Palegroove Studios - Podcast Production

Flafoo gets an update

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:55:58 -0600

Flafoo.com, a Palegroove Studios project, received a couple updates yesterday to keep it humming along.

We've got some more updates on the way to make it even more useful to for those always connected folks.

A little about flafoo:

Flafoo is a web service that allows you to find items quickly on Ebay. We've formatted Flafoo for fast loads on mobile devices like the iPhone.

Shiny and new? Or a whole lotta white?

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:34:23 -0600

Would you say that it is shiny and new or just a bit paler? My vote is for paler. I consider this version an experiment in user experience and negative space.

I posted a month or two back about a need for a redesign of the site and got around to starting that this weekend. I still have some more to items to add like client samples but that should do it so I can move on and get back to the real work.

My Podcasts from Gnomedex 2007

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 08:47:33 -0600

This year at Gnomedex I participated with a few other folks off the trodden path in a quiet, out of the way room. Some of those in attendance were Mark Chernesky, Chris Brogan, Greg Cangialosi, some more friends and a couple ridiculously large cruise ships outside the window.

The payoff for hanging out in this side room were the great conversations that we had about new media, emerging media, blog networks, new search spidering and mainstream media acceptance of emerging media techniques (they're more nimble than you think).

Fortunately, I had brought my mobile studio gear and recorded 14 podcasts from the time in that room. Enjoy!

CTC Podcasts from Gnomedex 2007:

Adam Metz - LaunchSquad.com
Hans Chung - PostReach.com
Steve Fisher - StartupSpark.com pt. 1
Steve Fisher - StartupSpark.com pt. 2
Greg Cangialosi - BlueSkyFactory.com
Doug Kaye - Gigavox.com
Chris Brogan - ChrisBrogan.com
Mark Chernesky - CNN.com
Jeremy Wright - b5media.com
Aaron Brazell - b5media.com
Stan James - Lijit.com
Josh Hallett - hyku.com
Chris Heuer - ChrisHeuer.com

Greg shot some great video of about 4 of the podcasts. You can watch my not so secret show intro laugh that I usually cut from every show.

Here's a sample (if you can't see the video click here):

Palegroove needs a makeover

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:11:18 -0500

In the spirit of our times, all designs must be redesigned. This site design is one in need of some love.

In the near future a cleaner, friendlier Palegroove will be here. But until then enjoy the brown.

Palegroove, full steam ahead

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:02:10 -0500

In January of this year I took the position, VP, New Media with Room 214, an internet and search engine marketing company. I brought with me Castlock, the podcasting and rss metrics platform that I developed in early 2006.

This was an exciting opportunity. I had built a solid relationship with the founders of the company over the previous year working closely with them to produce podcasting and new media campaigns for the Alltel Racing podcast (NASCAR driver Ryan Newman), four podcasts for NFL Pro Bowl players during 2006 season and many other client podcasts; all the while holding a position as Associate Director, e-Learning for another company. Many of you might remember us talking about this last January.

The last ten months working for Room 214 have been great, but the time has come for all of us to move on.

What will I do now?

I'm not sure. But I do have quite a few options . . . probably more than I realize. There are a couple that leading the pack right now.

My first option is to make sure my resume is up to the task of assisting me gain new full-time employment. It is pretty amazing how over the last three years podcasting and rss have transitioned to "new media" and are being welcomed into the corporate structure. All that bickering about every company being a media company seems to be coming true!

My second option is to put more energy into my podcast production company, Palegroove Studios, and get back in the saddle for podcast production, consulting and licensing of Castlock. When I started with Room 214 I put it on the back burner since I was doing the same work as my "day job".

My third option, and least viable as a solution, is to go all out Croncast. I would love nothing more than to be doing the show full time and bring video into the mix but this doesn't seem to be the right time.

That's it, that is what's been up around here.

Like any time of transition this is an interesting and exciting time. I am already wondering which path I will end up going down and where the choice(s) that I make will lead my family next.

If you've got any thoughts send them to me from the contact page, email kris[at]croncast.com or send them the old fashioned way and give me a call on my GrandCentral line (thanks Rick!) at 630.445.1719.

Update: I should have added this the first time around (it was in the show notes from Monday!)

