|
|
Post by algoriddim on Mar 11, 2008 15:02:51 GMT
If any of you are considering giving podomatic your hard earned cash to start or expand your podcast, think twice. Though my troubles are small compared to what some people have experienced (some folks have lost everything and had to reupload shows, recreate content etc.) it is still frustrating none the less.
Recently, I logged in to find that all my stats had disappeared, yet again. This is at least the third or fourth time this has happened. When I contacted customer service previous times, no responses, no fixes, and I'm seeing now no corrections to the underlying problems that caused the data loss. Frankly, the only reason I use podomatic is that they provide good statistics and a map that shows where people are dowloading at. I've composed a podcast feed from scratch on my own before and don't need to pay someone else to do so for me.
I don't know the volume that they're dealing with, but it just seems like podomatic doesn't have their **** together. I'm paying them almost $200 a year for this and expect better service than this. At least respond to my complaints when I send a message through Pro Support! I work in IT, I know how it is, things fall apart some times. But, that's when you restore from backup so that your customer isn't too heavily impacted by the issues you're dealing with behind the scenes. If a process or system you're using fails one time, find a better solution so that it doesn't fail the same way next time.
I've watched podomatic go through several of these issues without making too big of a stink about it, primarily because I only lost statistical information and not shows and data like other people. But, to see this continuing to happen, repeatedly, makes me think that podomatic just isn't a company that has their act together.
Time to devise an exit strategy... In the next few months, I will let you know about the podcast I've been running of my own site and transition over to that podcast as THE algoriddim podcast by the time my subscription ends here in November. Frankly its not worth investing more money in this company if they can't get their act together and provide a reliable product. I don't want to be kicking myself for giving them my hard earned money that day when things crash again and my show loses more than just stats.
Its a shame, because barring these issues, podomatic could be a great service. But, if there's the repeated technical issues that don't seem to be addressed professionally, I'm not willing to invest my hard earned money here and lock myself into using this company.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mick Sleeper on Mar 11, 2008 15:33:50 GMT
I hear ya, man. I've been lucky and had only minor headaches with my Problematic account. But you are 100% correct: their tech support sucks - in fact, it's non-existent. I've given up complaining, since it's like talking to a sock. Thankfully, I pulled in enough cash through donations so that I'm not out anything by signing up for another year with those jokers.
|
|
|
|
Post by DJ Greedy G on Mar 11, 2008 16:15:58 GMT
What's the secret to getting donations?
I've had like five in a year and a half.
Okay, I'm not expecting hundreds but two or three a month would be nice.
As for the issues, everytime I've tried to upload a new set the last week to 10 days it's been timing out on me - so I gave up for now.
G
|
|
|
|
Post by BMC on Mar 11, 2008 18:28:48 GMT
What's the secret to getting donations? I've had like five in a year and a half. Okay, I'm not expecting hundreds but two or three a month would be nice. Well G, 5 is a lot more than the 0 I had over the same amount of time.  I'm not doing it for the donations so I'm not too bothered about it, but with 1000s of downloads for each mix and a steady spot at around #30 in their charts I do sometimes wonder what it takes to get some. I don't really ask for 'm either, maybe that's why. I have been way too busy to use podomatic lately, so haven't experienced many problems, but do have one big annoyance: SPAM! I get messages on practically all my episodes with links to Chinese sites and all on a daily basis. Sometimes one for every mix I have at the same time. Highly annoying. |
|
|
|
Post by algoriddim on Mar 11, 2008 21:30:06 GMT
Got an email and they fixed the stats issue, but it still makes me distrust them...
