Listen Up: Podcasting Primer for Bloggers
Podcasting is a new audio technology that can be attached
to RSS for easy delivery of audio files. Bloggers or publishers
can publish these ‘audio’ or ‘radio’ files which subscribers
can automatically download and enjoy.
The Free encyclopedia Wikipedia, defines “Podcasting” as
“making audio files (most commonly in MP3 format) available
online in a way that allows software to automatically
detect the availability of new files (generally via RSS),
and download the files for listening at the user’s convenience.”
Dave Winer, the RSS Pioneer and Innovator states “…Podcasting
works the same way (as RSS Feeds), with one exception. Instead of
reading the new content on a computer screen, you listen to the
new content on any capable mp3 player on the computer or hardware
player such as the iPod. Think of your player with Podcasting as
having a set of subscriptions that are checked regularly for updates.”
Podcasting comes from the two words: iPod and broadcasting.
Put simply, Podcasting is basically adding audio files to your
RSS Feed or Blog. It also turns your RSS Feed into a radio
broadcast, the only difference between it and regular radio
is distribution. Regular radio ‘pushes’ the signal out; in
Podcasting — the listener initiates or ‘pulls’ the cast with
their subscription and automatically downloads the audio file
or radio program.
Making a Podcast is also relatively simple.
First, you have to record your audio file, you can use any platform
or application to make your recording. One good choice would be
Audacity, (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) because it’s free,
cross-platform and you can mix together multiple audio files with it.
If you’re using the Mac, GarageBand may work for you, it’s also free.
(http://www.apple.com/ilife/)
Make your audio file and convert it to MP3 format i.e. save it with
a .mp3 file extension. Upload it to your web server.
Next, create your Podcast RSS newsfeed — just describe your Podcast in
your RSS file and place a link in this file to your MP3 file.
Each ‘item’ contains an ‘enclosure’ tag as in this example of a
Podcast of a Grateful Dead song.
Remove asterisks in live
code.
You can also post and advertise your Podcasts on your website by
using the familiar orange xml with a speaker logo added.
Your subscribers can download and listen to your Podcasts on their
computer or through their iPods. It should also be noted UndergroundMedia
has released Podcasting search plugins for the increasingly popular and
RSS friendly Firefox browser.
For further interest and research you might want to try some of these
handy links:
– Yahoo mailing list for Podcasters:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/podcasters
– The official iPodder website: http://www.ipodder.org/
– Podcast Alley, a large Podcast directory: http://www.podcastalley.com
– Podcasting News, Podcasting news site: http://www.podcastingnews.com
– Podcast.net, very comprehensive searchable list of Podcasts: [http://www.podcast.net/]
– Check out Dave Winer and Adam Curry; founders/facilitators of Podcasting http://radio.weblogs.com/
For Bloggers and RSS users, Podcasting adds an exciting new way to
connect with their subscribers and audience. Since it combines the MP3 format
and iPods; Podcasting will no doubt, add an explosive element to your
blogs and RSS Feeds. Early innovators or users of Podcasts can extend the
reach and scope of their blogs and/or RSS feeds by pulling in more subscribers
and listeners.
Don’t let this new innovation pass you by — give your Blog or Site the
competitive edge of audio. Start Podcasting…
