RedCafe.net

Well it’s been a big week of updates on the site and as I mentioned in my last blog post, there were more updates on the way.  Today I’m happy to announce the latest – The RedCafe.net Podcast!

Yes a Podcast – the radio-esque, audio only, listen to on your iPod while on the way to work/cooking/cleaning/doing a bit of business/whatever, web thingy!

If you don’t want to keep reading about how this all came about, you can jump straight into the first episode here.  Details on how to subscribe via iTunes will be available soon.

So, while this addition to the site may seem to have come very much out of the blue, it is something I have long thought would be a great feature to have.  Indeed, several other Cafites began a Podcast discussion amongst themselves a few months back.  The logistical complexity and time required to create something from scratch ultimately meant that discussion never really led to anything concrete.

Then when I thought the idea was pretty much dead in the water, I was contacted by Steve, Dan and David who have been producing their excellent weekly Manchester United Podcast over on FootballFanCast.com. They were keen to move their Podcast forward and expressed an interest in a partnership with RedCafe.net that would bring the show to this site.  It was a very exciting opportunity which I jumped at and so here we are!

The plan is to continue releasing a show a week, where Steve, Dan and David will discuss and debate the latest issues on all things United.  Initially we’re focused on getting the Podcast established and working smoothly, but we’re hoping to develop it further and tie it closer to the community.  So if you have any thoughts or ideas, we’d love to hear them.

I hope you enjoy this new addition to the site, please leave your comments in the forum topic this blog post has created. I’m sure Steve/Dan/David will chime in to say hello.  A podcast is no easy thing to produce, particularly given the quality and regularity it is done with, so please give us your support with this new venture.  As with everything on this site, it’s ultimately for you, the fans, and you will determine whether it’s a success.

- Niall

P.S. One thing that is missing is a catchy jingle for the show – you know, something with a sexy voice over, lots of reverb and a good beat!   It would feature at the beginning and end of the show, as well as break up the different sections of the Podcast.  Not an easy thing to do well, so if anyone has the required expertise and is willing to help put something together, please let us know.

Welcome to the first blog post of the newly re-freshed, re-jazzed, re-invigorated, re-whatever’d RedCafe.net!

These updates have been in development for a few months now and today are finally ready to see the light of whatever it is the Internet emanates.

DESIGN UPDATES

The design refresh is the most immediately obvious change, one aimed at improving both the site usability and aesthetics. It isn’t a fundamental change but there are enough improvements to make it a significant update. The forum remains almost exactly as before.

The biggest change is the introduction of the Blog and Wiki.

BLOG

The Blog is something I have long wanted to add to the site. I see it as a platform for selected users to contribute in depth opinions on the latest goings on at United. By ‘selected users’ I mean hand picked regulars who have demonstrated an ability to express their opinions in a coherent and well written manner. Obviously this rules out most of you, so there will only be a small number of ‘bloggers’ for the time being (that first part was a joke btw (maybe) ).

Every blog entry will automatically create a new topic in the relevant forum (typically the Manchester United forum). Members can then discuss the blog just like a normal topic. The main benefit of posting through the blog is that the write-ups will receive more prominence on the site and essentially be ‘featured’ topics.

WIKI

The wiki is a project that has been a long time coming. Originally envisioned by WeasteDevil (IIRC), I am hoping it will become a comprehensive resource on all things Manchester, particularly United. What can go in the Wiki is wide open, as long as it stays on topic. It can be profiles of United players/staff past and present, season reviews, match reports, statistics, memories of great days from the past, information about Manchester the place, anecdotes, classic discussions from the forum etc. It will be whatever we, the community, make it.

There is already quite a bit of content in the Wiki to get things started, contributed by a number of posters (WeasteDevil, Bury Red, Plechazunga, jasonrh, Twisted_Woody, blythy, esmufc07 and others). A lot of what was in the old ‘Archives’ has been moved to the Wiki, with that section of the site now officially retired (the arcade has also bitten the dust!).

The Wiki is still in its infancy and a little rough around the edges in places but as it grows I’m hoping it will become a great feature of the site. Like the blog, I am looking for people who are interested in sharing their knowledge and memories of United and/or Manchester. So if you’re interested in contributing to the Wiki or improving what’s already there, please let me know.

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS

No doubt some of you will cry foul of these updates (some people love to complain about change – you know who you are!), but this is an important step forward for the site and there are other exciting new features in development…but more on that another time

Anyway, if you’re still reading, I hope you enjoy the new additions and improvements. I’ll be happy to hear your feedback and comments, so just follow the link below to sound off in the forum topic this post created.

Niall

PS – As with all updates, if you notice anything awry, that isn’t working as it should, please let me know by either sending me a private message or posting in the Admin/Mod help forum.