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Dumpshock Forums _ Community Projects _ Shadowcast episode 1

Posted by: Spookymonster Aug 3 2005, 05:47 PM

On this episode, we discuss the pros and cons of softcopy (PDF) sourcebooks:

http://www.dumpshock.com/podcasts/shadowcast_june28_2005.mp3

Feel free to discuss (and doubtlessly critique) here.

Posted by: mattness pl Aug 3 2005, 05:55 PM

Good job, Spooky.

Posted by: Jrayjoker Aug 3 2005, 06:13 PM

Very nice, and not what I expected you guys to sound like.

For some reason I was expecting Oscar the Grouch and Bert.

Posted by: mattness pl Aug 3 2005, 06:28 PM

I carefully listening to this one more time. When you explained the pros and cons of pdf-s you didn't mentioned one important tihng - pdf's price is equal in whole world. With paper books, the problem is price of shipping (I know about Poland and heard same problem had erman fans) . That's big advantage of pdfs (I hope I can afford SoA pdf).

And if that's not secret - when episode 2?
And what'll be matter of discussion?

Posted by: Slacker Aug 3 2005, 06:38 PM

The discussion was mildly interesting and overall it was fairly well done.

However, what happened to the idea of doing a shadowrun play of sorts in the Shadowcast? Is that still in the plans for the future? Or have you decided to just have more discussions such as this in other episodes?

Posted by: Adam Aug 3 2005, 06:39 PM

I seem to remember thinking "Man, they totally forgot to mention X when they talked about the PDFs" when I listened to it for the first time, but I'll be damned if I can remember it now.

Posted by: Jrayjoker Aug 3 2005, 07:12 PM

QUOTE (Adam @ Aug 3 2005, 01:39 PM)

I seem to remember thinking "Man, they totally forgot to mention X when they talked about the PDFs" when I listened to it for the first time, but I'll be damned if I can remember it now.

Perhaps all the hard work you are putting into them?

Posted by: Adam Aug 3 2005, 07:23 PM

No, something else entirely.

Oh, one thing that I did think of, but wasn't that thing: I'm not sure how Acrobat/Adobe Reader functions in the current version, but in at least version 6 and 7 of the full version of Acrobat, you can search within multiple files at the same time without having to use Google Desktop or Spotlight.

Posted by: Spookymonster Aug 3 2005, 07:43 PM

QUOTE (Slacker)

However, what happened to the idea of doing a shadowrun play of sorts in the Shadowcast? Is that still in the plans for the future? Or have you decided to just have more discussions such as this in other episodes?

You've got to walk before you can run. The setup Kage and I are using is still fairly buggy. Skype works fairly well, but Hot Recorder has a nasty tendency to crash just when you ask it to save your recording. Post-production can be tricky when you need to send a 10-40MB file back-and-forth over the web. Normalizing the background noises from 2 studios (nevermind the 4 or 5 required for a drama) is nerve-wracking.

Give us a few more shows (1 or 2, tops) to work out the kinks. As we get more comfortable with the process, the production values should go up, while the post-production time requirements go down. Then we'll (hopefully) be ready to take on the additional work of scripted dramas. After that, who knows!

In the meantime, if there are any aspiring writers out there that would like to submit a short story, please drop me a note. We've got plenty of volunteers for voice acting, and I've got a few resources for sound effects. The only thing left is a script!

Posted by: Spookymonster Aug 3 2005, 07:54 PM

mattness pl and Adam

We'll be sure to bring these points up in the Errata section of our next show.

As for when our next show will be, dunno. Kage and I are working on our schedule as we speak. I'm hoping we can crack one out before GenCon, but that may not be realistic. And with GenCon just around the corner, I think the choice of topics is fairly small .

Posted by: Kagetenshi Aug 3 2005, 09:02 PM

As a note regarding radio drama, we're going to need an extensive library of environmental sound effects to draw on for just about anything, so if anyone has any suggestions for where we could obtain such things with proper licenses for public reuse it'd be appreciated.

~J

Posted by: Jrayjoker Aug 3 2005, 09:07 PM

I have a CD with everything from helicopters to bugs to applause, but using it for a podcast may be a sticking point. I'll try to track it down and see if there is a release on it somewhere. Then I can rip it and send it to you if all is well.

Posted by: Jrayjoker Aug 3 2005, 09:09 PM

Oh yeah, and gunshots too.