|
|
|
|
Post by The Cloverdale Kid on Mar 12, 2008 0:03:02 GMT
I get tons of SPAM from them as well...Apparently someone is quite concerned about the size of my penis G- I think the problem is this. Your Podcast is favoured by people who are more often then not broke...and if they do have any money, one listen and they are off to spend more of it  |
|
|
|
Post by Mick Sleeper on Mar 12, 2008 2:21:19 GMT
You can attract more flies (and more cash) with sugar than vinegar. Ask for donations, but don't make a big deal about it or beg and plead. Just let people know that if they like what they hear, it would be nice to get a fiver once in awhile. Worked for me, anyway. I still don't care if I'm in the top 20 at Problematic - I know that people are digging my stuff, and that's good enough for me. I'm still the Glen Brown of podcasting! |
|
|
|
Post by jjloy314 on Mar 13, 2008 17:32:20 GMT
I use WordPress thru AN Hosting- with FeedBurner taking care of my stats. There have been hiccups but WP is far superior to my old host, Blogger and Libsyn. Plus, I love the little flash player widget that WP offers.
I like that Podomatic helps foster more listenership by making a podcast community, but if you know even a little bit about running your own site, Word Press will give you the control you're after.
As far as donations go- that is not why I got into this, and I don't even ask. Of course, my show isn't as consistently released as most.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mrs Trellis on Mar 13, 2008 17:55:51 GMT
I've certainly had my fair share of problems with their service, but I have found they always respond to e-mails through their pro support contact and they have resolved every problem I'm contacted them about....eventually..... and yes there have been too many problems for one account, but with all the whistles and bells they also supply, I still just about find their service has slightly more pros than cons.... but the recent spamming on shows comments and emails is starting to get very trying too.
|
|
|
|
Post by gabepressure on Mar 13, 2008 19:28:01 GMT
Man!
All the same problems as you guys, I have had too.
Stats errors, chines spam about world of warcraft and pee pee meds....
And the timing out! Super frustrating.
I've been working to get my podcast off of there for the last few months.
Pretty soon I'll be transferring all my stuff over to a new site.
Why should we continue to pay them money well they reap ALLL the benifits of our hard work.
They get all the hits to sell to their advertisers.
What do we get back? Google adsense? PSH.
Better off putting that money into your own site and sell advert space. At least itll be relevent.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mick Sleeper on Mar 13, 2008 21:04:52 GMT
At one point I was so frustrated with Podomatic that I started putting the wheels in motion to create my own podcasting service (I work as a website developer). However, the project quickly lost steam after the programmer who was going to help me out quit, and then I also came to the conclusion that if my hobby starts resembling my job, what am I doing it for? Podomatic can be a real headache, but as long as it works for me, I'll stay there.
My latest stats for the past 30 days:
The Clash: 120 downloads
Joe Gibbs 1943-2008: 420 downloads
Rockabilly: 265 downloads
Studio One: 532 downloads
Compared to the zillions of downloads man like Big Mikey and BMC get, I'm a poppy show. But I produce a quality podcast and enjoy doing it, so that's good enough for me.
|
|
|
|
Post by BMC on Mar 13, 2008 22:24:47 GMT
Yes, it's kinda the same for me. I don't have time nor feel like looking for another site and so far the pros outweighted the cons, so I'll stick with podomatic. Just hope to get to making a few new mixes soon, been too long. Your stats aren't that far of mine in fact, Mick, with the exception of my latest from late january. The charts of podomatic are based on page views, quite an irrelevant number compared to downloads I'd say. I recall Big Mikey's download number being much much higher than mine. My latest stats for the last four shows: Keep The Faith: 2266 downloads More Life: 653 downloads Dub Along: 444 Be Free: 499 I do sometimes wonder how on earth all these people end up downloading a mix I made, but again, I too don't do it for these numbers, but for the fun and get a reasonable amount of comments and emails that make it worthwhile (rate those much higher than any downloads-number). Lately also got offered some promo-material from labels, which I was very happy about. Just having fun with the music I love, mixing together quality tunes and apparantely listeners share the joy: perfect!  |
|
|
|
Post by gabepressure on Mar 14, 2008 1:56:20 GMT
THats just it...sharing a common interest with others...music. You know how it is....most episodes i do start with a song that that makes me think of other songs that would flow well with it, and the madness proceeds.
