CSLPod (Chinese as a Second Language Podcast).

[anonymoose]

Edit: What I'm talking about

Well, I don't disagree with you, but even if the appearance were different, the content would still be the same.

[AlexBlackman]

I've been listening to CSLPods intermediate lessons for a few days, so here are my initial thoughts.

Good

• Beyond the jingle at the start, it is all in Chinese, (++++) this is excellent if you are pursueing a strategy of immersion, or want to share it with non-fluent-English speaking friends
  
• It is free and the attached store doesn't seem too intrusive. (++++)
  
• New word explainations given in simple Chinese (+++) I don't have a portable Chinese-Chinese dictionary, so this is very useful on the go
  
• Lessons have a good balance between intermediate basics, and commonly used slang. (+++)
  
• PDF are copy and pasteable (++) You don't know how frustrating it is to have to rewrite each sentance from Chinesepod.
  

Bad

• The full PDF archive is unavailible, making the old lessons hard to review. ( - - )
  
• You have to post a comment before you can get the PDF (- -) This leads to the comment section being full of short spamish messages.
  

Total = 16+ and 4-

= 16+ = Highly recomendable

Edited January 31, 2010 at 05:55 AM by AlexBlackman

[AlexBlackman]

I am not talking about the idea of creating a CSL podcast per se. What bothers me is the design template and the setup used being almost identical to the ones at ChinesePod (once you're logged into chinesepod, that is). The similarity is far beyond mere "resemblance". It is basically the same thing. The justaposition of same idea, similar name and similar design is what screams plagiarism. Coupled with fake user testimonials, I don't get the feeling that I'm dealing with a serious company.

You are right, it does look a lot like Chinese pod on the surface, but at least it is true to its name, it seems most of Chinesepod even at intermediate level is in English and yet they don't call it Englishpod.

The comment section is full of short spamish messages because of a misguided policy to build community, Basically people are required to comment before downloading the PDF, and since many need the pdf to make sense of the lessons, many of the comments are nonsensical, especially as many listeners aren't native English speakers

[jbradfor]

@AlexBlackman

PDF are copy and pasteable (++) You don't know how frustrating it is to have to rewrite each sentance from Chinesepod.

If they still make the HTML available, try that instead. You can cut and paste that. [Not to excuse CP, the fact that they can't get correct PDF yet tells wonders of their lack of any technical ability beyond making a mp3 and a web page, but that's another story.]

[AlexBlackman]

Thanks, I'll try that if I ever subscribe to Chinesepod.

[Meng Lelan]

I looked through the advanced section of CSLPod and liked the topics. Especially the one about the world's first face transplant, China's 60th National Day, and the global climate conference.

[wangzhulong]

Bad

The full PDF archive is unavailible, making the old lessons hard to review. ( - - )

You have to post a comment before you can get the PDF (- -) This leads to the comment section being full of short spamish messages.

CSLPod change some rules recently:

1. The full PDF of archive lessons can be downloaded now.

2. CSLPod abandons the old rule: "post a comment before you can get the PDF".

大家好，新春即将到来，CSLPod在此预祝大家春节快乐！

从昨天开始CSLPod对下载PDF文件的规则进行了一些更改：

1. 档案课程（老课程）的PDF文件（LearnGuide）现在可以下载了；

2. CSLPod已经取消了“需要先发表评论后下载PDF文件的规则”；

希望上述规则的更改能够给大家带来更多的方便，谢谢大家！

CSLPod的网址为：　http://www.cslpod.com