What is Podcasting?

According to wikipedia, Podcasting is a new term for the online publishing of files in a way that allows for the subscription-like syndication and distribution of files as they become available. Most podcasts are audio in MP3 format, syndicated through the RSS protocol. Other formats and other types of files, such as video, can also be podcasted, though these are limited by common bandwidth constraints.

 

On iPodder.org, Dave Winer gives us the following definition. 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.

 

Podcasting 101 Video

Director: Stephen Bates
Producer: Stephen Bates
Production Company: Benchmark Video Productions: Audio/Visual: sound, color

 

 

 

Podcasting 101 is a primer for basic podcasting. Follow the Promiscuous Bullet team as they show a novice just how it's done, podcasting that is. This production covers the basic tools for creating audio content for distribution through Internet subscription channel.

Podcast Links

iPodder.org

Podcast.net

Technorati Podcasting

Podcasting Tools

Sourceforge iPodder