What is Podcasting?
Podcasting is delivering audio content to iPods and other portable media players on demand, so that it can be listened to at the user's convenience. The main benefit of podcasting is that listeners can sync content to their media player and take it with them to listen whenever they want to. Because podcasts are typically saved in MP3 format, they can also be listened to on nearly any computer.
The term podcasting was popularized by media entrepeneuar and former MTV VJ Adam Curry. Curry created an Applescript application that automated the process of downloading and syncing audio files to iPods.
Curry's application built on the work of programmer Dave Winer, a pioneer in both the world of web logs and XML development. Winer wrote the RSS 2.0 specification, which is used to deliver information about podcasts. RSS is an XML format that is used to define channels of information that contain elements, which are typically stories or web log entries.
RSS files are often used as a standardized way of publishing meta information about content. For example, web logs are typically user's thoughts about news stories or other web content.
RSS 2.0 supports enclosures, which are URL references to web content. This makes it possible to use RSS files to provide information about web content in a standard XML-based format. Podcasts are simply the application of RSS enclosures to audio files.
Podcasting in 4 Steps
- Publishers create audio content, and post it to a web server, typically in MP3 format.
- They publish an RSS file (newsfeed) that contains RSS news items that reference the audio content. Each RSS item provides meta information about an audio file, such as the file's name and description, and contains an RSS enclosure with the URL of the audio file.
- End-users regularly check for new versions of the newsfeed, using an application like iPodder. When a new version is found, iPodder reads through it, identifies the audio file URLs, downloads them and syncs them to a media player.
- Users listen to the "podcasted" audio file when it is convenient.
Podcasting has been described as TiVo for Internet audio, because it lets users save content digitally, and replay it at their convenience. This comparison, though, only addresses the idea of time-shifting, and not the idea that podcasting lowers barriers to entry, creates an alternate distribution model for audio content or that it lets publishers extend the reach of Internet content to times when people aren't even connected
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Podcasting can be used for publishing any type of audio, and some developers are exploring the idea of using the same techniques to publish video and other types of content.
Podcasting is spreading quickly because of the rapid adoption of MP3 players, and the desire of owners to have fresh content.
Think how a desktop aggregator works. You subscribe to a set of feeds, and then can easily view the new stuff from all of the feeds together, or each feed separately.
Podcasting works the same way, with one exception. Instead of reading the new content on a computer screen, you listen to the new content on an iPod or iPod-like device.
Think of your iPod as having a set of subscriptions that are checked regularly for updates. Today there are a limited number of programs available this way. The format used is RSS 2.0 with enclosures.
In the future, radio shows like All Things Considered and Rush Limbaugh will be available in this manner, and perhaps other syndication formats will support enclosures.
Update: For a quick sample of the latest podcasts, check out http://audio.weblogs.com/.
- Podcasting
- The term podcasting derives its name from Apple's iPod, but to create a podcast or even to listen to one, you don't need to own an iPod, or any portable music player for that matter. In a nutshell, Podcasting is a new type of online media delivery. You publish selected audio files via the internet and allow your users to subscribe via an RSS feed to automatically receive new files. Podcasting lets you create your own syndicated online talkshow or radio program, with content of your choosing.
In this article
Make Your Own Podcast
Podcasting gives me the feeling that I have the keys to NPR; that I can interview anyone I want and then deliver it over the internet to anyone who wants to listen in. Podcasting involves producing your own audio files (usually in MP3, Ogg, or WMA formats) and then publishing them online somewhere, indexed for subscription and reception by an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) reader. They're then downloaded to subscribers' iPods, cellphones, iTunes directories, or other locations to listen to whenever they want. As you'll see, anyone can do this, using all free tools. The podcasting genre particularly shines for interviews. I've interviewed makers from around the world via Skype or iChat (plus in person) and made them available as podcasts. Check out MAKE: Audio on makezine.com for lots of examples.
Setup
Software
Conveniently enough, all the applications and utilities I use to create podcasts are free. Here’s what they are and where you can download them.
Think of a podcast as a radio show. Each show consists of a series of individual episodes that you can listen to how you want — on your PC, using your MP3 player, or with just a web browser.
If you've never listened to podcasts, you're in for a treat. Sports, comedy, movies, food, politics, music, books, speeches, walking tours, whatever — you name the topic and you'll find podcasts about it. Not only do you have incredible choice, you can listen whenever and wherever you want.
