment and community feel to me.

Gurl Friend!!! You just SOOOOO busted my bubble of FUN!

[toddrew]

funrun IS a muckraker :lol: apologies for the public use of an inside joke.

Podcast sounds like fun - looking forward to the first.

[funrun]

I will neither confirm or deny the crying that goes on in the black hole that is my life. This line is the iTunes description for the first episode cuz it's the best line of the show! :rofl:

You'll all have to stayed tuned and listen to figure out what it is referring to!

[bunjee]

You know it's not my style to weigh in with a negative view point, but I really do not see the point of it. I mean what new information is a Podcast is going to offer me than what I already get from the forums?No, not your style at all. . .

i nominate netherspirit to be interviewed first!. . . Hahn is the first guest. Not a bad point though, but ironic considering he volunteered to be the test dummy. I wouldn't say the podcast is supposed to be a resource per say, it is more entertainment and community feel to me.

Gurl Friend!!! You just SOOOOO busted my bubble of FUN!Hahn should come with a warning label.

I think people will really enjoy this new site feature. A little concentrated bit of fandom.

[Hex_Enduction_Hour]

I will neither confirm or deny the crying that goes on in the black hole that is my life. This line is the iTunes description for the first episode cuz it's the best line of the show! :rofl:

You'll all have to stayed tuned and listen to figure out what it is referring to!

Shhhh! Jeez what are you like in a movie theater watching a movie you've seen already?!?
Wait, don't answer that. Do I want to know?

[countblah]

I also want to point out that those with a PSP (hereby to be known as lucky jerks) can subscribe to RSS feeds on there directly, and play them from the internet on their PSPs. Yay technology.

[bunjee]

I also want to point out that those with a PSP (hereby to be known as lucky jerks) can subscribe to RSS feeds on there directly, and play them from the internet on their PSPs. Yay technology.That is just sooooooo wrong.

[Hahnarama]

Hahn should come with a warning label.

I think people will really enjoy this new site feature. A little concentrated bit of fandom.


Warning label? I don't need no stinkin' warning label!

All joking aside I think this will really be something everyone finds useful. It is giving Truth a chance to highlight "experts" from Scape-ville who might not be the most prolific posters but they really having something GREAT to offer everyone. I can guarantee that you will dig the first two episodes. (and prepare yourself to be blown away with a recurring feature starting in Ep #2)

Just a little side note. I've listened to the final cut and I think it comes across as OK for a first try. It was more difficult than you think it would be. For me it was walking that fine line between sounding like I was reading a script and just being myself when I am with Truth. I was pretty sure the world was not ready for our FULL BLOWN insanity that is us when we are gaming. I know that when I am back for Ep 7 it will sound as natural as can be.

Listen, enjoy it, and make sure you go to the show notes section.


With God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly......Arthur 'Big Guy' Carlson"

[dark_piranha]

So is this podcast shooting for "We're trying to make this as professional and polished as we can", or "We're a bunch of people sitting around trying to be funny" ?

Based on the slickness and attention to detail on this site (love the new front page look), I'll assume you're going to go for something that sounds like it could be the official Heroscape podcast.

I listen to dozens of podcasts, and the one thing that makes me hit the unsubscribe button faster than anything else is when the people think they are producing a shock jock morning radio program and think they're a lot funnier than they are.

If you don't have a name for it yet (which I'm sure you do), I nominate "Heroscape Podex" as a play on words with the Codex.


On a technical note, I'm a video producer by trade, and have a wide range of professionally produced pieces of music, including a bunch that sound like they could be the themes from fantasy movies. These come in all lengths from :10 to 3:00 long. I used a couple of these for some commercials I produced for my local game store (Heroscape was featured prominently in the spots).

If you would like some cool, royalty-free music for the podcast (assuming you don't already have some), send me an email address and I'll shoot the files over to you.

[truth]

So is this podcast shooting for "We're trying to make this as professional and polished as we can", or "We're a bunch of people sitting around trying to be funny" ?

Based on the slickness and attention to detail on this site (love the new front page look), I'll assume you're going to go for something that sounds like it could be the official Heroscape podcast.

I listen to dozens of podcasts, and the one thing that makes me hit the unsubscribe button faster than anything else is when the people think they are producing a shock jock morning radio program and think they're a lot funnier than they are.

