DodgyPhil

I've never really got on with the whole concept of blogs.. Of course, while they're used within a circle of close friends I can completely understand (even though talking to people about problems in your life probably has far more significance) their use. But I don't understand these people who advertise their blogs madly, when they're full of dull anecdotes and obscure in-jokes that only five of their closest 'buds' understand. Unless you're creating a developers blog, or you're setting out on an incredible round the world journey- I don't see the point in broadcasting incredibly mundane happenings across the world. It's like an average reality television contest, on his own, in a room, talking out loud (very loud indeed).. Anyway, if you want to start one- go ahead. :angel:

Wow, thanks for the very positive (and helpful) feedback! I'll have to admit that I'd never heard a podcast until I started recording mine: I then looked into what sort of media I was creating. I'm also aware that most people have no clue what a podcast is, and even fewer care. Still- I'd like to think that with certain improvements (as you pointed out) this could lead somewhere.. (Unrealistic expectation) Anyway, the only thing that I realized with this project is the gratuitous amount of swearing. It's mostly instigated by my fellow host, but it's fairly infectious. I'm just worried about coming off as so many of these podcasts do: a bunch of men swearing for laughs while talking about genitalia.. :angel:

The only project I've ever had real success and good feedback from is my latest. (This is not an advertisement!! I hate it when people manage to plug something in every post!!!!!!) I made a podcast with a friend of mine about 3 (and a bit) weeks ago. We've managed to get to 457th most popular out of 77,000 podcasts on Podcast-Alley! Seeing as this is mostly down to views, it doesn't tell me whether or not people liked it, simply that more than a few hundred listened. Anyway, I only describe my last as a successful project due to the reach it's received and the real positivity of people who've heard it. Most of my projects are seen by about 20 people and no one dares comment (probably because it's bad)..

I can't explain it, but I really love writing thick pieces of text filled with luxurious words! For example, I managed to use the word 'serendipity' in an argument the other day- only to be told to "stop being such a f****t". People tend to get the wrong end of the stick if you use nothing but full sentences and good grammar, either mistaking you for a pretentious college kid with a thesaurus, or a bureaucrat. I'll admit that I do judge people a lot by the way they post (rather than what it is). For instance, a lot of the philosophical theories and political debates that get posted on Xisto look like intellectuals texting each other!

I've already made a topic about the actual podcast, but I'm now interested in some feedback on the site itself. I've tried to keep it as minimal as possible so that attention isn't drawn from the links to the podcast. Also, having as little text/links on the page as possible allows the RSS feed to be picked up more easily (me thinks?). I made the episode images quite brightly coloured with identical designs to it's obvious that there is a series, and they're the main point of the site. The thing I particularly want feedback on is the page header, and whether or not it works: being such a brightly coloured image surrounding by nothing. Anyway, thanks in advance for any useful/obscene feedback I get! The website in question!

This is a good point of information. I started a podcast a while ago (seperate from my current project) and used a vast amount of copywritten material from several companies. While I didn't get into trouble (as the podcast never became known outside a circle of friends) I was breaking the law and could've face thousands of pounds worth of royalty fees.To avoid such fees (or at least, the minimize the cost whilst staying within the law) you have to purchase a BMI, or an ASCAP license. They cover a large catalogue of music from most major labels. A pain in the *bottom*, but a necessity! P.S- There is also a 'SESAC' license, but it has a much smaller spread than the other two and is generally not worth it (it wasn't for me at any rate).

I was on the verge of reviewing this film a few weeks ago! It's fantastic- I too aren't keen on the vampire-romance genre (I have difficulty stomaching the Romance genre by itself) but this film changed a lot of my preconceptions!I also felt physically ill after reading up about an American remake. Even the original directors were angry and confused, saying that they'd have understood if it was an old film. But remakes made within five years of a film's release should only happen if it was terrible! (Which it wasn't)I really enjoyed the surreal 'Swedish'-ness to the film. Even though it was set in 1982, the whole sets felt like a new-age Ikea advert: everything was functional and clean.

