Podcasting for Politics:

Opposite to what one might think, podcasting can be very effective in politics. Even if people don't realize it yet, internet can be an essential factor in influencing and affecting the public opinion. If well exploited, podcasts, a relatively new Mass Media, can and will have very important political interferences. Observations made by specialists have proven that, through channels like iTunes, YouTube, or podcasting websites, technology could play a critical role in the upcoming elections. In fact, technology could be the deciding factor in the 2008 US Presidential elections.

• What Will Technology Affect?

1-Fundraising:
Raising revenue for political campaign is one of the biggest obstacles the candidates have to overcome in order to make a successful political run.

2-The Power Of Political Critics:
With podcasting, everyone is a journalist, regardless of their credibility. Technology has provided the "self-proclaimed" political critics with a window from which they can spread their message.

3-Never Say Never:
Political videos of nearly every 2008 presidential candidate can be found on YouTube. In many of the posted videos, candidates are engaged in old speeches, contradicting their current political positions. Politicians have forgotten that their words may come back to haunt them.

4-Pushing A Cause To The Forefront:
This is evident in the hit movies "Fahrenheit 9/11" by Michael Moore, and "An Inconvenient Truth" by Al Gore. These films not only raised millions of dollars but both movies also received Hollywood awards for
the issues featured.

Technology today is reaching everyone and everything: education, society, politics, religion...Its only a matter of time until our life becomes completely dependent on the internet.

Nabiha Abdul-wahab

Making Money for Podcasts

Podcasts started out as fun ways for ambitious garage DJs, independent musicians and talk show hosts, who did not get yet their opportunity in life... But what started as a hobby for many, has turned into a lucrative profession for some.

1-Sponsorship.
Many podcasters profit from their podcast by having companies, related to the show's content, sponsor the podcast. Sponsorship is usually indicated by an audio advertisement. Podcasts can also include what would be considered traditional commercials very similar to what is heard in a radio broadcast.

2-Advertisements in Podcast Transcripts.
Many podcasters create transcripts of podcasts, and post the transcript in an RSS feed. Podcasters will often sell advertisements to be included in the podcast show transcript. The advertising agencies attempt to match advertising content with the podcast's content.

3-Publicize other Ventures.
Many podcasters use podcasts as a covert advertisement. They use the podcast to attract interest to other products or services through which they receive a revenue share.

4-Subscription Based Podcasts.
No, not Cerious radio, some podcasters have moved to a subscription model where subscribers pay a weekly, monthly or annual fee to subscribe to the podcast show's contents.

5-Communication.
Other podcasters see no need to profit directly from the podcast. The podcast is used as a means to communicate, establish brand and name recognition.

6-Additional Benefits - Part of the Whole.
Some companies may promote their product or service by offering podcasts as an added benefit. In other words the podcasters are not selling the podcast in itself, but customers receive access to the podcast as part of something larger.

Podcasting once defined as a geek hobby, has now become a whole industry...

Nabiha Abdul-wahab

Effective Podcast Interviews:

Making your own podcast interview can be a difficult job especially for a beginning podcaster. Once you have determined the date and time of your interview, you must chose the guests that you're going to host. Going along these following steps will insure that the interview goes off smoothly without any mistakes.

1. Prepare Questions in Advance.
Prepare a list of questions before the interview. Choose your questions based on the expected responses. Create a list of notes along with the questions that you can access during the interview helping you direct the conversation.

2. Research Interview Subject.
Do your homework about the guests you are hosting: Search the internet for the interviewees name, product, or company. Listen to previous interviews they participated in, read their blog...The research will help you predict their answers.

3. Confirm Pronunciation.
Confirm how to pronunciate your guests' name before the interview begins! It will save you from any potential embarrassment if the name is pronounced incorrectly.

4. Scope.
Explain the subject of the interview to your guests. It is important they are aware of the expectations, agenda, time and format of the podcast show.

5. Hardware and Software.
Be sure to inform guests of any required hardware or software that they must install prior to the interview.

6. Test.
Test the equipments prior to beginning your interview. Check sound quality and volume levels.

7. Relax.
In order to make your guests feel comfortable, spend a few minutes chatting before the interview begins.

8. Avoid Yes or No.
Ask your questions in a logical sequence. Avoid questions that will result in "yes" or "no" answers. Questions should encourage your guests to elaborate on their responses.

