Just a quick note to let you know that we have some new features/options/neat things to share with you.

1. We have added a Top Commenter list on the right hand side. If you’re a registered user of AmigaZ.org, make sure you have a link to your home page in your profile so if you do become a Top Commenter, folks can check out your webpage. Wouldn’t that be nice? Would be for me.
2. We now have threaded comments for the posts. So if you do post a comment, and someone wants to reply to it, it’s now threaded and makes it easier for everyone to read.
3. Also added the ability for registered users to have avatars. Still some bugs to work out on this one. But a 40×40 avatar is all that is need. Transparency is a little wonky, but if you want to use a non animated gif or a png to make use of transparency, let me know and I’ll fix it up for you. Otherwise, just login to your profile and at the top click on Your Avatar.

Let us know if you like the features. Leave a comment in the new threaded comment system. Try it out, and maybe see your name on the T.C. (Top Commenter) list.

Thanks to everyone who donated, Amiga Roundtable is heading to Sacramento for AmiWest! The flight is booked, the hotel is booked and all that is left is to pack and go. So to everyone that donated, please let me know, if you haven’t already, if you would like me to use your real name or alias when we thank you on the show. If I don’t hear from you, I’ll use whatever was sent via PayPal or on the envelope sent in the mail.

I’ve set up a new poll as well as a small countdown to the show on the right hand side, here on the page. So please cast a vote in the poll. Also, I’ll be setting up a page to do some live blogging from AmiWest and post pics. And of course I’ll be streaming on Amiga World Radio from the show. So it’ll be a cornucopia of media from AmiWest!

If you’re going to be at the show, please stop by and say hi. Let me know what you think of the podcast. If you can’t come this year, I hope you can still listen in.

And on a side note, when I told my bosses I needed the weekend for AmiWest off, and I explained to them how the show is getting there, their first reaction was “WOW”! This just proves to me as well it should to others, that even though the Amiga Community is having a rough patch when it comes to our platform, we’re still committed to the same idea that brought us all together, and that spirit we all felt and still feel, is tough pressed to be killed. So thanks again to all the donors and remember….

Amiga is like Duncan McCloud of the Clan McCloud… It won’t freakin’ die!

Sorry folks, was called in at the last minute and was unable to do a show. We’ll be back next week and hopefully we’ll have a cool guest lined up. Been wanting to talk to this person for a little while. Hope you’ll enjoy it.

Sorry again.

Ok, I guess we’re gonna try for AmiWest. I am in the process of setting up a PayPal link. But if you distrust PayPal, as some of you have a legit right to, here is a snail mail address you can send Check or MO to. NO CASH! Also, please include a S.A.S.E. so I may send BACK your donation if the trip is called off due to lack of funds.

Yes, this is my home address, but it is also protected by a 2nd Amendment supporter.

Lorem Ipsum Doram

All donors will be mentioned by name or by alias on an upcoming episode of Amiga Roundtable. If we don’t go, those that did send in a donation, will still be mentioned. It’s the least we can do if we don’t get to pull this off.

Update: I forgot you can send money through PayPal with just an email address. I was just reminded as someone sent their donation in. Login to PayPal and send donations to mobbyg@gmail.com if you’re so inclined or to the address above. Thanks to those that have sent in a donation already. Also, let me know if you prefer your name or your alias to be used the the episode. Thanks.

Update#2: Well, as I figured, PayPal sucks the BIG ONE! I can’t confirm my account because they block the bank I have an account with saying they are competition. So If I want to get the donations already sent in, in time for me to set all this up, I will need to have a check cut from PayPal and sent to me which takes 1 to 2 weeks. They already charged me a $1 for just clicking a link to see about a debit card from them, even though I didn’t sign up for anything. Wow! What a low life ripoff business. I will be requesting a check from PayPal (Con Artists) on September 20th, for the donations sent in. If it takes the 2 weeks to get the check I should have enough time to get the ticket and book the room. If I don’t have enough funding by September 19th, I will be sending back ALL donations. So please get yours in ASAP if that is what you want to do. I’m really sorry for all the hassle. And trust me, I plan on NEVER using PayPal again.

 

 Standard Podcast [4:55m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In the last few days, and even before episode 8 was released, a few people have asked if I was going to AmiWest. My reply is I would love to but can’t afford it. But I was thiking, if listeners would be willing to send in donations to send the show out there.

So to answer this question, I posted a poll, which will expire on September 5th. Would you be willing to donate $5 to $10 to send the show out? This would mean only 100 people or less (if people donate $10 or more even) would need to donate to send the show out. This would basically be me and Sean would stay home, unless he does get some time off and you want send him to. But I leave it up to you, the listener of this show. Would you be willing to donate? We get enough response, I will setup a PayPal donation button and we’ll start the wheels in motion. If not, well, we’ll just do what we have been doing. Try to produce a kick ass podcast.

NOTE: Added an audio file explaining the whole deal a little more.

 

 AmiWest Annoucement: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Ever wonder how we produce the podcast? Wonder no more! Go here to find out.

We’re trying to get the word out now to the rest of the interwebs that Amiga Roundtable exsists. Hopefully, this will get some of the folks who left long ago to come back for a look and maybe stick around. In that effort, we’re now posted on Digg.com’s Podcast section. As of this post we’re only at 4 diggs and the more we get,perhaps more people will see the show and listen in and maybe stay to see what happens next?

So, if you’re a Digg user, please login and digg us up! I’ll be adding a “Digg This” button in a few hours or days. :p

Edit: Actually, I’m looking for a decent digg plugin that does what I want it to do which is link to the podcast section of Digg

I thought I had the correct URL for the RSS feed links to the top and right, but I didn’t. Even though they work, they don’t show JUST the podcast. They show ALL posts on the site. So they have now been updated. If you want to see ALL the posts on the site in the feed, just use http://www.amigaz.org/feed.

Been getting some comments about how fast the downloads are now. Well, that’s all due to the fine folks at Quadpowered.com! They have graciously dontaed some bandwidth for the podcast. 

We’ll be thanking them properly in our next episode and every episode. Thanks guys! 

Just a couple of quickie little things to tell you about…

First there is the new website here. I was using Loudblog, which was nice, but I wanted more bells and whistles and greater control over my site and podcast, so I decided to go with Wordpress for the new CMS. It’s nice, simple and very manageable. Plus it allows listeners to login and leave comments and I’m not opened up to comment spam.

Second, simply because the file size for each episode was so big, I’m going to be using a different bitrate. So from now on, all ART episodes will be 44.1Khz Sample at 64Kbp Mono. I’ll still be creating the podcasts in stereo for the Amiga World Radio Broadcasts, but only the 64K versions will be available for download and streaming on this website, iTunes and the mirror. Anyone who still wants a copy of the 160K version, can have it, but you just need to ask for it.

Also, since we have changed the website, the RSS feed has changed as well. But note this is ONLY for the WEBSITE, NOT iTUNES! The old feed from the old website will only be updated till Episode#6! So make sure you change your feed URL! The iTUNES FEED WILL NOT BE CHANGING!

Last but not least, I have some cool ideas for this website, and the podcast. And in true Amiga fashion, I am making an announcement to that effect, without actually delivering anything you can see, hear, touch or taste. So there you have it. Your moment of “Amiga Zen”.

’nuff said…