(iPOD broadCAST) An audio broadcast that has been converted to an MP3 file or other audio file format for playback in a digital music player or computer. The "pod" in podcast was coined from "iPod," the predominant portable, digital music player, and although podcasts are mostly verbal, they may contain music and video.

Podcasting is not unlike time-shifted video software and devices like TiVo and DVRs provided by your local cable or satellite company, which let you watch what you want when you want by recording and storing video, except that podcasting is used for audio and is currently free of charge. Note, however, that this technology can be used to push any kind of file, including software updates, pictures, and videos.

What makes podcasting special is that it allows individuals to publish (podcast) radioshows, that interested listeners can subscribe to. Before podcasting you could of course record a radio show and put it on your website, but now people can automatically receive new shows, without having to go to a specific site and download it from there.

Tech Talk

Podcasting uses an XML-based technology called RSS, or Really Simple Syndication. Content publishers describe new content in an XML RSS file which includes dates, titles, descriptions, and links to MP3 files. This auto-generated file is called an RSS feed. The key to making podcasting work with RSS is enclosures, a feature supported by RSS 2.0.

Podcasting Anything and Everything

Podcasting is not just for on-going broadcasts, rather the term is used for recording anything and everything to be played back in a digital player. "Sound seeing" is the audio recording of a person's experiences when traveling. Museums are making their audio tours available as podcasts for download, and art students and professors are creating their own "unauthorized" and often more controversial narrations of famous art works.  Local city departments are discovering the value of delivering information to residents like safety programs, city-related laws and benefits, etc.

Technical Favorites
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MacCast

Podcast Resources
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3 steps to Podcasting
Pod101