Podcast Morons #17 Back from the Brink

Sorry we've been away so long. What with family, vacations, and holidays, we got lazy. But we're back!
<b>NEWS:</b> the "in no particular order" edition

Hardware
<ul>
<li>Zune makes its debut, but offers no podcasting support.  Dumb, Dumb, Dumb.
<li>Belkin Announces a <a href="http://www.podcastingnews.com/2007/01/09/ces-update-belkin-intros-ipod-recording-studio/">Mixer</a> for Recording Directly to an iPod. Shelly brings us a hands-on report.
<li>Olympus Releases a <a href="http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1278">Voice Recorder</a> Designed for Podcasting
<li>Podcast Ready Offers myPodder Software preloaded on iRiver U20, B20 and W10 Models. It is also being loaded into SkullCandy's MacGyver Mp3 watch and MediaREADY Players (Glider and Aero)
</ul>

Software

<ul>
<li><a href="http://mwgblog.com/archives/2007/01/01/podcast-release-wordpress-plugin/">Wordpress Plugin</a> from Michael Goughagan makes it easier to request permission for interviews.
<li><a href="http://gigavox.com/levelator"">The Levelator</a> Reaches Versioon 1 (v 1.1.0, actually). 
<li>Digg Adds <a href="http://digg.com/podcasts">Podcast Directory</a>.
</ul>

Canadian News

<ul>
<li><a href="http://podcamptoronto.pbwiki.com/">Podcamp Toronto</a>: February 24-25 at Rogers Communications Centre at Ryerson University
<li><a href="http://www.podcastersacrossborders.com/">Podcasters Across Borders 2007 / Podcamp Canada</a>, June 22-23-24, 2007 Holiday Inn, Kingston, Ontario. Deadline for presentation submissions is January 30, 2007.
</ul>

Other News

<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.podcastingnews.com/2007/01/08/mobilecasting-update-melodeo-intros-uk-mobile-podcast-service/">Melodeo</a> to be first to offer mobile podcasting in the UK.

<li><i><a href="http://www.podcastusermagazine.com/">Podcast User Magazine</a></i> Celebrates Its First Anniversary
<li><a href="http://www.bloggerandpodcaster.com"<i>Blogger & Podcaster Magazine</i> will Debut in March with Shelly Brisbin as Managing Editor.
<li>Second Life Capitol Hill ushers in 110th Congress. Check out <a href="http://rocketboom.wikia.com/wiki/Capitol_hill">RpocketBoom's story</a>.
<li>Senators Aim to <a href="http://news.com.com/Senators+aim+to+restrict+Net%2C+satellite+radio+recording/2100-1028_3-6149915.html">Restrict Net/Satellite Recording</a>.
<li>Sony BMG <a href="http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=328033">Softens on Music for Podcasts</a>. Podcast411 <a href="http://media.libsyn.com/media/podcast411/411_070113.mp3">Interview</a> with Jeff Daniel of River Rock Communications.
</ul>

<b>DISCUSSION</b>

Do you need a mixer?

<b>FIVE TIPS</b>
<ul>
<li>1. Publicize your return on podcast forums, other podcasts, and forums/web sites which relate to your show subject
<li>2. Ask other podcasters to be guests on your return show, either via comments or a "call-in"!
<li>3. Reemerge with content that encourages people to want to listen
<li>4. Be humble, apologize that it's been so long. But focus your efforts on coming back better than before.
<li>5. Understand that some people simply won't come back. That doesn't prevent you from gaining new listeners.
</ul>