OK, let's talk about topics for a podcast. Should the podcast concentrate on just one story or should it cover more?

What topics could be discussed. Here's some ideas I've had:

New articles released by Kelestia and CGI, and fans too. talk to authors or review the article if they are reluctant.
HarnCon/IviniaCon happenings (maybe a couple of sessions)
What new on the forums (broad coverage)
What hot on the forums (specific coverage)

What else, people?

Also, how frequent? Once a month?

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Leitchy
List & Forum Admin
Admin FAQs
[Updated 25-FEB-2011]

I'd like to see a podcast set out with the goal of addressing questions that are broad and deep (yes both), rather than say, just rehashing forum discussions or providing 'news' from Harncons. I'd like to imagine that such podcasts could potentially be of interest to other curious gamers-- and not just existing Haniacs-- and might actually raise and answer interesting questions.

For example: How about Podcast #1 being on the subject: "Why Harn?" I mean, really. That's an important question. Why would/should someone choose Harn as an RPG setting? This might include a discussion/review of what the setting offers, what it doesn't offer, etc.

This might lead to some additional questions-- like: Why Harn rather than medieval Europe? Why Harn rather than Middle-Earth? Why Harn rather than Glorantha? What does Harn, as a setting, uniquely offer? His might also segue into a section discussing the question, "Why not Harn?" That is to say... what reasons are there why someone might *NOT* want to use this setting-- as opposed to one of the others.

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-- Jim Chokey

"Argent, chief embattled tenne. A coney of the field and crossed carrots proper"

And maybe #2 could be: "Harnworld and System", discussing what gaming systems work well with Harn and which don't, and why.

#3 Could be "Designing Harn Adventures: One Shots"

#4 Could be "So you want to start a Harn campaign?"

#5 Could be ""Introducing newbies to Harn."

These are just some ideas. I have lots more to suggest.

_________________
-- Jim Chokey

"Argent, chief embattled tenne. A coney of the field and crossed carrots proper"

A question that might also be worth asking is this-- how would you see this podcast being 'hosted'. Would you envision something like Paul Tevis's awesome "Fistful of Games / For a Few Games More" podcasts, where one person basically does all the podcasts him/herself?

Or would it be something more like a team effort (say, like Sons of Kryos or Narrative Control) where you have 2-3 regulars discussing the issue, providing a bit of back and forth and alternate viewpoints.

Or maybe a something where there's a regular host (or two) and a regular guest to discuss specific themes/issues?

_________________
-- Jim Chokey

"Argent, chief embattled tenne. A coney of the field and crossed carrots proper"

What is a pod cast

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Plots and schemes are the same thing..

OK, to answer Jim's queries (some of them at least), I'm prepared to host the podcasts on Lythia.com. I'm also prepared to produce the first few at least. There's no reason others can't do a podcast themselves, and it can be inserted into the schedule of podcasts. Heck, there's no reason there couldn't be more than one podcast schedule, although perhaps that might be confusing and overly ambitious.

As for the format of the show, that's a very good question, and I had thought that there would be a host and guest(s). For example, if it's possible to get others online at the same time, we could have a debate with the host firing questions at both sides of the issue. There could be questions surrounding the development of a new article, where the host asks some questions about the article.

I think keeping to a standard host/guest format would be the most achievable thing. The host certainly doesn't have to be just one person; as I said above, the podcast might be developed independently by one or more groups, and the delivery schedule could be coordinated between all parties.

Lastly, while I'm happy to pick up this and run with it, in no sense am I claiming some sort of ownership of the role of host. However, I'd love to try my hand at it. You might say Orkster's proposal fired my imagination.

James, if you have more ideas, then jot them down. They're all great ideas. Everyone do the same. If it's related to Harn, then it's grist for the podcast mill.

There remains the question of the period between podcasts; one month? two weeks? weekly? One month would give us quite a bit of longevity, while weekly might be too demanding on everyone. Especially as we haven't really worked out how the host and guest can communicate while at the same time having the conversation recorded. Not sure if Skype can do this, or something like Teamspeak might be better. (A test of Teamspeak has shown me that it's a serious contender.)

