Toastmasters Podcast #001: Getting Fired Up for the 2009 Convention

Hi Bo & Ryan,

So glad you guys are back on-line. I really enjoyed your conversation with Pauline Shirley. I attended my first Int'l Convention last year in Calgary, Alberta - my home District 42).

While I know you guys are the official Toastmasters Podcast, I have a fairly well listened to podcast - ToastCaster.com. I'd really like to interview you guys for ToastCaster to help get the word out about you new Toastmasters Podcast.

See You in Mashantucket!

Greg Gazin, DTM, LGET D42

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Ok, I hear the audio, but I don't see any corresponding video. Am I the problem or is this an audio-only Podcast?

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Outstanding podcast gentlemen.  Our district has already pointed our membership to this site.  Well done!

John Lesko, DTM

District 27 Governor

D10Gov@d27tm.org

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I echo John Lesko's evaluation.  A very good audio introduction to the convention, and a well produced Podcast.  I will help spread the word!

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The podcast itself is a fine idea and a step into newer technology.

As the webmaster for my club website, I would have appreciated being told AHEAD OF TIME that there was a plan in place to suddenly take over a quadrant in the upper left of the website. Having it suddenly appear there with no discussion with me whatsoever as to my club's preferences aggravated the feeling that members who have been around for a while are beginning to wonder if the tail wags the dog. Where is the end-user agreement saying that from time to time WHQ can---and will---intrude on what we thought was OUR website? It's not so free any more if we can have our content moved around at the whim of someone who has the skill and ability to roll out a change but evidently not the organizational finesse to give notice that it would happen---let alone give clubs the choice of whether to have or not have that webspace occupied that way? What started out as a good idea turned into a slap in the face.

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I am sympathetic to Susan Ellsworth's comments.  It did come as a surprise to logg on to our site and suddenly find new content.  Some webmaster education would be appreciated and helpful.

It can be removed from the club's home page by going into "site administration" and checking the box that says, "Remove the Toastmasters podcast before the main menu."

Suggestions.

1. Make it hidden by default. Educate webmasters first. Then, once they are comfortable with it and can educate their club members, they can activate it.  
2. Can it be more user friendly?  A non-member visitor to the page can't readily access it.
3. If it is available to members only, make it a link in the "Members Only" section.
4. Make access available via a member's site-specific username and password.  
5. Make it accessible without having to jump through hoops.  The inset box says "Click here to listen..."   Doing so leads one to an iGrOOps page that to most is foreign in look and feel, and that requires a username and password different from the "member login" for the local site. 
6. First educate your TM webmasters and TM members.  I have spent innumerable hours educating myself on the workings of our FTH site. In terms of what I should know, I'd rate myself a 3 out of 10; my guess is that compared to the average FTH site webmaster, I'm probably at least an 8 out of 10. --- In short, FTH as a valuable resource and tool will continue to be vastly underutilized, until TM endusers are better prepared.

TMI, FTH and the iGrOOps team are to be commended for their time and efforts. FTH sites have been a boon to many clubs.  As with any nascent endeavor it will have its growing pains.

Jerry Zimmerman

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Comments regarding FTH should be posted and discussed at http://fth.igroops.com.  However, I will address a few of your concerns here (as the admin of the FTH project)

1. We do and have made changed to the FTH websites regularly -- been doing it since 2004.  Most changes go unnoticed.  As a hosted service, changes to the platform effect all users.  This is outlined in the T&C listed when you sign up for an account and at http://www.igroops.com/tandc.html (specifically, section 7(3)).
2. All updates that would have an effect on how the website looks or functions, like this recent change, are posted IN ADVANCE on the FTH updates blog found at http://support.freetoasthost.org.
3. Each FTH admin can easily turn the podcasting widget off in the admin area.  This was explained in the updates notice on the blog referenced above.
4. The podcasting "widget" is simple...  Click on the play button to hear the recent podcast from the FTH website or click on the image to be taken to the podcast website.  There is NO login required and no username and password are required.  This is not a members only tool, it is for anyone (guests and members) to access.  Gerald - you most likely been have your FTH login in your cache or once logged into the old public speaking group - and that is why you are being asked to login.  This is unique to a few select admins.

Once again, please move further discussion of this topic to http://support.freetoasthost.org/members/fth/blog/VIEW/00000001/00000021/Toastmasters-Podcast-Widget.html#00000021 . Your feedback is welcome and appreciated.  Also, I will be at International and happy to discuss any of this in person.

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