I’m working with some wonderful folks to get a web/pod cast radio show going, and would love to hear from you about it. First… what the heck should we name it? We can’t, obviously, use Calling All Pets. We had talked about Calling All Critters or Calling All Animals, but we are going to have to start simple, on a shoe string, so are only going to be able to answer email questions rather than phone calls. Thus, “Calling All.. ” doesn’t make sense any more. The plan is to start with a half hour ‘show,’ with a guest interview as before, and me answering a few questions about training and behavior. Any ideas about what to name the show?
Here’s another question for you: Although Larry Meiller wouldn’t be available as a co-host, there is someone else who could act as co-host, sort of an “everyman” foil to the trainer/expert voice that I would provide. What do you think.. should I be the only host, or do you like the interchange between two people? (I do myself, but am concerned about it on a half hour show….).
Last question, I promise: Even though we’ll start the show on a shoe string, there are still costs involved. Is this something you would consider paying for, something like down loading music? Should we take ads? Should we just count on winning the lottery and do a show a day for the fun of it? (The plan is to do a 1/2 hour podcast every week, starting in early June.)
I am sincerely interested in your thoughts, and greatly appreciate all the support so many of you have sent over the months since WPR canceled Calling All Pets.
Meanwhile, back at the farm: It’s cold again, was windy and under 10 degrees (but at least no snow) this morning. We did have an ice storm Sunday night, lost power for 5-6 hours, right in the middle of a great documentary… darn. But it’s sunny now, so good to finally see the sun again. It’s going to warm up soon, a good thing, because my wooly sheep are getting shorn on Sunday. I’ll post photos, it’s quite the annual ritual. I love the seasonal nature of it, I love the feel and smell of the wool, I love watching the previously hidden bodies of each of the ewes appear from under their blanket of wool. Then just a few weeks til the next batch of lambs. Lambs! Oh boy…. lordy I do love them.
Here’s Sushi this morning at the top of the stairs, reminding me that both she and I need to go on a diet. I tried to get rid of her eye shine and ended up making her look like an animal from a horror movie. “When Cats Go Bad” or something… I was going to switch it but it made me laugh, thought it might you too. And here’s a photo of Lassie and Will at bottom of the stairs, wondering no doubt what the heck I was doing with Sushi at the top.
Sharrie Brockhaus says
You were right; that cat did make me laugh. I am not a “techo” person. Would a podcast be available anywhere else besides on a personal device? I am sad to see “Calling All Pets” leave WPR. It was one of their best weekend programs.
nan says
you’ll force me into the world of ipod, nothing to date has made it worth while but getting your show would. I think even in a half hour show that having a second voice who can play the sort of role Larry did would be helpful both to you as speaker and to the audience. The more accessible the greater the market and cost is a factor in access so if there were a sponsor who would settle for credit up front and at the end–i.e. brought to you by … . and that sponsor did not over regulate content that might be ideal. If that is not feasible I would assume a modest subscription fee might be an option (of course as my lead in demonstrates I have no experience with how these things work so take this comment with a grain of salt as to the utility of the funds ideas).
As to the cat, you have simply outed Sushi as the extraterrestrial all cats actually are. One of the more successful planetary takeovers in my opinion.
Eric Goebelbecker says
This is great! I can’t wait to see er, hear it.
I think it would probably be best with just you in a half hour format. After it’s a smashing success and you expand it to an hour or 45 minutes another host could be added in. 🙂
I could either way with ads or paying for it. I’m used to paying for good content.
Mary says
In general, podcasts are usually free. So charging for the podcast may limit initial subscribers. However, if you have enough loyal listeners, you may get enough subscribers to get started. But, what about the people who can’t pay? They lose out on your good advice! If I was going to start one, I think I’d try to find a sponser to get me off the ground. I’d try to find someone who provides a product or service that I know and trust and that shares my values and provide them with some “air time” in exchange for some start-up money.
Jennifer Hamilton says
I would pay for a podcast, but I am probably not the norm because I would pay for anything you produced. I’m always eagerly anticipating the next insights that you, Jean Donaldson, Karen Pryor or Temple Grandin have to share, but I can never get my colleagues (and I work in the dog world) to share that same enthusiasm. If you put out a book a month, I would buy it, read it and have two weeks to spare before the next one came out…so I doubt I’m the “average” listener. Human/Dog relationships, communication and behavior are my passion, so I would prefer paying than listening to advertisers…that being said, I would still listen if advertising was the only way I could hear the podcast.
