Comments on: A “cast” by any other name… http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/ For MacGeeks by MacGeeks Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:02:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Bebe http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16277 Bebe Wed, 04 Oct 2006 20:08:58 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16277 From a brandname point of view, having your brand become a generic term for a range of different products is really really bad. So when we talking about xeroxing, and band-aids, and hoovering, that is really the death of that brand as a marketable commodity. From what I can see, Apple is trying to prevent this genericisation from happening in order to protect their ipod brand. Problem is that it is probably to late. I like netcast, but like Adam, I don't think it will stick. From a brandname point of view, having your brand become a generic term for a range of different products is really really bad. So when we talking about xeroxing, and band-aids, and hoovering, that is really the death of that brand as a marketable commodity. From what I can see, Apple is trying to prevent this genericisation from happening in order to protect their ipod brand. Problem is that it is probably to late.

I like netcast, but like Adam, I don’t think it will stick.

]]> By: Conrado Gonzalez http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16266 Conrado Gonzalez Wed, 04 Oct 2006 13:54:27 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16266 I am sorry but netcast is just terrible. It feels terrible to say, even though I agree that it is more accurate than podcast. Apple would be terribly stupid to try to prevent people to use it. Everytime you say podcast it is free advertisement for ipods and apple products. I am sorry apple but the word 'podcast" belongs to us not you. Deal with it. I am sorry but netcast is just terrible. It feels terrible to say, even though I agree that it is more accurate than podcast. Apple would be terribly stupid to try to prevent people to use it. Everytime you say podcast it is free advertisement for ipods and apple products. I am sorry apple but the word ‘podcast” belongs to us not you. Deal with it.

]]> By: Alex Santos http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16263 Alex Santos Wed, 04 Oct 2006 12:58:00 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16263 Tracy I agree, this is why I too think NetCast is a good start, maybe it'll stick but then again people are getting use to PodCasts as Olly pointed out. Tracy I agree, this is why I too think NetCast is a good start, maybe it’ll stick but then again people are getting use to PodCasts as Olly pointed out.

]]> By: Alex Santos http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16262 Alex Santos Wed, 04 Oct 2006 12:54:58 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16262 In Poland they still call it a Xerox In Poland they still call it a Xerox

]]> By: Alex Santos http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16261 Alex Santos Wed, 04 Oct 2006 12:54:09 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16261 Well said Olly Well said Olly

]]> By: Alex Santos http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16260 Alex Santos Wed, 04 Oct 2006 12:49:42 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16260 Thanks for the post Adam, well written and to the point. Apple clearly doesn't want the term 'podcast ready' to be trademarked…too bad - in hindsight they should have tried first. It's a great term to describe hardware that can have podcasts downloaded to it. Kind of shabby on Apple's part to challenge this as the effort appears to only erode Apple's dominance in the name game. Apple has it all on a silver platter right now. I'm all for Apple being a true contender because I love the iPod and I think it's a very well thought out device, on the other hand, the market is always better off when there is competition. I'm sure most would agree with the latter opinion. I too am not fond of netcast as a term, perhaps because I'm not use to it. I must admit though, after awhile it grows on you. It's not so bad as it eludes to both video and audio RSS casts. But that's me, the average person may wonder what a netcast is as much as they wonder what a podcast is. In essence, reflecting a name change does a couple of things. It adds further confusion to the consumer and in the short term ultimately slows down the popularity of podcasting. The computer industry has a knack of dividing itself, it tries to out market the other and monikers and names are but one of the arsenals at hand - technology A versus B, C versus yet another and so on. Podcasting, podcasts, podcasters were terms geeks understood and embraced and I do believe the general public may have heard of but wrongfully associated exclusively to the ipod - Apple must have loved that. The decoupling of podcast from all things Apple, especially iPod, is a good one because the effort strives to welcome any and all technologies into the arena. I think the search for a good well understood name will come, maybe netcast will be it - it's still too early to tell but I hope that whatever it is, it will be a term EVERYONE uses and understands. Thanks for the post Adam, well written and to the point.

