Four year Anniversary of The Engage Podcast Blog: facts and figures!

Hi guys
Four years ago today (on Monday 16th June 2014), I founded this very blog with my first very understated blog post introducing you to the blog, and the podcast.
Since then me, Jamie (along with Phil) have collectively written (and published) a staggering 67 blog posts (including this one) covering a plethora of different topics.

All written in the hopes of fulfilled my whole aim for this blog, to give you a better understanding of who we are (something I feel like we've achieved). So that we (me, Jamie and Phil) didn't come across as two dimensional to you (our readers & listeners) by just talking entirely about Star Trek.

So I wanted to give you an insight into our other interests outside of the Star Trek franchise, which have included (amongst others):

• Our joint interest in history (specifically the Second World War).
• Time Travel.
• Anne Frank.
• Personal Heroes.
• Quizzes, competitions (more to come in the future) and challenges.
• Guides to podcasting (and a Trekkie's Christmas List).
• Game of Thrones.
• Dyslexia and Dyspraxia.

As the blog had a very low key Birthday last year, I thought it was about time that I celebrated it's Anniversary properly this year. So I'm hoping that by writing this particular blog post in celebration of it's fourth Birthday I'll have accomplished that!
An honour which we'll (hopefully) also bestow onto the podcast later this year (on the 3rd of October), so look out for that!!!

For this post I wanted to commemorate the event slightly different from previous years. So as you'll have guessed from the title of this blog post, I'll be talking through some of the facts and figures about the blog which I thought you might find interesting.

So I'll make it clear throughout this blog:

All information is correct as of 14:45pm BST (British Summer Time) on Friday 15th June 2018

 

Since the blog launched on 16th June 2014, it has been visited by a grand total of 17,445 people from right across the world.
With the most views primarily based in the United States (with 5,132 views), Russia (with 4,282 views) and the United Kingdom (with 2,946 views).
Although trust me when I say that those three are just "the tip of the iceberg".
As when I check the blog every so often (ok if I'm honest fairly frequently!). I always get surprised (and amazed) by some of the incredible places you our wonderful readers (and listeners) are reading our blog posts from.

All information is correct as of 14:45pm BST (British Summer Time) on Friday 15th June 2018

Which every time gets me excited to think that although I probably haven't been there (possibly not yet) at least my words have at least 'visited'!

With 67% (11,650 people) of you (like me) unsurprisingly using a Windows Operating System. Followed by 11% Mackintosh (2,024 people), 7% Linux (1,289 people), 6% Other [iPhone, iPad & Unix] (1,308 people), and 5% Android (1,306 people).

All information is correct as of 14:45pm BST (British Summer Time) on Friday 15th June 2018

In terms of the Browsers people are using it's all over the place, with 37% (6,424 people) using Google Chrome. Followed by 34% (5,916 people) using Internet Explorer, 17% (3,052 people) using Firefox, and 5% (1,002 people) using Safari.

All information is correct as of 14:45pm BST (British Summer Time) on Friday 15th June 2018

If you've been a long time reader of the blog, you'll probably already be aware of an automatically updating Blogger feature I've added to the bottom of the blog which tells you the five most "Popular Posts from the past 30 days".
As an Admin for the blog, I can view an expanded version of that function in the Stats section. Which allows me to see the most popular posts (and pages) from either that instance (in the 'Now' function), Day, Month and even from All time.

From those stats, what I'm most proud to say is that the hardest blog posts I've ever decided to write (and invested the most time into writing) have become the most successful.
Whilst one of my most favourite blog posts I've ever written, is the third most read blog posts on the site.

 

In first place, as the most read blog post is my Simon’s General Interest blog post- Anne Frank. Which has been read a total of 1,542 times since it was published on the 9th of June 2016. This alone accounts for a staggering 8.8% of the total viewership of the site in general.

 

My Simon’s General Interest blog post- Anne Frank blog post has been the hardest to write, and the most time consuming. As it took me well over three years of constant writing and 'tweaking' (since December 2013) before it got published.

Which isn't even taking into consideration, all the time that the other fantastic people (my friends Daniel, Penny and Jamie) I brought in to proof read it for me (something I've never done) and to help me by giving me constructive criticism. Something I still really appreciate them doing to this day!

