I’ve been thinking about podcasting lately, and considering taking a dip into the pool. The term itself is a bit of misnomer, borrowing liberally from the iPod player. I’d be interested to know what percentage of people actually use iPods to listen to podcasts. I suspect that it’s less than half.
So what is a podcast and why am I interested? Well, it’s sort of like a recorded radio show, announced via RSS and distributed via the Internet as an MP3 file. Not many people can produce their own radio show. You have to be able to draw a large audience to offset the costs. With podcasting, the costs are negligible. You need a computer, an Internet connection, and a webserver to distribute your podcast. And of course, it helps to have something worth saying, and a few people interesting in listening. But because the entry costs are so low, the audience size does not need to be very large for a podcast to be successful. Podcasting allows niche shows that cover highly specialized topics that might never see the airwaves — maybe even topics like instant messaging?
Podcasting currently is generating tremendous buzz in the tech sector. Apple recently added podcasts to iTunes, allowing you to peruse and subscribe to shows that interest you. It’s a great way for many sites to get visibility, and those who have been featured on the iTunes podcast directory have seen a significant boost in their website traffic.
One of the podcasts I’ve checked out in my research is from Dave’s iPAQ. I recently bought an iPAQ rx3715 and Dave’s iPAQ is the best resource I’ve found for iPAQ owners. Dave’s podcasts are pretty well done. It sounds a lot like TechTV — a little bit of entertainment and some good information, wrapped up nicely in an informal package.
How are podcasts created? Based on the informal research I’ve done, many people are using Skype voice conferencing, coupled with recording software like HotRecorder. Project Gizmo is a Skype competitor with recording features built-in, but unfortunately it’s not compatible with Skype. I did experiment with it to see how the recording worked, and it’s pretty good.
What do you think of podcasts? Have you listened to any? Would you consider it? Leave a comment, or if you use Skype, give me a call and tell me what you think.
I have wanted to try them, they sound cool. But then you have all these extra Mp3 files that you only listen to once. I think that if I got into it I would be making them, not listening. Not that I don’t think it’s a good idea, just that I don’t have that much space on my Mp3 player.
I have wanted to try them, they sound cool. But then you have all these extra Mp3 files that you only listen to once. I think that if I got into it I would be making them, not listening. Not that I don’t think it’s a good idea, just that I don’t have that much space on my Mp3 player.
MrEggsalad, that’s true that you’ll probably only listen to them once… but then you dispose of it. Just delete it from your iPod (or iPAQ, or whatever your preferred player is).
Oh, and I found yet another tool that looks promising. Pamela works with Skype and also creates the RSS feed that’s normally part of a podcast. http://www.pamela-systems.com/products/
MrEggsalad, that’s true that you’ll probably only listen to them once… but then you dispose of it. Just delete it from your iPod (or iPAQ, or whatever your preferred player is).
Oh, and I found yet another tool that looks promising. Pamela works with Skype and also creates the RSS feed that’s normally part of a podcast. http://www.pamela-systems.com/products/
Well I only have a 128MB iRiver. I am saving up for a 256MB card for my PSP so it can be my primary MP3 player. I think I will look into podcasts some more after I get that memory card. Right now I listen to like all the songs on my 128MB one and it is full, maybe I could get some if the file wasn’t too big.
Well I only have a 128MB iRiver. I am saving up for a 256MB card for my PSP so it can be my primary MP3 player. I think I will look into podcasts some more after I get that memory card. Right now I listen to like all the songs on my 128MB one and it is full, maybe I could get some if the file wasn’t too big.
Remember, you don’t need to download them to a portable player — you can listen to them directly on your PC. The only reason to copy it to your portable player would be for listening when you’re not near a PC (at the beach, the gym, in the car, etc.).
Remember, you don’t need to download them to a portable player — you can listen to them directly on your PC. The only reason to copy it to your portable player would be for listening when you’re not near a PC (at the beach, the gym, in the car, etc.).
How stupid of me not to think of that! But right at the moment I can’t because my laptop is falling apart piece by piece and the sound doesn’t work. I am getting a new computer soon(like Sun. or Mon.) and then I will look into them right from my PC. Were you looking into making them yourself? I just thought that since you said in your entry “Would you consider it?”. My answer: Yes!
How stupid of me not to think of that! But right at the moment I can’t because my laptop is falling apart piece by piece and the sound doesn’t work. I am getting a new computer soon(like Sun. or Mon.) and then I will look into them right from my PC. Were you looking into making them yourself? I just thought that since you said in your entry “Would you consider it?”. My answer: Yes!
Jeff thank you very much for your kind compliment! We really appreciate it!
Jeff thank you very much for your kind compliment! We really appreciate it!
Jeff what the fucks a podcast….perhaps im a dumb blonde after all 😉
Jeff what the fucks a podcast….perhaps im a dumb blonde after all 😉
…or maybe podcasting hasn’t gone mainstream yet?
In a nutshell, podcasting is a way of distributing pre-recorded radio shows via the internet. You pick what you’re interested in, and they get downloaded to your PC (or your iPod) whenever a new edition arrives.
For a more detailed explanation, turn to my favorite reference site, Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcast
…or maybe podcasting hasn’t gone mainstream yet?
In a nutshell, podcasting is a way of distributing pre-recorded radio shows via the internet. You pick what you’re interested in, and they get downloaded to your PC (or your iPod) whenever a new edition arrives.
For a more detailed explanation, turn to my favorite reference site, Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcast