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It's the new buzz word on
the Internet, but do you know what it means?
"Podcasting" is making audio files available online in a way that allows software to automatically download the files for listening at the user's convenience. There's nothing special about the audio itself. It is usually in the MP3 format as this is widely accepted and file sizes are smaller. They are delivered to you via RSS. RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication and it is a method of delivering content to you when you want it. So if you find a podcast you like, you subscribe and the audio files are downloaded to your computer. You don't have to go looking for them each week. Then, when you connect your iPod, they automatically transfer to it. It's like radio on demand. And, you can listen to it anywhere, anytime. |
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| Developed by former MTV VJ
and Internet businessman Adam Curry, the term was coined from a
combination of Apple's "iPod" and "broadcasting".
The idea started in the late nineties as a way of getting a blog
to be heard, although at the time there was no syndication
involved.
Podcasting is increasing in popularity. According to Forrester Research, by 2010 podcasting should have about 12.3 million listeners. This great up-take of the concept is partly due to better Internet connection speeds and the way RSS works. RSS was invented to use your computer when it was idle. With a broadband connection, you can leave the PC on and connected. At night for instance, large files can be downloaded, ready for you to open in the morning. This way you don't have to wait to play them. It's a better way of utilising existing technology. Users subscribe to podcasts using "podcatching" software (also called "aggregator" software) which periodically checks for and downloads new content. It can then sync the content to the user's portable music player. Podcasting does not require an iPod or iTunes; any digital audio player or computer with the appropriate software can play podcasts. The same technique can deliver video files, which is just around the corner. There
are tens of thousands of podcasts available today covering all manner of
subjects. Most are Most podcasts run between ten minutes and half an hour. Of course, you have to find the time to listen to them! At present just about all podcasts are free. For the past year or so, people have been trying to work out how to make money from the system. Some commercial free podcasts charge a small subscription fee that gives you a special web site membership as well. Others are inserting commercials, but that can have the effect of turning listeners off. The podcast sites which hold directories of podcasts, also have Google Ads. This another way they make some money. The fact that Apple has integrated podcasting into iTunes would have many believe that charges are just around the corner, even though they are free presently. So that's the history and technical stuff behind podcasts. If you would like to go and explore, here are a few sites to go to...
Next month we'll show how you can set up your own podcast easily. |
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from people who just have something to say and find this a good way to
do it. However, most radio stations recognise the popularity
of podcasting and release some of their own content as podcasts.
The ABC have segments from all their stations available (39 podcasts available as
I write this).