Everyone knows that the pirating of movies, music and video games is running rampant on the interwebs. This is partially due to the fact that the monetizing model for the movie and audio industry still largely remains, 1 CD/DVD per device, if you want to move the content around, you should pay extra. DRM was created to help in this process but, ended being used to restrict usage instead. If only someone could come up with a way that lets you use your content anywhere you want, and still verify that you actually purchased that content.

That is where Steam comes in. Steam is a computer gaming platform, spearheaded by game producer Valve. Valve produced such games as Portal, Half-life and Left 4 Dead. All I can say is that Steam is DRM done right by and for the gaming industry. Multiple game companies such as NovaLogic, iD and EA games have since signed on, and more will be coming.

Steam is a gaming platform. You sign up for an account and download the Steam client. The client contains an on-line store where you can purchase some of the latest and greatest games, as well as classics and eclectic independent games as well. The best part is, you pay for the game and then download it right then and there. No messy CD keys, no waiting for shipping in the mail, no running to the store, just an instant download. Steam’s store offers weekly deals on various games, as well as having trial weekends and giving away full versions of games for a few days, just so that you can try them. Steam keeps track of the games you have purchased so that you don’t have to.

However, that isn’t the best part about the Steam system. Sure there is a great store that allows you to download games at or below retail cost, but, why would you want to go through a “closed” platform controlled by a company, or a group of companies? Here’s the real reason to get Steam. No matter where you are and what computer you are using, you can download the Steam client, sign in, and then re-download your favorite game and play it. That is right, you bought the game, you get to put it on whatever machine you want! Given, you can only be signed in on one machine at a time but, that doesn’t change the fact that you can now play your games wherever you go.

Steam is DRM done right. Not only that but, Steam is also a community. You can find your friends and see what games they have bought, what they have been playing lately and what achievements they are reaching in their games. There is also a great built-in chat and voice client that you can use while playing any game purchased through the Steam client. This means instant networking with team-mates for 1st person shooter/team strategy games. It also gives you an instant resource if you are stuck in a tight spot in a single player game, if you have a friend who is playing/has played the same game.

Steam also has the ability to add licenses from some games you may have already purchased. Any Valve product, as well as a few other limited games can be registered via the CD key that came with the game when you purchased it. Hopefully this will continue to expand to include a wider range of games.

So, in short, Steam is a great gaming platform. It allows for DRM but, also allows for the re-download and use of the content you purchased, wherever and whenever you want. Steam also has some great deals and an awesome selection of games, as well as a killer community to link friends and foes alike. I’d suggest giving it a try, even if you are just purchasing a cheap $10 puzzle game.

Oh, I forgot to mention, Steam also offers demos of games as well as trailers for upcoming and current games. Again, they really know what they are doing, and it shows.

Their site is http://www.steampowered.com . If you are a big PC gamer, you can’t afford not the check them out, trust me.

With the re-creation of Tanya and I’s podcast/show came a change in the method by which we produce and edit. Part of the reason we podfaded was because of the sheer amount of time and effort it took to edit the show.

In the past we used Audacity to record the show. We then saved the recording as a wave file and passed it through another free piece of software called the Levelator to even out the sound between Tanya and I. That produced another wave file.

We then would import that new wave file back into Audacity and spend an additional 30-45 minutes taking out pauses, verbal pauses and adding in the introduction and closing themes, as well as feedback, etc. After this was done we would export to MP3, upload to libsyn and then spend 10-15 minutes on the feed post.

Now, that is a lot of work for a 30 minute show. So, this time we decided to change the way we do things.

In the past, we heard a lot of podcasters talking about CastBlaster, which is a program that allows you to record and add bumpers/themes on the fly. However, CastBlaster is no longer produced as of right now, and was $99 to license!

However, Mike Versteeg, the creator of CasstBlaster, has come out with a new product, and this one has 3 levels of use, including a FREE version!

The new product is called Studio Rack.

Studio Rack makes podcasting easy. All you need is an audio input to your computer and then to feed the audio out from the computer into the same audio input. For example, I connect my mixer’s output to a USB interface on the computer. I also connect the audio out from the computer to the mixer, so that the mixer captures the computer’s sound and includes it in the recording.

The basic Studio Rack window looks very sleek and smooth. It has an almost brushed-metal look to it and almost looks like it was coded by someone at Apple.

Studio Rack is great in that it allows you to load your opening theme, bumpers, feedback, closing theme and any other audio you want, right into the program. You can then assign the audio file a key on your keyboard so that when you are recording, all you need to do to add your clips, is press a button.

Once you have all your clips loaded, you simply create a record module, press record and then hit the key for your show’s opening. That’s it! You are up and running in MINUTES! No messy cutting and pasting of bumpers, no cutting anything out, just record everything at once and you are all set!

Studio Rack also helps aid in the post production process as well. After saving the MP3 of your recording, you can then add all the necessary ID3 tag information right from the program.

Lastly, you can then upload the MP3 right to Libsyn or your podcast file directory with the included upload module.

From there, all you need to do is make your blog post, and post the file/post to your feed! That is it.

Now, please keep in mind that Studio Rack is currently in beta. The trial/free version works 100% minus the ability to save presets. So, if you find it annoying having to load your files each time, pay for the standard Studio Rack Audio. If you want to include video in the production as well, you would want to opt for Studio Lab Pro.

Overall, Studio Lab is an excellent resource for podcast producers. It allows for a quick, seamless production and Mike Versteeg is being kind enough to produce a free version, making it an affordable resource. That being said, please remember that Mike makes his living off his programs so, if you have the cash, please purchase the full versions, if for no other reason but to support him in his efforts to making podcasting easy for everyone.