Sidepodcast

Sidepodradio - Back on Track

So, first up, apologies for the postponement, but really, it was for the best. We weren't ready and it would have been absolute chaos. More so than normal. However, we are back, ready to get going, and have a new date in mind.

Please set your alarms for: 20th September 2009.

I know it seems like a long way away, but the days will fly and we need that time to prepare.

I'm So Confused!

I know. Me too. We had several hosts pulling out at the last minute due to illness or lack of time, so what we need to do now is confirm who is still up for the challenge on the renewed date. The first job, therefore, is for all show hosts to update the status column on the wiki to let us know what is happening.

If your show is well underway, then let us know that too. Don't forget to create a subpage for you show, especially if you need feedback or listener interaction. Perhaps I will do a post gathering what we need from the community in a few days time.

If you've got an idea but don't want to do a show, share that as well. We've got a few people who are up for talking for half an hour but are struggling for inspiration. Likewise, if you're not sure you can fill an entire 30 minutes, still let us know if you want to submit something. We're 99.9% sure that we will not be able to stick to the half hour schedule rigidly. Everything will be aired one way or another, even if we have to do Sidepodradio 2.

If you want to share shows with us, there's a new drop in case you'd rather keep it off the main one. Of course, the usual email still applies: christine at sidepodcast dot com.

What You Can Do

If you're not ready to be a show host, don't forget that you can leave us a voicemail. In fact, change that to read please leave us a voicemail. Say hi to your mum, encourage people to donate, or tell a quick joke, we want voicemails and transitions to help us through the day. Find us on Skype under the username sidepodcast, or call us 0121 28 87225.

We have had a super response to donations, with the total now up to £220 - a whole £100 going to charity already. There is information about nominating a charity on the wiki. Please consider donating. It doesn't have to be a massive amount, and every penny helps. Ah, just getting my telethon hat on.

So don't forget your first job is to update your status on the wiki, or let us know in the comments so we can do it for you. We have roped Steven into helping organise as he is so good at "volunteering" people. If you've got any questions, let us know!

Stand In Sidepodradio

Although we have had to postpone Sidepodradio, Alex still sent us the files he had made for his four half hour music segments. They are so amazing that it seemed a shame to waste them, so we decided that to lighten the mood, we'd share them anyway. Giggles can always make more, right?

As mentioned above, there are four of these, so expect a few more posts along later today. Our heartfelt thanks to Giggles for the amount of effort he put into these. It's brilliant!

Sidepodradio - The Countdown Begins

All of a sudden, Sidepodradio is no longer a shining idea in the distance, but a looming reality that is a ton of work. But never fear, we are getting more and more organised as we go along, and it's starting to come together.

Show Hosts

We still have a few spots remaining for hosts to sign up for a show. There are some ideas on the wiki that need hosts, or you can come up with your own idea. I won't run through the spiel again about the possibilities being endless, but they really are. We're close to filling up the entire 12 hours, so don't back out on me now!

If you are hosting a show, don't forget the pre-record deadline is this Friday. We need time to prepare everything, so of course, the sooner you are done, the better.

If you haven't already, your show could do with a sub-page on the wiki. You may not be looking for audience participation, but a short introduction to what your show is would be helpful. Think of it as radio listings.

Please Call

Don't forget, if you're not signing up for a show, you can still call us and leave a voicemail. The number is 0121 28 87225, or search for Sidepodcast on Skype. We desperately need transitions, little shoutouts, pleas for donations, anything you want to say, just call in and make our lives that little bit easier!

On the donations front, we have exceeded our target for production costs, which means we are already into charity money. There's a page on the wiki for charity suggestions - motorsport related, preferably. We will hold a poll after the event to decide where the money should go. Thanks to everyone who's donated already, and what are you waiting for if you haven't?

Listeners

It's going to be manic in Sidepodcast Towers from here on in, but we are gradually coming up with a plan for how Sunday is going to work. We will post a new thread for every hour of Sidepodradio, and each hour will begin with an F1 Minute news bulletin.

The video replays will be available at some point after the event, the same way the Parade Lap is now. We will most likely come up with a special Sidepodradio video feed as well. At the moment, we're not sure whether, or how much, of Sidepodradio will appear on the audio feed. That much will remain undecided for now.

As ever, any questions, please email christine at sidepodcast dot com, and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Ever Dream of Being a Radio DJ?

A few weeks ago, RG came up with the idea of Sidepodradio in the comments. It was mentioned in jest, and some of the Sidepodcommunity came up with shows they'd like to do, tailored to their interests. Fast forward to now, and Sidepodradio is real, it's happening and we want you to be a part of it.

Not Another Sidepod... Show

Yes, sorry about that. Not content with providing more content than it is feasible to listen to, we are now going to go for an entire 12 hours on Sunday 2nd August. From 12pm UK time to midnight, we will be broadcasting various shows in half hour slots, and there will be plenty to listen to. The exact mechanics of the process are yet to be decided, but as a listener, all you have to do is show up to the Live Comments on Sunday and get listening.

Put That Hairbrush Away

Now, for the more adventurous out there, we need you. No longer do you have to stand in front of the mirror with a hairbrush, there are 24 half hour slots to fill and we want you to host them. The wiki is already filling up with great content, but there is still plenty of space for more. Have an idea for a radio show that you've always wanted to broadcast? Now is your chance. It doesn't even have to be specifically about F1. We're going for a Parade Lap feel, where F1 is always there, but doesn't have to be on the tip of our tongue.

The options are limitless as well. You can broadcast live with us on the day, or you can submit a pre-recorded show. You can take callers, play music, discuss whatever topics are on your mind. You can be on air with Mr C and myself, or you can fly solo. If you want technical help or advice, ask away.

A Whole Half Hour

Say you don't want to commit to an entire show (and I'll be disappointed if you don't), there's space for you as well. Why not leave us a voicemail with a smooth transition that we can play between shows? Ever wanted to be like the callers on radio that say: "Every time I'm on the interwebs, I listen to Sidepodradio." Now you can. Call us on 0121 28 87225, and leave a quick thought for us to play.

Sidepodcast - Hobby Turned Radio Station

Calling it radio is perhaps a little misleading because we  aren't suddenly going to be hitting the FM airwaves or anything like that. Radio is expensive, the internet is less so. However, broadcasting for 12 hours will cost us a little more, something in the region of £120. We are therefore asking for donations, however big or small, to put towards the cause. There's a paypal donate button on the right hand side of the homepage. If we go over our total, the rest of the money will go to an as yet undecided charity.

So, there you have it. That's what we know so far, and in our usual chaotic and spontaneous fashion, it will all come together at the last minute. However, if you have any questions or thoughts, leave them in the comments or email me: christine at sidepodcast dot com.

Live: After The Shuttle Lands, We Panel

Here it is, then, the final episode of Sidepodpanel for the first series. It's been an amazing run, so many good thoughts and subtle mentions of Franck. Our final show is ably hosted by Steven Roy who has become something of a regular on the panel, and should know how to handle us rowdy lot.

For a while it seemed as though we wouldn't have anybody on the panel to talk, but we may just be able to fill up this last show. Join us in the comments, if you're not on the show itself, as anyone can get points.