Podcasting by the Numbers

Playing with numbers causes me to geek out.  The ability to look at stats, compare them with other stats, and then visually see how the numbers become charts fascinates me.  On top of that I love Top Whatever lists.  Fortune magazine does them, David Letterman does it, and I like to do them too.

For all of you who are curious about the Top Downloaded Episodes of the podcast you don’t need to wait any longer.  Each month I compile this information for sponsors and I’m happy to share some of it with you.  Below you will find the Top 5 Episodes for some months from May until October.  THEN you will see the Top 5 Episodes of ALL TIME!  Did your favorite make the list?  It is calculated by the number of times an episode was downloaded, presumably this is an approximation of the number of listeners.

October 2011

July 2011
May & June 2011
  1. Episode 57 Neil Shuck and Force on Force 119 downloads
  2. Episode 56 Huzzah Con After Action Report 90 downloads
  3. Episode 58 Henry Hyde and Battlegames Magazine 89 downloads
  4. Episode 59 Wargaming Magazine Extravaganza 74 downloads
  5. Episode 55 Deceased Estates 101 24 downloads
Top 5 Episodes of ALL TIME
  1. Episode 51 Black Powder Explosion 208 downloads
  2. Episode 50 WWPD News From the Front and Steven MacLauchlan 166 downloads
  3. Episode 57 Neil Shuck and Force on Force 158 downloads
  4. Episode 58 Henry Hyde and Battlegames Magazine 143 downloads
  5. Episode 47 12-7-Games With Bill Dettmers 143 downloads (Tied for 4th place)
  6. Episode 61 Bailey Records Music to Game By 136 downloads
None of the episodes is older than April 2011 (Black Powder Explosion) with most of the very popular ones being from June 2011.  One thing is clear.  You love when I have guests on the show.  At least 2/3 of the Top 5 Episodes of ALL TIME (really top 6) feature a special guest.  I can’t wait for the response when the Battleground Games & Hobbies episode is released!

Wargaming Recon Episode 64: Historical Modelling

Wargaming Recon #64: Historical Modelling Download (974)

Host Jonathan J. Reinhart releases the inaugural Wargaming Recon episode.

Dispatches from HQ (or should I say Despatches from HQ) kicks off the show.  Henry Hyde’s forthcoming book The Wargaming Compendium (searching Barnes & Nobles website will know show the book, please use the link I provide) is discussed.  Pre-order troubles with both Amazon and Barnes & Noble are highlighted.

Basing materials, spackle and wood filler, are reviewed and discussed.  Examples of their use with Flames of War infantry bases are given.  The Art of War book by Battlefront is cited as a good reference source.  Modelling discussions continue with a review of Army Painter Quick Shade.  Jonathan used a Perry Miniatures American War of Independence mounted infantry officer as a test for this product.  Please see Army Painter Quick Shade and Army Painter Quick Shade 2 – Infantry for pictures and a detailed review.

The Total Con Contest is announced.  Winners can receive FREE passes to TotalCon 26.  One winner will get 1 FREE weekend pass.  Three lucky winners will each get 1 FREE day pass.

The Mail Bag opened to reveal e-mails from Harry Peless who listens to the show while raking leaves.  Finally, Black Powder is again mentioned.  Jonathan, Cort N., and Adrian B. will be running Daybreak at Hangman’s Creek, a 15mm ACW scenario, at Total Con.  More play-testing will be held on November 5th at 2pm, at Battleground Games & Hobbies in Abington.  Please see our Facebook event for further information.

As always we conclude with a message from our sponsor, 12-7-Games.com, contest sponsor Battlegames Magazine, our Creative Commons license and contact information (find us on Facebook and Twitter).

We hope you enjoy this episode of Wargaming Recon and are eager for your feedback (both positive remarks and constructive criticism). Send it all to cwfgamecast at wargamingforums dot com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, or Xbox Live with gamertag cwfgamecast.

Our intro song is “Downtown” by Matthew Ebel. Please give his other music a listen at www.matthewebel.com.

Wargaming Recon Ending Credits

Wargaming Recon Closing Credits Download (789)

Hi gang.  This is a test of the changes to the RSS feed that puts the podcast into iTunes.  In this post you can preview the new ending credits for the show.  Hopefully this shows up in iTunes and updates iTunes with the new name etc.

Episode 64 will come out very soon.  As a teaser I can tell you it focuses on the hobby side of gaming and it also announces our latest giveaway/contest.  Be sure to listen to Episode 64, when it releases, for your chance to win FREE tickets to TotalCon 26 (courtesy of TotalCon)!

Daybreak at Hangman’s Creek for TotalCon 2012

After a long march initial Union forces have made camp south of Culpeper. Major General Wackenham and his brigade commanders rest in the town near Hangman’s Creek. It isn’t known for much but the town has a gun foundry making weaponry for the war.

The bulk of the division is still arriving. A defensive picket keeps watch but only a single brigade has fully arrived. Little do the Yankees know that a fresh Confederate division is advancing on their position. If the Rebels succeed they will gain vital supplies for their fight for freedom from northern industrialists. But, if the Union wins this fight they will open Richmond’s back door.

This sets the table for the Daybreak at Hangman’s Creek Black Powder scenario that Adrian B., Cort N., and I are planning to run at TotalCon 2012.  This is based on the scenario, by the same name, from the Black Powder (Guidelines for Gentlemanly Wargaming, as I call it) book written by Rick Priestley and Jervis Johnson.  The three of us are not a gaming club in any official sense of the word.  We are instead guys that love history and gaming with each other.

The Black Powder book is a great way to casually wargame favorite battles, real or imagined, in any setting.  Fans have created adaptations that halve or quarter distances allowing gamers to play on any size table using any size army.  We began play testing our scenario at The Whiz, Rte 9 East in Westborough, and continued it at Battleground Games & Hobbies in Abington.

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CWF Game Cast Episode 63: Wargaming Recon is Born

CWF #63: Wargaming Recon is Born Download (872)

Host Jonathan J. Reinhart releases a short show.  This will be one of the last shows using the name CWF Game Cast. An explanation is given for the name change as covered in I’ve Got a Golden Ticket.

Black Powder is mentioned with the Battle of Chelsea Creek being discussed. An announcement for this Saturday is given. Jonathan, Cort, and Adrian are running Daybreak at Hangman’s Creek, American Civil War, using the Black Powder book. It will be a 15mm game starting at 2pm at The Whiz in Westborough.

The Whiz is reviewed, at their new location, and their status as an Editor’s Choice Award recipient explained. Jonathan mentions the Battleground Games Interview episode. He also mentions Chad K. who is serving overseas.

As always we conclude with a message from our sponsor, 12-7-Games.com, contest sponsor Battlegames Magazine, our Creative Commons license and contact information (find us on Facebook and Twitter).

We hope you enjoy this episode of the CWF Game Cast and are eager for your feedback (both positive remarks and constructive criticism). Send it all to cwfgamecast at wargamingforums dot com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, or Xbox Live with gamertag cwfgamecast.

Our intro song is “Downtown” by Matthew Ebel. Please give his other music a listen at www.matthewebel.com.