Feel freed to check out my Linkedin Profile

New video and audio formats coming for Flash Player

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 09:46:14 -0500
There's been quite a bit of talk already about the beta release of the new Flash player yesterday from Adobe. There should be.

Support for the, oh so nerdily named H.264 video format (MP4 for those needing to explain it to a client), is a huge step forward for online video viewing. Why? The ubiquity of the Flash Player, ninety-eight percent of internet users have the player installed on their computers already. For producers this new feature will save hours upon hours of wasted time encoding, or in You Tube's case, transcoding video to a different format than its source.

So far Adobe has released the technical spec. Don't expect anything in full release or with support until the fall.

This could be the next evolution of podcasting on scale with the iTunes podcast directory. Now all we need is Microsoft to join the party.

Kris's session from the Portable Media Expo 2006 is on GigaVox

Wed, 30 May 2007 14:37:27 -0500
My session from the Portable Media Expo 2006 (renamed for 2007 to New Media Expo), "Leveraging Your Knowledge as a Successful Podcasting Consultant" is up now over at GigVox.

So if you want to hear about the fun stuff I was doing in 2006 and the state of podcast consulting and production head on over.

This is what Mark had to say about my session:
"Kris with Palegroove Studios gave the most honest, non sales pitch presentation on podcast consulting. He shared real world numbers, which is rare in this day and age. More power to you."
Mark is a good guy and I didn't even have to pay him or beg for the review last year. Maybe this year ;-).

Listen to Kris on ROI Radio

Sun, 22 Apr 2007 17:59:11 -0500
You can hear Kris hit his nerd groove on with friend and fellow podcaster Greg Cangialosi, President & CEO of Blue Sky Factory, Inc. on the most recent ROI Radio.

Greg asked me, "What's next?", and I roll on from there. I hit the biggies on my radar, moderated media feeds (the burden of the publisher) and Apple TV.

Thanks for having me on!

Podcast Academy 5 Presentations now online

Sat, 21 Apr 2007 09:47:29 -0500
Thanks to Steve Fisher tipping me to the release of the Podcast Academy 5 presentations, mine included. Get them here(mine's toward the bottom): Podcast Academy 5 Schedule
iTunes

The Duke folks have links to our presentations in audio and video. Woot! You can see me in all my glory and gesticulations.BTW, in the very beginning of my presentation . . . you might think I am crazy but the voice that I am talking to is nearly inaudible.

I'll hip you non-nerds to something that might save you some time. I get way nerdy about authenticated and personalized RSS feeds for 38 minutes. So you might want to pass.

Thanks to the Duke team and to GigaVox Media for making this event happen and letting me be a part of it.

Check out the sessions from these other guys too.

Tim Bourquin, Greg Cangialosi, Noah Bonnett and Michael Geoghegan at Podcast Academy 5

Successful Web Design for Podcasting

Sat, 21 Apr 2007 09:42:46 -0500
You can listen to web design and RSS nerd out from my presentation at Podcast Academy 4 last September on "Successful Web Design for Podcasting". It is in the Podcast Academy channel from GigaVox Media.

Thanks to GigaVox team for putting on this series and letting me be a part of it.

Using RSS Feeds, Podcasts to Deliver Distance Education

Tue, 27 Mar 2007 12:25:22 -0500
Slides from my presentation at eLearning 2007 March 27th, 2007 Chicago.

Download the slides: PDF - Flash - PowerPoint - Zip (images)

Evan gets down with that legal mess

Fri, 02 Mar 2007 09:54:26 -0600

Friend and intellectual property attorney, Evan Brown, was interviewed today by Business POV about blogging and the Perez Hilton case, runtime is apprx. 5 minutes. And as usual he does a great job of distilling the facts of the case with other real world examples that a someone outside of the legal profession can understand.
So if you have ever asked about using someone else's work; photo, music, etc., this 5 minutes might help you answer that question.
You can catch Evan's podcast or read his blog at Internetcases.com.

Podcast Academy 5 - February 14th and 15th

Tue, 09 Jan 2007 14:50:36 -0600

I'll be speaking with a cast of great characters including Tim Bourquin, Greg Cangialosi, Noah Bonnett and Michael Geoghegan at Podcast Academy 5 Feb 14-15, 2007 sponsored by GigaVox Media.

