X-Oriente

Would you like X-Oriente on your site?

X-Oriente now has a player widget that can play episodes of the show right from your site. It is a small piece of code that you place on your site and the player does the rest. There is nothing to upload, nothing is stored on your servers or computer. As new episodes are published they will automatically appear in the player. To see the player in action, look at the left sidebar of this site.

Now you can offer X-Oriente to your brothers and increase traffic to your lodge website. It's totally free and if you put the player on your site, I'll provide a reciprocal link to your site here on X-Oriente.

If you are interested, drop me a line.      

File Duplication

Well, it all seemed to be going too smoothly. You will notice in your itunes feeds that your downloads have doubled. I think this was caused by the feed change. iTunes wasn't quite smart enough to check for downloaded shows after the feed switched over and all the old shows re-downloaded. If it is bothering you to bits, you can do something about it.

Feed is moved

Please keep an eye open for problems. I'm aware that the flash players are probably not going to be working. I am going in and trying to fix it now.

UPDATE: The flash players have been fixed and should be working. If they are not, please let me know. Thanks!

Important Announcement: A Big Move

One of the things that is interesting about X-Oriente is that you guys access the show in so many different ways. Which is great that you are getting the content, but measuring the audience is a pain. As I've written before, measurement is everything in the Podcast game because it allows me to find sponsors, but it also helps me understand which shows and topics are more popular.

When I started the show, I made everything from scratch. Since that time, there are a lot of tools that have evolved for the podcaster. One of them is Libsyn. Libsyn, or Liberated Syndication is an inexpensive hosting service that is specially geared towards podcasters. It will allow me to consolidate the podcasting infrastructure I've set up, which works very well but is labor-intensive to maintain.

So this weekend, I will be setting up the new infrastructure, and when it is ready I will switch it over. Hopefully you guys won't notice anything different. But the show might be unavailable for a little while here and there while I work out the kinks. If you notice the show is down, please leave a comment here,  and I'll note the time and try to fix the problem. If you notice missing shows,  note in your comment which episode is missing and whether you are getting the show from iTunes, another service or here at the site. I'll get notified of the comment by email, but it will help me keep track of the problems and you'll notice if it has already been reported so we don't duplicate reports.

Thanks your your help. This will help when we start expanding the show to include enhanced podcasts and video.

Fiat Vox!

New archive player

Ok, for you folks that like to listen to the show from the site, I've installed a widget to replace the buggy TypePad feed listing that showed the episode names but munged the links. So enjoy! And let me know if you like it!

The show is growing and it needs your help

This is an exciting time for X-Oriente. We're growing the show. And we need your involvement too. X-Oriente is a podcast, a show, but it is also a community of Masons who care about the craft and are looking to challenge themselves in Masonry every day. So how can you help?

First, keep writing. Let me know what you like, what you don't and what you want to see (I promise more topics about mysticism). 

If you are a regular Facebook user please join the X-Oriente Facebook group. There are some exciting developments as we go into phase 2 of the show, and you'll want to hear about them first.

If you are listening to this on the website, please subscribe to the feed. It helps me measure who is listening more accurately and that can translate into sponsorship dollars. Sponsorship dollars mean more interesting programming. It's that simple. I strive to bring you the best in Masonic programming. It is a tremendous amount of work. We don't read papers on the air, all the content is fresh, original and made from scratch. Your support of both the show and our sponsors means that it will improve and only get better.

Consider donating to the show. We'll be experimenting with HD video, and enhanced podcasts (think "powerpoint file embedded in the MP3") and that will no doubt require some more technology. I'll be setting up a paypal donation button pretty soon. Your donation will help keep the show on the road, quite literally. I'm not into the pushy pledge drives, but I am not above that kind of behavior if it means better programing for you. I know we're in a crap economy but even a small amount helps pay for Masonic travel, equipment, software upgrades, infrastructure.

If you'd like me to come speak at your lodge or organization, I'm thrilled to do it. Just give me a month's notice  to prepare a show, pay my travel expenses and allow me to record the proceedings. I've given several recently and they've been well received, and I love to meet my brothers.

Again, thanks for your support of X-Oriente. You guys are the best. 

Washington, D.C.

Over the last couple of days I have received several Facebook messages asking me if I will be in Washington DC for Masonic Week. The answer is, YES! I'll be there starting Wednesday and I'll be jetting out Sunday morning with wheels up around noon (assuming we do not get snowed in).

If you are an X-Oriente listener, and you'll be in DC (or Alexandria...whatever) then please if you see me, introduce yourself. I'll try to wear my X-Oriente light up name badge (If I can get it to work). I'll also be posting my movements via my trusty iPhone and Facebook (possibly Twitter too, but Facebook is much more reliable), So if you haven't already, please look me up on Facebook, or join the X-Oriente Facebook group. I want to meet you and hear what you have to say about the Craft, about the podcast and about what interests you in the Craft.

See you in Washington!

Welcome Binah Blue!

This is little Binah. We got a new puppy this weekend. She is a Border Collie, blue in color, and she is a credit to her breed. (8 weeks and wicked smart, and very sweet.) She's named after the 2nd (or 3rd, depending on which direction you count) S'firah on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. Binah means "Understanding" and that is the trait that seems to characterize Border Collies. Binah is my third BC. The first, Kayla has gone on to her eternal reward, and our second Gif (named after the web graphic format) is doing fine and just a little freaked out by this little blue whirlwind. Welcome, Binah!

Shriners' Hospital Needs your help

The Shriners childrens hospital in Chicago needs your help to win an online contest. If they win, they'll get two new game systems (with tvs) for the kids to use when they're stuck in a hospital bed. Between now and monday (march 31st), please go to this Colgate website:

Click on Illinois, and please vote for the shriner's hospital. You can vote once each day, and you do not need to give any personal information to vote.

As you control the digital printing presses, please help get the word out to brothers that their votes are needed asap -- the contest is very close. As we say in Chicago, "vote early, vote often!"
Thank you!

Welcome, Stone Guild Publishing!

I am pleased to announce that X-Oriente has its first real sponsor! Stone Guild Publishing is a new Masonic publisher in Plano, Texas They've come out with a new book, Morals and Dogma for the 21st Century: A Modern Interpretation of Albert Pike's Greatest Work. This is Pike's Morals & Dogma, "translated" for a modern audience. It is meant not to replace the original, but to be studied alongside the original. A collaboration by Brian Chaput, William Goodell, Kevin Main, and JJ Miller, Morals and Dogma for the 21st Century is a terrific companion for anyone who wants to an easier entry into all things Pike. You can get your copy at www.stoneguildpublishing.com.

I'm thrilled to have them as X-Oriente's sponsor, and they will be sponsoring the next episode. Which is in post now, and as soon as I finish this contract gig I am working on which has taken almost all my time, I'll finish it up and post it. We're in a bit of a hiatus at the moment but that will change very soon. Fiat Vox!