[vip_students] What Is A Podcast?

Hi All,

I thought the below article I recently came across might be a good read for
some interested in this topic.

What is a podcast?
A podcast is an episodic program delivered via the Internet using an XML
protocol called RSS. Podcast episodes can be audio files, video files,
documents, or any combination of the three. The publisher or broadcaster
podcasts the program by posting the episodes and the XML document to a Web
server. The consumer subscribes to the podcast using a client application,
such as iTunes, which regularly reads the XML file and downloads new
episodes.
Because podcasts can include several of the most common types of media, they
can be used to offer many different kinds of programs. Any television or
radio program can of course be transmitted as a podcast, as can any lecture,
performance, or other recorded event. Using the AAC file format, audio
podcasts can include synchronized still images to create a narrated
slideshow. In this way, a series of lectures can include the lecturer's
voice and presentation slides. In most podcasts, each episode is the same
file format, so subscribers can enjoy the program the same way each time.
However, some podcasts use multiple media. Language courses, for example,
can combine video for a sense of the foreign country, audio for information
and ear training, and documents for practice and reference.
A wide variety of programs are emerging as podcasts, because the protocol
offers compelling characteristics for publishers:
The cost of distribution is limited to the cost of data transfer.
The XML document that ties the podcast together is simpler to create and
maintain than most web pages.
The RSS protocol helps facilitate an ongoing, opt-in, and highly convenient
relationship with the subscriber.
The size of the channel is effectively unlimited therefore can't be
dominated by any other publisher or broadcaster.
And podcasts are attractive to subscribers, too:
Podcasts are free. 
There are thousands of podcasts available from all over the world. 
New podcast episodes appear automatically and can be enjoyed anywhere,
anytime.
How can I get started?
The podcasts directory in the iTunes Store is where you find and subscribe
to new podcasts:
  
The Podcasts section of your Library is where you manage your existing
subscriptions and play the episodes you have downloaded:
To find and subscribe to a podcast:
Launch iTunes. If you do not have iTunes, download the latest version of
iTunes, free.
In the left column of iTunes, click on iTunes Store underneath the Store
subheading.
Locate the navigation bar along the top of the iTunes Store homepage and
click on Podcasts.
Explore the wide selection of podcasts by clicking on the various pages and
links. Alternatively, you can search for podcasts by entering search terms
in the Search iTunes Store field. When iTunes displays results for your
search, click Podcasts underneath the "Filter By Media Type" column on the
far left to show only podcasts.
When you find a podcast you want to try, you can either: 
Stream the podcast directly from the store by double-clicking on an episode 
Download a specific episode to your iTunes client by pressing the "Free"
button next to an individual episode 
Subscribe to the entire podcast by selecting "Subscribe Free" underneath the
cover art located on the left of the podcast page
To listen to or watch episodes you have downloaded to your iTunes client:
 