If you don't have a name for it yet (which I'm sure you do), I nominate "Heroscape Podex" as a play on words with the Codex.


On a technical note, I'm a video producer by trade, and have a wide range of professionally produced pieces of music, including a bunch that sound like they could be the themes from fantasy movies. These come in all lengths from :10 to 3:00 long. I used a couple of these for some commercials I produced for my local game store (Heroscape was featured prominently in the spots).

If you would like some cool, royalty-free music for the podcast (assuming you don't already have some), send me an email address and I'll shoot the files over to you.

I'm a video producer by trade as well (we should talk) I've got some royalty free music, I'm going with a light techno sound over fantasy theme. We aren't trying to be funny, we are talking heroscape. I do a bit of a radio show intro, but that's just for the fun of it, I promise not to be annoying with it. The show is called:

'ScapeTalk - Heroscapers Talk Heroscape

[mrbistro]

Awesome idea. My wife has totally been into podcasts lately, and has been insisting there should be a Heroscape podcast. And who knows? Maybe this will just be the beginning of something bigger. I have to tip my hat to Truth. You run this site like a good CEO. You're always looking for ways to grow our community (in a sustainable manner) and so far your choices have been spot-on. I can't wait to listen to 'scapers on my ipod.

[dark_piranha]

I'm a video producer by trade as well (we should talk)

Then you're probably familiar with the Digital Juice products. I'm specifically referring to the StackTraxx line.

[truth]

I'm a video producer by trade as well (we should talk)

Then you're probably familiar with the Digital Juice products. I'm specifically referring to the StackTraxx line.

Tis what I'm using. Its a clip from the power stacks collection.

[Bixby]

I have to tip my hat to Truth. You run this site like a good CEO. You're always looking for ways to grow our community (in a sustainable manner) and so far your choices have been spot-on. I can't wait to listen to 'scapers on my ipod.

Well said. A good leader does not rest on laurels or accept stagnation. Innovative and forward thinking this PodCasting thingy. I think it just may catchj on someday. :)

Great work gang. I look forward to the Podcast.

Thanks Truth.

[funrun]

I'm a video producer by trade as well (we should talk)

Then you're probably familiar with the Digital Juice products. I'm specifically referring to the StackTraxx line.Ahhhhhh, Digital Juice, a lovely collection. I'm so jealous cuz I don't have access to it anymore!

[dark_piranha]

I'm a video producer by trade as well (we should talk)

Then you're probably familiar with the Digital Juice products. I'm specifically referring to the StackTraxx line.Ahhhhhh, Digital Juice, a lovely collection. I'm so jealous cuz I don't have access to it anymore!

Sure you do! If there's a track you need for something, let me know and I'll shoot it over (if I have it). It's not the same as having full access, but if you need it in a pinch, it's better than nothing.

Are you also in video or audio production? Or do you just like playing with the Juice?

[dark_piranha]

Just finished listening to the first podcast.

A few comments and constructive criticism.

Overall, it was pretty good! It didn't sound scripted at all.

Many of my criticisms I'm sure are more attributable to the fact that this is the very first episode, and I don't think any of the participants had ever done a podcast prior to this one, so there will be somewhat of a learning curve to smoothing everything out.


In a previous post, someone talked about how the podcast would be a 'best of' the forums, and highlight some of the more interesting discussion. This show, however, didn't quite line up with that promise.

I am a casual member of this site. I check it at least once a day, but don't post that much, and only read through a very small portion of the total posts. I come for the big news, and useable info. I know that for many that these forums are their "home" forums where they come to discuss not just Heroscape, but movies and current events and whatever.

The podcast seemed to me to be intended more for that core community of loyal posters, rather than the casual visitor like me. This isn't a criticism, but just an observation to allow you to figure out who the podcast is for.

If it's just for the ten or twenty core members, then that's fine. But I was hoping it would be a show more accessible to a wider audience. One that isn't assumed to have read every post on the site.

For example, for a show like this, I'd love there to be a news wrap-up of whatever official news has been released since the last podcast, or announcements about stuff showing up on store shelves. I'd love there to be a rumors section. If there have been any FAQ updates or rules judgments, it would be great to have a segment on that.

