Podcasting Pt. 1

OMG - what a n00b!

That is what I've been thinking to myself over the last 24 to 48 hours with this podcasting lark.

This is the first time I've tried my hand at podcasting. I know what it is, but I've never felt like I've had a need to try it out. So read on and laugh, cry, and pound your little fist on the table with me as I recount part one of 'Peggy's Adventures in Podcasting'.

First of all the link on the course did not work - but that is of little concern to a person with access to Google. I just looked for 'free pocasting host' and the search engine did the rest. It was about this time the first of my troubles really began to make themselves known - which are not actually course related, but impacted on my experience. Clicking on links to various podcasting sites, I found that I was being redirected to other websites. At first I thought that I was being obtuse and clicking on the wrong link, but upon trying these links again, I found that I was indeedy being redirected to other websites, every darned time.

A bit of investigation into this it is discovered that I had 'something-wrong-with-my-computer' which involved a full virus scan (which takes fohevah), downloading a malware program - and running that, then downloading AdAware - and running that. It was worth doing, 2 viruses that weren't picked up by the daily scan, 4 things picked up by the malware program, and 187 things picked up by AdAware. So kids, remember to disinfect your computer on a regular basis.

Now, the great naive n00b that I am, I thought that some of these podcasting sites might just record your podcast for you and then upload them. In fact the one I chose, PodBean, certainly seemed to give that impression with their "Easy to publish your podcast in 3 steps. No tech to learn." statement (or maybe it was one of the others - I looked at quite a few of them trying to decide with whom to sign up).

It was at this point I discovered I needed another program to actually RECORD my podcast, save it, then upload it to PodBean. *huff, sigh*

I looked upon the other PC I was using (as my original was being scanned x 3) - nuttin'. Nothing that could record voice. So I do another search, and find Audacity, which seemed to be highly regarded amongst the how-to's. Download that, grab a headset mic that's lurking around, and do a test recording. More nuttin'. Actually I lie, something, but it is very very faint, and very very hissy. It's late now, so try again tomorrow.

Tomorrow. My other computer is now disinfected. It is running Vista (whereas the other was XP) and Vista offers some of its own recording software. I've remembered we actually have a microphone so I get that, thinking I'll get better quality, less hissy sound from it. Nothing. Try again, nothing. Try a different program, nothing. What's happening??? A bit of messing around later, finally get something which is still a bit hissy.

I decide at this point that I-don't-care, and record something. I wrote a script for a virtual library tour. Thought I might do something for work if I'm gonna do something. Part way through, my husband who is playing a game on the XBox in the other room shrieks incoherently at some perceived injustice in the game he's playing. Upon listening to the playback, it comes through quite well.

I record another. This time he starts shouting 'f***, f***, f***' x 3, which once again came through quite clearly.

Take three. This time my son decides to emerge from the cocoon which is his bedroom. In my head I can hear him coming to ask what I'm doing, or shouting about what's for dinner. My anxiety comes through in my voice, and in the recording, so does the sound of the toilet flushing. *SIGH*

Take four - much later. I finally record a better take, but it is still hissy. Jeebus Cripes - I don't have the energy for this anymore. So I use Audacity to edit out a flubbed line. As an aside, I'm lucky enough to have some experience in using video editing software, so it doesn't take too much to drag out those old skills to do a simple cut - but I don't know how other people would cope with that functionality.

Audacity saves it in its own file, and PodBean requires a MP3 file. No problemo - Audacity can save as an MP3. I go to do that and discover... I need to download a file to enable that to happen. *AAAARRGHH -- sigh*

To employ the common parlance - Podcasting sux.

Although I'm sure it will be better once I become accustomed to the process. But right now, getting all of the proverbial dominoes set up is time consuming and frustrating.

Through work I'm going to borrow a digital voice recorder and see if that creates a better quality file.

So until the next installment dear reader, adieu, and good luck with your podcasting endeavours.

Next on 'Peggy's Adventures in Podcasting'
- Using the digital voice recorder.
- Uploading the file to Podbean.
- Working out where the podcast has gone after that for the URL.
- And problems not yet conceived by my little mind!!!