Podcasting

Podcasting is a new way of managing media content on web. Any new media files uploaded in a site can be reflected using the Media RSS(MRSS) feeds. Search engines which are looking for media over web can look for these RSS feeds and get the updated version of the media. Podcasting is mainly used with audio files, especially for radio shows. In Podcasting as and when new shows are uploaded, the RSS files are suitably updated. This way anyone who has subscribed for these feeds will be aware of the available shows. Hence Podcasting acts like a new form of free radio over internet.

Three steps for listening to podcasts.

1. Download and install a podcast software like ipodder, itunes 4.9 etc. These softwares act as aggregators of the RSS feeds.
2. Search for the podcasts of interest and subscribe for their feeds. The podcast software software ( aggregators ) frequently look for the updated shows and download them on to our computer.
3. Listen the downloaded shows on the computer or sync it with other devices like ipod for convinient listening.

Through podcasting we can listen to all our favourite shows anytime, anywhere defying the schedule of the stations. There are many sites on the internet where one can start podcasting. It is as simple as writing a blog. Podcasting is quickly gaining popularity with many sites providing related services.

For more gyaan on Podcasting visit the following links:-

• http://www.apple.com/podcasting/ - describes howto listen to podcasts using the latest itunes and ipod
• http://www.live365.com/podcasts/ - has got links giving brief intro to podcasting and for scheduling automatic download of live365 weekly podcast
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcasting - good description of podcasting - history and technology enabling it.
• http://www.podcast.net/ - A directory of large number of podcasts covering a wide variety of topics and interests.