Posts tagged: Skype

The Twelve Days of F1 Christmas Revisited

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By Christine Blachford

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Last year, we debuted the sing-a-long Christmas Carol in the shape of The 12 Days of F1 Christmas. It featured nine willing volunteers, 12 lines of song, and quite a lot of laughing. It was chaos, the singing was questionable, but it was great fun, and we want to recreate that tonight.

As mentioned a couple of times across various Sidepodmedia, we're attempting our second annual live streaming party tonight, in which there will be some singing, and you will be getting involved.

We're posting this reminder of the original Sidepodchristmas Carol because firstly, you can never hear it too many times, and secondly, we know it's going to be hard to beat it and want to celebrate how good it was in 2008.

The lyrics are only slightly out of date, some of them are still quite relevant:

  • Twelve years of gridwalks
  • Eleven points for Rubens
  • Ten Kimi fast laps
  • Nine dromes from Tilke
  • Eight points positions
  • Seven different winners
  • Six wet races
  • Five Massa spins
  • Four Heidfeld podiums
  • Three maiden winners
  • Two teams a-leavin'
  • And a last corner Championship win!

Stay tuned for more information on the party, and I hope you can join us as we live stream, consume some wine, and eat mince pies. Should be a great night. Enjoy!

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Tell Us How 2009 Was For You

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By Christine Blachford

On this week's F1 Debrief show, we opened up the floodgates for the 2009 Season Review Megamix submissions. We debuted this idea last year, with the first ever show that featured neither Mr C nor myself, and it was a great success. Now we want to repeat the process.

What is it?

We want to get thoughts from all across the globe about the 2009 season. If you have even a simple sentence to sum up how the F1 year was for you, we want to hear it. Equally, if you've got a full season review ready to go, we'll take longer submissions as well. The more voicemails and mp3s we get the better, so we can mix them all up into one great big montage, and really break down the season for each and every one of you.

If you think you have nothing to say, then you're wrong. You must have an opinion about the season just passed, I know you do. Remember way back at the beginning of the year when Hamilton lied to the stewards? Or when Button won his first Monaco GP and celebrated by doing a lap of the track? Remember when Massa had his huge accident? Or when Bourdais spoke to his Toro Rosso pit wall in a way that left us in no doubt he was leaving the team? So much has happened this year, and this is your chance to sum it all up.

What do I do?

Getting involved is simple. You can either leave us a voicemail, or if you have the technology to record yourself, you can email an mp3. If you're on Skype, the username is "sidepodcast", or you can dial the number 0121 28 TRACK, that's +44 121 28 87225. The voicemail has a limit of ten minutes, but if you want to go over, you can call back and announce it as part two.

If you want to have a go at recording yourself, it's relatively easy to do. If you've got a microphone - either handheld or built in - all you need is to download something like Audacity and hit record. There will always be plenty of help in the comments for stuff like this. You can email your files to christine at sidepodcast dot com.

Is there a deadline?

We want to get the montage out by the end of the year, but there's still a good couple of weeks to get your submissions in. I think we'll set a deadline of the 14th December, but in true Bernie fashion, there is always room for negotiation.

If you're still in two minds about getting involved, I will once again point you towards last year's efforts, which were a great round up of the 2008 season. We featured some names you know and love, and some new participants as well. I want this year to be bigger and better, with more of you getting involved. From just a few words to a lot of minutes, everything is acceptable.

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Sidepodradio - An Update

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By Christine Blachford

Since I first talked about Sidepodradio, the idea has grown and expanded, and we now have a few more details to share with you.

Firstly, the times and dates. We're broadcasting live on 2nd August 2009, for 12 hours, starting at mid-day and ending at midnight UK time. We will be live for the entire time, but will play out the pre-recorded shows as we go. If you've signed up for (or are thinking about) a pre-recorded show, then you need to know the deadline for submissions is 31st July 2009. This should give us enough time to check the files and prepare them for broadcast, plus complete any editing necessary.

Next up, the shows. We still have seven half hour slots available, if you haven't already signed up for a show. You can go live, or pre-record. You can choose your subject matter, and you can do it alone, with real life people, or via Skype. The possibilities really are endless. If you have chosen a show, and require some audience participation or preparation, then the best thing to do is create a sub-page on the wiki. There's an example here, and you can dive write into the wiki to make your own. Or if you ask very nicely, we might do it for you.

If you are planning on listening to any or all of the Sidepodradio event, don't forget to check out the wiki for things you can get involved in, or games that might be being played on the day.

