Quick Start Guide
to Podcast Listening |
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1. |
Podcast files, typically mp3 audio
files (other types of files can also be podcast), are stored on a web
server or other delivery network.
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2.
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The podcast producer,
creates an RSSfeed (typically an xml or other file format). Listeners
use the aggregator program (iTunes® or other similar programs - see
below) to subscribe and check the RSSfeed for new podcasts.
The aggregator automatically downloads groups or individually selected
podcasts to the home computer.
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3. |
The listener can play
the podcast on their computer or elect to load it to a personal mp3
player (iPod® or similar devices)
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Finding - Selecting an aggregator:
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4. |
The most widely used
podcast aggregator is iTunes® by Apple®
however other free high quality aggregators are available and new
ones or new releases are coming out all the time. This editor
recommends the Juice Receiver
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Finding a podcast: |
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5. |
Search the web for
'podcast' and see what happens! Add a keyword of the subject
that interests you and take your pick. Thousands of podcasts are
out there and the list is growing.
Go to a podcast directory, many are out there. iTunes® by Apple®
has years of listening available, other directories like
Podcast Pickle
or Podcast
Alley are also good places to start. |
| What's this funky code when I click on RSS? |
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6. |
Just click on a link like this
 and it will bring up some
interesting information, none of which is much interest to any
listener. All we want is to subscribe to the damn podcast!
The inside info is to "right click" then select "copy link location"
so you can paste the URL path to the RSSfeed directly into your
aggregator.
The free internet browser Firefox
lets you drag the RSSfeed to the navbar where
it is automatically installed. |
| Want to learn more? |
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There are so many sites
available to expand your understanding of podcasting.
Podcast411
has been around from the beginning and is a great place to start. |
| What's Next? |
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This a very brief guide
(by a non-computer professional) to a world of podcasting that is
changing everyday. We hope that it will help you get started to a
whole new and exciting media world! Check back once in a while
for updates and please email your questions to
info@uupodcasters.org |
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Thanks to founding member Alex Gacic for
this column.
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