Tux listening to his headphone standing next to an RSS icon.

I’m wondering what the state of Linux podcasts are. I never thought about it until Linux Outlaws did their year-end wrap up of 2008. They said it themselves, we’ve lost some good shows and they didn’t expect for their show to be in the same category as “one of the longest running Linux podcasts.”  Neither did I, but things change – Linux has evolved and so have podcasts.  Where do we stand in 2009?

Lost Shows

Here are a couple of shows we lost over the years:

  • LugRadio – barely understandable, but a bunch of UK gents talking Linux.  Very funny and some how informative.
  • Linux Reality – best one-man, linux newb-focused show in the history of Linux podcasting.  All 100 episodes are still available for download.
  • Fedora Reloaded – never really got off the ground, but it could have been awesome!
  • Linux Action Show – dramatically changed their format, in essence we’ve lost “Linux Action Show” for “In Depth” on YouTube.

True there are other shows, but these were kind of the pioneers of their time.  You can find all the relative Linux podcasts at www.thelinuxlink.net, which I believe is being maintained by one of Linux podcast mogle Dann from The Linux Link Tech Show.

Out of all these shows, I’m most sad about Linux Action Show.  These guys have a chemistry that is second to none.  They do have lots of other shows, but I’m not interested in their topics.  To have these guys go back and forth, kind of fighting for air time to share with us their thoughts (so passionetly) about a Linux topic was worth the weekly, bi-weekly, whatever release schedule.  Now, the YouTube videos are mostly one of them just droning on about the topic, no fun.

OGG on my Face?

OGG unofficial logoI edited this post (14 Jan 2009 at 12:29) after replying to CDavis‘ comment.  What is the deal with some of these shows exclusively exporting their shows in OGG format.  I have a blackberry, which was provided by my job, and it does not support OGG.  So instead of my easy transition  syncin’ my MP3 files and my mobile device using gPodder, I’ll now have to use SoundConverter – and that’s just MORE steps.  I finally got gPodder figured out too – ARGH!!!!!

I understand the freedom of OGG, but since you’re trying to make Linux more mainstream – stick with the format… or at least offer the MP3 format… that the mainstream folks/devices are using.  Of course this is more easily said than done for me since I’m not a podcaster.  As soon as I find a smart phone that supports OGG, I’ll be all over it, but until then – I’m stuck with MP3 podcasts.

Your Thoughts

What are your thoughts on the state of Linux podcasts?  Do you think they are growing, shrinking dramatically, dying out, what!?

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