As for a moderator, I always think having two people to banter is better than one. In my years as a corporate executive, presentations done with a colleague (dog and pony show of sorts) always got more audience attention than a single talking head. In addition, while one person is talking, the other can thinking ahead. That being said, it obviously should be someone who will banter well with you.
Jennifer
Crystal says
I love that your cat’s name is Sushi! I really want a cat named Sushi, but when we got our most recent kitty, his name changed several times until “Malcolm” just sort of fell out of my mouth. And it stuck.
Anyway, yes, I would love a podcast type of thing, as long as it’s easy to download and not ipod-specific. And, I would totally pay for it, although ads would be okay, too, if they were products you believe in. There is a pet-advice radio show near me, although I don’t listen to it often (I often disagree with her training advice). Anyway, she hosts it singly, and it works surprisingly well that way, although that might be because it’s a call in show. With an email-in show, it might be a bit odd.
Kaiser Soze says
Woohoo, this is wonderful news! Podcasting is the way to go today.
1. How about the same name you use for the site? (The Other End of the Leash) It would keep it consistent, and anyone that has read or seen the book will identify it easily.
2. Sure, that formula worked great on Calling All Pets.
3. Sure (within reasonable bounds, of course). There are also many resources to keep this within very low costs (or even for free). Check out http://www.archive.org for example, for a free and very reliable hosting for the podcast episodes so that you don’t have to worry about your monthly bandwidth usage.
I’m looking forward to it!
For those who are not familiar with this, you can listen to it on any mp3 device or your computer, some websites even allow you to listen to it online if you don’t want to install any kind of software. You can also install free software like iTunes that allows you to add the podcast like a “news feed”, so that it periodically polls the site and automatically downloads new episodes.
Nan S says
I like the interchange of two people. You and Larry clearly had a good rythmn going which will take you a while to re-establish with someone new. I liked the interviews, but answering the questions is what I liked best and what I learned so much from. I am an avid podcast listener, and yes, I will pay for it – I joined WPR just to be able to get your podcast, because the time it was broadcast on WAMU only let me listen to the first 20 minutes each week.
So you go, girl!!!!
Susan Mann says
Critter Capers (my fave!)
Critter Control
Four legged Fundamentals
I think with a half hour show, an additional host would dilute things, as well as increase costs.
Any chance of finding a regular sponsor? Come up with a sponsor program and solicit bids? So a sponsor would get x number seconds of advertising x number of times. Do you have an fairly good idea of what your costs are going to be? Some companies to consider might be Dogwise, Zukes, a local petstore chain, CleanRun (ok its not agility, but you never know!), Kong (they support Clicker Expos), etc- maybe the company that make the neverending treat ball, or some other product that you can wholeheartedly support.
Susan Mann, Brodie, Kyp!, and Arie
Sharrie Brockhaus says
You were right; that cat did make me laugh. I am not a “techo” person. Would a podcast be available anywhere else besides on a personal device? I am sad to see “Calling All Pets” leave WPR. It was one of their best weekend programs.
P.S. – Sorry, forgot to tell you great post!
Marguerite Plank says
Sharrie, I listen to podcasts on my computer–you can collect them in your My Yahoo page.
Patricia, I would be delighted to see a podcast start up. I’m self-employed so whether I subscribed to it (for money) depends on the price and how much money I have on hand. For that reason, I’ll tolerate quite a number of ads in exchange for content of the quality I anticipate you’ll provide.
I don’t know whether having a co-host would be distracting. There are radio shows (“Thinking of Faith,” for example) that are almost all in interview format, as you would have with a guest. If your guest is in the same room, it’s easier to have a dialogue over an e-mail question, but certainly not impossible if the guest is remote. Perhaps your guest could act as, if not co-host, a ready-to-hand second opinion on questions. And since questions will be e-mailed, you can select some questions based on the guest’s expertise.
On another topic, I tuned into a PBS show on emotions in animals and expected to find you being interviewed. In fact, I thought I saw a distance shot of you, Lassie, and Will, but if they talked to you, I missed it.
I send greetings from Devlin–my rat terrier and I met you at a book signing in Alexandria, VA, a few years ago. You gave him a cookie. 🙂
Don says
The Sushi pic is too funny.
