August 26, 2008, 8:34 pm by Brett

Our boy Brent, of virginworlds.com, throws together a good bit of audio in order to instruct a unfamiliarized user about how to podcast. The very podcast itself is an example of good podcasting. I would propose that there are better ways to explain or instruct than an hour of audio.

I think the book does a significantly better job in helping an uninitiated user to begin exploring the world of podcasting. Although Brent’s podcast is informative, it lacks the benefit of the book’s ability to provide immediate access to a specific question by way of the index, table of contents, chapter headings, etc. It just seems simpler to use the book to tackle the challenge of podcasting with the book in front of you to help you as you go.

If I may offer a suggestion to Brent and other podcasters attempting to enlighten the masses about their trade - if you receive so many emails about how to podcast, create those quick and dirty shows where only 5 minutes are devoted to specific steps or frequently asked questions. This way, particular issues may be addressed by experienced podcasters so that we, the uninitiated, may utilize helpful resources like our books to feel our way around, then go to the experts in order to resolve more in depth problems.

I know I am no professional, but I feel like devoting over an hour to instruction without easy access to specific questions or problems newbies may encounter is just overkill.