Podcasting is a new audio technology that can be attached\rto RSS for easy delivery of audio files. Bloggers or publishers \rcan publish these 'audio' or 'radio' files which subscribers \rcan automatically download and enjoy.

The Free encyclopedia Wikipedia, defines "Podcasting" as\r"making audio files (most commonly in MP3 format) available \ronline in a way that allows software to automatically \rdetect the availability of new files (generally via RSS), \rand download the files for listening at the user's convenience."

Dave Winer, the RSS Pioneer and Innovator states "...Podcasting \rworks the same way (as RSS Feeds), with one exception. Instead of \rreading the new content on a computer screen, you listen to the\rnew content on any capable mp3 player on the computer or hardware \rplayer such as the iPod. Think of your player with Podcasting as \rhaving a set of subscriptions that are checked regularly for updates."

Podcasting comes from the two words: iPod and broadcasting.

Put simply, Podcasting is basically adding audio files to your \rRSS Feed or Blog. It also turns your RSS Feed into a radio\rbroadcast, the only difference between it and regular radio\ris distribution. Regular radio 'pushes' the signal out; in \rPodcasting -- the listener initiates or 'pulls' the cast with \rtheir subscription and automatically downloads the audio file \ror radio program.

Making a Podcast is also relatively simple.

First, you have to record your audio file, you can use any platform\ror application to make your recording. One good choice would be \rAudacity, (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) because it's free, \rcross-platform and you can mix together multiple audio files with it. \rIf you're using the Mac, GarageBand may work for you, it's also free.\r(http://www.apple.com/ilife/)

Make your audio file and convert it to MP3 format i.e. save it with\ra .mp3 file extension. Upload it to your web server.

Next, create your Podcast RSS newsfeed -- just describe your Podcast in\ryour RSS file and place a link in this file to your MP3 file.

Each 'item' contains an 'enclosure' tag as in this example of a \rPodcast of a Grateful Dead song.

<*enclosure url="http://www.scripting.com/mp3s/theOtherOne.mp3" \rlength="6666097" type="audio/mpeg" /*> Remove asterisks in live\rcode.

You can also post and advertise your Podcasts on your website by \rusing the familiar orange xml with a speaker logo added.

Your subscribers can download and listen to your Podcasts on their\rcomputer or thru their iPods. It should also be noted UndergroundMedia \rhas released Podcasting search plugins for the increasingly popular and \rRSS friendly Firefox browser.

For further interest and research you might want to try some of these\rhandy links:

- Yahoo mailing list for Podcasters:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/podcasters\r- The official iPodder website: http://www.ipodder.org/\r- Podcast Alley, a large Podcast directory: http://www.podcastalley.com\r- Podcasting News, Podcasting news site: http://www.podcastingnews.com\r- Podcast.net, very comprehensive searchable list of Podcasts: http://www.podcast.net/\r- Check out Dave Winer and Adam Curry; founders/facilitators of Podcasting http://radio.weblogs.com/

For Bloggers and RSS users, Podcasting adds an exciting new way to \rconnect with their subscribers and audience. Since it combines the MP3 format \rand iPods; Podcasting will no doubt, add an explosive element to your \rblogs and RSS Feeds. Early innovators or users of Podcasts can extend the \rreach and scope of their blogs and/or RSS feeds by pulling in more subscribers \rand listeners.

Don't let this new innovation pass you by -- give your Blog or Site the \rcompetitive edge of audio. Start Podcasting...

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Copyright ? 2005 - Bizwaremagic.com

This article may be freely distributed if this resource\rbox stays attached. Visit http://www.bizwaremagic.com/blog\rfor more RSS/Blog information and resources.