Scenario: You have a directory of mp3 files that you want to share with the podcasting world. You don't want to monkey around with setting up a blog that supports MIME attachments. You are probably a musician who wants to podcast, not a blogger.

Solution: Configure and then save this single PHP script somewhere on the same webserver where your mp3s live. For each mp3 that you want included in your current podcast, add (or remove) a correspondingly named .txt file that supplies some extra info about the mp3.

Requirements: Your web server must have PHP installed.

How it works: When the PHP script is invoked, it scans your music directory for mp3 files that have a matching txt file, e.g. "loud-bang.mp3" and "loud-bang.txt". For each of these, it generates a separate blog entry with the MP3 as its MIME attachment.

Cost / Support: This script is free. Modify it however you like. If you distribute it, please credit this page. Email canton @ gmail . com to get support on an "if I have free time" basis.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Copy and paste the script below into a text editor. Configure all the required variables (e.g. file path and URL to your mp3s.)
    
2. Save it on your webserver, somewhere nearby your mp3s. Name it something like 'music-feed.php'. The URL to this php file will be the URL listeners will use to subscribe to your feed. It's common practice to add a little orange XML button like that links to your feed from some standard web page that talks about it. Like this one, which links to my own music feed:
   
   
    
3. For each mp3 that you want to include in your podcast, create a correspondingly named text file that contains a little bit of information about the mp3. (Just a line or two. Basic HTML is okay.) This marks your mp3 as "ready for distribution."
   
   So, if you have a mp3 called 'loud-song.mp3' then, in the same directory as the mp3, make a text file called 'loud-song.txt'.
   
   That's all. Enjoy!
   
   - Canton

mp3feed.php podcasting script version 1.1 (June 28, 2005) <?php header('Content-Type: application/xml; charset=utf-8'); /* RSS 2.0 MP3 SUBSCRIPTION FEED "mp3feed.php" - version 1.1 2005 - Canton Becker - canton@gmail.com Yeah, it's pretty basic. But it's free. Here's where to get the latest version: http://www.cantonbecker.com/canton/projects Use at your own risk, or don't use it at all... */ // CONFIGURE THESE VARIABLES: // actual place where your mp3s live on your server's filesystem. TRAILING SLASH REQ'D. $musicDirectory="/var/www/html/mp3s/"; // corresponding web URL for accessing the music directory. TRAILING SLASH REQ'D. $musicURL="http://www.mywebsite.com/mp3s/"; // name your feed $feedTitle="My New and Exciting MP3 Feed"; // where every entry in your feed will link to, sort of like a "for more info" link $feedLink="http://www.mywebsite.com/mymusic.html"; // describe your feed $feedDescription="My new music delivered hot and fresh as its made."; // outline your copyright / creative commons / licensing terms $feedCopyright="These works are licensed under a Creative Commons License (Some Rights Reserved) -- see www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/"; // your email... if you dare! $authorEmail="myemail@mywebsite.com (Firstname Lastname)"; // how often should feed readers check for new material (in seconds) -- mostly ignored by readers. $ttl = 1440; // END OF STUFF YOU NEED TO CONFIGURE! /* Save this .php file wherever you like on your webserver. The URL for this .php file *is* the URL of your podcast feed for subscription purposes. For every mp3 that you want to podcast, create a correspondingly named .txt file that contains a little bit of information about the song. Just one or two lines is good. It can include basic HTML. My text files are usually something like this: Trance-techno, January 2005. Swirling strings and happy pads. */ echo "<?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\"?>\r"; ?> <!-- generator="alien-green-chile-technology/1.1" --> <rss version="2.0"> <channel> <title><? echo $feedTitle; ?></title> <link><? echo $feedLink; ?></link> <description><? echo $feedDescription; ?></description> <language>en</language> <copyright><? echo $feedCopyright; ?></copyright> <ttl><? echo $ttl; ?></ttl> <?php // step through each item... $fileDir = opendir($musicDirectory) or die ($php_errormsg); while (false !== ($thisFile = readdir($fileDir))) // step through music directory { $thisFilePath = $musicDirectory . $thisFile; if (is_file($thisFilePath) && strrchr ($thisFilePath, '.') == ".mp3") // not . or .., ends in .mp3 { // only include files that have a corresponding .txt file $thisTextPath = substr_replace($thisFilePath, ".txt", (strlen($thisFilePath) - 4)); if (is_file($thisTextPath)) { $myFullURL=$musicURL . $thisFile; $myFileSize=filesize($thisFilePath); ?> <item> <title><? echo $thisFile; ?></title> <link><? echo $feedLink; ?></link> <description> <? $textContents = file($thisTextPath); foreach ($textContents as $thisLine) echo htmlspecialchars($thisLine) . "\n"; ?> </description> <enclosure url="<? echo $myFullURL; ?>" length="<? echo $myFileSize; ?>" type="audio/mpeg" /> <guid><? echo $myFullURL; ?></guid> <author><? echo $authorEmail; ?></author> </item> <? } } } closedir($fileDir); ?> </channel> </rss>

Podcasting tip: If you need unique sounds, loops, f/x, or want to meet other music producers and DJs, check out sampleswap.org. It's free too.