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Cheers

Leitchy
List & Forum Admin
Admin FAQs
[Updated 25-FEB-2011]

I totally agree! Why Harn is a great topic. This should include looking back at juicy episodes which would hardly be possible with other gaming systems. Distinction should be made between Harn the setting and Harn the game-system. I think the later is a better selling point.

I think this is the best format for now. As the host you will lead the discussion and not allow the guests to dwell on a single issue for too long. I think two guests for now will be enough. I'd love to be one but I think it's better if someone else volunteers, I am relatively new to Harn, plus I have a heavy foreign accent hardly suitable for the first show

What should we name this? "Harn View"?

From experience, I recommend Ventrilo over Teamspeak.
If you decide against Skype, then I have access to a Ventrilo server belonging to one of my players and he is happy for that to be used.

Hmm.. this talk of 'debate' and 'firing questions' and assuming that issues have two (opposing) sides sounds too much like bad American pseudo-news shows like "Crossfire". How about having a thoughtful and amicable discussion led by a moderator instead?

_________________
-- Jim Chokey

"Argent, chief embattled tenne. A coney of the field and crossed carrots proper"

What about timeframe? When is the best time to do this? Since I am not participating I can't be in charge of organizing it all. Looks like from the technical point of view we are on track.

We have a host already, who will be the guests?

And yes, thoughtful discussion is better than any sort of debate. In my mind, the goal is to produce something interesting to any RPG player, introduce people to Harn, to this new mode of talking about it and generate some buzz in our community here...

I am in........

details????

Well, here's an interesting dilemma..... it seems like Peter's gung ho to do this himself. On the other hand, so am I-- and I think the two of us could be kick-ass co-hosts as well-- and since we live near each other, we could record together, without having to deal with Skype or that nonsense.

Hmm... two competing podcasts?

_________________
-- Jim Chokey

"Argent, chief embattled tenne. A coney of the field and crossed carrots proper"

You'd need at least one more person.... Skype (or alternative) can come handy after all. Or do you have someone else?

Is that the same Peter who's yet to post my Gargun Sausage article?

Yeah, the 'we' I was referring to was not me and Peter (aka Leitchy) but DucatiDon.

_________________
-- Jim Chokey

"Argent, chief embattled tenne. A coney of the field and crossed carrots proper"

By coincidence, the UK LinuxFormat magazine has an article this month about creating your own podcast. It isn't freely available on their website unfortunately (subscriber only - I just checked), but I can pass on distilled advice from them since I only read it last night.

First point they make is try to have a regular schedule so that casual listeners know when to check back for updates & don't think the site is dead. I think this wouldn't apply if the intended audience is happy waiting for Harn articles to be published, but if a wider audience is sought it is worth bearing in mind. Plenty of people seem to think Harn is dead already, so try not to add to that impression with a good early series of episodes and a broken promise for the Triezeron episode

Next thing they advised was to vary the sound - multiple speakers help, but generally get excited , happy , sad , angry , & jump around so that listeners don't hear a monotone drone. They also mentioned that good microphones held on stands help a lot, and gave some advice on models. A hand-held mic will be knocked or moved against something & that hurts the sound quality a lot. Another idea was to record in different locations - outside or just in another room with the window open. This gives a different background sound and adds interest.

Last thing that sticks in my mind - record in segments & record an intro last. That way the intro can refer to the things actually said, rather than the plan. It sounds classier that way, and boring stretches can be dropped in the edit where you stitch the segments together.

James, I'll happy defer to you.

_________________
Cheers

Leitchy
List & Forum Admin
Admin FAQs
[Updated 25-FEB-2011]

Peter: I'm currently to talking to DucatiDon and another local harniac (also on the board) about this, to see if it's genuinely viable or if it's just initial enthusiasm. Maybe we can touch base in a week or so to see where we are?

_________________
-- Jim Chokey

"Argent, chief embattled tenne. A coney of the field and crossed carrots proper"

Keep us posted

Sorry for the delayed response, but after some conversations, I don't think it's realistic for me and my peeps to get anything rolling on this front in the near future due to some other things that have come up personally/professionally. Maybe we can re-evaluate that a few months down the line (possibly early 2012), but if anyone else wants to start this sooner, I think you should go for it.

_________________
-- Jim Chokey

"Argent, chief embattled tenne. A coney of the field and crossed carrots proper"