Apple clearly doesn’t want the term ‘podcast ready’ to be trademarked…too bad - in hindsight they should have tried first. It’s a great term to describe hardware that can have podcasts downloaded to it. Kind of shabby on Apple’s part to challenge this as the effort appears to only erode Apple’s dominance in the name game. Apple has it all on a silver platter right now. I’m all for Apple being a true contender because I love the iPod and I think it’s a very well thought out device, on the other hand, the market is always better off when there is competition. I’m sure most would agree with the latter opinion.

I too am not fond of netcast as a term, perhaps because I’m not use to it. I must admit though, after awhile it grows on you. It’s not so bad as it eludes to both video and audio RSS casts. But that’s me, the average person may wonder what a netcast is as much as they wonder what a podcast is.

In essence, reflecting a name change does a couple of things. It adds further confusion to the consumer and in the short term ultimately slows down the popularity of podcasting.

The computer industry has a knack of dividing itself, it tries to out market the other and monikers and names are but one of the arsenals at hand - technology A versus B, C versus yet another and so on.

Podcasting, podcasts, podcasters were terms geeks understood and embraced and I do believe the general public may have heard of but wrongfully associated exclusively to the ipod - Apple must have loved that.

The decoupling of podcast from all things Apple, especially iPod, is a good one because the effort strives to welcome any and all technologies into the arena. I think the search for a good well understood name will come, maybe netcast will be it - it’s still too early to tell but I hope that whatever it is, it will be a term EVERYONE uses and understands.

]]> By: Marc http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16255 Marc Wed, 04 Oct 2006 04:25:22 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16255 Remember when Apple had a product codenamed "Sagan?" Carl Sagan got bent out of shape, so they changed the codename to "Butthead Astronomer." Talk about "Butthead Computer Company"... Remember when Apple had a product codenamed “Sagan?” Carl Sagan got bent out of shape, so they changed the codename to “Butthead Astronomer.”

Talk about “Butthead Computer Company”…

]]> By: Alex Lehrhoff http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16253 Alex Lehrhoff Wed, 04 Oct 2006 04:14:17 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16253 "Netcast" is definitely more literal and would be easier for people to unerstand, but "Podcast" is way cooler. And if you don’t want to say "pod", (referring to the iPod) you can remember "Portable On Demand Broadcast" “Netcast” is definitely more literal and would be easier for people to unerstand, but “Podcast” is way cooler. And if you don’t want to say “pod”, (referring to the iPod) you can remember “Portable On Demand Broadcast”

]]> By: Tracy http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16251 Tracy Wed, 04 Oct 2006 03:26:05 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16251 It seems like I'm in the minority in saying I rather like the term "netcast". You can't get a podcast without being on the net. Thus, it suggests all you really need to get a netcast is... the net! Then you can listen to it however you want. It's content that is broadCAST on the InterNET... I don't know, seems to make more sense to me than "podcast" anyway. I also think, therefore, that it'd be easier for non-techies to remember what the heck it is. Anyway... I'm with Leo on this one. It seems like I’m in the minority in saying I rather like the term “netcast”. You can’t get a podcast without being on the net. Thus, it suggests all you really need to get a netcast is… the net! Then you can listen to it however you want. It’s content that is broadCAST on the InterNET… I don’t know, seems to make more sense to me than “podcast” anyway. I also think, therefore, that it’d be easier for non-techies to remember what the heck it is.

Anyway… I’m with Leo on this one.

]]> By: Conrado Gonzalez http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16250 Conrado Gonzalez Wed, 04 Oct 2006 02:28:05 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16250 As much as I love Apple, less continue messing with them. Let's now call podcasts something like...like...icasts. Freakin Apple is now acting like Microsoft. Please don't Apple. Don't lose it. As much as I love Apple, less continue messing with them. Let’s now call podcasts something like…like…icasts.

Freakin Apple is now acting like Microsoft.

Please don’t Apple. Don’t lose it.

