Comments on: On Podcasts — Reasons for the Break and Plans for the Future http://www.idratherbewriting.com/2008/09/01/on-podcasts-reasons-for-the-break-and-plans-for-the-future/ Technical Communication Blog / Technical Writing Blog Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:24:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Pete http://www.idratherbewriting.com/2008/09/01/on-podcasts-reasons-for-the-break-and-plans-for-the-future/comment-page-1/#comment-134314 Pete Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:39:11 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=1888#comment-134314 Tom - Yeah, I figured the interviews were easier than simply speaking your mind in cogent and appealing fashion. But the "good questions"--that involves a fair amount of talent as well. There's a reason we have school of journalism. But I also want to make clear that I'm an academic, which means I'm studying and teaching a field which changes rapidly and sometimes drastically without my noticing. The separation between, say, literary studies and the business world is acceptable because literature isn't really practiced in the business world. But technical communication is both an academic field of study AND a professional practice, and that separation MUST be overcome through diligence. And you're doing that by putting your interviews online. If you can, then keep on truckin', man. Pete Tom –

Yeah, I figured the interviews were easier than simply speaking your mind in cogent and appealing fashion. But the “good questions”–that involves a fair amount of talent as well. There’s a reason we have school of journalism.

But I also want to make clear that I’m an academic, which means I’m studying and teaching a field which changes rapidly and sometimes drastically without my noticing. The separation between, say, literary studies and the business world is acceptable because literature isn’t really practiced in the business world. But technical communication is both an academic field of study AND a professional practice, and that separation MUST be overcome through diligence. And you’re doing that by putting your interviews online.

If you can, then keep on truckin’, man.

Pete

]]> By: Charles http://www.idratherbewriting.com/2008/09/01/on-podcasts-reasons-for-the-break-and-plans-for-the-future/comment-page-1/#comment-134234 Charles Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:40:56 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=1888#comment-134234 I want to say that I totally dig the three-way conversation we did yesterday covering all those topics was exciting and fun. The value of continuing education through podcasts and blogreading cannot be underestimated. Charless last blog post..<a href="http://charlesjeter.com/2008/09/03/wordle/" rel="nofollow">Wordle: Just check it out</a> I want to say that I totally dig the three-way conversation we did yesterday covering all those topics was exciting and fun.

The value of continuing education through podcasts and blogreading cannot be underestimated.

Charless last blog post..Wordle: Just check it out

]]> By: Tom http://www.idratherbewriting.com/2008/09/01/on-podcasts-reasons-for-the-break-and-plans-for-the-future/comment-page-1/#comment-134053 Tom Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:23:39 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=1888#comment-134053 Pete, it's interesting to read your comment about the appeal of the interview podcasts. Interviews happen to be the easiest type of podcast to create, because it involves little prep and merely skill at asking good questions. The interviewee already has already done the preparation through his or her research into X (whatever the topic of the interview is about). However, I had the sense that the interview format was a little dull. What I'm trying to do is make the interviews more conversational, like Alistair Christie's last podcast in which he interviews a colleague, but also has a conversation about the topic. Pete, it’s interesting to read your comment about the appeal of the interview podcasts. Interviews happen to be the easiest type of podcast to create, because it involves little prep and merely skill at asking good questions. The interviewee already has already done the preparation through his or her research into X (whatever the topic of the interview is about). However, I had the sense that the interview format was a little dull. What I’m trying to do is make the interviews more conversational, like Alistair Christie’s last podcast in which he interviews a colleague, but also has a conversation about the topic.

]]> By: Pete http://www.idratherbewriting.com/2008/09/01/on-podcasts-reasons-for-the-break-and-plans-for-the-future/comment-page-1/#comment-134052 Pete Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:23:16 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=1888#comment-134052 Tom - I can forgive the loss of the podcasts--I mean, I dig listening to them on my morning walks and getting ideas for research into TC practices and academics and the like. But I could live without them. The real value you've created, though, comes from interviewing folks in industry. That sort of interplay provides a glimpse into common--and uncommon--practices, tools, techniques, and other things we might not ordinarily see. Losing the interviews--now that'd be a tragedy. Pete Tom –

I can forgive the loss of the podcasts–I mean, I dig listening to them on my morning walks and getting ideas for research into TC practices and academics and the like. But I could live without them.

The real value you’ve created, though, comes from interviewing folks in industry. That sort of interplay provides a glimpse into common–and uncommon–practices, tools, techniques, and other things we might not ordinarily see. Losing the interviews–now that’d be a tragedy.

Pete

]]> By: Scott http://www.idratherbewriting.com/2008/09/01/on-podcasts-reasons-for-the-break-and-plans-for-the-future/comment-page-1/#comment-134013 Scott Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:37:41 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=1888#comment-134013 Podcasting is definitely <em>not</em> dead. In the case of Aaron and myself, a lot has gotten in the way -- work, renovations to our homes, a lot of family commitments, and a few other things. We've got quite a few things planned for our podcast, but we're struggling to find the time to do them. Still, thanks for the index to your podcasts. There were one or two that I wanted to check out again, and said index will make finding them a bit easier. Podcasting is definitely not dead. In the case of Aaron and myself, a lot has gotten in the way — work, renovations to our homes, a lot of family commitments, and a few other things. We’ve got quite a few things planned for our podcast, but we’re struggling to find the time to do them.

Still, thanks for the index to your podcasts. There were one or two that I wanted to check out again, and said index will make finding them a bit easier.

]]> By: Kai http://www.idratherbewriting.com/2008/09/01/on-podcasts-reasons-for-the-break-and-plans-for-the-future/comment-page-1/#comment-134004 Kai Mon, 01 Sep 2008 09:24:45 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=1888#comment-134004 I've really been missing your podcasts, Tom, and I'm looking forward to future episodes. If I didn't complain, it's because I was glad for every episode that came out, but didn't want to take it for granted. Also, I enjoy your personal "non-radio voice" style: I'd rather have your substance and contents in a colloquial and easy-going manner than a seamless flow of fluff. I'd be interested to hear how we in the tech writer community develop strategies. How can we break down department barriers to become contributors to (or even drivers of) corporate communications with customers? Can we improve release notes we write along the lines of change management (applying some of the insights from the episode with Emma Hamer)? How can we efficiently fulfill such a complex communication role? I’ve really been missing your podcasts, Tom, and I’m looking forward to future episodes. If I didn’t complain, it’s because I was glad for every episode that came out, but didn’t want to take it for granted.

Also, I enjoy your personal “non-radio voice” style: I’d rather have your substance and contents in a colloquial and easy-going manner than a seamless flow of fluff.

I’d be interested to hear how we in the tech writer community develop strategies. How can we break down department barriers to become contributors to (or even drivers of) corporate communications with customers? Can we improve release notes we write along the lines of change management (applying some of the insights from the episode with Emma Hamer)? How can we efficiently fulfill such a complex communication role?

]]>