 

I went to that much effort, as I wanted to make sure that I'd done the topic justice as I think you'll probably realise (from the blog post and the episode) it’s an interest quite close to my heart (as I point out at the end of the blog).

So considering all the emotion surrounding the topic of the blog post, and the extensive effort that had gone into researching it and writing it. It's absolutely amazing to see that it's a something you enjoy reading.

 

In second place, it's my Simon: My Dyslexia and Dyspraxia blog post. Which has been read a total of 1,112 times since it was published on the 10th January 2015. Accounting for 6.3% of the total viewership of the site in general.

 

This was another hard blog post to write, as it was through my Simon: My Dyslexia and Dyspraxia blog post that I decided it was time that I finally dealt with my own 'personal demons' (Dyslexia and Dyspraxia) head on (something I don't like doing). As I'd felt as though they'd controlled my life and held me back all those years (as I point out in the blog's introduction). But since I started the blog I've felt as thought I'm now in control over them.

Writing this blog post made it public knowledge, which meant I felt quite vulnerable. But I thought that it was well worth it, if I could help people and raise awareness of Dyslexia and Dyspraxia along the way. 

 

In third place it's my Origins of famous Starfleet ship names blog post. Which has been read a total of 758 times since it was published 5th of August 2015. Accounting for 4.3% of the total viewership of the site in general.

I'm so pleased that you find it interesting too, as I know that a lot of you out there aren't total Ship Geeks like I am!
Which is why I give myself a challenge before I wrote it. Not to make my Origins of famous Starfleet ship names blog post too technical (as I point out in the blog's introduction) talking about "teching the [fictional] tech" (see Mission Log Podcast).
So I decided to infuse a little bit of history into it, by talking about real famous people (and things) behind the starship's names I thought would be interesting to research and to write about.
I really enjoyed writing this blog post, as each starship took an awful lot of painstaking (in universe and real life) research.
Which was really interesting to read, as it took me in all different directions... and taught me a lot of things I didn't know before I wrote it!!!

All information is correct as of 14:45pm BST (British Summer Time) on Friday 15th June 2018

We would just like thank you all for your continued support, you have no idea how much we really appreciate it!!!

Even though it's another Anniversary blog post where I haven't done an awful for it...
This is Simon from The Engage Podcast signing out!

The Engage Podcast: Three Year Anniversary!

Hi everyone! Today marks the day where The Engage Podcast is celebrating it's THREE YEAR anniversary! We still can't believe on this day three years ago that we launched our podcast live at Destination Star Trek 3. It's been an incredible journey traversing across the uncharted galaxy of podcasting and we will continue to do so!

We just wanted to thank you guys who have supported us in numerous ways. Without your continued support we wouldn't be here still doing what we love! So thanks again!

This is Simon, Jamie and Phil from The Engage Podcast signing off as we enter into our fourth year! Enjoy!   

Two Year anniversary of The Engage Podcast!

Hi guys and welcome to The Engage Podcast Two Year anniversary! 

We can't believe it's already been this long since we launched back in 2014, on October 3rd! If it wasn't for you guys, our followers and fellow podcasters we still wouldn't be here. So we just wanted to thank you all for the continued support and advice! We really appreciate it!

Whereas for last year's Podcast anniversary blog, you heard the thoughts of me, Simon and Phil, this year, Simon thought we should do something different and instead ask for you guys to help celebrate by expressing your thoughts! So below you will find a small piece written from some of you guys! Enjoy!

Neil Green 

Neil Green – Convention Presenter/Honouree member of The Engage Podcast.

Podcasts, the final frontier. These are the episodes of the Engage Podcast. It's two year anniversary: they've explored strange new worlds, they've interviewed new guests and new debated trivia. They have boldly gone where no one else dare go.

As Star Trek celebrates it's 50th anniversary with events across the world, lets take a few minutes to celebrate what the guys have achieved. For the past two years now Simon, Phil and Jamie have been exploring their very own final frontier and taken us along for the ride. Soon they will be celebrating their own fiftieth anniversary with a total of 50 episodes, (I'm sure they are saving me for that one!).

As I write this, I am looking forward to meeting up with the boys at Destination Star Trek Europe, where I am sure we will have our reunion celebration.

Dan Houston – Follower and future guest blogger on The Engage Podcast Blog! 