9. Provide Guests Tips.
Make suggestions to your guests prior to the interview. Encourage them to talk slow, articulate their words, and to remain a consistent distance from the microphone throughout the interview.

10. Stay in Control.
Keep in mind that YOU are directing and controlling the conversation. You might need to interrupt your guests or bring them back to the topic at hand, but there are ways to do this without being rude. You can watch television interviews where a conflict is involved and learn the language and techniques used.

11. Time Cues.
Provide your guests with time warnings. You can use statements like: "one more question", or "let's wrap this up, can you quickly tell me" to let your guests know that time is almost up.

12. Give Thanks.
Thank your guests on and off air. Provide them a copy or link to the interview and encourage your guests to link to the show. This could bring your show additional publicity.

Nabiha Abdul-wahab

The Palm Island: Live The Eighth Wonder of The World!!!

Soon, you will be amused by the eighth wonder of the world...

The Palm Islands are artificial islands in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on which major commercial and residential infrastructure will be constructed .These islands are one of the largest man-made artificial islands project in the world,they're palm tree shaped constructed by dubai-based real estate developers Al Nakheel Properties.

This project is launched in 2001 and has doubled Dubai’s coastline and will also double the number of beachfront hotels in the city. It is expected to challenge with the world class residents and hotels, and also expected to maintain Dubai's position as a premium tourist destination. Many thinks Palm is just an international icon, but few realizes it's been created to solve the dubai's beach shortage.

The three islands are Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, and Palm Deira. Each of these is built in the shape of a date palm tree and consist of a trunk, a crown with fronds, and are surrounded by the crescent iland that acts as a break water.Palm Islands will include luxury hotels, residental villas, unique water homes, shoreline apartments, marines, water theme parks, restaurants, shopping malls, sports facilities, health spas, cinemas and various diving sites.


Palm Jebel Ali: it's the midle-sized island of the three islands, located on the Jebel Ali coastal area of the emirate of Dubai. The Island is an entertainmenet destination for both adults and children. It will enclude six marinas, a sea village, a water theme park and water homes built between the fonds and thr crescent.The Palm, Jebel Ali offers visitors and residents a unique, unmatched and unforgettable experience.

The Palm Jumeirah: It's the smallest among the three Palm Islands.Located on the Jumeirah coastal area of the emirate of dubai. The Palm Jumeirah is a residental area for living, relaxation, and leisure. It will contain three types of villas, shortline apartment buildings, beaches, marines, restaurants, cafes and a variety of retail outlets. Seems intresting till now, but wait, there's still a llot more, It will contain over 25 of the top international hotle brands including Movenpick Resort Oceana Palm Jumeirah, Moevenpick Resort & Spa Palm Jumeirah, Antara, Radisson SAS, Hilton, Metropolitan, Shangri La, One and Only Royal Mirage, Starwood, Marriott, Oberoi, Kempinski, Chedi, and allot of others. All these are found in the heart of Palm Jumeirah which is the trunk. Believe it or not it's expected to welcome 20,000 visitors a day, it's the first of it's kind in the region,so it's expected to accomplish a great success.

The Palm Deira: Construction of Palm Deira began on October 2004 and is expected to complete in 2015. It's the largest man-made island of the three Palm Islands. located on the Deira coastal area of Dubai. construction of it began on 2004 and is expected to complete in 2015. It will consist of residential property, marinas, shopping malls, sports facilities, and clubs. The residential area will be located on the fronds and will contain 8,000 two-storey town houses in three distinct styles - Premier Villas, Grand Villas and Vista Town Homes.

Fast becoming a eality...The Palm Island will become the eighth wonder of the world....

Nour Hajj

Ski Dubai: An unforgettable snow experience!!

Are you dreaming of snowboarding, tobogganing, or just playing in the snow?? but you live in the Gulf where it never snows or you have no enough time to make a far trip? Now you don't have to go to Alaska to enjoy the snow. Dubai has made it easier for you. Ski Dubai is the first ski resort in the Middle East. Everyone from all ages is welcomed to enjoy real snow all over the year.

An amazing 22,500 square metres covered with real snow all year round.
Ski Dubai has 5 runs that vary in difficulty, height and gradient, the longest run being 400 meters with a fall of over 60 meters.