This time it is being held at Duke University . . . so any east coasters interested in academic podcasting, podcasting production or the technical side of podcasting should come out to the event. So don't think that if you haven't defended a thesis you're not welcome.

Feel free to read the schedule for more information.

My presentation will be on authenticated and personalized RSS feeds. 'Authenticated' meaning password protected feeds and what they are good for and 'personalized' meaning that the content delivered through the feeds is specific to the individual receiver. I'll also dabble a bit in the importance of being able to track individual RSS usage.

And since this is being held at an academic institution a portion of my presentation will come from my work with JCAHO delivering professional development (sort of academic) with RSS as piece of a low-threshold Learning Managment System (LMS).

Dynamic M3U playlist with PHP and MySQL

Sat, 06 Jan 2007 19:41:59 -0600
Podcasters listen up. I wanted to create a playlist (M3U file) in a couple varieties, one: recent podcasts (the last 30) and two: all podcasts. You would think this would be a simple thing to do with PHP and MySQL . . . nope. WordPress users might find this handy.

I did succeed (recent playlist).

Here's how I got it done:

1) Add a mod_rewrite line to your .htaccess file that ends with '.m3u' like so:
RewriteRule ^playlist/all/playlist.m3u$ http://www.yourdomain.com/yourscript.php?type=$1
2) Create the PHP script to generate the M3U data structure:
a. connect to your MySQL database
b. query your live podcasts (the ones in your cms like WordPress not labled draft. You'll most likely need to know the data type it submits to this field in the database like '0' or '1')
c. pull up the post id, post title and podcast file
3) Lie to the browser by writing a header for an M3U file:
header("content-type: audio/x-mpegurl");
4) Write this line without 'echo' or 'print':
#EXTM3U
5) Create a loop to write your podcast id, podcast title and podcast URL

6) The M3U output, which you shouldn't see in the browser if you do this right (I know I saw it for about an hour) looks like:
#EXTM3U
#EXTINF:597,Betsy and her husband Kris Jan 01, 2007
http://www.croncast.com/show/597/cks-2007-01-01.mp3
#EXTINF:596,Betsy and her husband Kris Dec 29, 2006
http://www.croncast.com/show/596/cks-2006-12-29.mp3
I am not a super coder but this should be enough to get you going. And just in case that it isn't look below for the exact (well, nearly exact script that I am using).

<?php // first connect $go = @mysql_connect("localhost","dbusername", "dbpass"); $db = @mysql_select_db("db"); if ((!$go) || (!$db)) { echo "Can't connect to database"; } $query = "SELECT postid,title,media FROM posts WHERE active = '1' && media !='' ORDER BY Date DESC"; } $result = mysql_query($query) or die('Query failed: ' . mysql_error()); header("content-type: audio/x-mpegurl"); ?> #EXTM3U<?php echo " \r\n"?> <?php while($row = @mysql_fetch_array($result)) { ?> #EXTINF:<?php echo $row['postid']; ?>,<?php echo $row['title']; ?><?php echo " \r\n"?> http://www.yourdomain.com/podcast/<?php echo $row['media']; ?><?php echo " \r\n"?> <?php }?>

PME Proposal Requests

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 09:28:34 -0500
It has come to my attention that many of you haven't received the proposal template that you requested after my Portable Media Expo session. I tried to respond to all emails and requests and have sent them out on numerous occasions.

Here are my thoughts:

1) When I sent the emails I sent them in bulk with all recipients in the BCC field and messed something up.
2) The emails were blocked by spam filters or stuffed in a junk folder. My email host is a bit lax on who they host and quite often our IP range is added to black lists. Maybe it is time to switch.

My remedy to this problem is going to be to resend to everyone, individually, the proposal template. They will all be sent within the next hour. If you emailed me for the proposal and don't receive it for the first time or again on October 17th then please forward me another email address to try.

Update: I've emailed everyone that requested a proposal template. Again, if you emailed after the Expo and haven't received it let me know.

I'm speaking - Podcasting: An Insider's View

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 14:49:00 -0500
Register (It's free).

I'm speaking tomorrow for a webinar series put on by ReadyTalk here's the lowdown:

"Kris Smith will bring his insider's view of podcasting from the beginning of this exciting medium straight through to today and into the future. We'll discuss podcasting's history, tools, music, theme, content creation, copyright and other tips that can help you hit the ground running as a producer."

