What is ‘podcasting’?
The term ‘podcasting’ just hit the internet within the last couple of
months. It’s getting a lot of mention by bloggers and other internet
publishers, some going so far as to say it’s the “next big thing”.
Fine. But what is it?
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Podcasting is a term coined by Adam Curry (of MTV
VeeJay fame, and one of the web’s modern pioneers) that boils down to this
scenario:
-
An on-line publisher produces audio content in the form of an mp3
file. -
That mp3 file is referenced as an enclosure in that publishers
RSS Feed. -
Folks who want to listen to that content subscribe to that RSS feed using a
program called iPodder. -
iPodder automatically downloads the mp3 file when it’s published. Typically
folks schedule this overnight when the computer and its internet connection
would otherwise be idle. -
iPodder automatically loads the mp3 file into iTunes, Apples digital music player.
-
iTunes automatically loads the mp3 file onto the listener’s iPod portable music player. (Hence the term
“podcasting”) -
Listeners get up in the morning, grab their iPod and listen to the content
they want, when they want.
Most people think that podcasting is limited to RSS feeds that provide
content in enclosures, and that you need iTunes and an iPod to do it. Not true
at all.
If you read through that scenario, podcasting is really nothing more than a
structured synchronization of certain types of files. Any of those steps listed
above can be replaced or augmented with several different alternatives.
Let’s run that scenario again:
-
An on-line publisher can actually produce content in just about any form.
MP3 files are certainly the most common and arguably the most useful, but it’s
quite possible you’ll see alternate audio formats as well as video files being
made available sometime soon. -
That content can certainly be delivered in an RSS Feed, but other
alternatives are also possible. My current favorite is using Replay Radio(essentially Tivo for internet radio)
to record regularly scheduled broadcasts of stations that broadcast on the
internet. -
iPodder + iTunes + iPod is a great, streamlined solution. However, Jake
Ludington has put together a good overview of how that scenario can instead be:
iPodder + Windows Media Player + your own MP3 player in this article: Podcasting with Windows Media Player. It’s not quite
as streamlined yet, because iPodder currently won’t automatically populate
Windows Media Player with the downloaded files. -
Listeners grab their favorite portable (or non-portable) MP3 player and
listen to the content they want, when they want.
Naturally I’ve been experimenting with this technology as a consumer, and I
think it has a lot of promise though for now I think it remains in the realm
of gadget or computer geeks who can put all the parts together. I’ve used
iPodder to download Adam Curry’s daily show which is provided as an RSS feed.
I’ve used Replay Radio to grab various shows off of the internet so I can
listen to them when I want to. I’ve played some with using Windows Media Player
to manage the synchronization to my SD flash ram card, and fired up the MP3
player on my Treo cell phone, as well as my portable TDK MP3 player. There are
a few missing links (I don’t understand why car stereos still don’t
have an audio input jack), but overall it’s enabled me to make better use of my
time as I listen to what I want, rather then whatever’s on.
I’m also experimenting with this technology as a publisher. I’ve upgraded
the Ask Leo! RSS feed to carry attachments when
present, and have recorded audio versions of several recent articles, including
this one. In theory, that means I’m podcasting as the scenarios I’ve outlined
above can all now consume my audio feeds. It’s been suggested and I plan to
try podcasting my next video tip. There’s
nothing really standing in the way.
A final, somewhat editorial thought; one person I talked to was unconvinced
that podcasting was going to be very interesting because the podcast he
happened to catch was “boring”. Certainly new content delivery technology,
which is all podcasting really is, isn’t going to make the content any better.
Publishers still need to have something good to publish. To me, podcasting is an
interesting approach because it puts me back in control of what I choose to
listen to, and when. If it’s boring then I won’t subscribe, and I’ll listen to
something else. The challenge to the future of podcasting is the same as any
budding technology; make it easy for the masses to consume and good content
will follow.
I’m the one who thought it boring. :) I guess my real point was, Adam Curry and others make a big deal about what a revolution podcasting is, but it’s hard to hear the revolution if the messenger sucks. That said, I don’t even have an iPod, so it’s something I experience at my desktop computer and thus is not much different than just downloading an mp3 file manually. If I actually had an iPod my opinion would probably change.
I have also heard of podcasting sites where anyone
can record thoughts, music, poetry etc., and post it so anyone can hear it. This sounds like an exciting way to start underground podcasting shows, which could them move onto the mainstream podcasting sites.
A page like this could also use podcasting; instead of reading this post you could be listening to it.
My biggest worry is that I’ll have all of these cool ideas for my podcast but the technology will get in the way.
So do I have to go spend money, or can I go downstairs in my makeshift studio, record my podcast any way I want, convert it to an MP3 and I’m ready to download onto a podcast site?
Fortunately Adam Curry is entertainment savvy AND a tech geek, so the balance is there. Unfortunately, I’m just now understanding how to attach a file when I email someone, but I’ve got tons of ideas, concepts, projects, etc.
The technology is holding me hostage from participating.
My recommendation: just start. Get a reasonable microphone, use your PC to record, and make a few practice podcasts. See how they sound to you.
My weekly podcast is done with a plantronics USB mic and headset, my PC, and Audacity – the free open source sound editor. That’s it.
The big assumption in all this is that everyone has something interesting to say and are fluent enough to say it. My long-held belief is that everyone should only do the things they’re very good at doing. In the past this “natural selection” ensured that only the best minds were heard or read. Now any vacuous drivel can get spread around. At the present rate civilisation will soon be going backwards.