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Comment #1 posted on 2026-02-03 19:08:14 by Whiskeyjack

Community News for January - Scheduling of Episodes

I am a relatively new contributor, having sent in my first episode in November. Before that I was a long time listener. I have submitted 10 episodes so far, with some which are yet to be aired.

I think the current system is pretty good and should be kept with only a few minor changes. I like being able to pick slots. I feel additional motivation to contribute by being able to pick a slot and know that my episode would air on a predictable schedule rather than go in a long queue and turn up at some distant date in the future. I contribute episodes to have them aired, not to fill a queue.

I will make three short points:

1) Your own scheduling guidelines encourage existing contributors to leave some near term slots open for new contributors. Inevitably this will result in shows from the reserve queue being required to be used if a new contributor does not show up. If that is not what you intend, then you need to clarify those guidelines.

2) The messages calling for new shows may sometimes sound a bit alarming. If people interpret these as signs that HPR is dying, that may act to discourage them from contributing. I think the contribution requests need to be careful to spur people to action without sounding overly alarming.

3) Make it easier to post show notes. Currently the text box to paste the show notes into seems to be limited to about 4,000 characters. It would be easier for contributors if they could simply copy-paste their entire script into this box instead of jumping through additional hoops.

I'm currently working on new episodes and hope to post them in a few weeks. Thanks to the volunteers for all their efforts.

Comment #2 posted on 2026-02-04 12:20:56 by Ken Fallon

response to Whiskeyjack

re 1) I think the guide lines are clear on the point, but if you can suggest an improvement then please do so.

3. Always try and fill any free slots that are available in the upcoming two weeks.
4. When the queue is filling up then leave some slots free for new contributors.

re 2) Yip we'll tone it down depending on how urgent it is.

re 3) The limit is removed but we need to redo the how to page

Comment #3 posted on 2026-02-04 16:20:12 by Whiskeyjack

response to Ken Fallon - Episode Scheduling Guidelines

Rule 3 says to always try to fill slots in the upcoming 2 weeks.
Rule 4 says when the "queue is filling up" to leave slots free for new contributors.
Rule 5 says to post non-urgent shows into the first empty week.

3 and 5 seem to contradict one another, as most shows will be non-urgent. 4 is unclear as to what "filling up" means in practical terms.

Long time contributors will have a good feel for what they should be doing and first time contributors should use the first free slot, but someone on his second or third episode can find navigating the rules a bit confusing.

Things like this should always be looked at from the perspective of someone who is relatively new to contributing podcasts when judging how clear the guidelines are.

Comment #4 posted on 2026-02-04 16:30:35 by Ken Fallon

You're right

I've always considered them to be in order as in if not rule 1, then if not rule 2, etc.
Perhaps that's why people have struggled with them for so long.

I'm genuinely open to suggestions to improve it, but would appreciate moving the conversation to the gittea ticket

https://repo.anhonesthost.net/HPR/hpr_documentation/issues/17

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