]]> By: Conrado OGnzalez http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16249 Conrado OGnzalez Wed, 04 Oct 2006 02:24:37 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16249 it’s quest to protect it’s ... A bit picky, Adam, but those "it's" should be "its". Thanks it’s quest to protect it’s …

A bit picky, Adam, but those “it’s” should be “its”.

Thanks

]]> By: Rozza http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16242 Rozza Wed, 04 Oct 2006 00:36:57 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16242 while your at it, dont go riding on any escolators (i know i cant spell) . Trade mark. I dont like the idea of net casts. If you want to protest, DONT let apple push you over, keep on using PODcast. Its been in use for ages and, well what will they do next!?! try to take a planet away from us? while your at it, dont go riding on any escolators (i know i cant spell) . Trade mark. I dont like the idea of net casts. If you want to protest, DONT let apple push you over, keep on using PODcast. Its been in use for ages and, well what will they do next!?! try to take a planet away from us?

]]> By: Jim Gleeson http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16241 Jim Gleeson Wed, 04 Oct 2006 00:20:39 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16241 I am getting out some Kleenexâ„¢ after Xeroxâ„¢(ing) this a couple of times to give to some of my friends without PC's. After that I will go off on Yahooâ„¢ and see if I can Googleâ„¢ some other entries similar to this one and maybe have a Coke. I imagine to someone from a foreign country any of those terms could be confusing. Xerox means copy? Google means search? Pocast means downloadable content from the web that can be played on any music player including my computer? I respect Leo Laporte as well, but I think he got a little oversensitive on this issue. Apple created a type of podcasting software for mac users. Does anyone really think that Apple will sue a podcast creator after creating a podcast using Garageband and using iWeb to up the RSS feed if they include podcast in their name? I am getting out some Kleenexâ„¢ after Xeroxâ„¢(ing) this a couple of times to give to some of my friends without PC’s. After that I will go off on Yahooâ„¢ and see if I can Googleâ„¢ some other entries similar to this one and maybe have a Coke.

I imagine to someone from a foreign country any of those terms could be confusing. Xerox means copy? Google means search? Pocast means downloadable content from the web that can be played on any music player including my computer?

I respect Leo Laporte as well, but I think he got a little oversensitive on this issue. Apple created a type of podcasting software for mac users. Does anyone really think that Apple will sue a podcast creator after creating a podcast using Garageband and using iWeb to up the RSS feed if they include podcast in their name?

]]> By: Olly http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16239 Olly Tue, 03 Oct 2006 22:39:07 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/10/03/a-cast-by-any-other-name/#comment-16239 I think Apple could end up shooting themselves in the foot if they go after the term 'podcast' too much. No doubt they've driven the sales of iPods (I bought an iPod as a long-term iRiver user after using podcasts through iTunes for so long) and the fact that they have the word 'pod' in there kind of makes them synonymous with the iPod and the competition reticent to overtly include podcast support. See Microsoft and their insistence on calling them 'blogcasts' and the current lack of any podcast support in WMP or the Zune. On the other hand, as Laporte says, the association with the iPod is bad for podcasters because people don't realise that you can listen to them on a no-name MP3 player, cell phone, computer, PSP, or anything else that can play MP3s. Do they throw away all the good work done with the podcast name in the last couple of years and start again with a new name? Are the average people who've heard of podcasts going to get their head around a wholesale name change? I think Apple could end up shooting themselves in the foot if they go after the term ‘podcast’ too much. No doubt they’ve driven the sales of iPods (I bought an iPod as a long-term iRiver user after using podcasts through iTunes for so long) and the fact that they have the word ‘pod’ in there kind of makes them synonymous with the iPod and the competition reticent to overtly include podcast support. See Microsoft and their insistence on calling them ‘blogcasts’ and the current lack of any podcast support in WMP or the Zune.

On the other hand, as Laporte says, the association with the iPod is bad for podcasters because people don’t realise that you can listen to them on a no-name MP3 player, cell phone, computer, PSP, or anything else that can play MP3s. Do they throw away all the good work done with the podcast name in the last couple of years and start again with a new name? Are the average people who’ve heard of podcasts going to get their head around a wholesale name change?

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