diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 5757650..5b4affb 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,3 +1,13 @@
+# ignore vim swap files
 *.swp
+# ignore feed files
 *.xml
-*.bak
+# ignore back up files
+*.xml.*
+# ignore media files
+*.wav
+*.flac
+*.ogg
+*.mp3
+*.m4a
+*.chapters.txt
diff --git a/README b/README
index 8170759..32b1ff3 100644
--- a/README
+++ b/README
@@ -4,3 +4,4 @@ append.py - Compares the podcast category feed for the podcast's web site with f
 encode.bash - Drives a set of encoders and tagging utilities to convert a single WAV input file into flac, Ogg Vorbis, AAC and MP3 files with complete and consistent metadata.
 relink.py - A script intended for one time use to tweak a feed to re-link its enclosures to appropriate URLs at the Internet Archive.
 tidyrc - Tidy config that approximates the formatting of the live feeds to minimize disruption.
+publish.bash - Script to automate as much of the publishing step as possible.
diff --git a/publish.bash b/publish.bash
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a6d9124
--- /dev/null
+++ b/publish.bash
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# TODO can upload to archive.org be automated with curl?
+
+# if the other scripts didn't twig you to it, this one reveals my current
+# dependence on Dropbox
+cp *.xml ~/Dropbox/Public/
+
+# TODO clean out backups older than so many days
+
+# clean out all but the flac files
+rm *.wav *.ogg *.aac *.mp3