You should listen to "A Prairie Home Companion" sometime. The sound effects guy does a lot with sandpaper, wood, old shoes, his voice, and a whistle that are quite remarkable. I think his name is Jim Ed Poole.

Posted by: Aku Aug 3 2005, 09:38 PM

i think i'll be able to get my hands on some things here soon enough for sound effects.

Posted by: The_Cat Aug 3 2005, 10:27 PM

The licensing isn't what kills you (though it hurts). The Royalities is what usually nails you. Back in my "live and breath theater" days, the licensing was a mere drop in the bucket compared to the per-use royalities on various effects and music in a long running show.

Posted by: Aku Aug 3 2005, 10:42 PM

thats ehy you get royalty free

Posted by: bclements Aug 3 2005, 11:21 PM

Very good. Production values seem to be quite high, to me at least. Good content as well. Keep up the good work!

Posted by: bit_buckethead Aug 4 2005, 05:46 AM

Try your local library for royalty free sound effects. Most libraries carry several sound effect albums that are public domain.

Posted by: kryton Aug 8 2005, 04:48 PM

Good job on the broad cast. I've only got dial up at home. I downloaded it during dinner. One thing you might do is start interviewing some of the old school writers. That would be really neat. Also you should post pictures of yourself so we have an idea of what you look like. It's always good to put a name with a face. Yeah know you could interview Clutch (Scott) from the Commando's or maybe Bitrunner and discuss the missions? That could be a great Fanpro Topic.

Anyways great job.
B.Gizzle aka Brian Guarnieri

Posted by: Slacker Aug 8 2005, 05:03 PM

A discussion with bitrunner about the Missions sounds like a good idea to me.

Posted by: kryton Aug 8 2005, 05:44 PM

Technically Bitrunner no longer is in charge of Missions, but he is the creator and managed it for years so for right now he would be a good person to tell you about them, they're history, background ect. For the future of Missions you'd probably need to talk to Clutch.

Posted by: Caine Hazen Aug 9 2005, 06:51 PM

I'll throw up any amount of my useless musical talent to help out...or my MIDI knowledge of sound creation...for you guys if you need it

Good job though on this, it's a nice start!

Posted by: Kagetenshi Aug 16 2005, 07:19 AM

This is a note for Spookymonster, if you're out there—you have email and it needs reading by midnight, preferably.

~J

Posted by: nick012000 Aug 16 2005, 11:07 AM

I would like to make a comment on the point you brought up on the "It's out of print so it isn't canon" arguement. With some things like TV shows, the older books won't be as valid, because they're describing a time 15-20 years before the current timeline. Most of the shows detailed in Shadowbeat would be long retired to reruns, or cancelled.

Posted by: Spookymonster Aug 16 2005, 01:02 PM

~J -

I'm here... been out of action for a few days - darling daughter threw my back out on Sunday, so I've been doing a little R&R. I read both e-mails, and I'm good to go. I'll respond in full later, when I get a few minutes (gotta catch up on some work first). If you get a minute, set up a http://www.gizmoproject.com/.

Looking forward to talking to you again!

(Was this cryptic enough for everyone?)

Posted by: Kagetenshi Aug 16 2005, 05:19 PM

QUOTE (nick012000)

It's still canon that those are the listings for 2052, but as you point out the ones for other years are likely different.

~J

Posted by: Paul Aug 16 2005, 07:18 PM

I have to say I was happy with how this went. (Just downloaded it.) I look forward to more!

Posted by: SFEley Aug 24 2005, 03:30 PM

QUOTE (Paul)

I have to say I was happy with how this went. (Just downloaded it.) I look forward to more!

Likewise. But one question (and if I'm missing some obvious Web link somewhere, please feel free to hit me over the head with it): where's the RSS feed?

The essential http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcast is a series of audio files distributed via an RSS feed with enclosures, so that people can subscribe to them and get updates automatically downloaded to their hard drives, iPods, etc. If you don't have a feed, you may have interesting content, but you don't have a podcast.

If you need help with this I'd be happy to lend a hand. I've got a pretty successful podcast myself and I'm familiar with all the backend stuff. Maintaining a feed will make things a lot easier for regular podcast listeners like me, and it'll also enable you to get listed in all the podcast directories and in iTunes, expanding your listener base.

Thanks very much. I think a Shadowrun podcast is a great idea, and I look forward to more episodes.

Posted by: Kagetenshi Aug 24 2005, 03:46 PM

On the Dumpshock.com main page.