In the last year its been great to receive promos from various labels and bands. Many of whom we have looked up to for years. Another reason for podcasting right there, helping the music to be heard. At the same time I ve made allot of friends through it, so thats all I can ask for...its fun.
Like Sleeper said, its a hobby you take it to seriously and where does the fun go?
I would like to have more control over our podcast, and going to our own site will better aid us in expanding our promotional power for the bands and labels we have really lent us nice helping hand. A better way to give back.
You guys are right about the downloads being the real measuring stick. Those page/feed views are a too large to trust.
Pressure Drop Stats last 30 days:
Episode 101: 644 downloads
The 100th Episode!!: 1021 downloads
Daoster's Lunar Boogie: 1006 downloads
#98 Recently Received: 268 downloads
|
|
|
|
Post by jjloy314 on Mar 14, 2008 2:32:14 GMT
How much stock do y'all put in subscriber stats?
|
|
|
|
Post by bmd on Mar 14, 2008 13:06:40 GMT
Spamming comments section / Pictures illegally hosted on my pic storage sapce by some arsehole somewhere... / Stats dissapeared / chokes in bandwidth, downtime on servers, odd glitches in certain sections of stats periodically,
then again my Paypal account is in credit with donations, which only trickle in but have sufficed to stop me paying through the nose thankfully ... and when i exceed bandwidth, they don't stop my downloads, in fact i've been going seriously over for months and they leave me alone so far...
I don't put any weight on anything but downoad stats... and where they're downloaded... very happy to be highly popular in the West Indies
|
|
|
|
Post by rastamanvibration on Mar 17, 2008 21:07:57 GMT
I download the following podcasts on a regular basis:
-- Sleeper's Record Shack
-- algoriddim
-- House Of Reggae
-- BMC's Reggae Mix
-- Big Mikey Dread Radio
I love them all, each has a unique flavor that reflects the individual tastes of the producer. I also donate, because I believe these works should be forwarded. The producers of these shows will never retire on what I donate, but it's the thought that counts.
Ian, Mick, DJ Benja, Mikey, and BMC -- you folks comprise the faculty at the virtual University of the Internet and I-man is sitting in the front row, trying to further my education. Your podcasts have inspired me to purchase countless albums to support the artistes that I have learned about on your shows.
Thank you and all you other podcasters who are forwarding the music.
Peace,
-RV
|
|
|
|
Post by trinitymlk on Mar 17, 2008 22:56:37 GMT
I am always pleased to visit the iTunes store, do a search for reggae podcasts and find you all consistently among the top rated reggae podcasters in the world. Anyone tried: www.wildvoice.com/or any other service offering a similar service? Surely podomatic doesn't have the podcasting market cornered... Respect, MK |
|
|
|
Post by Mick Sleeper on Mar 18, 2008 18:08:50 GMT
Thanks for the kind words, Rastaman. Comments like that make all of the hard work worthwhile! |
|
|
|
Post by BMC on Mar 18, 2008 21:43:01 GMT
Yes RV, many thanks for the kind words. Much much appreciated, these type of comments are about the best compliment to get imo, so thanks for that.
|
|
|
|
Post by bmd on Mar 20, 2008 12:15:09 GMT
thanks indeed, and it is so nice that we all share this pod thang so succesfully...
|
|
|
|
Post by jjloy314 on Mar 24, 2008 17:25:53 GMT
FYI - My iTunes has been unable to connect to any podomatic feed for a couple days now.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mrs Trellis on Mar 24, 2008 17:56:13 GMT
Thats probably due to the maintenance they did over the weekend and inevitably there seems to be some 'problematic' after effects, that I hope they are sorting out.
Here's a message they put up in the forum yesterday...
Hi all,
Thank you for your patience during our six-hour maintenance window last night. All hands were on deck to move all our hardware into its new home while keeping everything organized, efficient, and fast.
Months of preparation went into the work we did last night, and the work days leading up to it were long ones.
We'll be moving media files during this next week into the new storage hardware-- that should result in a noticeable improvement in site performance.
Until then, happy Easter and happy podcasting,
Podomatic Staff
|
|
