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March 31, 2006

Podcasts, Anyone?

One of the hot topics at this year's Computers in Libraries conference, which I attended in March, was podcasting, a new technology for distributing audio and video files over the Internet. The "pod" in podcasting refers to the Apple iPod, the best-selling mp3 player, but you don’t have to have an iPod to take advantage of this new technology. Podcast files are supplied by content providers from the worlds of journalism, broadcasting, and entertainment. The new technology enables you to subscribe free of charge to these regularly broadcast files, giving you access to favorite audio and/or video programs when you want, where you want, and on whatever device you choose. I was familiar with iPods and had navigated the iTunes website, but usually for music files. Podcasts are relatively new. Using my PC-compatible laptop, I logged on to the Internet, entered “podcasting” in Google, and was soon looking at Apple's iTunes podcasting webpage. In order to listen to podcasts through iTunes, I needed to download the iTunes software (version 6.0.4), which works on a PC computer with Windows 2000 or XP or a Mac computer with Mac OS X v10.2.8 or later. Once I downloaded and installed the iTunes software (the combined process took less than 5 minutes with my cable Internet connection), I was able to browse an extensive collection of podcasts from a variety of suppliers, including commercial television networks, The New York Times, the BBC, NPR, and The Wall Street Journal. For my first foray into podcasting, I chose All Songs Considered from NPR, described as “an eclectic mix of fresh music by emerging artists and breakout bands.” I was able to fold my laundry and get an update on new developments from the world of music (with clips included). In a busy world, podcasting makes multitasking possible. It’s easy to do and, in many cases, free. (Episodes of Lost and other TV shows cost about $2.00 each.) If you’re ready to add another notch to your computer skills belt, try podcasting.

Posted by JudyS at March 31, 2006 11:25 AM

Comments

Posted by: Mary F at April 3, 2006 12:37 PM