Routing synapses: Portable Media Expo thoughts

Fri, 06 Oct 2006 13:14:00 -0500
It has taken me nearly a week to find some time to sit down and write about this year's Portable Media Expo. My brain takes so long to process situations that when you stack about 200 new situations right on top of one another my synapses begin to flutter a bit like a dancer dropping it likes it's hot. If you missed that analogy just turn on MTV and watch any rap video to see things dropping and gyrating.

So as this stuff has shaken out in my thought process I keep seeing the faces of those I shared some words and grub with . . . Nicole Simon, Garrick Van Buren, Greg Cangialosi, Mark Chernesky, Rick Klau, Eric Olson, Paul Figgiani (Paul got a hug), Tim Bourquin, Scott Fletcher, David Lawrence, Frank Barnako, Holland Cooke, Giovanni Gullacci, John and Erin Paxton and Craig Patchett (he told us not to drive Slowsky).

On the social side there was Evo and Sheila, Dave Slusher for 3 mintues on the way to his seesion (I think the best session of the Expo) . . . damn, that is the end. I should have hung out more!

New train of thought, thinking of my sessions I wanted to thank everyone who attended especially the 40 or so people who showed up for the one on Saturday at the Portable Media Expo. There I met some great people with podcast consulting and production motivations like myself. It was fun to share how you too can loose a client like MTV Networks and how you can gain a client like Alltel and produce for NFL players.

The take aways from the Expo are varied for me. It was a great time to meet and hangout with other podcasters and listeners (Tom Davies you rock). The meet-upability of the Expo is hands down the biggest reason for attending if you have been podcasting for some time. If you are new to the community then I would guess that the Expo was probably extremely overwhelming as the sessions popped off and the social component took hold.

I can't say that I was really disappointed by things but did have some low moments:

1) Pink spandex at the Marriott and the wood inside
2) Being told repeatedly that no one in podcasting is making any money (Ahem, because you're not doesn't mean that others aren't)
3) Rehashing the same discussions that have been going on since the beginning

Now that I have my memories in some semblance of real activity and spared you the personal details of many of those interactions I want to say thank you to Tim, Emile and the PME staff for producing this event and allowing podcasters to be themselves . . . pink spandex shorts and all.

The formal evaluations from my session are in

LYK as a SPC - Portable Media Expo Slides

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 15:22:05 -0500
Update: The formal evaluations on my session are in

Below you will find my spartan slides from my "Leveraging Your Knowledge as a Successful Podcasting Consultant" (LYK as a SPC) session at the Podcast and Portable Media Expo.

Thanks to everyone who attended the session!

Palegroove lands 4 NFL Pro-Bowl podcasts

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:28:41 -0500
Much like the news item prior to this where I posted about Castlock being used as the RSS manager and site engine for these podcasts - we're also producing them.

For the enitire 2006-2007 NFL season Pro-Bowlers Larry Fitzgerald, Joe Jurevicius, Joe Horn and Steve Smith sit down and talk about last week's game, the upcoming game and then get personal with a co-host familiar with the team.

The podcasts are available every Wednesday during the NFL season to Alltel Wireless customers who receive a special passcode each week and released Friday mornings to the public.

Larry Fitzgerald - www.alltelcirclepodcast.com/11 - subscribe with iTunes
Joe Jurvicius - www.alltelcirclepodcast.com/84 - subscribe with iTunes
Joe Horn - www.alltelcirclepodcast.com/87 - subscribe with iTunes
Steve Smith - www.alltelcirclepodcast.com/89 - subscribe with iTunes

More information about Castlock:

Castlock allows for robust RSS usage statistics, authentication for enterprise clients and integration with payment gateways for use as a pay-for subscription manager. Castlock is also licensed to health care accreditor JCAHO for enterprise use in employee training and distance education.

Palegroove demo from Jaguar XK event

Thu, 21 Sep 2006 16:24:40 -0500

This podcast was an experiment to record in many different environments and compile them into a podcast that could represent the day and drive of Jaguar enthusiast. Those environments included 2 cars, in a public park and a grocery store.

Below are pictures from the event. All of these pictures have been added to the podcast ID3 tag and can be viewed with iTunes.

