What Exactly Is Podcasting?

Podcasting is simply a new way to distribute audio andMP3's, RSS 2.0, podcatcher software and the
video files to listeners.Ipod + Broadcasting =popularity of high speed internet all play a big part in
PodcastingThe "pod" in podcasting refers to Apple'smaking podcasting possible.Podcasting as we know it
iPod digital music player, but an Ipod is not needed totoday can be traced back to two podfathers.Adam
listen to podcasts. A podcast can be listened to onCurry and software developer Dave Winer are
any device capable of downloading and playing mediacredited with developing Podcasting as it's heard on
files.The most common devices used include ipod's,MP3 players around the world today.Adam Curry
other MP3 Players, PDA's, Cell Phones, and PSP's.developed a program called ipodder that allowed him
Podcasts can also be listen to directly from yourto automatically download internet radio broadcasts
computer or streaming off the internet.Podcasting isdirectly on his portable MP3 Player.Dave Winer heavily
not just downloading media files off the web.There'spromoted RSS (Really Simple Syndication), mainly
more to it. Much more.Listeners subscribe to a podcastused by bloggers and news-like sites to syndicate their
show. Then special software periodically checks tocontent to RSS-aware programs called news
see if any new podcasts are available. If a new showaggregators. Curry and Winer then developed a way
has been created, the software automaticallyto send media files through RSS feeds.So how can
downloads the audio file to the subscribers PC oryou begin podcasting?It's easy. In the most basic form
directly to a portable media player such as an Appleyou have 3 steps.1. Record your audio and convert it
iPod.In this sense, podcasting is like "Tivo" for internetto an MP32. Create a simple text file called an RSS
audio and video. In fact, Tivo now supports2.0 feed that describes your file3. Upload your MP3
Podcasting.Podcasting is quickly becoming a majorand RSS 2.0 text file to the web.Head over to and
media force. With stations like ESPN and Disney nowcheck out some podcasts and see what others are
publishing podcasts on a regular basis, it won't be longcurrently doing in the world of podcasting.If you think
before it's mainstream to the public.you might have a show in mind don't hesitate to get
So who started this monster?Podcasting has evolvedstarted. Podcasting is still in it's early stages. You can
to what it is today because of a number of differentquickly have a worldwide audience for your show.
technologies coming together.Portable media players,