A question of the week about a rule or situation would be neat.

I think it would be interesting to have a roundtable discussion (if it can be arranged) about a figure or squad. Debate it's relative merits or faults. Describe viable strategies or combos.

Tips or tricks for storing or organizing one's collection.

Roundtable discussion about setting up terrain or creating scenarios. What are some things to we should make sure to include? For example, my son and I usually just throw a map together and play on it, but nine time s out of ten, the vast majority of the map never gets used. What are some quick and easy tips to get the most of of a quickie map.

House Rule of the week.

I wouldn't do custom figures because those are so visual that unless you can see it, it's hard to adequately picture. Those are better left in the forums.

I don't think it can be stressed enough that not everyone reads everything on the forums, and for the vast majority of the more casual fans, most of the news and rumors will be news to them. From just this one example, the overall feel seems to be a "Well, everyone knows all of (X), so there's no need to discuss it."

Again, this is all dependent on who the target audience is.


Stuff like the GenCon segment and the favorite HS moment were WAY too narrow of a focus.

Unless you were at that game, or are going to GenCon next year, those segments were meaningless. The GenCon segment especially needed to be more about WHY someone would want to go to GenCon and what they would hope to do there, rather than spending so much time talking about what hotel you'd stay at.

One of my pet peeves about podcasts (and it's particularly rampant among gaming podcasts) is when they talk about specific games in detail. Unless you were there at the game being discussed, there's no involvement for the listener. I'd only do this if the person telling the story is a born storyteller and can weave an engaging story. In my experience, this hasn't been the case.


So that's my initial review. Probably not as glowing as you'd like, but hopefully informative. I really do want the podcast to be something that's accessible to all Heroscape fans, not just a project targeted only for a tiny group of people.

But... if not, that's cool too.

One other suggestion. I'd do more to delineate the segments from each other. Play a little ten second stinger or something. The podcasts that break up the segments like this feel more like a professionally produced show, rather than just some guys sitting around talking. My favorite podcast is "Filmspotting", a movie review podcast, and it's a wonderfully (yet simply) produced podcast. A joy to listen to. It feels like it's a national show.


Anyway, it's a good start. Very promising. Please take my comments and criticisms with the sincerity they are intended.

Thanks.

[Hahnarama]

Just finished listening to the first podcast.

A few comments and constructive criticism.

Always Welcomed!

All of you ideas are great and I am betting some might even be worked into the Cast.

You're right this first Cast was a test run, and I know it will just keep getting better. And no the intention of it is not to just for those that you refer to as the "the Core" it is meant for everyone. It's just another tool to get the info out there, maybe to focus your attention on a topic you normally might not read. It's a companion piece just like the Codex. Except it can be more timely.

I think part of every Cast might be non Scape focused. If 100% was dedicated ot just Scape we might run out of things to discuss. I know the next off topic piece will come at the end of the next Ep. So you can just skip it if you like.

Please keep the ideas coming

[dark_piranha]

Thanks for the response. After this post, any comments I have I'll post in the episode-specific thread.

I guess most of my frustration (not the word I mean, but it'll have to do until I can figure out the right word) I had with this podcast was that while it was only ten minutes long, it was filled with stuff that was irrelevant to someone who would be coming to listen to this podcast to find out about Heroscape.

Conversely, if the podcast was 30 minutes to an hour in length, then these non-HS things wouldn't stand out so much. They'd be a tiny part of the overall show, rather than taking up 30% - 50% of the show.


I apologize for being a wet blanket amidst all the praise coming from other directions, but I want to see this podcast be the best it can be, as I know you guys do as well.

While I've never produced a podcast (yet, anyway), I HAVE produced hundreds of TV programs, and I was the lead producer for two newscasts a day at an ABC affiliate TV station for two years, so I do know a little bit about putting shows together.

Thanks for taking my comments with such a positive attitude. Looking forward to podcast #2

[truth]

This is the very first episode. I'm just playing with a template and figuring out what I want this to be as I go.

[K/H_Addict]

Will you always notify us who will be next? What if something comes up and tehy can't be. will it be a sirprise then or will it be announced publicly?

[cavie]

Great first cast Truth. Listened to it last night and thought it was well done and just the right length for what was presented. Looking forward to more.