@TrekCave on Twitter

So as we head into the final months of Star Treks 50^th anniversary we reach another cause for celebration, it's the Engage Podcasts 2^nd year Anniversary!

I originally found The Engage Podcast by chance as Simon, Jamie and Phil were attending Destination Star Trek and were tweeting from the event which I had been following on Twitter, after avoiding social media for many years treating it as something that wasn't for me I had decided to give it a try to see what it was all about.

I have always said, being a early 90s Trek fan I always found the interest to be a very solitary one, not having any of my friends growing up being particularly interested in the franchise, I always imagined what it would be like to just chat Trek with some pals and be able to mention a Excelsior class refit and people actually understand what I was on about.

That is exactly what I enjoy about the podcast, it really is three best friends casually chatting about Star Trek (and other interests!) Being able to enjoy the banter between then really makes the Engage Podcast a warm and friendly place to sit back and chill.

The podcast has had a fantastic line up of guest appearances in its 2 year journey (head to SoundCloud to see the full list!) and Simon, Jamie and Phil have also headed out on away missions to cover various conventions such as DST and FCD.

I certainly look forward to further episodes and seeing what aspects of Star Trek the boys decide to tackle next in their own unique Engage Podcast style, certainly with the new series Discovery on the horizon there will be plenty of new topics to chew on as well as Star Treks 50 years of history to mine for subjects, just don’t mention the USS Defiant...

So lets all raise a glass for the Podcast and express our thanks to Simon, Jamie and Phil for taking the time and effort into putting this Podcast together and doing a great job. I have a great deal of thanks to give as it was the podcast that kept me sane during the first weeks of fatherhood, getting me through those late nights and early mornings!

Now head over to the Playlist and pick a episode new or old and hit that play button, Engage!

A STO Admiral on Deck logo

Vance – STO Admiral on Deck

A STO Admiral on Deck (@AdmiralonDeck on Twitter)

So are we already about completed another trip around the sol system again? Where has the time gone? Time sure flies when your having fun and/or busy. I hope you three are doing well with both the blog, podcast and life. You guys are a great example of how the Star Trek Fandom should act. Keep on trekking forward you guys and don't look for reverse, you don't need it. You're doing great. I look forward to taking another trip around the sol system again with you guys.  

Live Long and Prosper
Vance
A STO Admiral on Deck


Lizzie - Follower.

Hello Guys!

How did I get into The Engage Podcast?

It was around the time of the last Destination Star Trek. I had just finished rewatching TNG season 7 and was feeling very enthusiastic. That led me to search on Twitter, where I found the podcast. Listening to you talk about DSTE, I realised there were other people as trekkie as me and more so! At that time I’d never been to a convention, but it sounded so much fun. When this year’s DSTE begins, very soon, I will be there too! :D

Something I really like about the podcast is that it’s interesting to hear other people’s viewpoints on things; ideas you never thought of yourself. I also enjoy the quizzes, and fairly often can be found shouting out answers at home.

PS: I can’t believe one of you (Jamie or Phil?) didn’t know it was Troi who crashed the ship! Although I’m glad in a way, because she gets a lot of bad rep for that. To be honest, it would probably have happened whoever was at the conn. Farewell, Enterprise D. :( But the voyages go on. :)

Through connecting with the podcast I met other people in the Trek community and quickly felt included. Since then new friendships have formed, and life is richer.

So Thank You, and Happy Second Anniversary! Raise your Romulan ale, or even prune juice – Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. LLAP

(Hmm, Vulcans have the good sayings)

Steven Hesse

Steve Hesse - Geek Apocalypse.
Geek Apocalypse Facebook, Geek Apocalypse Website
(@Geek_Apocalypse on Twitter)

'A long time, in a galaxy far far away, a bunch of guys got together, and realised they had the wrong franchise.....so they boldly got together and engaged into the dangerous world of podcasting talking all things Star Trek. Now, they have got passed the dreaded second album syndrome in their second year and they now celebrate that journey,as well as the continued adventure to go where no man has gone before. They asked me, which I'm humbled, to talk a little about that feat and the show they have done the past couple of years!

