russellholliman.com

Why not 4.9?
Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Here is a nice summation from the folks over at Podnova as to why one might not use iTunes 4.9. And before you think their reasoning to be bias, keep in mind that their system is open - so much so in fact that you can even continue to use Podnova's great on-line features with 4.9.

posted by Russell @ 1:57 PM,

4 Comments:

At 3:52 PM, webmaster said...: Hey Russell, I was going to ask you why your PodNova "one click" button had disappeared earlier today, but I see it is back. Just doing some house cleaning?
Jay
At 3:17 PM, gorkon said...: Wait a sec podnova and Russell. First, iPodder.org is STILL useable by people who use iTunes 4.9. Yes, you must copy/past the link or drag it to your iTunes, but it works. Sure, it's not elegant, but even Apple's own iTMS isn't elegant. When looking for podcasts, after subscribing to one, it takes you to your list rather then back to the page you were on so you have to search again or navigate back to it in their directory. The PROBLEM now (and this is NOT just a iTunes thing but they are closer to having it whipped) is one click subscription doesn't work the same from one client to the next AND on iPodder(lemon) and many others who look at iPodder.org's OPML is that you CAN'T search it. This is where Apple has them beat. I love searching for new podcasts within this interface. My MAIN beef with iTunes has it's NEVER worked with any other MP3 Player BUT iPods (like they invented the damn thing). I have a Nomad Zen that can play MP3 just fine but it can't do AAC (which I am fine with). At LEAST Apple can let me sync MP3 tracks over. Anyway, I have a work around....I just navigate with finder to the where the podcasts are stored, and then copy the file to my Zen with the GREAT XNJB program for the Mac. I DID go and buy a shuffle....mainly for the Gym, but as a secondary I can listen to my iTunes I got for free from Pepsi on it as well as podcasts.
At 10:43 AM, Russell said...: I did not mean to suggest that iPOdder.org doesn't work with iTunes. You can cut-and-paste addresses from any directory into iTunes and get your podcasts. My point was that Podnova's open system can feed your iTunes directly... one cut-and-paste and all your shows come in...

Also, too, understand that POdnova isn't JUST a directory. It's a subscription management system. You maintain your list there, and then podcast clients read that list in via dynamic OPML (something Adam has talked about at great length but never really embraced) or via a "dynamic" RSS feed.

And unlike iPodder.org, Podnova is open. Sure, iPodder.org will let anyone read their data, but they only permit certain podcasts from being listed. It's a Podshow production. Ron Bloom out-right says so in their now infamous Strategy Cast.

Apple certainly has a great search function. No question there. And when they finally include all the "indie" podcasts it will be better. But you have to wonder what they are filtering out. Currently, my listing there has ONE of my blog entries (listed as a podcast, which it isn't) and ONE of my shows. That particular combination does not appear together like that in any of my feeds. So what are they doing, re-writing feeds?

But another benefit to Podnova is the fact that you can maintain your subscription list from any web-enabled machine... your 'podcatcher (iTunes, Ipodder Lemon, etc) just "get it".

Keep in mind, Podnova exists to advance the podcasting community. iTunes exists to sell iPods.

PS: were the Pepsi songs really free if you had to buy their soft drink and go buy a player on which to hear them? :)
At 3:58 AM, Robin said...: Russell,
Thumbs up for your insight, you're really well informed. It's not the first time that I'd wish more people would see the *real* strengths and threats of what's happening at the various podcasting initiatives. The details of today are going to make a big difference in the future.
Keep it up, and thanks for your support, it does make a difference!