Whilst not jingle-centric, 'Podsafe audio' is a great source of free to download and use audio. Keep in mind, to play songs from other artists you need written consent from the music company, or the artist to avoiding infringing on copyright issues.. News related items are always entertaining. I've recently entered into the realm of genital-related news. A bit crass, but hey; they love it. The filthier the better, particularly if you can easily cite the articles in question. I use the news pieces in a quiz format, giving my co-host 3 options to choose from before revealing the true answer and elaborating on the story. Good times.. Best of luck with your podcasting journey- and may the gods of immortal copyright laws never crush your dream as part of their unholy capitalist pillaging spree!

I have already read. Honestly, apart from that grammar mistake.. There were very few mistakes! It's good to concentrate on writing, but as a person learning German I can say it flows more easily when I speak it, because I don't have to think about spelling. I only wish I could speak a foreign language as well as you can speak English.. Meine Deutsche ist nicht so gut, weil meine Lehrerin zu streng ist! Ab und zu denke ich, dass man sollte nicht eine fremdeSprache lernen, weil es zu schwierig ist! If any Germans could see that (my own destruction of their beautiful language) it'd probably pain them.. But honestly, your English is good, and it seems like you have a large vocabulary at your disposal!

That sounds great- I originally planned to broadcast live to make use of the phone-in system, but I decided it'd be better to record something that I could later edit and add sound effects to. It also meant we could let as many people listen as possible- but I've always been interested in doing something live. Unfortunately, I have impending exams (GCSE) so I can never make a promise to record on a certain day due to revising. I'd love to get involved in a University radio station when I get there though!

Okay, my hosting is currently suspended (I'm 82 cents short) so hopefully after this post the site will be back up.. Anyway- I was slightly confused as to which section to post his in, but I feel it relates to 'my life' enough to warrant a place in Life Talk. Recently I started a podcast/music show with a good friend of mine (Cheese). It's gotten a pretty good response so far, mostly from friends and family. What interests me is whether I can get some feedback, or anyone else on here has done a podcast like this. I'll warn you, it's fairly explicit and we cover an array of risquďż˝ subjects for your enjoyment. I'm the one talking for the majority of the time in a nasal posh accent, and Cheese is the guy who swears a lot. We were both interested in making a show of this sort, having both been fans of 'Iain Lee's 2 Hour Long Late Night Radio Show', which is an English radio show broadcast on Absolute Radio from 11pm - 1am every night. He's pretty sharp and we enjoyed the way he'd completely destroy callers (including Cheese, who has become a regular caller, and is hated by Iain). Anyway, it's called 'Radio Cheese', and you can find it at two locations: http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ (currently down, but hopefully it'll be up once I get credit!) Anyway, if anyone has any feedback or has their own podcast, I'd love to hear it!

Aaw.. The crappy plastic table hockey matches you can have in cheap diners are the best! Although I always become to competitive and several rounds of progressively furious playing always results in the plastic dome hitting someone in the face.. Also, this topic seems slightly dubious.. I've seen people advertising things akin to table hockey on my forums (which I ended up shutting down because I became sick of adbots).

If anyone's seen the IT Crowd episode where Jenn claims typing 'Google' into Google will 'break' the internet, you'll understand why this topic sounds vaguely mental.. I think a lot of people have struck on the good point that the internet is not a single entity, but a large network of other people which we all have to pay (why?) to connect to. Of course, if terrorists targeted the major ISPs they could block people from viewing content on the net, but it would still exist on servers around the world- and all that would be required to bring it back online would be another ISP. To properly destroy the internet (people have said this before but I'm in desperate need of credit), one would have to take every server in the world offline. "EIU has researched and constructed a fully functional I-Bomb that is the first stage in the evolution of future information warfare devices. This device was shown and operated repeatedly during the course of New Fangle in San Francisco in an abandoned warehouse at 19th and Harrison Streets" An I-bomb, which has already been invented, could easily disable electrical devices within a mile or so radius. All terrorists need is to build a slightly larger one and activate several across the globe and they're quids in! :angel:

