Podcasting
Podcasting is a free service that allows Internet users to pull audio files (typically MP3s) from a podcasting Web site to listen to on their computer or personal digital audio player.
Name comes from a combination of the words iPod and broadcasting.
Unlike Internet Radio, users don’t have to “tune in” to a particular broadcast; They subscribe to a podcast and the audio files are automatically downloaded to their computer via RSS feeds (Real Simple Syndication- allows users to to subscribe and download content from websites) as often as they request.
Similar to that of TiVo
Podcasting was developed in 2004 by former MTV video jockey Adam Curry and software developer Dave Winer. Curry wrote a program, called iPodder that enabled him to automatically download Internet radio broadcasts to his iPod. Several developers improved upon his idea, and podcasting was officially born.
To create your own podcasts, you need the following:
A microphone
Recording and editing software
Music clip/loop library (Garage Band)
A way to publish your podcast and distribute it to listeners (Podcast hosting service).
Podcatching Software
It is relatively simple to download individual podcasts and transfer them to your computer or listening device.
To automate this process, you can "subscribe" to podcasts using podcatching software and RSS feeds.
RSS (Real Simple Syndication) is a specificiation for XML files (Extensible Markup Language - A programming language that aids information systems in sharing and creating data formats-similar to a word doc which can also be shared via the Internet).
RSS feeds allows users to to subscribe and download content from websites automatically without having to revisit websites for updates.
By simply using podcatching software such as iTunes, you can specify particular podcasts that you want to receive regularly and have them automatically downloaded to a folder or directly to your listening device/mp3 player.
Podcast Directory
iTunes
Podcast Alley
Podbead Podcasting Hosting Service
Podcast Links
Planning: Formats, Scripting And Production Elements
There are three ways in which you can script or "write" and produce your podcast:
Polished
Free Style
Combination