PodTech Snoozer
The big news in the world of podcasting/blogging this week was the fact that Microsoft evangelist Robert Scoble is quitting Microsoft to work for PodTech.net as a content producer and video blogger. I have heard of PodTech.net and saw Jon Furrier, PodTech's founder, speak on a panel at the Podcast Academy in April.
And although I had been to their site I had never actually listened to their podcasts. Now these folks managed to get themselves $5 million in funding for this venture so I figured that I would see what it's all about by browsing their site and listening to what they have there.
My first impression on the content can be crystallized by one word, corporate. This is a venture geared towards people interested in corporate (aka boring) news and opinions on technology. Most of it is produced very well, with a host that sounds like she was kidnapped from NPR. Is that a bad thing? Maybe not for some people. Some people would call it "professional". I call it boring.
It's boring to me because there is no passion anywhere in the offerings that you find on PodTech.net. You get the point of view of talking heads, mindless pundits and generally people who are not down with cutting edge technologies. All the people on the PodTech.net podcast are there because they have to be. So on one side you have paid hosts who studiously interview their subjects. And on the other side you have journalists and corporate spinsters who spout the party line. Boring!
Another pet peeve I have has to do with the design of the PodTech.com site. The site is obviously built on WordPress, which is a free tool. Anyone who knows a thing about WordPress knows that you should turn on clean permalinks so that search engines (and people) can more easily find your content. The folks at PodTech haven't figured this out yet. For example, the Seagate podcast can be found at "?cat=70" instead of something logical like "/seagate" or "/category/seagate". Just a suggestion from a dunce from the east coast.
If you want to get passionate tech news from folks on the cutting edge then listen to shows like Geek News Central, The Global Geek Podcast, Geekbrief or almost any of the podcasts on TechPodcasts.com. If you want boring corporate messages and info you probably already know then head over to PodTech.net.
I'll be checking back soon to see what Scoble does to change the landscape there. Hopefully he'll make changes for the better.
And although I had been to their site I had never actually listened to their podcasts. Now these folks managed to get themselves $5 million in funding for this venture so I figured that I would see what it's all about by browsing their site and listening to what they have there.
My first impression on the content can be crystallized by one word, corporate. This is a venture geared towards people interested in corporate (aka boring) news and opinions on technology. Most of it is produced very well, with a host that sounds like she was kidnapped from NPR. Is that a bad thing? Maybe not for some people. Some people would call it "professional". I call it boring.
It's boring to me because there is no passion anywhere in the offerings that you find on PodTech.net. You get the point of view of talking heads, mindless pundits and generally people who are not down with cutting edge technologies. All the people on the PodTech.net podcast are there because they have to be. So on one side you have paid hosts who studiously interview their subjects. And on the other side you have journalists and corporate spinsters who spout the party line. Boring!
Another pet peeve I have has to do with the design of the PodTech.com site. The site is obviously built on WordPress, which is a free tool. Anyone who knows a thing about WordPress knows that you should turn on clean permalinks so that search engines (and people) can more easily find your content. The folks at PodTech haven't figured this out yet. For example, the Seagate podcast can be found at "?cat=70" instead of something logical like "/seagate" or "/category/seagate". Just a suggestion from a dunce from the east coast.
If you want to get passionate tech news from folks on the cutting edge then listen to shows like Geek News Central, The Global Geek Podcast, Geekbrief or almost any of the podcasts on TechPodcasts.com. If you want boring corporate messages and info you probably already know then head over to PodTech.net.
I'll be checking back soon to see what Scoble does to change the landscape there. Hopefully he'll make changes for the better.
Recommend Podcast NYC To Your Friends
posted by PodcastNYC.net at 12:29 PM
2 Comments:
I've listened to PodTech for sometime only on itunes. They have some good programs and interviews. They've included corporate (I guess there is a need for that too). Their site has been really just a posting ground for them (surely needs work). They post over 100 podcasts a month.
Boy your post sounds like you have an axe to grind... on itunes they have over 50 programs. btw: your site is really in need for a makeover big time .
Thanks for the mention in the same sentence as Geek News Central and Geekbreif. We are but a humble podcast passionate about making the news relevant, interesting, accessable and funny when we can...
We appreciate you listening and gracious comment.
Dave and Sebastian
Global Geek Podcast
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