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Podcasting

Podcasting. Robert Morrison University of Wyoming Westnet meeting January 11, 2007. What are Podcasts?. Podcasts are multimedia content (usually mp3 files) that can be downloaded from the web to a mobile device such as a mobile mp3 player or iPod. Direct download, streaming, or podcasting.

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Podcasting

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  1. Podcasting Robert Morrison University of Wyoming Westnet meeting January 11, 2007

  2. What are Podcasts? • Podcasts are multimedia content (usually mp3 files) that can be downloaded from the web to a mobile device such as a mobile mp3 player or iPod.

  3. Direct download, streaming, or podcasting • Though podcasters' web sites may also offer direct download or streaming of their content, a podcast is distinguished from other digital audio formats by its ability to be downloaded automatically using software capable of reading feed formats such as RSS or Atom.

  4. Examples of streaming, direct download, and podcast content • NPR Hourly News • streaming • direct download and/or podcast feed

  5. How do podcasts work? • Podcasts are based on RSS feeds • The concept is to: • First, download desired podcast content (feeds that you ‘subscribe to’) to your workstation (laptop or desktop) • Second, download (synchronize) podcasts from workstation to mobile device

  6. What is an RSS feed? (per Wikipedia) • A web feed is a data format used for serving users frequently updated content. Content distributors syndicate a web feed, thereby allowing users to subscribe to it. Making a collection of web feeds accessible in one spot is known as aggregation.

  7. More on RSS feeds … • New browsers (for example IE 7) have built in tools for managing RSS feeds • For example, NPR homepage creates RSS icon on IE7 toolbar • Another example – Wyoming weather alerts from NOAA (Google “NOAA RSS Wyoming”) • http://www.nws.noaa.gov/alerts/wy.rss

  8. What is a Podcast? (per Wikipedia) • A podcast is a media file that is distributed by subscription over the Internet using syndication feeds, for playback on mobile devices and personal computers. Like 'radio', it can mean both the content and the method of syndication. The latter may also be termed podcasting. The host or author of a podcast is often called a podcaster.

  9. What do you need in order to use podcasts? • A desktop or laptop workstation with Internet access. • An aggregator (software), sometimes called a podcatcher or podcast receiver, to subscribe to and manage the feeds. • iTunes (Apple) • Juice (formerly iPodder) • RSSRadio • Many others (see http://www.podcastingnews.com/topics/Podcast_Software.html)

  10. What do you need in order to use podcasts? (continued) • A mobile device • iPod (Apple), Zune (Microsoft), or hundreds of Windows CE compatible devices • (see Windows mobile devices) • Software to manage (download from workstation to mobile device) podcast content on mobile device • iTunes (for iPods) • Pretty easy to use • Windows Media (for Windows CE devices ) • Key is to use the Windows Media tool to monitor folders • See How-To

  11. What do you need in order to create a podcast feed? • Need to create content • Audacity - free audio recorder and editor • (This is the biggest obstacle for use in University classes :-) • Tool to edit/create RSS feed • RSS feed is a simple XML file • Can use Notepad • I use FeedForAll • A website (any website) • Add page with XML RSS feed • See www.uwyo.edu/morrison/rss.xml • (Optional) Method for users to discover feed • Can just use Google search (Google “podcast morrison Wyoming”) • Perhaps create central site directory • See www.uwyo.edu/podcasts for an example

  12. Is Podcasting just a fad? • Perhaps ... remember that podcasts are for listening to (or viewing) media offline (on an iPod for example). They are good for media you want to listen to as you travel about and are not ‘online’. • I believe most podcast content will be viewed or heard on demand using an Internet connected device (including a desktop, laptop, or cell phone • Most modern cell phones have an integrated web browser, mp3 player, etc)

  13. On demand is the future? • In short, I believe the trend is toward becoming constantly connected to the Internet • Why fiddle with downloading and managing content on your mobile device ahead of time? • Most new cell phones play (mp3) audio and video • Even Apple announced (1-9-2007) a cell phone (iPhone?) • Time will tell if Podcasting is a compelling concept – but use appears to be nominal today.

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