As a person podcasting for a while over at Geek Apocalypse, I met Jamie,Simon and Phillip on my travels, meeting in person at FCD this year, and what's great is the genuine passion they have for what they are talking about and doing. It is fun for them and they are clearly friends first, which helps when they do their show as its not an act, nor do they make up arguments just for the sake of it. Having done a lot of interviews and shows, you meet sometimes people who do not care about fans, or do not care about opportunity and think podcasting is easy, not realising it looks easy if your good at it and have put the effort in. Its a privilege to talk about what matters to you and it's sad meeting people getting involved with podcasting with bad intentions, but equally as good to meet guys like the Engage guys who care the right way and are grateful to be part of a great art form.

When you are paying to do something to be able to do it just for free, you have to be passionate and you have to be committed to the craft. These guys are, I have said to them before they are doing their show in my eyes the right way in being genuine.

The UK podcasting scene needs people like this if we are going to make it a viable alternative to radio and TV etc. Its been a pleasure to be involved in a small way and be part of the extended family of podcasters and I wish them continued success, lets just hope Paramount honor us by having a series worth talking about in future years!

Live long and prosper

Steven Hesse

Geek Apocalypse

Sarah

Sarah - The Original TiT (Trekkie in Training) /Trekkie Girls.
(@TheOriginalTiT, @SarahKnowsEyes, @TrekkieGirls - Twitter)
Sarah Knows Eyes, Trekkie Girls Website, Trekkie Girls Facebook

Dear Simon, Jamie and Phil,

You guys have literally been with me since I very first started my journey as The Original Trekkie in Training, and have truly been an integral part of my experience.

You have always supported me and made me feel like my opinion genuinely mattered, by including me in your podcasts: (the epic) TNG Season 1 & 2 reviews, and Star Trek "Tropes". And we had great fun this year when you came down to Portsmouth to record with the TrekkieGirls!

Since first meeting you at DST3 (can't believe we're on the verge of rocking DSTE together?!), The Engage Podcast has gone from strength to strength and recorded some absolutely cracking episodes. You are genuinely lovely guys who really know their Trek, and do what you do because of your shared love of the franchise.I wish every success in the future and can't wait to work with you again! Here's wishing The Engage Podcast a very Happy 2nd Anniversary, and to many more to come!

Lots of love from your favourite TiT x x x

So that's it everyone, thanks for all who contributed, both to this blog and supporting us! We look forward to our third year where will be starting in Birmingham at Destination Star Trek Europe later this week! We'll see you there!

Until then, this is Jamie from the Engage Podcast warping off into the unknown! Punch it!
  

Two year Anniversary of The Engage Podcast Blog!

Hi #Treksters
Two years ago today, I founded this very blog with my first very tentative (and understated) blog post introducing you to the blog, and the podcast.

So just like before (One year Anniversary of The Engage Podcast Blog!) I just wanted to write this particular blog post in celebration of it's second Birthday!

Which is an honour the podcast will also bestow later this year (on the 3rd of October)...so look out for that!!!

Since it's launch on Monday 16th June 2014 me, Jamie and Phil have collectively written (and published) a staggering 58 blog posts (including this one) covering a huge array of different subjects!

These blog posts have fulfilled my whole point in doing this blog, as I feel it gives you a better understanding of us...and who we 'actually' are!
Because it doesn't make us (me, Phil & Jamie) appear two dimensional to you (our readers & listeners)...as we're not constantly talking about Star Trek the whole time.

Giving you brief insights into our interests outside of the (wonderful) Star Trek franchise, including our shared fascination with history (in particular the Second World War).
I know I'm the most bias person to say this...but I really feel like we've achieved that in the past few years!

As we (me, Jamie & Phil) wrote last years messages explaining what our thoughts and feelings are on this occasion. So I thought it would be an awesome idea for some of you (our listeners/readers & friends) to write a celebratory message for it instead!!!

A STO Admiral on Deck logo

Vance- A STO Admiral on Deck

Hi Simon, Jamie and Phil;

So you've made successful second Trek around the Sol system with your blog and podcast intact. That's great, your friendship shows that you don't have to just be a fan of the Prime universe Star Trek to enjoy and get into Star Trek in general. I always enjoy hearing from you guys and your thoughts and opinions about Star Trek and how it relates to your lives. Keep up the great work and keep on Trekin' forward cause we don't need reverse.

