THE SHARED DESK [PODCAST] – REVIEW (76%)

The Shared Desk is a writing based chat show and is released by Philippa Ballantine and Tee Morris.

“From the writing desk of award-nominated and award-winning authors and podcasters Philippa Ballantine and Tee Morris comes The Shared Desk, a writer’s show that explores collaboration, science fiction, fantasy, and just about anything that catches their fleeting attention spans.”

Both Philippa Ballantine and Tee Morris are well known podcasters and writers who are now married and working together on several book projects.

This does not mean that they both agree of everything, in fact at times the disagreements can be fairly heated. They both have there own ideas on subjects.

The podcast is still in its early days and still trying to find its feet, it has a irregular release schedule and it is still unclear if it will still be around in a years time.

The presentation is very good, as they are both at the same table you do not have the Skype issues that effect other similar podcasts.

On the upside:

• Good presentation.
• Excellent writing advice.

On the downside:

• Sometimes strays off topic.
• Still in its early days, so the format is not fully formed.

Overall, this is an entertaining show, both Pip and Tee have a lot to offer in the way of writing advice, especially as Pip has really made the leap from an unknown New Zealand writer to a full time novelist living in America. The presenters make the podcast fun and full of useful advice. If you like Pip or Tee it is well worth a listen. 

Rating: 76%

Average Running Time: 50 minutes

Price (at time of review): Free

Link: The Shared Desk » Podcast Feed

 

BUILD AND ANALYSE [PODCAST] – REVIEW (79%)

Build and Analyse is an apple and mobile web based chat show and is released by 5by5.

“A weekly news and discussion show about the world of iPhone, iPad, iOS, and mobile web development. Hosted by Dan Benjamin & Marco Arment.”

Marco Arment is better known for being the developer behind Instapaper.

The podcast is now passed fifty episode and has covered a wide variety of topics. Marco talks about the issues he has faced being an iOS developer and on our mobile platforms.

As with all the 5by5 shows the sound and presentation is very good.

On the upside:

• A great insight into iOS development.
• Good presentation.

On the downside:

• Sometimes strays off topic a bit, but normal sticks to Apple and tablet issues.
• Gets a little technical at times, but not very often.

Overall, this is an entertaining show, it is very technology based as you would expect. As I have worked in the same areas as Marco it may be that I get more out of the podcast than someone less technical, however, Dan tries to make sure that anything to technical is explained a little. A very good listen if you are interested in iOS and mobile development.

Rating: 79%

Average Running Time: 80 minutes

Price (at time of review): Free

Link: Build and Analyze

 

THE BALLAD OF IRON PERCY [PODCAST] – REVIEW (70%)

The Ballad of Iron Percy is a fantasy tale released by Podiobooks.com.

“Pandemona stands accused of being a Pak Shar – a dangerous and seductive demon previously seen only in Veil mythology. With her scarlet skin, lithe tail, and dainty set of horns, she certainly looks the part. Her way with words and alluring demeanor only serve to underscore this perception. Under Halan law, the punishment for being a demon is death by fire at the stake, but Pandemona is entitled to a fair trial by Lord Wilmore and the colony’s Curate before she can be convicted and executed.”

This podcast is written by Edward Clark and read by Veronica Giguere.

The story tells the tale of Lord Percival Wilmore and his son, as he tries to decided the verdict on Pandemona a creature that looks like a demon, but seems to be fairly innocent. The book covers the interviews with Pandemona and the events that take place around those interviews.

Although this is set in a fantasy world with its own religions etc, it does touch on the the religious side a fair bit, what would a religious group do if a real-life demon was found today?

The books has been completely released, so you can listen without having to wait for a new chapter to be released.

The recording quality of the podcast is lets this one down, there is an issue with the records which means that the voice track is too quiet to listen to on an iPhone, but is OK through the Mac speakers. and the story is nicely read by the Veronica Giguere, with only a few mistakes left in.

On the upside:

• Interesting story line.
• Solid piece of Fantasy writing

On the downside:

• A little dark and sexy at times.
• The end was a little disappointing.
• Poor quality recording caused issues when listening on the iPhone.

Overall, this is well written piece of Fantasy that made for an interesting listen. The sound recording let this one down for me, as I could not listen on the move. The story kept me interested, but left things a bit unfinished at the end. It is well worth a listen and will keep your interest. 

Rating: 70%

Average Running Time: 20-50 minutes per episode

Price (at time of review): Free

Link: The Ballad of Iron Percy – A free audiobook by Edward Clark

 

RETRONAUTS [PODCAST] – REVIEW (77%)

Retronauts is a retro gaming talk show and is released by 1UP.com.

“1UP’s retro blog — editors discuss classic games and classic systems, and how they relate to the current gaming scene. Reader participation via Skype is encouraged!.”

This podcast has been for a while with 75 episodes available on iTunes and it is released weekly.

The show has the presentors and guests chatthing about Retro games, normally this is aimed towards a topic (like horror games) or a new remake of a retro game coming to Xbox Live or iOS. The podcast is American so some of the games spoken about never made it to the UK. They are also unlikely to cover UK only games, like the ZX Spectrum unless the guest is the Brit.

The presentation generally good with the occasional sound issues.

On the upside:

• An entertaining show.
• Good presentation.

On the downside:

• Topics are going to be very random, but always Retro.
• The Skype call-in guests can be “hard to listen to”

Overall, this is an entertaining show especially if you like to hear people reminiscing about games of yesteryear. Depending on your age you may remember some titles fondly or never heard of them. As I started gaming in 1982, I remember many of the games that are chatted about, younger listeners may find it less interesting.

Rating: 77%

Average Running Time: 90 – 120 minutes

Price (at time of review): Free

Link: 1UP.com – Retronauts

 

STORM OVER WARLOCK [PODCAST] – REVIEW (75%)

Storm over Warlock is a tale of man’s survival on an alien planet released by Podiobooks.com.

“The Throg task force struck the Terran survey camp a few minutes after dawn, without warning, and with a deadly precision which argued that the aliens had fully reconnoitered and prepared that attack. Eye-searing lances of energy lashed back and forth across the base with methodical accuracy. And a single cowering witness, flattened on a ledge in the heights above, knew that when the last of those yellow-red bolts fell, nothing human would be left alive down there.”

This podcast is written by Andre Norton and read by Mark Douglas Nelson.

The story tells the tale of the planet Warlock that is attacked by an alien force and the few human survivors who try to adapt and survive on this very harsh planet.

The books has been completely released, so you can listen without having to wait for a new chapter to be released.

The recording quality of the podcast is very good and the story is nicely read by the author.

On the upside:

• Good presentation.
• Solid piece of Sci-Fi.

On the downside:

• A little dark at times.

Overall, this is well written piece of Sci-Fi that has mostly stood the test of time. It is well read by Mr Nelson, but lacks the life that some others readers give to a reading. Worth downloading 

Rating: 75%

Average Running Time: 40-50 minutes per episode

Price (at time of review): Free

Link: Storm Over Warlock – A free audiobook by Andre Norton