Visual ads on the download page would certianly be tolerable, and wouldn’t break the flow of the podcast. Would love to listen to brief interchange b/t you and an everyman co-host in your new show. Do you have somebody chosen? I’m picturing Fred Willard from Best in Show…well maybe not.
Emily says
Our whole gang really, really misses Calling All Pets!
Would LOVE to see a podcast start up. I think for 1/2 hour that you’d be fine as a single host, Tricia. Personally would not have a problem paying a fee (or subscription fee), would prefer over ads, but either way is actually fine – we’d definitely download and listen! I agree visual ads on downloading page would be preferable to anything that would interrupt the podcast itself…
Shannah says
I am excited that there will be a podcast! I agree that a few ads are fine, and preferable to having to pay each time. I also liked it when you had a “foil”–someone to ask questions. No title ideas yet!
Love the pictures.
Karen says
Great idea! I vote for one host. We have a local trainer that has a 1/2 hour show on a local public radio station (with a co-host) and it drives me nuts with 2 people talking. They keep getting off track. I want to call up and tell them, “Enough of the idle chit chat, get back to the main topic. This is a 1/2 hour show!” I’m not saying this would happen on your show. You are a professional and I feel sure you would keep the show on course but there is so much information to share with listeners and 30 minutes goes pretty fast. Whatever you decide I will definately be listening!
Megan says
This is a fabulous idea! I’m an information junkie and just discovered the Calling All Pets archives a few weeks ago (our local station never ran it). I love being able to listen when I have the time vs. when it is on. As we get ready for a new puppy coming in April I’ve been listening to all the shows while spinning wool in the evenings. Great fun! I do like the co-host idea (but boy is that chemistry tricky!) so that it is more of a conversation and banter back and forth. It seems like that is something you, Patricia, are very good at and enjoy and the listeners can tell. Shoestring budget… maybe a graduate student? maybe one with an interest in the medical end of things? someone with a lot of energy and curious nature so that they are asking you the questions the callers can’t because of the nature of the podcast format. Guests are great to have also to give that outside perspective and to round out the theme of the show. Connecting it to a website / twitter / dialog with listeners would be interesting too–like expanded pet tips. A topic I would love to see is how to find a good trainer and vet: my area of SE PA is full of shams. Maybe something like the Car Talk folks have for finding a reputable mechanic! Finally, my favorite part of the Calling All Pets is the friendly positive aspect. We all need to hear more of that– it makes us feel so good! Especially if I eat chocolate while I listen…
Maureen Kochmann says
I love your show. I agree an everyman would be an asset. I think you would get comments from a different perspective as opposed to a professional co-host. Let me know when/where I can find you later.
I do have a problem that I hope you can help me with.
I love animals. We have 4 dogs, and 4 cats. I have a 2 four year old neutered Australian shepherds and 2 one year old spayed German shepherds. I now have a problem with Johnny, one of the Aussies. Johnny was the calm and playful alpha dog until the German shepherds arrived. He now growls and bares his teeth at not only the 3 other dogs, but also our cats, my husband and myself. It seems to be happening more and more often. He also can be calm and play with the other dogs. We try to give each animal equal attention, but he is relentless. He has to be our sides at all times when we’re home and if anyone else comes for attention, gets near his food or a toy he growls and bares his teeth. They have a huge yard to run and play in. I don’t think he will hurt them, but I still worry. We did have a dog trainer come, but of course he behaved the entire time, every time she came. We tried 10 sessions at $750 to no avail. With the economy the way is now we had to stop. Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks
Maureen
Mim Golub Scalin says
I listen to podcasts and would definitely follow one that you produce. Maybe like Coffee Break Spanish you can provide a free regular podcast and somehow a special premium one for subscribers that pay a fee. What would make one thing premium and not another, I don’t know. Or you can do a bi-annual fundraiser. I usually give to those and I’m sure others would. In any case, I LOVED Calling all pets, like so many other people. Good luck following through with this idea.
Teri says
Love the idea of a podcast. I might be okay with a small subscription fee and am also okay with limited advertising as long as it is relevant. I think with the half hour format you might not have a lot of time for a cohost. Maybe you could work out something so that the person with the question or topic does a short intro about their situation that you could then offer advice for?
Some name suggestions:
Dog tips and tales.
