For our hardcore listeners who heard the most
recent episode of LISTen: An LISNews.org Podcast, a question
might arise as to what the mysterious LISNews Netcast Network may
be. That's a fair question. The roll-out was supposed to happen
over February but instead will be launching sooner than
planned.
At LISNews there is a commitment to producing quality programs.
Lately some users have complained that the topics covered are
pointless and worth nothing to the average librarian. As those
users have not bothered to identify themselves, a conundrum has
existed. How do you meet their needs? Do they actually have needs
or are they disgruntled persons with sadistic streaks? For that
there is no easy answer.
The LISNews Netcast Network is intended to be an expansion of
programs offered. LISTen's subtle title change was perhaps too
subtle. It will not now be the one and only LISNews Podcast. Dr.
Messer will be migrating the material of Hyperlinked History so
that it resides on LISNews. The Linux round-up may be promoted to
its own program but discussions continue on that. An offer was
tendered and remains open for Sudo Wrestling to join the network if
that program's presenters so choose. A final calendar of release
days is not yet settled but will be hammered out in due
course.
While the technology is great, the technology alone does not make
for a good program. Something beyond the tech animates a program.
The segment that has featured on LISTen known as "Tech for Techies"
will be promoted to its own show and is looking at launching a
sixteen week season. The promoted Tech for Techies will be based on
the curriculum that was prepared for the now-cancelled training
session that was set for later this month in Las Vegas. The audio
version of Tech for Techies within the network will be for free for
the betterment of librarians in their online expression. At the end
of the season there will be a monograph available that listeners
can buy from an online retailer yet to be chosen containing notes
as well as the illustrations not possible in an audio format.
Building up the content offerings helps improve the overall
strength of the offerings. A problem with podcasts is that the
biggest cost in production is time. The increase in program
offerings may allow for revenue opportunities that would be
beneficial to network participants. This is hardly new or
innovative. The network administered by the California corporation
TWiT.TV, LLC splits ad revenues among program participants as well
as uses it in paying staff. I'm not sure how many ways a single
penny might be carved up but we are going to try.
Programs not backed by national library associations or other
similar large institutions are welcome to inquire about joining the
network. Our biggest criteria are that it relate somehow to the art
of librarianship or a topical matter that not all librarians may be
well-versed in and that the production quality be satisfactory. The
programs at network launch are produced by people with technical
theater backgrounds. Good production values are an asset for
listeners. Technical assistance can be provided within the network
as needed. Our main reason for not wanting programs backed by
national library associations or similar large institutions is due
to the consideration that such entities likely have their own far
greater technical resources and would not benefit from
participation.
This is a transitional step. LISTen's solo run at LISNews was a
first step to lay out groundwork. The network follows. Concurrent
with the network would be an attempt to secure leased broadcast
time to either release a highlights program or full programs
through appropriate broadcast transmitters. After some tests of
that, further work can happen to bring conversation about the arts
of librarianship and the science of information into the
mainstream.
This plan is hardly ambitious. This takes a slow and steady
progression. In these hard economic times, it is safer to take it
slow than to speed onward.
Creating a netcast network can be problematic. Where are there many
examples? Outside Revision3, TWiT.TV LLC, and PajamasMedia there
are not that many. This will be a voyage into the unknown.