Just when you thought you were getting the hang of this internet thing, along comes something new to learn. It's called podcasting and, while right now it may be as interesting as all those clipart-laden personal websites that littered the web in its early days, it just may have the potential to revolutionize the way we listen to radio.
The word "podcasting" is misleading. It's a combination of the terms iPod and broadcasting. But you don't need an iPod to tune in.
A podcast is internet audio, usually in the form of an MP3 file. But it differs from plain old streaming audio in a couple of ways:
- It's automatically delivered to your portable audio player – you don't have to click on a link to download it.
- You listen when you want – not when a program is scheduled.
- RELATED: CBC Radio's podcasts
It's a relatively new phenomenon that started in the late summer of 2004. Within six months, programs available through podcasting grew from about three dozen to well over 3,500.
Amateur radio describes most of the early entries in the podcasting game. Molar Radio produced its first podcast on March 7, 2005, from Toronto. Billed as an arts/variety program, it opened its first show with hosts Chris and Erin saying they were trying to make sure all the equipment worked. They went on to review a movie and give their view of a couple of stories in the news. An audio blog.
But there are also some larger players experimenting with podcasting. Several American public radio stations are making some of their programs available. So is the BBC. And the CBC (cbc.ca/podcasting/).
To get started, you have to download free podcatching software.
Podcasting uses the combination of audio files and RSS (Really Simple Syndication) to publish descriptive data and metadata associated with the audio. RSS files used in podcasting include dates, titles, descriptions and links to audio files.
The data make it possible for the podcatching software to find the programs you want to subscribe to. As soon as a show you have specified you are interested in is posted, your computer will download it.
You don't need a high-speed internet connection to take advantage of the technology – although it does help, because the program files can be quite large.
CBC Radio's technology columnist – Todd Maffin, who is available through podcasting – says podcasting is evolving from the blog movement.
"It's mostly extreme computer users. People to whom ‘nerd' is a badge of honour."
One of Maffin's favourite podcast shows is a three-hour program on German board games – the kind of show that could never attract a large enough audience on traditional radio but attracts a niche audience of about 1,000 on the web.
Another features a married couple in Wisconsin who record their conversations before they go to bed. It attracts an audience of 60,000 – more than some commercial radio stations.
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