You can listen to these episodes one at a time (say using your web browser) or you can 'subscribe' to the entire podcast series using software on your PC. When you subscribe to a podcast, all new shows will be automatically downloaded to your computer as they are published. And if you have an MP3 player, the next time you sync your device, your podcasts will be downloaded for listening on the go.
When you enter the world of podcasting, you're stepping into a realm where anyone and everyone can have a voice and broadcast their opinions and imagination to the world. Have fun exploring, and perhaps you too may feel the urge to become a podcaster. If you do, it's easy. We've created a tutorial to tell you how.
Yahoo! Podcasts has everything you need to get started enjoying podcasts, including any software you might need. If you're currently setup for listening to podcasts, Yahoo! Podcasts works with the software you already have. So what are you waiting for!
What is Podcasting
Podcasting is quickly becoming a buzz word among the techie crowd. So what is podcasting, anyway? Podcasting is online audio content that is delivered via an RSS feed. Many people liken podcasting to radio on demand. However, in reality, podcasting gives far more options in terms of content and programming than radio does. In addition, with Podcasting, listeners can determine the time and the place, meaning they decide what programming they want to receive and when they want to listen to it.
Listeners can retain audio archives to listen to at their leisure. While blogs have turned many bloggers into journalists, podcasting has the potential to turn podcasters into radio personalities.
Podcasting can be used for:
1. Self-Guided Walking Tours - Informational content.
2. Music - Band promotional clips and interviews.
3. Talk Shows - Industry or organizational news, investor news, sportscasts, news coverage and commentaries.
4. Training - Instructional informational materials.
5. Story - Story telling for children or the visually-impaired.
Podcasting is the syndication of audio files using RSS. Podcasting works the same as a standard RSS feed reader or news aggregator, the only difference is that the feed you subscribe to contains an audio file in it. Instead of reading content in your RSS feed reader or aggregator, you can listen to the contents of your feed using a reader or aggregator that supports podcasting, or you can listen to them on an iPod or similar device. While podcasting was named for the iPod, you do not have to have an iPod to listen to a podcast. Podcasts can be displayed on websites with clickable links to audio files and many of the standard RSS readers, like FeedDemon's latest beta, have begun supporting audio enclosures.
The audio file that makes the feed a podcast rather than a standard RSS feed is contained in the 'enclosure' tag. The easiest way to think of this is as an e-mail attachment.
Although the "enclosure" tag is not new to RSS feeds and has been included in the RSS v2.0 specification for about four years, podcasting has only really been around since August of 2004.
Webmasters are finding creative ways to provide media-rich content. The syndication aspect and potential increase in audience size are an attractive lure. Listeners benefit from podcasting because, like RSS, podcasting is a means to publish content that ultimately gives the recipient the control over the information they want to see or hear.
Podcasting Resources -
Podcasting Tools - http://www.podcasting-tools.com
Podcast Alley - http://www.podcastalley.com
PodcastBunker - http://www.podcastbunker.com
Podcasting News - http://www.podcastingnews.com
It will be interesting to see how this publishing medium develops. Currently, only the technical crowd has endorsed podcasting as a new audio medium, but the potential is real and the process is not overly complex. With a little time I think this field will develop and prosper.
About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for NotePage http://www.notepage.net a wireless text messaging software company.
What is Podcasting?
Podcasting is the latest in on-the-go, on-demand technology. With podcasting, you can listen to radio programs or events whenever and wherever you choose. Podcasts are MP3 audio files that are automatically downloaded to your personal computer, and then transferred to an iPod or other MP3 player using a podcasting application.
What equipment do I need?
The basic requirements for podcasting are a computer (PC or Mac), podcasting software (see list of options) and an Internet connection. For portability, an iPod or other MP3 player is needed.
How do I get started?
Simply download and install podcasting software onto your computer. Although applications vary, each should provide instructions on how to add podcast feeds to your list. Then, just check for the new podcasts and MP3s of your selected programs that will be on your computer and, if you are set up, on your MP3 player.
Already have a podcast application?
Simply subscribe to  The AfterNote podcast feed
New podcasts and audio files will be added, so be sure to check back often for all the latest podcasts available.
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French News Media Documentary on Podcasting 