One point; a large proportion of information on the internet is b-llocks. Having a book published by a large publishing company, and not having the ability to remain anonymous ensures that more often than not the information is true.It's hard to say what can provide more valuable knowledge. Me and my classmates always sneer when a teacher suggests we research a topic in the library as we all know that Wikipedia is going to be our only source. With that said, people publishing books often spend a lot more time researching their topic and are far more focused and coherent than any Wikipedia editor (who, from my experience are illiterate a bloody annoying).People always claim to 'surf the net', but you never truly go down undiscovered paths, you just follow a series of related links. In a library you have the opportunity to browse through a vast catalogue of books without a starting point; just go to a shelf in the 'general knowledge' section and you're met with a wall of true and concise information.Libraries can't survive in our modern world, but it's our duty to allow them to. Our governments (British and USA regardless) pour a lot of funds into organisations which are non-sustainable and non-profit, and the library is probably a key example of both. If the British government has the funds to pay the European Union ?40,000,000 a day (sorry, this is turning into an anti-Europe rant) for nothing, surely they can't strive for a better society with access to free information.Also, people claim that it's easy to get cheap broadband, but I have quite a few friends who either cannot afford or are in the wrong location to receive any kind of internet connection. These same friends spend many hours visiting libraries for data and quotes to use in their coursework and always seem a bit more study-centric, having to make a real effort to go and get the knowledge that always seems to pay off. Libraries are non-discriminate and affordable to literally anyone (unless they can't afford a 13p late charge).Anyway, I think we should definitely keep libraries open- not just for the nostalgia and the dream-like atmosphere people are talking about- but for serious benefits to everyone.

I'm ashamed to say I've never left Europe. Not out of personal choice, just the financial constraints of my parents..I'm desperate to visit the USA, regardless of how much of my image of it is pure fantasy.I'd love to visit Russia for historical reasons, particularly Moscow. Unfortunately, having signed up for History of Art next year, I've discovered the annual Moscow trip has been withdrawn after the teacher in charge left.. Bugger.In Europe, my favourite places so far have been Italy and Norway. I'm half-Norwegian so I have a lot of family over there, but it still feels like another world (perhaps a more civilized and expensive one). I love Scandinavian architecture, particularly the multi-coloured wooden houses; and I love the towns that feel like they've grown naturally from the side of a mountain.I love Italy because of the people. I'm cold-blooded and usually hate hot places, but Italy's climate was just right- and I love their way of life. The Italians are some of the friendliest Europeans I've met. Each city is drenched in history (even Milan with its towering brutalist structures) and it really feels like little has changed for hundreds of years.I've also been to Germany. I connected best with the people and immediately understood everything about them. People often find it odd, but I'd say the Germans and the British are very similar in their mannerisms and outlook. Even the climate matched England's, and the post-war architecture reminded me of my own local streets that were destroyed in the 40s.. The Italians were the friendliest nation, but I really felt comfortable amongst the Germans..

I'm currently living in London (population 7,000,000) and have done all my life so I've yet to experience small town life. I like the anonymity of living within such a large community; people just become filler after a while and running through the streets naked won't exactly mar your reputation. London isn't that dangerous (even if it's statistically the most dangerous European city, but that's just media hype) but every time something bad happens to you, it never seems to be police priority. For instance, I got mugged at knife point last year, but I shared a waiting room with six other mugging victims and a man who'd physically had the crap beaten out of him. I feel guilty phoning the police or hospital because I know there'll be 4000 people in far worse situations than me..When I go to Cornwall to visit my aunt I love reading the town's paper where they report women breaking their arms tripping over and some yobs putting a dustbin through a car window. There must be a population of around 2000, and I love the cosy feel (but only on holiday).Anyway, there are pros and cons, but as a young person I'd say living in a large city is the best- even if my parents (in their 50s) are threatening to retire to the countryside the moment I finish A-levels (score).