Speaking: PME and Podcast Academy next week

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 17:00:06 -0500
No time like the present to let the world know that next week I'll be in Ontario, CA speaking at the Podcast Academy 4 and Podcast and Portable Media Expo.

On September 28th I will deliver the 'Integration' session at the Podcast Academy on "Successful Web Design for Podcasting". I will be comparing successful podcasting sites, techniques for user interface design and code engines that can make implementing a podacast site quick and simple.

On September 30th I'll be leading a session titled "Leveraging Your Knowledge as a Successful Podcasting Consultant". Isn't that a mouthfull? During this session I will share my experiences as a podcast consultant both good and could have been better, communicating ideas effectively to the client, what to put in a proposal, and tips on streamlining your audio production.

We'll also talk pricing.

Castlock powers 4 NFL Pro-Bowl player podcasts

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 16:59:01 -0500
Palegroove is proud to announce that Castlock, our in-house RSS, podcast management and tracking platform, is now being used for 4 NFL pro-bowl players' podcasts.

The podcasts are available every Wednesday during the NFL season to Alltel Wireless customers who receive a special passcode each week and released Friday mornings to the public.

Larry Fitzgerald - www.alltelcirclepodcast.com/11 - subscribe with iTunes
Joe Jurvicius - www.alltelcirclepodcast.com/84 - subscribe with iTunes
Joe Horn - www.alltelcirclepodcast.com/87 - subscribe with iTunes
Steve Smith - www.alltelcirclepodcast.com/89 - subscribe with iTunes

More information about Castlock:

Castlock allows for robust RSS usage statistics, authentication for enterprise clients and integration with payment gateways for use as a pay-for subscription manager. Castlock is also licensed to health care accreditor JCAHO for enterprise use in employee training and distance education.

All good things (NCQ Talk) must come to an end

Mon, 21 Aug 2006 06:23:01 -0500
We are sorry to announce that Palegroove Studios will no longer be producing or hosting NCQ Talk. The show has run its course. We have received quite a few emails over the weekend regarding its status.

There were some things in the works that would have kept the NCQ Talk podcast name, two of the hosts (Dan and Susan) and library active but unfortunately they didn't come to fruition.

In the near future we will offer a RSS feed that contains the entire library of podcasts but for the time being the shows are offline.

A Little About Us

Sun, 20 Aug 2006 19:00:08 -0500
Kris Smith founded Palegroove Studios, the world's first podcast production company, February 17, 2005.

We have advised Fortune 500 clients on utilizing this medium to extend their brands. Palegroove Studios has developed podcasts, new media strategies, analytics applications and new ways to integrate RSS into existing platforms from conception to deliverables.

When it comes to podcasting we do consulting with client on: show content, format, script writing, text-to-speech, transcripts and creation of royalty free musical intros,outros and sweepers. Developed and licensed Castlock, a robust new media management and RSS metrics platform. Produced over 700 podcasts since 2004.

Podcasts Produced:
MasterCard, The Home Depot, EAS (2007)
Nascar Alltel Racing Podcast (2006 & 2007) produced podcasts in conjunction with XM Satellite Radio

NFL Alltel My Circle Podcast (2006 season) produced with 4 NFL Pro Bowl Players and nationally recognized radio talent from official team media outlets

Nascar Coors Light Racing Podcast for Coors Light (2006)

Fab 5 Summer '05 Podcasts produced for MTV Networks Affiliate Marketing (2005)

We do many things around here podcast related

Sun, 20 Aug 2006 17:57:06 -0500

Palegroove Studios is a new media strategy and podcast production company.

We work with you to define how new media can help you meet your goals.

What we do for you:

   1) Strategy
   2) Training
   3) Design
   4) Development
   5) Pre/Post production for audio and video
   6) Delivery and RSS syndication
   7) Tracking and Analysis
Palegroove has had the opportunity to produce podcasts for Fortune 500's and the agencies that represent them like MTV Networks, Alltel Wireless (NASCAR Racing Team and NFL players' podcasts), CoorsLight and Accelerade. We offer inhouse audio production, royalty-free music, licensed music, non-union voice talent, union voice talent, on-site recording, call recording and the list goes on. We're here to help you get it done in any way that it takes.

New Client Samples Soon