The final thing I wanted to mention is voicemails. I don't think we've had any yet, and I really want to encourage everyone to call in with your thoughts. You really can say anything you like, but if you're stuck for something to say, why not pick one of these two options:


Hi, my name's [your name here]. If you're enjoying Sidepodcast Radio, why not donate? We're raising money to cover the costs of production, and the extra will go to charity. Just visit Sidepodcast.com and click the donate button on the right hand side.

Or:

Hi, my name's [your name here]. I like the Sidepodcast Community because... [fill in your reasons, for example] they teach me about space travel and we get to play I Spy.

Any little jingly type voicemails would be appreciated because we can use them to fill in gaps, or transition between shows. Don't be afraid to call us. The number is 0121 28 87225 (or search for the username Sidepodcast). If you mess it up, just call again. We won't tell anyone.

So, to sum up:

  1. Visit the wiki to keep up to date.
  2. Make sure you're all done by Friday 31st.
  3. Call us!! 0121 28 87225.

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A True Sidepodcast Moment

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By Mr. C.

If you've not managed to catch an episode of the Parade Lap this year, you're missing out. It's a show unlike any other we do. Alex takes the reigns, it feels more like a radio show than a podcast, and it goes out live on a Sunday, one hour before the BBC's race coverage starts.

Last week's show was extra special, as we managed a live link-up with Scott who was hiding out behind the grandstands on Silverstone's main straight.

We could detail the complexities involved in setting up such a scenario, but I think Alex summed it up best in this comment, where he points out:

My favourite part of the show was that:
  • We were on a live link to Silverstone talking to Scott.
  • And I was sitting on a second live link.
  • And I read a question from the comments from Lukeh about Heidfeld’s beard.
  • And Scott knowing the community so well had already asked Heidfeld about the beard and could answer.

Something about the interconnectedness of it all was pretty mind-blowing.

Here's a snippet of the audio in question:

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Two Skype links, one iPhone, a live streaming server and a question about a beard!

We've suffered from so many technical gremlins during live broadcasts in the past, that it's remarkable an event like this could ever happen in the first place. I'm sure the BBC aren't exactly shaking in their boots at our achievements, but we're pretty chuffed it all came to together when we needed it to.

A huge thank you has to go out to everybody who took part on Sunday. It cannot be done without you.

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Take a Wild Guess

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By Mr. C.

This time last year, we asked you guys for your predictions - the top three finishers for the Australian Grand Prix. We had a great response, and mixed them all up into what is now known as the "Rocky Montage." The music, the excitement, it all came across to make a special few minutes.

If you haven't heard it already, need a quick reminder, or simply want to hear it again, here's the 2008 Rocky Montage.

Audio preview

During live streaming a couple of weeks ago, the predictions montage was mentioned and it seems as though you guys would like to do another one. We are nothing if not obliging, and actually quite excited about the prospect. We want to do this again, so now it's over to you.

The upcoming season is a complete unknown, I'm sure we all agree, but don't be shy. There's no harm in taking a guess and seeing if you get it right or not. I've been talked into making predictions this year, so it's only fair I drag you all along with me.

The original post for last year's montage gave some decent instructions, but I will just leave you with this:

Hi, I'm... [your name] and my predictions for the top three finishers in Australia are:

  • 3rd place... [driver name]
  • 2nd place... [driver name]
  • 1st place... [driver name]

We'd really like to keep them snappy, so although a little bit of explanation is okay, we don't want 20 minute voicemails. If you want to put your psychic hat on and let us know who's going to be triumphant at the first race, then you can leave us a voicemail on the details below:

Skype username: Sidepodcast
Phone number: 0121 28 87225

If you have the capacity to record yourself, then you can simply email the file to christine at sidepodcast dot com. The deadline is next Saturday - 21st March 2009 - to give us time to squeeze them in the final show before the season kicks off. I can't wait to hear your guesses, so get predicting!

P.S. - If you've got any suggestions for music to be used on the montage (not Rocky, but just as emotive) then please leave them in the comments.

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Live: Just 32 Days to Go

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By Christine Blachford

Ah, the second episode of Sidepodchat is upon us. Our intent is for it not to be quite as long as the first episode - if only because it takes a long time to up/download. Plus, don't even mention transcribing it! Nevertheless, we're hoping there are callers out there just waiting to talk to us about whatever's on their mind, plus some topics we have in store.

It's not just about who is on the phone, though, we also want loads of interaction with the comments. We'll be watching the thread throughout the show, so feel free to pop in any questions, facts or corrections that come to mind.