Pot using junkies? Not living your life? This sounds like a rehash of the PSA they repeatedly play at school. I love marijuana. I used to smoke marijuana (about twice a week for half a year) until six of my friends were expelled for admitting to smoking it. I also know that were I caught by my dad (my mum found my weed and agreed not to tell him on the condition I never smoked again) he'd literally beat me. I know what it's like trying to smoke weed as a teenager. People constantly accuse you of having a problem; saying you're addicted and will lose your friends. Even though I often didn't smoke for two weeks at a time just because I didn't feel like it, and I often found Marijuana quite a successful social lubricant. I'd say that smoking weed while you're still 16 (so am I) isn't worth losing the trust of your parents and getting in trouble with the police. The other part of me thinks: god damn these backward laws that legalize two of the most dangerous drugs but imprison the users of a mild relaxant.. When I turn 18 Zagubadu, I hope I can join you for a delicious spliff..

This is a pretty good idea.Seeing as you like, y'know, 'philosophy' and stuff.. Why not draw a website name from your subconcious? I had a really psychedelic dream about ducks living inside apples. It wasn't in a cute way, it was really nasty as they came out covered with apple organs as they thrashed around trying to free themselves.. Anyway, I came up with my site name after thinking about my dream the next day and thinking 'JESUS CHRIST WHAT WAS I ON?' The simpler and more memorable the better.

I still can't believe that homosexuality is outlawed though.. My family has tonnes of Indian connections (my great grandfather was stationed in India in the late 1800s) and subsequently I have a dozen Indian cousins and two aunts who live there. One of my cousins is a self-professed homosexual who moved away from his area because of threats from the law and general scorn by the community; regardless of the fact that he loved his country. I just find it odd that such a steadily developing country that has universities and technology better than the west still holds onto quite a backward tradition. That's the only qualm I have with India's claim to 'freedom'.

I know this outlines my incredible laziness, but I honestly hadn't noticed the footer! Ye gads! Also, when I was designing the new layout I wanted the only two things on the page to stand out to be the header and the images, but the white background has slightly dampened the intensity of the images, so I will probably make a few adjustments. Thanks for the nice comments, although- to put this into context and to stop people scouring my site for filth: it's a YouTube video involving a Japanese woodcarving: classy, not sexual.

Ha, I know a lot of Canadians who say that Canada is awesome- but that might just be opinion. I live in London, England. I'd give it an 9/10 Pros: -Almost all companies have headquarters in London, and there are an amazing amount of jobs. -A very large mix of super-rich and super-poor. Sounds odd, but I like variety. -Fantastic infrastructure, the tube system makes it easy to travel anywhere. -Lot's and LOT'S of stuff going on; large china town, oxford street shopping, westfields shopping centre (incredibly fancy, just twenty minutes from my house by foot) -Beautiful architecture -The most cosmopolitan city in Europe. More languages spoken in London than any other city. It's called 'the seventh great French city', and is famed for having more Irish people than most Irish cities. Cons: -Few boundaries between rich and poor areas generates crime. I live in a lower-middle class area, but two streets away the houses cost Ł1,000,000 each, and two streets in the opposite direction is a heavily criminal area with large tensions between Sri Lankans, West-Indians, Pakistanis. -Quite ugly in parts. Because of all the company headquarters areas like 'Park Royal' are literally composed of nothing but factories and high rise offices. There are only a few houses. -Heavy congestion charge. Large amounts of traffic make it impossible to drive anywhere in the centre of London. -Relatively high crime. I'm in West London (the safest part) and I've been mugged at knife point three times this year, and a friend of mine was punched into unconsciousness for saying something vaguely racial when he was drunk. (I would say serves him right, but it wasn't supposed to be offensive and he was BLIND DRUNK) Sorry for the late post, but this is a good topic.

