Linknote — — 100 words

User experience — User research

Work:

UX in universities — UX Soup

UX Soup logo: "Easily listen and subscribe for free in your preferred podcast player"

I have been interviewed for the podcast UX Soup. The host [Chris Schreiner](https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisschreiner/) was interested in the [User Experience Service’s work at the University of Edinburgh](https://www.ed.ac.uk/information-services/user-experience). He spoke with me about:

* how the consultancy model works in a higher education context
* the history of our service
* the projects we get involved with
* the methodologies we follow
* the specific challenges we face working in higher education

It was good fun being interviewed. Please have a listen if you have the time. Thank you to Chris for the opportunity.

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Media — Technology

The Apple Podcasts Chart is screwed. How should we replace it?

This article by James Cridland lays bare just how widespread the gaming of Apple’s podcasts chart is.

I have heard presenters pleading with their listeners to unsubscribe, then resubscribe to help improve their position in the chart. Apparently it works.

What I don’t understand is why Apple let this happen? I’m sure it’s not an easy problem to fix. But it surely can’t be as hard as penalising dodgy SEO tactics or email spam filters. What’s in it for Apple?

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Media

Meet the people who listen to podcasts at super-fast speeds

While commuting I normally listen to podcasts at 1.5× speed. Alex thinks I’m crazy for doing that. But my behaviour pales in comparison to some of what’s described here.

[Rachel Kenny] estimates that she listens to five to seven hours of podcasts a day (which equals 15 to 21 hours at normal speed), “so maybe 20 to 40 episodes a day or 100 to 250 a week,” she said. She tracks her listening habits on a spreadsheet.

I have never tried going faster than 1.5×, because I doubt I would find it enjoyable. For me, 1.5× sounds very normal. I have no trouble understanding and following anything (though music is jarring). In fact, when I find myself listening to familiar podcasts at 1× speed, it always sounds too slow.