We hope to be live at 7pm GMT, so stay tuned and we'll be getting going shortly.

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Episode 93 - KERS For 5 Year Olds

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By Christine Blachford

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We delve into the murky depths of the new KERS technology, geeking out with talk of capacitors, electro-mechanics, and six degrees of separation. Oh, and Bourdais gets a mention (or two) as well.

Intro

We couldn't bring you a show last week, as we were at a secret location, and we can't tell you that much this week, because it was a secret location!

Good Week / Bad Week

Good week for Bourdais, Stepney and Coughlan as they can all return to Formula 1 in 2009, but it's a bad week for the superlicence debate, and testing in the European climate.

News and Views

We take a whistlestop tour through the many things Max mentioned over his journalists only lunch, including cost cutting, standing for president again, and the future of the British GP. We also discuss the merits of USF1 and try and work out what is fact and what is rumour.

Sidepodtour

We were invited to a talk about KERS by listener Bob, and we learnt an awful lot, although the exact details should be kept hush hush. We take a look at the basics of KERS with the help of Vettel, talk about the different types available, and those we might see developed in the future, and we look at which circuits the device will suit best.

Fantasy Racers

We now have as many people joined up to the league as we finished the season with last year, and the racing hasn't even got going yet. Another roll call, and another plea for all to join up, as we will be discussing it a lot this year.

Your Call

An email arrived from Nigel celebrating the return of Bourdais if only because it makes a certain podcaster particularly happy. We hear from Scott, Alex, Gavin, R.G and Steven about varying subjects from KERS, to USF1, to FOM's on-screen graphics, troubles at Croft Circuit, and carbon fibre.

Housekeeping

We trialled the new F1 Big Picture over on F1 Minute and think it has been a reasonable success, so it will continue. We plug the Mark Webber Forum, encourage you guys to vote in the Character Cup, and visit the wiki to sign up on the Listener Map.

Linkage

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Live: We're Going Live with KERS

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By Christine Blachford

Another live broadcast beckons, to record the 93rd episode of F1 Debrief. We'll soon be at 100, although that's an arbitrary number given how many podcasts we've actually done. Nevertheless, this show should appeal to anyone technologically minded, or anyone confused about KERS. We've got plenty of detail to share with you all.

We should be starting the stream at 7:30pm GMT, and there's no messing around because we've got a lot to get through. Fingers crossed there's no technical problems today. Don't forget if you want to be a part of the show, hang around until the Your Call section, and then boot up Skype. We'll be waiting to hear your thoughts.

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Sidepodchat - Of Testing, Weight and Winners

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By Christine Blachford

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It's a new year and a new show, with the debut of Sidepodchat. The premise is simple, a few callers on Skype, some topics to discuss, and plenty of time to talk things over. This inaugural show features wet weather testing, the weight of paint, and who'll be a first time winner in 2009.

Joining us for this first chat:

We can't promise when and where this show will turn up in the Sidepodcast schedule, but if you feel like taking part, visit the Wiki to sign up. The live show is available, if you want to get a feel of what it's like, and we look forward to talking to you.

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Episode 91 - It's All Lovely and Cuddly

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By Christine Blachford

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This bumper post-New Year show runs through all the latest news and launches, catches up with the latest Sidepodtour events, and features a record number of calls.

Intro

We're back, and most likely, we've forgotten how to do this. Hope we kept you entertained whilst the live show was off air though.

Good Week / Bad Week

It's been a good week for Red Bull drivers, as Buemi is confirmed at STR, and Webber is all set to get back in the car. Meanwhile, Davidson is having a rough week revealing all about Honda, and Massa is worrying about numbers.

News and Views

We discuss the latest updates in the ongoing Honda saga, particularly Nick Fry's involvement. We also take a look at Donington Park now they've got the planning permission they so craved, and of course, we run through the three launches - Ferrari, Toyota and McLaren.

Sidepodtour

The Sidepodtour took us to Autosport International but we weren't particularly impressed with what we saw. Very little in the way of Formula 1 involvement, and it looks like the credit crunch is hitting hard.

Fantasy Racers

We tell you how to join up, plus indulge in our annual shout out to everyone who has signed up for a team already. If you haven't, get signed up now and we can shout you out on the next show.

Your Call

The new segment that replaces Feedback features a record number of Skype callers: Alex, Scott, R.G, Steven Roy, Alex (again), Lukeh, Jeremy and Andy. Plus, there's an email from Keith the Marshal, we talk about the awards, and focus on the Facebook group.

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