Simply Dogs.
or perhaps use the name of one of your books?
For the love of dogs.
Megan says
For some of the earlier commenters: You do not need an ipod to listen to podcasts! If you are commenting on this blog, you have access to a computer. You can use any (free) music software like itunes or windows media player, or whatever, to play it. Many podcasts you can listen to straight from the website they’re posted on, instead of using itunes to download them automatically.
Just wanted to clear up the confusion.
I am really excited about this podcast! I’m not sure you need a cohost for a 30 minute show with interviews. I listen to a lot of science podcasts, and while I like shows with interaction between multiple hosts (like Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe), those are usually longer than a half hour. The Scientific American podcast is a half hour, with interviews, but only one host, for example.
To be honest, I might not pay for the show regularly(I feel a bit guilty after the earlier commenters!), even though I’d be very sad to miss it. Most podcasts are free. I think advertising might be the way to go– but, some podcasts that are free offer upgraded content for a fee (extended interviews, higher quality download, etc.). I don’t know how well this works for them; I think everyone’s experimenting with this problem right now.
Best of luck!
Rob Cordes says
Dr McConnell
I just started reading “The Other End of the Leash” and decided to do a search to see if you had a podcast.
Sounds like a great idea to me.
BTW I’m a pediatrician and HATE it when kids get bit by dogs. I even have done grand rounds presentations on the topic. I have not seen an unprovoked bite yet – at least from the dogs point of view.
If I can be of any help let me know.
Rob
LynnSusan says
Great idea! I would listen whatever the format is, but I think having another human animal to bounce things off is always good–and more entertaining for you!
Title: The Pet Project
Linda says
Thank you to Megan who just posted. I was confused about earlier comments re podcosts and Ipods. I don’t have the latter (don’t want one) and don’t really know what a podcast is. But I thought it meant I could listen online any time I want, as I can with archived Morning Edition etc from NPR after the original air dates.
That said, I would vote for advertisers or sponsors. I have no idea how to pay for a podcast (I don’t download music either–have pity on us “older” non-techie listeners!) ….. This is the only blog I ever look at, so the challenge for me would be remembering to check for new “editions.” (Haven’t figured out that RSS thing yet either, tho I believe that’s what it does.) …. I also vote for a cohost, someone like Larry to react to. On the show, I liked both the call-in questions and the interviews (bought several books after hearing authors on the show). So I’d hope for a mix of those.
On title (broadening a suggestion from Teri): Simply Pets.
Really miss hearing you at start of my Saturday mornings here in DC, just before J.J. (a Lab) and I go for a long walk………..
Tom says
It would be great to hear you again. I’ve been a fan ever since you were a graduate student and a regular guest on Larry’s daily show (how long ago was that?). A cohost would work if the chemistry were right. I would be willing to pay, I always renewed my WPR pledge during Calling All Pets. Vinnie, my Springer, and I always listen on Saturday mornings after our walk. Good Luck with this and keep us informed.
Karen says
Have you heard of PetLifeRadio.com? I love to listen to these podcasts and they are free. I hope you can keep your podcast free. I am sure there are many people who would love to listen to your podcast but finances for many folks are pretty tight right now.
Mary says
I just wanted to add that, personally, I have no problem paying for a good podcast, done by someone who I have a great admiration for. People who know and love you, like me, will sign up without hesitation.
I recommended a small, supportive, good advertiser for the following reasons:
1. New people who aren’t super familiar with you have other *free* alternatives. And not all of those free alternatives are *good* alternatives. There are tons of free videos available online from trainers promoting shock collar training. It would be a shame for new people to miss out on your expertise and perspective because they may not choose to pay to listen. If they default to the free advice (not knowing any better), just think about their poor dogs!
2. Some podcast and feed aggregators make suggestions of similarly themed blogs/podcasts based on the user’s current subscriptions (like Google reader). I’m not sure if a pay-service would make the recommendation lists. This is a way that new people find out about podcasts of interest and if they say, Hey, this looks interesting, then navigate to the site, they may be turned off if they have to pay to find out what you are all about.
3. There are areas in the country where the radio show has never been aired. That leaves huge gaps in the population that have no idea what your show was about.
4. I think that if people have a chance to hear you, they will *heart* you! And, I’m thinking about the dogs. Getting good, kind training information out to the public is always a good thing.
