Topic: Podcasts
Jonathan Christensen is Skype's General Manager for Video and Audio. Listen in as he discusses the history of audio compression, the human voice and Skype's new audio codec to be released for free. Achieving higher quality sound at a more efficient rate included partnership with hardware and software manufacturers.
Doug Kaye joins Phil and Scott to discuss the recently launched SpokenWord.org, a free service that helps you find, manage and share audio and video spoken-word recordings. In addition to giving a basic description of the site, Doug also discusses the technical aspects of the project, including how it was developed and what kind of challenges he is facing now that it is operational.
People learning to read will soon be able to use a handheld device to practice their reading skills when trained teachers and the Internet are not available. Using inexpensive hardware, Literacy Bridge plans to provide Talking Book audio players/recorders in developing nations starting this fall, with a goal of selling them for $10 per device or less. Listen to Cliff Schmidt describe the Talking Book and the benefits it will bring to people in far-flung locations.
On this edition of Interviews with Innovators, host Jon Udell speaks with VisiCalc co-creator Dan Bricklin. They talk about one of the key challenges of capturing and publishing spoken-word audio: enabling non-experts to make good audio recordings. Discussed are tools and techniques for recording, and strategies for getting other people up to speed with them.
On the fifth anniversary of IT Conversations, founder Doug Kaye joins Phil to discuss the past, present, and future of both IT Conversations and the Conversations Network. He reviews the technical aspects of how shows are assembled and also assesses the challenges with trying to produce quality programming in a non-profit environment. He also discusses how the Conversations Network will continue to evolve in the future.
This week on Interviews with Innovators, Jon Udell's guest is none other than Doug Kaye, the founder and original executive producer of IT Conversations. He's been working quietly, for a couple of years, on a new project, just recently announced, called PodCorps.
Robert Scoble is one of the most popular technology writers and is followed religiously throughout the world. He joins Phil, Scott, and Ben to discuss current events in the tech world. In addition to reviewing his work with Podtech.net, the group talks about Robert's experiences with Microsoft, his work with video, ways to better develop podcasts and blogs, and how new forms of social networking continue to be developed. Robert draws on his experience to present interesting and thought-provoking opinions.
Audiobooks are an excellent way to make books available to everyone. When Hugh McGuire founded LibriVox in 2005, he wanted to take advantage of the masses of book lovers across the world to record and make available a catalog of audiobooks. On this week's Interviews with Innovators, Jon Udell speaks with McGuire about the origins, growth and distinctive architecture behind LibriVox.
The release of The Levelator by Gigavox Media made the tedious task of levelling spoken word audio a thing of the past. On this edition of Behind the Mic, Doug Kaye speaks with Bruce Sharpe, who together with his son Malcolm developed The Levelator. They discuss some of the choices they needed to make during The Levelator's development, and how this exciting new tool fits into the workflows of both amateur podcasters and audio professionals.
Microphone flags are a hot topic at the Podcast Academy. You will be amazed by the "magic" of a microphone flag and how quickly doors open with a professional looking logo on the end of your mic. Michael Geoghegan interviews Glenn Love of Impact PBS, a custom mic flag fabricator who creates custom, high quality mic flags in small quantities and for a reasonable price. They discuss the Impact PBS product line and what podcasters should consider before they place an order.
