Listen: Introduction to Podcasts for Bloggers
Podcasting is a new audio technology that can be attached
to RSS for easy delivery of audio files. Bloggers or editors
can post these ‘audio’ or ‘radio’ files that subscribers
can download and enjoy automatically.
The free encyclopedia Wikipedia, defines “Podcasting” as
“make audio files (most commonly MP3) available
online in a way that allows the software to
detect the availability of new files (usually via RSS),
and download the files to listen to them at the user’s convenience. “
RSS pioneer and innovator Dave Winer states “… Podcasting
it works the same way (like RSS Feeds), with one exception. Instead of
reading the new content on a computer screen, listen to the
new content on any compatible mp3 player on computer or hardware
player such as iPod. Think of your Podcasting player as
have a set of subscriptions that are periodically checked for updates. “
Podcasting comes from two words: iPod and streaming.
Simply put, podcasting is basically about adding audio files to your
RSS or Blog. It also turns your RSS feed into a radio
broadcast, the only difference between it and regular radio
it is distribution. Regular radio “pushes” the signal; on
Podcasting: the listener initiates or ‘pulls’ the cast with
your subscription and automatically download the audio file
or radio show.
Making a Podcast is also relatively easy.
First, you must record your audio file, you can use any platform
or application to make your recording. A good choice would be
Audacity, (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) because it is free,
cross-platform and you can mix multiple audio files with it.
If you are using Mac, GarageBand may work for you, it’s free too.
(http://www.apple.com/ilife/)
Make your audio file and convert it to MP3 format, that is, save it with
an .mp3 file extension. Upload it to your web server.
Next, create your Podcast RSS news feed – just describe your Podcast at
your RSS file and put a link in this file to your MP3 file.
Each ‘element’ contains an ‘enclosure’ tag as in this example of
Podcast of a Grateful Dead song.
Remove asterisks live
encoded.
You can also publish and advertise your Podcasts on your website using
using the familiar orange xml with an added speaker logo.
Your subscribers can download and listen to your Podcasts on their
computer or through your iPods. UndergroundMedia should also be noted
has released podcasting search plugins for the increasingly popular and
Firefox browser compatible with RSS.
For further interest and research, you may want to try some of these
Helpful Links:
– Yahoo! Mailing List for Podcasters:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/podcasters
– The official website of iPodder: http://www.ipodder.org/
– Podcast Alley, a great podcast directory: http://www.podcastalley.com
– Podcasting News, podcasting news site: http://www.podcastingnews.com
– Podcast.net, very complete search list of Podcasts: [http://www.podcast.net/]
– Check out Dave Winer and Adam Curry; Podcasting founders / facilitators http://radio.weblogs.com/
For Bloggers and RSS users, Podcasting adds an exciting new way to
connect with your subscribers and audience. Since it combines the MP3 format
and iPods; Podcasting will undoubtedly add an explosive element to your
blogs and RSS feeds. Early innovators or podcast users can expand the
reach and reach of your blogs and / or RSS feeds by attracting more subscribers
and listeners.
Don’t miss out on this new innovation: give your blog or site the
competitive advantage of audio. Start podcasting …