Congratulations guys,

Vance

A STO Admiral on Deck (@AdmiralonDeck on Twitter)

Neil Green

Neil Green- Honouree Member of The Engage Podcast

Two years ago I had the pleasure of taking the Engage Podcast guys under my wing for the run up to the Destination Star Trek 3 event, to be held in October of 2014. Am I going over old ground? Tell me if I am, but, maybe somethings need to be said again.

For months we had phone call after phone call and email after email. What you have to realise is that these were just three friends that decided to realise their passion for Star Trek on a grander scale. To take it to the stage. For which they should be commended. It's not everyone that can do such a thing, it's very easy to sit in a bedroom and type your thoughts, video them, or record audio and put them online, but it takes a certain type of person to stand in front of an audience.

Since that time, I believe they have gone from strength to strength, interviewing people from the world Star Trek, blogs, events and more. We have met up on occasion at events and the three guys haven't changed, they are still the friends who love Star Trek. When you listen to their podcast you realise this, and if you get the chance to see them on stage, and you will this year, you'll realise it even more.

So, what are we getting this year then lads? Your audience is asking! We want more podcasts, we want more reviews, we want more news. Maybe you should interview that handsome host from DST3?

To the future...

Neil Green

Honouree Member of The Engage Podcast

Daniel Houston- Listener, and Guest Blogger to The Engage Podcast Blog

“I prefer to think of time as a companion, who goes with us on the journey...”

Jean-Luc Picard

Time seems to be a sneaky little devil as I couldn't believe that we have reached the 2^nd anniversary of the Engage Podcast blog, must be some kind of strange temporal anomaly!

I've always thoroughly enjoyed the variation that Simon, Jamie and Phil have created for their various blog posts, be it factual or fictional they have all been fun and informative and (pardon the pun) ‘engaged’ my mind and got me thinking.

Who knows what the next 2 years Blog posts are going to be about? There will be no end of Trek goodness to be mined from the new movie Beyond, the new series and the various celebrations of Star Treks 50^th anniversary.

So congratulations to Simon, Jamie and Phil and as a certain Spock would say “keep performing admirably”!

Daniel Houston (@TrekCave on Twitter)

Listener, and Guest Blogger to The Engage Podcast Blog [still need to sort out!]

IrishTrekkie logo

Damien- IrishTrekkie

The Engage Podcasts warps into its 2nd year. At the helm you have Jamie, Phil and Simon, great folks bring you great Trek. Their podcasts are always of the highest standards and I know that I have enjoyed them for too many hours to count.

May your voyages never end good sir and let's go boldly.

Live long and prosper

Damien

IrishTrekkie (@Theirishtrekkie on Twitter)

Lizzie- Listener

So, The Engage Podcast blog, and almost the podcast itself, is two years old today! Thank you to Simon, Phil and Jamie for sharing the fun, knowledge and enthusiasm, both for all things Star Trek and also other interests. I always enjoy the quizzes in particular.

Congratulations guys, pass round the virtual cake!

Lizzie, listener

First Contact: The NextGeneration Introcast logo

Andrew, Alex and James- The Spoilist

Has it really been 2 years since this blog launched? Time’s Arrow moves so quickly. When we at The Spoilist heard you were launching a blog we were worried because we thought that The Offspring you created might be The Enemy, or at the very least a rival, but instead you’ve done Justice to the Star Trek Family, sharing your personal passions and creating The Perfect Mate for the great work done on the podcast.

It’s fair to say you’ve been breaking New Ground and leaving a great Legacy.

It really is The Best of Both Worlds; a perfect Gambit.

We don’t want this to sound too much like Hero Worship but you guys are a Force of Nature and there are Lessons in your writing for all of us. We hope like All Good Things, this blog continues for years to come.

Andrew, Alex and James

Your TNG loving friends at First Contact: The NextGeneration Introcast

The Spoilist (@TheSpoilist on Twitter)

Thank you all for contributing, and writing those for me!
Even now we're always being astounded by which part of the world is reading what we've written, which is a huge testament to you...and to us.
As without you reading the blog on a regular basis, we wouldn't have a need to write ever more exciting and intriguing blog posts!!!

We would just like thank you all for your continued support, you have no idea how much we really appreciate it!!!

Even though I haven't done an awful for this Blog post...
This is Simon from The Engage Podcast signing out!