A work around might be to charge a subscription fee, but have a podcast offered for free that anyone who is interested could listen to. That free listen might entice them in and result in a new listener who is willing to pay. You could rotate the free podcast so that patient people would have a chance to hear several shows and then become paid-subscribers.
The people here know and love you, Trish! The loyalty that they show in the willingness to pay is a great thing. But the audience of newbies to your show is a huge market that could benefit from hearing an alternative to some of the *popular* training shows that they currently have access too. I would hate to see the newbies miss out because when they found your podcast they would have to pay before having a chance to hear what you’re all about.
Libbye says
I’d love a podcast. I keep “For the Love of a Dog” on my ipod have listened to it again and again. It’s like having an interesting friend along on my weekly commute!
Ads on podcasts don’t bother me because I can fast forward though them.
Rose says
Dr. McConnell, I’m a big fan of all of your work and enjoyed listening to your radio show on the archives (I just recently found out about it and then it was canceled).
That being said, I’m not sure if the general public would be willing to pay for it when so many of them are free. Considering this and the economy, getting a sponsor or paid advertising might be the way to go at least in the beginning.
Mike Malveaux says
I love the idea of a webradio show / podcast. I think it would be better with an “everyman” co-host to read the emails to you, and to ask the stupid questions that people like me would ask. If he has a comedic streak, a little entertainment helps the education stick to the gray matter.
Paying for it… I think that, if you can get a sponsor or two to cover the costs, that might be the way to go. Once you have an established audience, maybe you could charge a modest subscription fee, or a small per-download fee. It would be nice to have previous shows archived, with a short description of what topics were covered, that we could download.
I have no idea what would be a reasonable fee for that kind of thing. As a point of reference, AlternativeRadio.org charges $5 for an hour-long MP3 download, which I have happily paid three or four times. I would be willing to pay … what, $3 or $4, I guess? … for a half-hour podcast that I thought would give training or behavior info of interest (based on the archive description). But it’s a little tricky, because 5 or 6 podcasts is then the price of a book, and books have more info than a half-hour of two people talking. For a monthly subscription, what would I pay? Not more than $10, I don’t think; and if there were a way to get it down to less than $2/show, perhaps with a 6-month subscription or a year-long subscription (maybe with a certain number of downloads from the archive included), then I’d be more likely to indulge.
lin says
It would be terrific to have you back on the air! You would do well solo, but you always seemed to have such fun with Larry Meiler. I would think that back and forth conversation would play better on the air, especially since you’ll be answering e-mails rather than talking to a caller.
I would subscribe to a podcast, but you’re probably one of a handful of people I would do that for.
Nicola Brown says
As an Australian, I would beg you not to charge a fee – so difficult to afford anything US given the exchange rates. It would be lovely to be able to download something from you – after 9 years I still find it hard to answer some questions from students at my local obedience club! The more informatipn available the better!
Jess says
I think Critter Commentary or Critter Comments would be great for a name. I’m sorry to hear that WPR cancelled Calling All Pets. My husband and I listen frequently. He asked me the other day why our dogs were playing the way they were, and I said “I’m not sure – call in to Calling All Pets”. Devistated when he said it’s cancelled.
I think we’d pay for content, but I also think about all the local pet businesses we frequent. Having our own business in the ‘pet’ world, we know that advertising ops are important. If you did inexpensive advertising – both click and listen, and embedded within the content, I think lots of those small animal businesses would participate! Heaven knows in this economy I would do anything to keep those guys afloat!
Cait says
I’m a bit late off the mark with this one, but I’d happily pay for it. (Especially since I’m dropping my NPR membership- not because of the cancellation of CAP but because they’ve given THREE interviews to PETAheads during the fight for city MSN laws, ugh.)
Mihaela says
Just adding a few thoughts…
I think the podcast is a great idea. That way, all of us fans out there/here, can get even more of you!
How about “The Pet Pod” or “Tricia’s Pet Pod” for a name?
I attended one of your seminars that lasted for several hours and it seemed too short! You are a very gifted speaker, have a great voice and a great sense of humor. I think that you wouldn’t have any trouble filling 30 minutes by yourself, especially if you have a guest for part of it, too. Speaking of which, how about some of the speakers that usually participate in the APDT meetings for guests (at least occasionally)?