Professionals or beginners can practice their skills in the indoor on the different available runs.
The whole family could share the joy without being worried about ski clothing and equipments, because Ski Dubai has made it all available to confort its guests. And don't worry about your hunger!! Because it also thought about creating varieties of restaurants that satisfy you tastes like; St Moritz Cafe is located at the entrance of Ski Dubai, while Avalanche Cafe at mid-station with views of the slope. Not only that, Ski Dubai also thought about your safety that's why it hired experts and a professional staff to help you choose your equipment and learn the techniques of ski or snowboard...

The safety and comfort of all guests is of prime importance to Ski Dubai. Guests are required to follow and respect certain rules and regulations. And if any guest failed to meet the minimum skill requirements, Ski Dubai has the right to ask any guest to leave the slope and refunds will be determined at Ski Dubai's discretion.

Opening times are as followed:

• Sunday - Wednesday:10.00 - 23.00Last ticket to be sold at 21.30
• Thursday - Saturday:10.00 - 24.00Last ticket to be sold at 22.30
  

Prices are suitable for all people from different social levels. They just differ between adults and children. For more information about prices, check the Ski Dubai prices.

I never visited this place but i'm really looking forward to. I think that it would be a great experience enjoying the pleasure of what human kind has created. If you're willing to visit it soon, contact these numbers for more information:

Tel: 04 409 4000
Fax: 04 409 4101
E-mail: info@skidxb.com

Nour Hajj

Are you interested in visiting Dubai?

Dubai is a city where global trade routes meet traditions of hospitality, where the wind blows over golden sand-dunes and steel skyscrapers, where you can shop at Bvlgari by day and watch belly-dancing by night. A desert of contrasts and contemplation, of hot, sultry days and cool Arabian nights, Dubai is an experience you will want to relive over and over again.

It's the premier location for tourism and leisure in the Middle East. Dubai has a fantastic nightlife ..for the taste of everyone ,having variety of restaurants and bars. Attracting people from every single spot in the world , the rich and famous people and it's said to have something for everyone, from karaoke, to belly-dancing, salsa to comedy clubs.

Dubai is developing very quickly..getting investors from all over the world...Becoming one of the world's most cosmopolitan cities.

Dubai is an experience you will want to relive over and over again.

Nour Hajj

Podcast Promotion

Podcasting is a great new media, but creating a podcast is only half of the work, promoting your podcast is the hardest part of the job.

1. Educate the Public.
It is crucial to remember that podcasting is a relatively new technology and not everyone understands or knows what podcasting is, therefore it is important to educate your nontechnical audience. Not only should you explain what a podcast is, but also you should explain how your podcast will help listeners. Plus, you should include instruction on how users can listen to your podcasts.

2. Graphics.
Add a podcast graphic to your website so that visitors know that podcasts are available. Colorful graphics are always preferred; the graphic you chose will be the signature of your podcasts.
You can access www.feedforall.com/public/rss-graphic-tool.htm to customize buttons or you can choose ready made graphics from www.feedforall.com/podcasting-graphics.htm.

3. Descriptive Content.
Be sure the podcast RSS feed contains enough information related to the contents of the podcasts to grab the interest of listeners. The description should be keyword rich and a link to the audio file should be included in the description field because it is a great way for listeners to sample a podcast.

4. Press Release.
Send a press release about the podcast or/and you can submit the release to free online press release directories. Submit Press Release on www.softwaremarketingresource.com/pressreleases.html

5. Podcast Directories.
Submit podcasts to the podcast directories. It will get you a whole new audience. Submit to Podcasting Directories on www.podcasting-tools.com/submit-podcasts.htm

6. Consistent Theme / Interesting Content.
Regularly provide consistently formatted and consistently themed audio files. Interesting content will increase your listening base.

7. Create a Community.
Interact with your listeners. Listen to their feedbacks and test their suggestions. Remember the podcast is for them not you.



Nabiha Abdul-wahab

Correction post

On April 16th i published a post titled: "Pirate radio" and i would like to apologize for the misinformation i posted about "HobbyBroadcaster.net".
My post might have implied that "HobbyBroadcaster.net" promotes or supports illegal broadcasting, which it does not. "HobbyBroadcaster.net" is a resource for those persons in the United States and Canada who wish to broadcast LEGALLY within the law, as referenced by the Federal Communication Commission's Part 15 regulations (USA) and Industry Canada's RSS-210 regulations (Canada). The site actually publishes such links for FCC and Radio Canada low power broadcasting regulations as well as the statement on the HobbyBroadcaster info page that clearly states "Pirate broadcasting is outside the scope of this site"..

