Podcasting 101

[samuraiwig]

Quick tech question.

I have an mp3 player which is not an iPod, and I have a laptop running Windows XP. Given these facts, does anyone know whether, and if so how, I can use Podcasting?

If I can't then I'll have to retract a couple of boosts for iRiver in other threads

I've trawled the net for info but it's either Apple-centric or incomprehensible to a luddite such as myself.

Any pointers would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[GuyJean]

Quick tech question.

I have an mp3 player which is not an iPod, and I have a laptop running Windows XP. Given these facts, does anyone know whether, and if so how, I can use Podcasting?

If you encode the audio as an mp3, I don't see why you couldn't.. I think people just post their Podcasts as RSS feeds. Now making the cast might be Apple-centric, but I really doubt it..

Sounds like you're looking for iPodder (receiving):
http://ipodder.sourceforge.net/index.php

Podcasting in WMP (creating):
http://www.jakeludington.com/project_studio/20041019_podcasting_for_windows_media.html

OSX Podcasting (creating):
http://log.hugoschotman.com/hugo/2005/02/basic_studio_se.html

Personally, I don't understand the buzz.. Of course, look at bloggers; they're breaking stories the corporate media are too scared to touch.. Periodic revolution is good, me thinks..

GJ

[samuraiwig]

Thanks for the info and links - I'll check them out

[GuyJean]

Thanks for the info and links - I'll check them out

Actually, I really don't know much about Podcasting.. Somebody else might be able to give you more detailed info..

Wired has a good summary:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.03/curry.html?pg=3&topic=curry&topic_set=

HOW IT WORKS
1. The podcaster records a show as an audio file.
2. Then, he adds a hyperlink for the show to an RSS feed on a Web server.
3. The listener's podcast software checks RSS feeds at set intervals, downloading and adding new shows to a playlist.
4. When the listener docks his portable player, it updates with the latest shows.

HOW TO GET IT
To download podcasts to any portable (not just the iPod), start with the right software. Wired's pick:
iPodder: This free PC/Mac/Linux program lets you subscribe to podcasts from its directory listing or add your own. It periodically checks for and downloads new podcasts. If you use iTunes, you'll find the latest shows waiting whenever you dock your iPod. Free download, ipodder.org

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN PODCAST
1. Plug a USB headset with earphone and microphone into your computer.
2. Install the free Audacity MP3 recorder for Windows, Mac, or Linux. Make a recording, then save it as an MP3 file.
3. Upload the MP3 file to your Web site or blog. Follow the instructions at ipodder.org to create an RSS feed on your site.

WHAT'S NEXT
Ourmedia (ourmedia.org), a grassroots media project backed by the Internet Archive, will provide free podcasting tools and permanent hosting for podcasts beginning in mid-2005. Also, broadcasters such as the Canadian Broadcasting Company, BBC, and NPR are currently experimenting with podcasting.

GJ

[samuraiwig]

Ah, even better!

A luddite's guide like that is really what I was looking for.

Also the iPodder link above supports downloads for a variety of platforms, including Windows, which for some reason is what I couldn't find when I was surfing around. Must look more closely next time!

domo domo

[Ptyx]

Where does all the hype come from for that podcast stuff ?!
It's just plain audio files and "dewds" talking on it. So i guess it's cool but it's not revolutionary by any means. I 'm seeing podcast everywhere now. It's just like the wiki boom. Everybody had a wiki about nothing, it was just cool to have one. It's like moblog ! Why do you want to post to your blog while you're in a bar or in a train ??
Now everybody's and their grandmother are going to podcast what they could have written. The only difference from a plain audio file is that you don't have to go to the site to get it.
The ipoder client is interesting though. I can see a lot of great applications to that sort of stuff, automatic download via feed.
Well i guess i should wait to see how this develops but it sounds a lot like a fad being pushed by the people who actually podcasts rather than the people who listens to podcasts.

[samuraiwig]

Seems most of the content is indeed people waffling into mp3 recorders whilst sat on the toilet - literally in several cases

If that was all that was on offer the novelty would wear off in about 5 seconds. But some major broadcasters, such as the BBC, are starting to make some programs available in this way. That could save me some time and hassle with locating and listen to/download shows.

Also I guess it could be a good web-word-of-mouth way for musicians to get material distributed.

I was just curious what all the hype/buzz was about and to find out some more about how it works, and thanks to some help here I have.

[Ptyx]

There's absolutely nothing wrong in wanting to know what the hype's all about. I also did it.
The thing is this is being pushed too much. I mean nobody knew what was podcasting a couple of months ago. Like it's the next hot stuff to come from the intarweb. I'm sure there are already hundreds of idiots making buisness plans around this.
Now i don't think the whole idea is stupid, it's rather clever actually, but i don't like the name and all the buzz surrounding it.

[Caustic Saint]

The best use I've seen of it so far is by the Sci-Fi Channel. They're releasing audio commentaries for the new Battlestar Galactica series this way.

For free.

[GuyJean]

Podcasts Opening New Ad Markets in Japan
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/rsstory/49155.html

Yukihiro Okada, who is in charge of program production at FM Inter-Wave, said, "Podcasts can capture narrower sectors of the audience that cannot be reached by the radio." Some companies, meanwhile, are eying podcasts as a promising advertising medium.

Podcasts have captured a wide audience in Japan since last August, when Apple began distributing iTunes, a free software program that allows users to download and transfer audio files onto iPods.

People are now able to register their favorite weekly radio programs in advance on their computers so that the computers automatically record the programs each week.

People then transfer the recorded files onto their iPods and can listen to them wherever they like.

Radio companies have been quick to embark on new podcasting services.

Last August, radio firm IBC Iwate Broadcasting became Japan's first AM station to release podcasts. Besides airing local news, the company promotes local culture -- such as by teaching listeners words and expressions unique to the Hanamaki dialect, which is spoken in the northeastern Honshu Island prefecture of Iwate.

The number of registered listeners using the company's podcasts already exceeds 10,000. "Listeners are increasing at a far faster pace than we had anticipated," said Kensuke Joji, an official with IBC Iwate's digital service division.

Even people living outside Iwate, including those residing abroad, have signed up for the podcasting service, boosting the company's advertising revenue, Joji added.

Original Podcast Content

While many radio broadcasters are reworking existing radio programs to make them more suitable for use on iPods, FM Inter-Wave, a broadcaster of foreign-language programs, is producing original podcasts such as live performances of jazz bands and interviews with Japanese and foreign celebrities.

Radio companies are hopeful that the advent of podcasts will help them expand their customer base, breathing new life into their businesses to arrest the ongoing fall in advertisement revenues.

According to the nation's largest advertising agency, Dentsu, radio stations' ad revenue slid to some 180 billion yen in 2004 from 210 billion yen in 2000 as the number of listeners declined.

Some companies are also trying to cash in on the promise of podcasts as an advertising medium.

Major Internet access provider Nifty went into the online ad business in January, placing ads via podcasts.

The company launched a Web site called "Podcasting Juice" last July, which displays a list of podcasts that can be downloaded.

As the Web site has proved quite popular and customers tend to listen to a long run of podcasts at a time, the company has decided to insert commercials both at the beginning and the end of each program.

"We intend to step up our marketing efforts to achieve ad revenue of 100 million yen (US$86 million) in the year ending March 2007," said Takashi Narita, an official with Nifty's ad business division.

The phenomenal success of the iPod has so transformed the entertainment scene that it might create further, unanticipated spin-offs that could pave the way for companies to enter new types of online businesses.

GJ