I would definitely pay for the podcast, but then I probably spend at least $100-200 a month on books and DVD’s about dogs. So I suspect that you would find enough people to pay for it, but that might limit the audience. How about a “hybrid” model, where you offer a full program for your paying subscribers and free snippets (maybe from past programs) for the rest?
Ron says
“Ask Patrica – Advice from a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist” (too long?)
A co-host would probably be the best format. I enjoy pod-casts, and have been willing to do the PayPal donation though I understand the donation rate tend to be low. Supplemented with either Google ads or invite merchants you believe have a good product to post a link with click rates? I was given a long list of “higher” quality pet foods by the local shelter during my counseling. As many of these companies do not get high visibility I would seek out ads from them. One of them may decide sponsorship will be a good thing.
Kevin E says
If your podcast is anything like your blogs or books I would certainly be a subscriber. I feel as if a half an hour is not nearly enough time because it forces you to avoid going to far into one topic or question even if you have lots to add. If you can only do a half an hour show I wouldn’t have a co-host because again any playful banter or non-subject related conversation would have to be avoided. With that said, if you could extend it to an hour to hour and a half program it would open up so many more options. First of all it would allow you to advertise without your listeners feeling as if they heard more ads than radio show and prevents subscription costs(hopefully). Secondly you could hire on a co-host. Co-hosts, as you probably know, can be more fun for you and the listeners. The last advantage, just off the top of my head, you have the option of creating different segments like a call in segment(this could be just answering questions left on a voice mail) or a back on the farm segment. One of my favorite radio show is called “Love Line” with Dr. Drew Pinsky where listeners call in with all types of questions covering anything from sex to psychological issues, to physical issues. Dr. Drew co-hosts with radio personality Stryker and are joined by a guest host(usually an actor or musician). The reason for mentioning “Love Line” is that I wanted to point out how the chemistry between Dr. Drew and Stryker makes for excellent entertainment even when they are just talking about their personal lives. Also I want to point out that Stryker start “Love Line” as an enthusiastic and charismatic no one just looking to get into the business, so that type of personality would be great to co-host with you even if they have little to no experience with animals(because that’s why you are there).
I hope this helps if just the slightest bit and I just want to say I will be finishing your book, “The Other End Of The Leash” tonight and just ordered “For The Love of a Dog” yesterday. I am absolutely enthralled by your writing and quickly falling in love with your dogs past and present.
carl landow says
Dr. McConnell: Not being computer savy, I cannot find any other way to communicate with you so I will try this, not as reply to your blog, only a quick story about Honey our ten month old golden retriever. who this last week-end travelled with my wife and I by car from our home in Vienna to visit our son, a student at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. On our return trip, Honey, as always in her travel crate, (we removed one of the second row of chairs in our van) got bored with her toys and started to bark. To keep her entertained and up to date on the latest news from the central Virginia Countryside, I opened the rear passenger side window and she stopped barking. A few minutes later I saw some cows on my side of the road so I closed the rear passenger side window and opened the rear driver side window. Honey immediately gave us one loud bark. So I closed the driver side window I just opened and re-opened the passenger side window. She was quiet for the rest of the trip. Even my wife, not a dog person,looked at me and had to laugh.
Your writing has greatly benefitted my relationship with Honey.
Very sincerely, Carl Landow, Vienna, Virginia
LJ Lohr says
Dr. McConnell,
Leo Laporte (grand pooh-bah of the technology podcast world — I wouldn’t miss his podcasts for anything) found listener-supported business models don’t work for podcasting, and he accepts some advertising. They don’t get in the way of the podcasts at all.
Here’s link to a WIRED article about him; you can find much more with a quick Google. He ‘wrote the book’ and his words are worth your consideration. He has a huge following.
I’ve been a podcast devotee for years (as well as a fan of yours)and would love to add “The Other End of the Leash” to my download subscriptions on iTunes — that’s the place for you, don’t be daunted by lack of a radio sound booth — you can do it yourself. There’s tons of info out there and it has never been easier to get going — as someone pointed out already, it’s the web host/bandwidth that’s the tricky part, but you’ll be able to get that worked out with no problem. There’s a big, friendly community out there with plenty of help and advice.
BTW, I vote for a co-host; I like the back-and-forth.
Also BTW, I hope you consider using Mac equipment, I find it easier to use than the Windows operating system for what you want to do! (Mac haters, pls don’t flame me….LOL)
WIRED:
http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2006/10/71893