Thanks, that was really useful feedback. I'm viewing the site at '1280x1024' so I never noticed the red background! I just set it to red as a test, I'll just make the background repeat. Also, I'm aware the flash at the top is out of place- I made it a few months ago and I wanted to keep it when I changed theme. I stole the background from another theme, and I can see how it could look out of place. Most of the site is from a template that leaves little room for modifying, so I may just do a complete overhall. I tried to list the pages in the navigation alphibetically, and I thought having 'frontpage' at the top would be weird, but seeing as there's already a home link at the top of the page I'll probably get rid of it. Also, when I first posted my site I was using a completely different theme, I'm more in the testing stage of this new one- so don't get a bad impression if it looks tacky. Anyway, thanks again for the feedback, I'll either start making changes accordingly, or if I get bored I'll just create a new theme.

I'm interested in who the hell is trying to advertise 'forex' marketing. Every time I've started an online forum, within a few days I'll get around seven successive posts from people with odd names and hotmail/gmail email accounts asking questions about forex. "Hello, can anyone help me with online forex marketing? What is it to mean the numbers are tipped for 5?" And I've checked and they're coming from multiple IPs- suggesting that they're using a proxy or there's some sort of network.. It also means I can't permanently ban the scammers, and I have to prune my forums every few days..

I'm a 'Man made climate-change' sceptic; but I'm aware of the problems we face in terms of fuel shortages and pollution.People always talk about 'damaging' the earth, but in reality it will be fine. The earth won't die, or the animals; it'll be us- the least adaptable creatures on the planet. I'm always horrified by governments trying to switch to fuel efficient lighting when swathes of the rainforest are being cut down by loggers- who face no reprimands. It is proven, without a doubt, that 20% of our oxygen is sourced from the Amazon rainforest. Another fear in terms of fuel, is the rise of car usage in Asian countries. Their demand for automotive transport is quickly rising, and if the same percentage of the population of China and India drove cars as in the USA- oil supplies would be exhausted within three hours. So yes, while I do not believe humans have a big enough impact on the climate to warrant the fuel-effiency histeria, our actions are removing valuable resources from us. I personally don't care about future generations (because I'm a feckless teenager), but we're at risk of impacting our current population. Back on topic: There's always some sort of panic in British cities whenever it snows. While Northamptonshire is experiencing conditions of down to -20C (just above the temperature of the South Pole), London is just at freezing point and thousands of us are buying supplies and preparing for some sort of nuclear fallout. It's fine. The only problem I've encountered so far is the icy pavements. While most of the roads have been liberally sprayed with salt (and rightly so), the pedestrian walkways are dangerously slippery. I fell over and twisted my arm yesterday- not because I am a dunce, but because of a particularly sneaky piece of ice: hidden underneath a layer of snow- and this morning, I had to help a woman up after she whammed against the pavement. I've got pretty Scandinavian genes, so I'm not suffering too badly- but my shoes are crap for this kind of weather..

I understand that these companies need to survive, and such derogatory terms can be damaging: but Micro$oft really are one of the crappest companies around. They've killed off competition by bundling their crappy software, and have built a monopoly over most services. I still can't believe some people use the ported version of Micro$oft office on Macs, OpenSource has the same capabilities and runs far smoother: without the hundred pound price tag.I guess I have no real basis for my hatred of Micro$oft other than the fact that every single one of their products I have ever used has either gone wrong, or been a massive disappointment. I personally don't own a console, but I remember lots of my friends gloating over others who didn't buy the Xbox 360. Now, a few years later- over half have had to replace the consoles or have switched to PS3s- which come with free connectivity.Also, Project Natal will probably suck too. So far it looks like nothing more than some sort of sadistic grooming simulator- and they've found out the demo video was faked.To conclude, Micro$oft name should be taken in vain until they no longer control such a large share of the computing market.