Richard Giles Blog

I mentioned in another post today that I’m slightly busy. I’m also involved in some research into podcasting.

Below if the press release.

Dr Cameron O’Beirne and Associate Professor Sue Stoney, from the School of MIS at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia are leading research into the phenomenon that is podcasting. Partners in the research is emerging digital company Clique Communications lead by Richard Giles, a world authority on podcasting.

Their research, entitled “Evaluating the use of podcasting as an e-learning application for business information and training” seeks to look at how business can benefit by using podcasting as a business tool. It is the first time that any empirical research into this new communications medium has been undertaken globally.

Podcasting is an innovative means of publishing audio and video information via the Internet. Podcasting provides an evolutionary method of reaching people with business information on demand.

Dr O’Beirne said “the relative low cost and ease of use makes podcasting an ideal method for business information distribution, and potential training and educational aides for business”.

The wine industry in Western Australia provides the focus for the research. Dr O’Beirne said “the wine industry has a specific need for dissemination of information through areas as diverse as agricultural processes, wine production, and marketing and communications to customers.”

“Furthermore, the industry is in need of innovative means to grow sales as supply outstrips demand. As an example of the use, imagine a customer listening to the tasting notes from the winemaker directly on their iPod; hearing the winemakers voice or watching them in the vineyard as they describe the wine passionately and personally, something that a piece of paper or PDF download just can’t convey.”

Background to podcasting:
Podcasting is a means of publishing audio and video information via the Internet, allowing users to subscribe to a ‘feed’ (usually MP3s) that are delivered automatically to a home or business computer, or other device such as an iPod.

Podcasting differs from other mediums in that only those individuals who choose to become subscribers receive the selected programming. Podcasting has become popular as it allows listeners to time–shift content, i.e., to listen when it suits them.

Listeners may subscribe to feeds using "podcatching" software that periodically checks for and downloads new content automatically. Podcasts can then be synchronised to portable music and video players such as Apple’s iPod, although any digital audio player or computer with audio-playing software can play podcasts. The popularity of these devices, and their relative low cost and ease of use makes them an ideal method for business information distributions.

Podcasting became popular in late 2004, largely due to automatic downloading of audio onto portable players such as Apple’s iPod, or to personal computers. Podcasting reached critical mass in 2005 when Apple joined the podcasting market on three fronts by incorporating podcasting feeds into its popular iTunes software. iTunes became a source of "podcatcher" software; a key publisher of a comprehensive podcast directory; and importantly, as a provider of tutorials on how to create podcasts.

In the last year podcasting growth has been dramatic. In the market with highest rate of broadband uptake in the world, the USA, podcasting is expected to reach 12.3 million households by 2010 (Forrester Research, 2005).

Although it uses the means of broadcasting to extend to a potentially large audience using the internet as the delivery method, podcasting is essentially narrow casting, in that podcasts are topic specific to a niche audience.

The use and value of podcasting by business, both externally & internally as a communication medium is yet to be ascertained by any rigid empirical means. Areas of business communications that may be enabled include keeping local, virtual and world wide groups of clients or employees informed. Examples include using podcasting for sales meetings for companies that have employees in remote, mobile, and worldwide locations. It could also be an effective medium for distance learning, or in helping to get the entire team “on message” on any specific topic.

Ends

For further information contact:
Dr Cam O’Beirne 0418 808 993
Ass Prof Sue Stoney 040 290 6111
Mr Richard Giles 0403 188 2222

I met Jon Yau at Perth’s recent weblogger meetup. A really down-to-earth and approachable guy. He launched AustralianBlogs.com.au a few weeks ago, and he discussed his plan to launch a podcast version.

Yesterday he launched it, AustralianPodcasts.com.au.

Both sights add a web 2.0 twist to a blog and podcast directory by adding tags. Anyone can submit a weblog or podcast, adding keywords that describe the site. That means you can find a relevant site by searching for a topic that interests you.

I’m amazed, but there are already 75 Aussie podcasts in the list. Pretty amazing when you consider that only a year and a half ago, you could count the number on one hand.

I’ve been frustrated for a few weeks about the lack of weblog posts. It’s mostly because what gets me the most excited is my new business that I am to launch with my business partner later this year. I’ve been heavily researching the area, but given we haven’t gone public yet, I feel I can’t drop any hints.

So I don’t mention these things in the weblog.

I can say I’ve been busy with a few other things however. Organizing an NDA, completing a two-page business plan, and creating a presentation. We’re about to discuss the topic with a few people to investigate funding to accelerate the development, and I’m ramping up the "pitch" in preparation.

Another area of focus has been a little research into Second Life. It’s an amazing place, literally feeling like a new world. I get a similar feeling to ones I felt in the very early days of the web. It feels like a few people, including businesses, are waking up to its possibilities. If you’re in-world, IM Rich Neurocam to connect.

I fit all this in, between several meetings, several podcasts, and designing a web site for a client. All of which consumes more than the time I have available.

Is it a clever move, or just deception, that Google has not announced Google Calendar, and yet it’s been discovered by the blogosphere. That way, any bugs, glitches, or issues, aren’t an issue, because it’s not even officially released?

Google launched its calendar today. If you can call it a launch; not officially announcement that I’ve seen so far.

I stumbled across if when I picked up a Digg feed this morning. I pinged Cameron and when we had a chat we talked about it on G’day World.

After using it for a few hours I’m a big fan. Firstly, I’ve been looking for an easy way to set up a calendar that I can share with my wife, and other ways to share across time zones. Google does that simply.

Secondly, it’s simple. It makes it easy to add events–even with simple phrases–and I can subscribe using my Mac’s iCal client.

Thirdly, I can subscribe to other public calendars, whether they are events, or personal. That will be the killer app. In fact, I think it’ll drag people into using Gmail. When users start sending calendar events to people they know, I think it’ll draw people to use the calendar, and by repercussion, the Gmail integration.

It’s funny. Google services remind me of the excitement I felt in the hay day of the browser wars. I’d always get excited and install the latest release. It’s similar, I got excited and spend a good hour or so playing and setting up the calendar.

I can’t wait to see the mash-ups and ways people use it within online communities.

I chatted with Kath Walters from BRW the other day. She quoted me in this last weeks magazine, in her article, "Information explosion."

A Perth technology consultant, Richard Giles, says RSS software can do much more than feed selected content. It can learn about people and how long they spend on various sites, and offer suggestions for other content that might interest them.

I can’t point you to the article online, because their online version requires payment. The general gist discussed the need for publishers to learn how to engage readers, protect loyalty, and generate revenue online.

If you’re intrigued which services are tracking attention to web pages and RSS feeds, then check Attensa and Root Markets.

I’ve been looking for a weblog client tool for some time. I’d like to use a local tool to add content, and simply press a button to post two one or more of my blogs.

Usually the tools break with one of the weblogs that I use–in most cases Movable Type–and I give up after one or two test posts.

Today I discovered a new tool called Qumana. It looks nice and simple, setup easily with all my key weblogs, and interestingly automates the inclusion of advertisements.

In all honesty I’ve never given weblog advertising a go in earnest, but have been considering playing with them on Clique. After all, I’ve got to know how they work when I speak to clients.

Hopefully including an advert or two won’t offend any readers. Let me know your thoughts, or experiences. In the mean time, I’ll give Qumana a serious crack and I’ll report back on that I think.