Idea: Ubuntu Podcast Repository

[3rdalbum]

Maybe this is a really out-there kind of idea, but I kinda like it!

Basically, have a simple repository set up, with a metapackage which depends on the latest episode. Users could add it to their sources.list, and then find out from their Update Manager applet whenever a new podcast has been released. When they do a sudo apt-get install ubuntu-podcast, it downloads the latest episode and puts it into their home directory.

Obviously, you'd have to find out how to create Debian packages and how to make your server repository-aware; but you could then eventually host .debs of some of the programs you talk about on your show. Verrry handy!

[meng]

I'm trying to figure out the advantage of your idea over a regular podcatcher. Can you explain how your setup would work better than currently available tools?

[JoshHendo]

The only advantage that I can think of is that it will be intergrated into the OS, and you won't forget to get it ;).

There are disadvantages of course. The person would have to be a admin to download it. How to make the show into a Deb package anyway? I could write a program that will play the most recent podcast, but that doesn't need to be updated via apt-get to get the most recent episode. Also, it isn't a program.

A neat idea, a wild idea, just too wild to manage and turn into existance IMHO.

- Josh

[3rdalbum]

Oh yeah, it's definately a wild idea, and it's very "out there".

I came up with the idea when I did a sudo apt-get update, and then thought "I wonder if the next Ubuntu Podcast is available yet"? I just think it would be kinda convenient, and a good gimmick.

And the upside is that the repository could have some of the software that you talk about. For instance, you could have a .deb of Jocosher in your repository, so listeners could immediately apt-get it.

But for sure, it's a crazy idea, and other Linux podcasts probably have good reasons why they don't do it :-)