As a store owner, the influence level of podcasts is pretty minimal. I don't see or hear very many of my customers being total fanbois and/or falling into cults of personality when it comes to podcasts. When I talk to folks about them, their interests are generally fragmented and personal; with no single show being the 'head and shoulders above the rest' or anything like that.
I wanted to check out the different programs that had been recommended to me, or I'd heard of somehow. I went over to Itunes to try to find some of them, and found them all right, but I totally failed in the ability to subscribe to podcasts. Somehow it never worked, and I just got all cranky and so I headed to the sites directly to stream or download so I can listen later. Here's my review of the places I checked out, as well as other pithy comments.
11th Company -- It was easy to find the episodes and listen from the website.
Yeah, their site is nothing super pretty, but it's FUNCTIONAL and I found that to be way more valuable than "ooh shiny".
Ohiohammer -- This site also had easy to find episodes, and it was SUPER easy to listen to the episodes from the site. They had several topics (40K, Fantasy, etc) and somewhat cheesy intro music. Very pretty website, but I give them a giant ZERO on general principal for being Buckeye fans.
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| It hurts to be at our house! |
40K Radio -- I found it harder to search by or for episodes, but listening on the site is possible.
Gamer's Lounge - It was a little tough to find strictly audio files, but the vlogs are hilarious - and you can listen from the site when you can find a file. These guys have also interviewed two of my local Malifaux crew/customers a few times and treated them well.
Worlds' End Radio -This site hasn't been updated since Dec 2011, so I don't know if it is a going concern. However, it offered easy access to files with excellent breakdown of topics with time marks of specific sections per episode.
Deepstrike Radio It took me a while to figure out this page, but once I did, I liked the clean interface. Episodes look like blog entries on the page, with a small audio file box tucked away at the foot of each "update".
The Independent Characters - I found it very hard to download the episode as they suggested. Listening directly from the site is possible, but not reliable. I found the episodes easily enough, but without paying attention, I might have missed the "play" option.
The Eternal Warriors - It was a little harder to figure out whether an update was an episode or just a quick "blog" entry. Easy to stream or download right from the site.
Imperial Vox Cast- This was one of the best well laid out sites, with easy listening and searching options.
Now you guys know I do more than miniatures- I happen to love RPGS as much (if not MORE) than Von, so I checked out some other recommendations, passed on to me by other folks that love RPGs.
RPGpodcasts.com - Okay, this isn't really a PODCAST. It's an awesome site full of different RPG podcast site links, making finding new stuff pretty darn cool.
Save or Die - I have them on my playlist for later today, as they seem pretty ok.
Fear the Boot -Friendly people, funny topics, good quality voicing- what else could I ask for?
THACO -Well, you could ask for a great podcast looking at geeky and gamer culture with great interest, that's what. I think these guys will go on my favorites very soon.
Now podcasts aren't the only "media" option out there for geeks to talk to, for and with other geeks. Somehow Youtube has become the new nerd outlet, and there's a ton of cool stuff to check out. I will say that I must have slept in the past month or so, because the interface for Youtube is DRASTICALLY different since the last time I checked it out (about a month ago).
The Guild - I would be an IDIOT not to mention Felicia Day's brainchild. This video show has taken the world (including pop culture) by storm, with offers from Microsoft and other large corporate drone dudes to take the money and run. She didn't, and is making a crapton of cash without their help. (I am always glad to see geeks, especially lady geeks, do well.)
Geek & Sundry - This is a spinoff from The Guild, with a focus more on culture and "real life" than D&D and/or fantasy games. This particular show has featured Wil Wheaton demonstrating some classic games- and we have noticed a HUGE impact.
When the Smallworld episode aired, we had people calling on the phone, emailing, walking in off the street; asking: "do you have that game Wil Wheaton showed the other day on Geek & Sundry?" (Thanks a ton to geeks that grow up and somehow become really cool people.)
I would be remiss not to mention miniature related stuffs for you guys again. So here's what I found.
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| Maybe some day you guys will "get" my sense of humor. |
MiniwargamerJ This guy is hugely prolific. I don't know how long he's been at it, or if he has a job/life, but I found something like 150 episodes to watch. All of them were pretty cool, too.
Girlpainting and Wargamergirl One new and one more established, but I thought it was cool to find these gals out there, doing their thing.
BuyPainted This really isn't hobby as much as it is marketing, but I learned some cool tricks watching this channel. I need all the help I can get, so I take it as a win. You might, too.
I'm sure there's a ton more stuff out there that I haven't found yet. I didn't even look at manufacturer sites, which I hear offer some good material and good information. Maybe you can chime in with your comments and favorites, and we can talk about it.
Next week, I discuss commerce sites. Get ready, because I will be letting it rip!
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