I am sorry for any inconvenience my post caused.

Nour Hajj

Podcasting everywhere!! Even from Prison:

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Bonuan Gueset is now into podcasting!! A first among jails nationwide...
The Dagupan City Jail (DCJ) podcast was launched on Feb. 24 by Sison and Billand and is now working on maximizing the internet connection provided by the city government...It also has its blogspot at "bjmpdagu­pancityjail.blogspot.com" with news and photo releases and it is the first and the only jail countrywide going high-tech like this: To be included in their next postings are ongoing projects like rehabilitation of their facilities like the visitor’s waiting shed, cooperative store, guard house, basketball court, revival of their saloon, repair of their infirmary, illumination of the jail premises, renovation of the administrative and warden offices and all existing cells, and other livelihood activities.
Podcasting is now increasingly becoming popular because information can be shared to anyone anytime and heard like on a radio..

Nabiha Abdul-wahab

Pirate Radio:Pirate Broadcasts

You gOt your iPod and iTrip ready for broadcasting, you have all the tools you need, and have installed all the stations on the dial to broadcast on. Now what's missing is what kind of broadcast you want to offer!!!! don't worry there's few suggestions, it all depends on the situation you're in.

• Always keep couple tracks of silence ready to go, so if you ever stuck at the stop light for like 10 minuts , and the dude next to you is blasting the radio, with your mini iPod interface you can get to the station he's listening to, and send over whatever you want... in this case ocean waves or birds sound would work out great:P.
  


• Have you ever been to a gym, or even starred in to one from the outside? well if so, I'm sure you have noticed the TVs are usually muted, and the radio is on specific FM frequencies. Did you ever think of freaking out your gym pals??!! ofcourse i would not suggest you broadcast CNN, but i think broadcasting something like " a very strong earthquake is hitting the city today..everybody should take precautions before the big disastert happens." would be a fun idea ,watching the faces of people hearing this news .






• Sometimes you feel like you reallyyyyyy need to broadcast back..imagine you're spending a nice quit day at the park with your girlfriend/boyfriend, then comes along someone blasting the radio. Don't you think that's annoying??? well i think broadcasting a silent track tend to work nicely,and be sure no one would suspect their FM is getting usurped by you.
  

• If you get multiple iPods, you can mash up track options. So you might have a silent track, a friend would walk 20 feet away and another would trail 30 feet behind. You could shut down an entire venue's unwelcome music selection that way.

PS:Remember: pirate radio is an unlicensed activity.

Nour Hajj

Pirate Radio: Make your own Pirate Radio Station with an iPod.

Did you know we could use a couple iPods to broadcast something you wanted to get out there, and here's an explanation of how to:

1. First you should get the ingredients you need which are:

• 1 iPod mini
• 1 iTrip mini
• Or you may use Additional iPods, iTalks and iTrips for wider broadcasting.

2. Increase the range and signal of your iTrip mini. . All you need is to remove the top sticker of the antennae built inside the iTrip mini, and by using your finger pull the antennae out.

3. If you're using the iTrip mini make sure to install all the stations on the dial to broadcast on. Remember, the iTrip is a FM broadcasting device, intended to broadcast 10 to 30 feet to a FM radio.

4. choose your broadcast..You're free wether to choose any song or a spoken word mp3.

Just go buy an FM mic. They are small and cheap. Hook them onto the head phone input.Get the FM mic with variable frequency adjuster. They have a range of 100 ft.

Nour Hajj

The Education Podcast Network:

The Education Podcast Network is a multicast society of speakers and listeners teaching and learning.
The Education Podcast Network is an effort to bring together the wide range of podcast programming that may be helpful to teachers looking for content to teach their students, and to explore issues of teaching and learning in the 21st century.
Most of the producers of these programs are educators, who have found a way through which they can share their knowledge, insights, and passions for teaching and learning and for the stories that they teach. The directory will grow as more people come forward with their stories and ideas, and all visitors are invited to start sharing their ideas with the larger education community by producing their own program.


