Mortality Radio Show - Do you listen? Why or Why not?

[shouit]

Hello all!

I am a staff member over at Mortality.net and was wondering how many people on here listen to the show? Also, if you listen, what do you like/dislike about it? Do you download the show after the broadcast? And also for those that don't listen, why is that? Wrong time?

Whatever the reason, I would like to know what we here at Mortality.net can do to make it a better show. Thanks.

 

[The Sigil]

I listen when I can, and also participate on the IRC channel.

However, it is usually quite difficult for me to do so (listen, that is) and I rarely get to hear the whole show live.

Why? Time of the show.

I am on the west coast and the show starts at 5:00 pm here. That means I'm not yet home from work (heck, 99% of the time I haven't even left work by 5:00) and by the time I get home, the show is usually at least half over (I'm not going to stay at work to listen to the show until 7:00 or 7:30 when it ends).

If the show was bumped back one more hour - to 9:00 local time, 6:00 out here - I could probably listen more. As it is, I just can't.

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Reactions to the show (likes/dislikes):

I enjoy the reviews - I like the casual style.

I enjoy getting to hear scoops and trends within the industry - and to "meet" some of the industry's movers and shakers.

I'm not particularly fond of the "technology" on interviews (microphone pushed up to a speakerphone) - it's usually very hard to hear the guest intelligibly. While I love the interviews when I can hear them clearly, all too often I can't hear them clearly. That's a problem

Also, the show seems a little - well - disorganized. There is a LOT of dead air time and "stalling." There is a saying in radio to the effect of "dead air is the worst offense you can have." That includes two to three minutes of "umm... uh... let me see here..." while things get ready. I think a half-hour spent organizing a "timetable" for the show just before the show start can't hurt.

Finally, I would like to see "themed shows" - by which I mean, give the callers a bit of advance notice on the website (a day or two) about the show's main topic - be it "Neverwinter Nights" or "reactions to GenCon" or "Elves vs. Dwarves". This lets people ask intelligent questions instead of rambling. While there's nothing wrong with "open forum" occasionally, all too often it makes for no meaningful discussion.

I guess you might take as a model a sports talk show - this time of year there are lots of topics - football season and whose moves look good and whose don't; baseball pennant races; the U.S. Open (Tennis); the Basketball World Championships and so on... most hosts put several topics out there and ask for a response to any of them, but at least there's some direction there. Similarly, Mortality might do something along the lines of "comparing Heroes of High Favor: Dwarves, Quint. Dwarf, and Hammer & Helm" - which do you find most useful? Why? Are you looking forward to the MMII's release? What 4th quarter release are you looking forward to? How do you handle high-level gaming?

I guess just pick a half-dozen topics related to gaming and the gaming industry and go from there. The show as is seems to completely lack focus. In radio - internet radio included, that's the one biggest no-no, as it contributes greatly to dead air.

--The Sigil

 

[tburdett]

No. I'm at work when the shows are broadcast. I just went and downloaded the last 3 shows to listen to at work tonight on my Rio Volt 100.

I have a question for you. What software do you need to listen to the shows as they are broadcast? I'm asking because I could listen to the shows from work if no extra software is involved.

 

[Napftor]

tburdett: I'm a frequent listener and all you have to use is WINAMP. Easy and affordable.

I have to say that most shows are quite good and at their worst tolerable (due to bad phones or connection problems). Adlon and the gang do a good job and the irc chats are always...mmm...provacative.

 

[The Sigil]

I have a question for you. What software do you need to listen to the shows as they are broadcast? I'm asking because I could listen to the shows from work if no extra software is involved.

The easiest piece of software to use is probably WinAmp (available free on the web). Also, if you have internet access, you can join the IRC chat channel using the Java applet found on the Mortality site.

--The Sigil

 

[yeebarr]

Uh, basically everything what Sigil said.

Yes - more advance notice to callers on what the topic is (so we don't get stuck with people rambling on about everything and anything for half and hour) would be nice.

But still - a great show! Takes me forever to download but totally worth it!

 

[Maraxle]

Honestly, I've never heard of it until this thread. So my reason for not listening is lack of awareness.

 

[Morrus]

I try to make it, but it's 2am on a Saturday morning for me, which often makes it difficult. I tend to be either asleep or drunk at that time of the week.

 

[Mr Fidgit]

i'm going to have to agree with The Sigil, as well.

the dead air's just a killer

 

[CrazyMage]

I usually download the show to listen at my leisure. The time is fine for me, but otherwise ditto The Sigil (especially the sound quality during interviews)

It's not been mentioned yet, but it seems that the major cause of dead air is Adlon following chat room/responding to messages while trying to talk. Now that the co-host is in place, hopefully this source of dead air is gone.

And callers, TURN DOWN YOUR STINKIN' SPEAKERS BEFORE CALLING IN!!! I'm amazed at Adlon's patience with telling people again and again to do this. Maybe I'm just being short-tempered