The iPodder Killer App: Denise Howell

I don't know if my headline makes sense. My point is that as soon as I saw that Denise Howell had done a podcast on Sunday, I went to iPodder and figured how to get it onto my iPod. And it was easy! You don't even need an iPod to make it work.

I ended up listening to Denise's entire program. Not only did I learn a few things, but it got me thinking about audio on my weblog. Should I do it? Frankly, I'm a little nervous about sharing my voice. It sounds a little funny and all that. On the other hand, I feel like I have to keep up with the times. That's why after I finished listening to Denise's program, I went into my sound studio in the basement and produced The Legal Underground Word of the Day: Rescind.

It's my first experiment with audio-blogging. ("Please," I can hear you responding in unison, "let it be your last!") It was a simple affair: I just plugged my drum machine into my digital recorder, hooked up my guitar, and added a little reverb to the mix. Then I started over again at the beginning and read from Black's Law Dictionary. The resulting mp3 can be found here.

It's not a podcast. Frankly, I'm having trouble with the whole RSS thing. I also forgot to fade out at the end. Until I get the kinks worked out, I'll have to rely on Denise for the auddio-blogging.

UPDATE: After lots of research, I created an RSS feed, which means I'm now an official podcaster. So can I be in the club, Robert Ambrogi?

Comments

[Jim]

Fabulous. I don't have an iPod, but I downloaded and listened to it on my iBook, and it sounds great! Great voice and I love the guitar. (Perhaps guitar background on court filings will be the next New Thing.)

[Evan]

Jim: Oh, come on now. You're sucking up to a weblog author.

On the other hand, your comment might have a positive benefit. When I played the clip for Andrea this morning, she was completely mortified. I mean, completely mortified. Your comment might go a long way to stopping the divorce proceedings.

As for playing the clip--yes, you're right. No iPod is needed. In fact, anyone with speakers and a broadband connection just needs to click on it and it will play on their computer. Denise does something similar in her post--she makes her "podcast" accessible by means of an mp3 embedded in the post. Go listen to it! (To Denise's podcast, that is.)

[David]

That may be the very best legal reading to music I have ever heard! I think that this should become the standard way to talk to the court.

Pull out that guitar for your next closing--really make an impression!

[tony]

Perhaps it's just me, but I found it hilarious. I wouldn't mind seeing more of these, except possibly with more of a funk guitar influence.

[Abnu]

Courthouse Blues showcases the tremendous talents of lawyers who can do something in addition to lawyering.

The practice of law is a demanding vocation, requiring tremendous time commitment and stress. Moreover, this discipline can be intellectually, emotionally and physically challenging. It only makes sense that devotees to the practice of law would need creative outlets to add balance to their lives.

Evan, you're an example to us all.

[CT]

I'm probably in the minority, but no, don't jump on the podcasting bandwagon. My reasons, more or less succinctly.

[Evan]

CT: Yes, but what about the RSS angle--content pulled into your listening device automatically? Its not true of what I did, but true of Denise Howell's show, which was a true Podcast. Another random example can be found here.

[Al Nye]

I listened to Denise's podcast and enjoyed it. Evan, I also listened to yours. All I can say is -- don't give up your day job!

Seriously, it sounded fine.

Al Nye

[Jim]

Completely apart from the iPodder question, I'd love to hear more legal readings, from Black's or something else, set to your guitar music. And with the style of music to be based on the meaning of the word or words. How would "Decedent" 's music be different from "Progeny"'s, for example?

[Evan]

Jim: You're too kind. You noticed a had a "rescind" kind of vibe going. Just wait until I do "frivolous lawsuits."

[Kim]

Hello Andrea? What can I do to help?

[Denise Howell]

Evan, you'll be the toast of OpenPodcast.org! Be sure to submit it, and keep 'em coming!! Email it to Adam Curry too, it's just the sort of thing he loves to play on his show: adam@curry.com.