Nabiha Abdul-wahab

Podcasting Quiz:

How much do you know about podcasting? Take this podcast quiz and test your knowledge :)

• Question 1: Are there any size limitations to podcasts?

Actually, there is no maximum or minimum concerning the podcasts' size but what you should know is that the bigger is the size of the podcast, the slower the listeners' connection will be.

• Question 2: Are Podcasts always in the RSS format?

No, while the current RSS 1.0 supports podcasting, RSS 2.0 is the most popular format for podcasting. This is due to the fact that Apple iTunes uses RSS 2.0 for it's podcasts.

• Question 3: Can podcasts be restricted to a specific group of listeners?

Yes, podcasts can be password protected. You can use any security option available on the server to protect the entire feed or the selected audio file.

• Question 4: Are there any unfree based podcasts?

Yes, some publishers charge listeners for the contents of the podcast rather than charging advertisers to advertise in the podcasts. Typically the audio file is password protected and only subscribers are able to download or listen to the file. This model is similar to that which the cable shows HBO/Showtime use.

• Question 5: What file formats are acceptable in a podcast?

Technically you can put any type of file in the feed, but it is more preferable that you use either MP3 or M4a formats. The benefit of using an MP3 or M4a file is that both formats are supported by iTunes.


Nabiha Abdul-wahab

The History of Podcasting:

The first appearance of the word “podcast” in history was in an article in The Guardian on February 12, 2004. The creation of the term is credited to Ben Hammersley who wrote the article and used podcast as a synonym for audioblogging . The word stuck.

1- The first step in the history of Podcasting was blogging. Shortly after the arrival of the internet, weblogs, or as we know it "Blogs", started to appear. Blogging has become a popular way for people to share their thoughts and ideas on the internet very casually, and in many ways blogs are responsible for the existence of podcasts: Podcasting is just a progression from blogging.
Reading your favorite blogs became much easier with the creation of news feed technology, called RSS, by Dave Winer; so by subscribing to a blog’s news feed (also called RSS feed), you will be automatically notified of any new information posted on the blog and and a program called "news reader", or aggregator, will regularly check the blog for updates and download them to your computer.

2-The next step in the history of podcasting was audio blogging, created due to faster connection speeds and the ability to transfer larger pieces of information. Therefore, instead of writing their thoughts, they recorded themselves speaking and posted it to their blogs as an MP3 file, but the problem with audio blogs was that readers had to regularly check for new MP3 files, visit the web site to download them and then synchronize them to their MP3 players by hand.
So, Adam Curry worked on simplifying this process, he improved it in a way that whenever a new MP3 file is posted to a blog,it would be automatically detected and downloaded in the RSS feed, which means that the feed tells your computer where to download the audio file.

3-The last step in podcasting history is when Adam wrote the first podcatcher software (or collector for podcasts). This software checks for new updates and reads the feed to see where to go and download the audio file. The MP3 was then automatically transferred to an iPod.

Podcasting would not have happened without the rapid spread of MP3 files and MP3 players. MP3s allow audio to be compressed into small enough files to be transferred on the internet and stored on small devices.
The story of podcasting doesn’t really stop there; New podcasting technologies continue to emerge, new markets are being created, new ideas are being formed. Podcasting is moving at the speed of light.

Nabiha Abdul-wahab

Pirate Radio:The Last Step Toward Creating Your Own Radio Show.

Once you have created your radio show and are offering it to the world on a regular basis, you’ll probably to have as many listeners as possible.

After deciding what kind of radio shows you want to broadcast as well as the method they are going to be broadcasted, you must now create these shows. these shows can be very simple or can be extremely complex depending on the type of show.
Be aware that if you decide to use a very cheap hardware, you will get nominal sound quality. But, for voice, it’s acceptable and a good way to start or practice. If you want to increase the quality of your broadcast, there are many types of hardware which range in quality and price.
after creating your radio show and are offering it to the world on a regular basis, you’ll probably to have as many listeners as possible. You can have the greatest product in the world but if nobody knows it you won’t make many sales. It’s the same with your radio show. When you feel it’s ready for being put out there, don’t expect people to find you; be a little aggressive and don’t be shy about offering your product. You can always click here, to read more about it...

Nour Hajj