This year has been another great one for the Web Hosting Show podcast and web site. Popularity keeps growing, more people are tuning in and we had tons of great topics to discuss all throughout 2008. Here are my favorite podcasts from the year gone byhttp://www.webhostingshow.com.
Web Hosting to Go – Episode 169 – October 20th
What would I like to have today? Lets see. I will have a large data center mashup map, a side of hosting tools (just remember to hold the tomatoes), a HP performance-optimized datacenter and a definition on what domaining is all about? For here or to go? I think I am about ready to go – because the Web hosting Show is now on the air.
The Magnificent Fantastico – Episode 168 – October 6th
From the first time I ever heard about Fantastico, I always thought about the traditional magician pulling rabbits from his hat. Who would have a clue that a few years later on down the road I would have a chance to speak with one of the magicians behind the magic at Netenberg to find out more about this favorite cPanel addition.
Bobcares About Support – Episode 166 – September 22nd
Any web host will tell you the hardest part about the web hosting business is finding a team of support people that care about your clients as much as you do. You want to make sure they are in good hands. One company that promotes themselves as those good hands to trust is Bobcares.
They specialize in support for small, medium and large hosting companies.
Tis’ the season to be jolly sure, but what about to learn about web hosting? Every season is the perfect one to do just that – so strap on your white beard and get ready to go caroling through the wild and wacky web hosting industry with me because the Web Hosting Show is now on the air.
Rapidshare might be the most popular free web hosting alternative right now, however they might not be the best. Here are some equally as great alternatives.
What is the best FTP client out there today? One word…
James Bond’s rival Goldfinger was obsessed with gold. I am a man obsessed with web hosting. So does that make me Hostfinger? I am sure of two things. Yes, there will be a web host by that name soon if there isn’t already and I think I’ll stick with the web hosting industry’s media rock star as my self-proclaimed title for now.
I often hear complaints from people that FTP programs are too hard to use. There are too many options, too many buttons and too many configurations you have to learn about. For those people out there looking for a simpler FTP program I offer to you 
Roll Your Own Video Tutorials for Free!
Are you a web host who is low on cash, but wants to produce a line of their own video tutorials? This is a pretty easy thing to do (totally for free) as long as you have some free time and imagination.
Capture your Desktop with CamStudio
You can pick up an awesome desktop capturing program at CamStuido.org to capture the video from your computer’s screen. After installing, all you need to do is highlight the area you wish to record – and then hit the record button.
Record Your Audio Track with Audacity
Audacity is the free audio editor I have used to produce my podcast since day one. It is free and really easy to use. You could use it to record any audio commentary you wanted, so that way you add a little more helpfulness to the tutorial you are making.
Edit your Video Tutorial Together
To edit your video, there are several programs out there you could use. Personally, I just used the free Windows Movie Maker than came with my computer. Then again, I am all about keeping things as ghetto as possible. If not Windows Movie Maker, I am willing to bet you have some free program that came on your computer that would do the deed. An online video editing alternative would be Jumpcut.com. Another free desktop solution would be VideoSpin from VideoSpin.com.
Check out Wikipedia’s List of Commercial and Free Video Editing Software
Final Tweaks, Edits and Uploading the Final Product
Before you upload, you might also want to make sure you have your URL, brand or logo somewhere on the video. It never hurts to do a little advertising – so people know where they can get more of your fine work. After that has been done, you can upload your video to YouTube or a number of other video sharing sites. Grab the embed code, and you have your own video tutorial ready to go. To get you inspired, here is one I created on doing trace routes:
If you are a web host on a budget, there is no reason to spend more than you need to. If you have the free time and creativity, then rolling your own video tutorials can also be a great way to gain exposure and do a little self advertising too.