 | PROJECT: Purecast Media |
Purecast Media is a podcast hosting provider offering an easy way for non-technical geeks to have a podcast show all of their own. For a small monthly fee, Purecast hosts all the user's mp3 audio files, provides a customizable web page for their show, and automatically generates the XML page RSS feed (the geeky part that no one wants to do, even tech geeks). The podcasters get a control panel to administer their show's data, and a FTP interface to upload their files. Here are details from signup to creation of a show's folder on the server, where PHP scripts and MySQL database interactions automatically drive the process from payment to delivery of login password to access their podcast's template based home page:
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At sign up, the new podcaster is asked for their show information which will be used for creating their website, FTP and RSS feed. Payment is accepted and when instant payment notification (API) is successful, a show folder is created and all needed scripts and files are copied to it.
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They are then sent emails with all links to their show's page and login info for their admin control panel.
Example of a dynamically generated Podcast Show page.
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 | The Control Panel
All controls for the podcast and website are handled on one easy page. Podcasters can change their graphics, text and upload new shows from this interface.
This system is 100% automated and can have a novice podcaster up and running in minutes. All the user needs is a microphone and a sound card on their computer, however, many helpful tutorials were also written to answer any questions that might arise and give tips on making abetter show.
An affiliate style system called "podshares" encourages all clients to display a coded banner on other websites to earn commissions and/or prizes.
Besides FTP functions, this control panel contains an "ID3 Tag" editor, enabling a podcaster to add or change the meta info found INSIDE an mp3 file, right from this window! A download counter for each file displays stats, and when shows get old, an archive section is also provided for storage.
The podcaster's home page can be edited very much like a "MySpace" page.
Purecast Media hosted several of the "top 25" podcasts (as reported by PodcastAlley) and also produced it's own popular weekly podcast, The Area 51 Show, which enjoyed over five thousand download per week.
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