~J

Posted by: Spookymonster Aug 24 2005, 03:48 PM

QUOTE (SFEley @ Aug 24 2005, 11:30 AM)

But one question (and if I'm missing some obvious Web link somewhere, please feel free to hit me over the head with it): where's the RSS feed?

Load the Dumpshock feed into your RSS reader:
http://www.dumpshock.com/wordpress/feed/
That should do the trick (if Adam has his enclosures done properly... haven't tried it myself).

[edit]The enclosures are fine... Good work, Adam![/edit]

As for a new episode, we were (are?) hoping to get one out within 48 hours of the PDF release.

Posted by: Kagetenshi Aug 24 2005, 03:54 PM

Indeed. Last exam is today, so the final barrier between me and an unbroken stretch of SR4-reading is the lack of PDF release.

Soon, though, soon!

~J

Posted by: SFEley Aug 25 2005, 05:08 AM

QUOTE (Spookymonster @ Aug 24 2005, 10:48 AM)

Load the Dumpshock feed into your RSS reader:
http://www.dumpshock.com/wordpress/feed/

D'oh! Certainly an obvious place, and I thank you for your gentleness in hitting me over the head. >8-> I could've sworn I looked a while back and didn't see an enclosure tag in the feed, but that could just be my own bad eyesight.

I did notice the enclosure tag had empty length and type values, but it works in my podcatcher (http://www.ipodderx.com) so it's probably not a problem. Some might be stricter about conformance, but I don't know that for sure.

Next question: have you considered submitting your podcast feed to http://www.podcastalley.com, http://www.podcastpickle.com, iTunes, and the other major podcast directories? I highly recommend it, as a lot of podcast listeners rely on those places to find out what's available. You could also submit it to http://www.tsfpn.com, which includes a fair number of gaming podcasts. Michael Stackpole runs the network, and he says he's planning to split off a Gaming Podcast Network soon as well.

Posted by: Kagetenshi Aug 25 2005, 05:31 AM

We're more likely to do that once we've a few releases under our belt and are settling into a routine, I think. There are some on that list that I was unfamiliar with, though, thanks.

~J

Posted by: 2Jack Sep 14 2005, 08:13 AM

I just finished listening to your podcast and I have to say: Great work! Thanks a lot for the dedication to the hobby.

I can't wait for the next one. Any ideas when another one will be upped and what it will be about?

BTW Long time lurker, first post in ages. My old account from the deep resonance obviously didn't make it over.

Posted by: Kagetenshi Sep 14 2005, 04:32 PM

The next one is coming soon. It'll be about SR4 (shock) and we're hoping to have a pair of interviews in it, one with someone who overall likes the system and one who dislikes what has been done with it. We're looking for someone who can explain their position in a detailed manner—Bull was our first choice, but since he isn't getting back to us we may have to find another option.

Glad you liked it!

~J

Posted by: mattness pl Feb 18 2006, 11:32 AM

What happen with you, guys?
Will there be more of Shadowcast?

http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=11842.

Posted by: Kagetenshi Feb 19 2006, 12:25 AM

I'm willing to carry on if Spooky has the desire and time, but I'll be frank: the fact that I loathe SR4 has killed most of the motivation I had for covering new developments with SR. Sometimes giving something enough time to sink in doesn't make it improve.

~J

Posted by: SL James Feb 19 2006, 02:33 AM

You could always do one on DS, since the news on SR developments is relatively lacking anyway.

Posted by: Aku Feb 19 2006, 03:11 AM

I'm not sure sure a weekly/monthly news update for DS would be all that exciting either, i picture it something like this....
Week one

"On DS this week, someone had the novel idea that there's something wrong with the gun rules, and that someone should do something more realistic. Austere showed up, and set the person straight on how guns really work, and pointed out that "someone" already did, and points him to this BRAND NEW site by some guy named "Raygun".

In SR4 news, Emo Samurai is attempting to create Transformers into SR4 characters. This baffled many people."

Week two

"On DS this week, someone had the novel idea that there's something wrong with the gun scope rules, and that someone should do something more realistic. Austere showed up, and set the person straight on how gun scopes really work, and pointed out that "someone" already did fix gun scopes, and points him to this BRAND NEW site by some guy named "Raygun".

In SR4 news, Emo Samurai is attempting to create alien life forms into SR4 characters. This baffled many people."

Posted by: SL James Feb 19 2006, 07:08 AM

Kind of makes you wonder about a lot of things on DS when you put it like that.