The Global Geek Podcast Subscribe Issues
I was alerted by someone last night that there are issues when subscribing to the podcast in iTunes. If you search for The Global Geek Podcast in iTunes it gives you the wrong details.
If you wish to subscribe to the show using iTunes please use the button on the web site located in the right hand side bar. The correct URL for the show in iTunes is:
itpc://globalgeek.thepodcastnetwork.com/feed/
This problem has resulted from the fact that we had the show hosted elsewhere and there was an iTunes URL generated for that feed. When we moved to TPN the old one did not seem to be updated or deleted and so it remains. This has also been a problem with individuals who use Odeo.
I am currently addressing these problems as they occur. I am not sure that they will be fixed definitively though so please subscribe from the Global Geek Podcast Homepage. I have also noticed in the stats that there are a minority of listeners who have not updated their RSS feed as well. So please update your feeds as required.
This highlights a problem that I am sure will continue to grow. Companies like iTunes and Odeo need to get on top of issues such as dead feeds and incorrect listings. Or at least provide a means by which they can be alerted to problems that need to be resolved. Otherwise podcasters will feel locked into hosting services and plans because they fear the loss of audience by moving. Even after moving missing potential listeners because they subscribe to the wrong feed and think the show doesn’t exist anymore.
I will keep you informed as I progress with these issues… if I do progress.
August 29th, 2006 at 7:09 am
That truly stinks. iTunes really needs to get their act together and allow publishers to a) take ownership of their feeds and b) allow publishers to moderate comments related to their podcast …among other things. I’ve ranted about this on my blog before [http://www.podcastnyc.net/blog/2006/07/killing-podcasting-one-vc-dollar-at.html] but nothing is changing as far as I can see.
August 29th, 2006 at 11:48 pm
Thanks for the support Rob. Yeah the situation really sucks and I think it is hurting us a bit. What angers me the most is that it is beyond my control. I have to rely on others to be motivated enough to fix it. The same applies to Odeo - I have already sent them one email. Now I am hoping that their ping realises that the feed is no longer updated and they delete it - but I wonder how loing that takes.
What they need is as you suggest - or some sort of author notification service… SOMETHING! Thanks again and glad you are still listening and reading.