Navigate to Podcasts underneath the Library subheading on the left side of
your iTunes client.
Click the triangle next to the name of a podcast to see all the episodes.
Double-click on the top episode to play it.
To download and play older episodes, double-click on them or click the Get
button.
When a book is downloaded, the book is automatically copied into your Books
library on the iTunes client. To read the book, you must use the Apple
iBooks application.
How much do podcasts cost? 
All podcasts on the iTunes Store are free.
How do podcasts work?
Podcasts consist of the episode files that you download, and an XML file
that lists all the episodes. When you subscribe to a podcast, iTunes reads
the XML file and downloads the latest episode. Each day, iTunes rereads the
XML file. If a new episode is available, iTunes downloads it automatically.
For more information on creating your own podcast, see the For Podcast
Makers FAQ and the iTunes Podcasting Technical Specification.
Are iTunes podcasts available in my country?
iTunes podcasts are now available in 90 countries worldwide. The entire
iTunes podcasts library is available in all 90 countries.
How does iTunes support podcasts?
The iTunes client application that you download and run on your Mac or PC
lets you subscribe to podcasts and listen to or watch the episodes on your
computer, iPod, iPhone, iPad or Apple TV.
The iTunes Store, which includes a podcast directory, helps you find and
subscribe to programs and helps podcasters publicize their programs.
Do I need an iPod, iPhone or iPad?
No. Although you can download podcasts to your iPod, iPhone or iPad to play
them on the go, you can listen to or watch podcasts on your computer, using
iTunes, or on your TV, with Apple TV. To read books, you must use the Apple
iBooks application.
Do I have to have an account for the iTunes Store to get podcasts?
No. However, you do need an account to submit a podcast to the iTunes Store.
A podcast I want to subscribe to isn't available in the iTunes Store.
It's easy to subscribe to any podcast using iTunes, even ones that aren't
available in the iTunes Store. To subscribe, find and copy the podcast's
feed URL. In the "Advanced" menu, select "Subscribe to Podcast" and paste
the feed URL into the dialog box.
Are there video podcasts?
Podcasts are more than just audio; some of the most popular podcasts in the
iTunes Store are video podcasts. Most are playable on the iPod, iPhone or
iPad. Additionally, Apple TV supports watching video podcasts on your TV
screen.
There are also text-based podcasts. iTunes podcasting supports PDF files,
which can be opened on your computer (iPod, iPhone and iPad cannot display
PDF files).
What is an enhanced podcast?
An enhanced podcast is an audio podcast that can include chapter marks,
photos and hyperlinks. When you download and play an enhanced podcast in the
iTunes client, a Chapters menu appears in the menu bar. Under this heading,
you can find all chapter marks, artwork and start times associated with each
chapter. During playback, the artwork and any associated hyperlinks for each
chapter is displayed in the iTunes viewer window in the bottom left corner
of the client.
When an enhanced podcast is played on an iOS device, the artwork and any
associated hyperlinks appear on the screen and will update with each
chapter. On the iPad, you can find chapter marks for a downloaded enhanced
podcast by tapping on the cover art and clicking on the far right icon in
the bottom menu. 
Why won't some video podcasts play on my iPod, iPhone, iPad or Apple TV?
Some video podcasts, while playable in iTunes, are encoded in formats that
are not compatible with iPods, iPhone, iPads or Apple TV. To convert those
videos so that they are compatible across different Apple platforms,
highlight the downloaded video in your iTunes client, click on Advanced and
select "Create iPod/iPhone/iPad/Apple TV Version". iTunes will automatically
re-encode the video for playback on your selected device. Go to the Movies
section of your Library to find and play the converted episodes.

How can I find podcasts in my language?
Podcasts are available in many different languages. The easiest way to find
them is simply to search using words in the desired language.
The Power Search feature in the iTunes Store includes a language pull-down
filter with the most common languages used by iTunes users. Podcast Power
Search is available in the "Quick Links" sidebar on the right side of the
iTunes Store homepage.
To see podcasts that are popular in other countries, click on the Home icon
to go to the main page for the iTunes store. At the bottom of the main page
is a My Store menu that allows you to switch to different stores. Once in
the desired store, navigate to the Podcasts page. In the Top Podcasts list,
for example, you will find podcasts popular in that country.
How can I share the podcasts to which I subscribe?
There are so many podcasts out there, it's tough to know which ones to
subscribe to. Make it easy for your friends to find great podcasts by
sending them some of your favorites. From a podcast's page in the iTunes
Store, select the Tell a Friend option under the drop-down menu located next
to the Subscribe Free button. This option will allow you to send a link to
that podcast, along with a custom message, via email. In the same drop-down
menu, you can also copy the URL or share the podcast via your Twitter and
Facebook accounts.
Are there parental controls for podcasts?
The Parental Controls built into iTunes apply to podcasts. Limit your
children's exposure to explicit content, or block the Podcasts section
altogether, from the Parental Controls section of the iTunes preferences.
How do I unsubscribe?
If you are no longer interested in a podcast to which you are subscribed,
highlight the podcast in your Library and click the Unsubscribe button in
the lower left hand corner of the screen. To unsubscribe and delete all
files related to the podcast, simply press the Delete key after selecting a
podcast.





--
I am using the free version of SPAMfighter.
We are a community of 7 million users fighting spam.
SPAMfighter has removed 5831 of my spam emails to date.
Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len

The Professional version does not have this message



Check-out NCBI's Micheal O Muircheartaigh appeal on the following link. 
http://youtu.be/25P2tiuCi0U


NCBI: Celebrating 80 Years

********************************************************************
National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) is a company 
limited by guarantee (registered in Ireland No. 26293) .
Our registered office is at Whitworth Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9.
NCBI is also a registered Charity (chy4626). 

NOTICE: The information contained in this email and any attachments 
is confidential and may be privileged.  If you are not the intended 
recipient you should not use, disclose, distribute or copy any of 
the content of it or of any attachment; you are requested to notify 
the sender immediately of your receipt of the email and then to 
delete it and any attachments from your system.

NCBI endeavours to ensure that emails and any attachments generated 
by its staff are free from viruses or other contaminants.  However, 
it cannot accept any responsibility for any such which are 
transmitted.  We therefore recommend you scan all attachments.

Please note that the statements and views expressed in this email 
and any attachments are those of the author and do not necessarily 
represent the views of NCBI


********************************************************************

Other related posts: