[bookport] Re: Looking for mp3 programs? found the motherload!
- From: "Debbie Crafts" <debbiecrafts@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2005 20:05:20 -0400
Don,
What a great idea! Why didn't I think of that!
-----Original Message-----
From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Barrett, Don
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2005 2:13 PM
To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [bookport] Re: Looking for mp3 programs? found the motherload!
OK, let me ask this then. What does it take for the bp to know there =
are cued files? In other words, if we told a pod casting program to =
download files to a certain folder, would that trigger the cuing process =
or is it more complicated?
Don
-----Original Message-----
From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of LARRY SKUTCHAN
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2005 2:03 PM
To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [bookport] Re: Looking for mp3 programs? found the motherload!
We would consider that, but it seems like there are already some pretty
good tools out there.
>>> Don.Barrett@xxxxxx Monday, April 11, 2005 1:49:48 PM >>>
or, APH could build a Podcasting module which would automatically cue
=3D
files for the BookPort. Just what you guys need -- more work!!!
Don
-----Original Message-----
From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx=20
[mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of LARRY SKUTCHAN
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2005 1:37 PM
To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx=20
Subject: [bookport] Re: Looking for mp3 programs? found the
motherload!
I'm not too familiar with this podcasting yet, but it seems like the
best way to use this with Book Port would be to set your downloading
pgogram to send the files directly to a spare flash card. Then, you
put
that card into the BP and use the new audio navigation commands to
navigate the raw mp3 files.
When you finish with a file, you just delete with the BP.
It would be best to be able to keep yet another card in the flash card
drive so you can catch other matherial that may come while you listen.
>>> debbiecrafts@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sunday, April 10, 2005 2:50:23 PM >>>
Hello listers,
I should warn you up front this is going to be a long post, but I
can't
keep quiet about this any longer! Also please excuse the
cross-posting
this
once. I realize that extended discussion of this subject may be
off-topic
for the list, so feel free to contact me off-list if I can provide any
additional information on this. Thanks, and here goes:
Back in February, I read an article in the New York Times about a
new
way to use audio and RSS technology which is called podcasting.=3D20
Basically,
its a way of getting mp3 files which other users create and upload to
a
server automatically downloaded to your machine/mp3 player as soon as
they
become available. Now don't let the "pod" in the name "podcast" put
you
off--you don't need an Ipod to take advantage of these files--your
computer
or any portable mp3 player (like the Bookport) will work just fine,
thank
you! Not all podcasts are in mp3 format, but the vast majority of
them
are.
The only additional piece you need is a piece of software called an
aggrigator (or frequently referred to as a podcatcher)! I knew
immediately
that this was the answer to my mp3 file prayers, and have been
exploring the
wide world of podcasts ever since. And a goldmine it is! There are
podcasts available on every conceivable subject from news, technology,
sports, music, comedy etc. You can find serialized books and dramas,
programs for any musical taste, programs that make you laugh out loud,
religious programs, and on and on it goes. To help you get started in
exploring this rich and varied world, I've put together a little
5-step
getting started guide. I hope some of you will find as much enjoyment
from
this as I have had.
Step 1: Get an aggrigator
So how do you find the right software? Podcastalley provides an
excellent
software page which is a good central point for finding the software
you
need. Go to
http://www.podcastalley.com/phpBB2/links.php=3D20=20
Finding the best software to use with your screen reader will take a
little
experimentation. The program I use and recommend is Ipodder 2.0
available
at
http://ipodder.sourceforge.net=3D20=20
Here is a direct download link:
http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/ipodder/iPodder2.0.exe?download=3D20=20
Another program that works well with speech is Primetime Podcast
Receiver
http://www.primetimepodcast.com/blog/default.aspx=3D20=20
Once you've downloaded and installed your aggrigator, take some time
to
familiarize yourself with the default options. You'll probably want
to
change the download directory to something that works for you, or at
least
find out what the default location is. You may also want to check a
box to
have scans done automatically when the program starts. Also take a
look at
the scheduling options, which are generally in a separate dialog
box.=3D20
I
have mine set up to check for new files every four hours. Most
programs
will either allow you to set specific times or frequencies in hours.
Step 2: Find and subscribe to podcasts
The easiest way to subscribe to podcasts is to use the directories
built in
to most podcatchers. In Ipodder, simply hit control-tab once from the
starting screen and you will land in a directory tree structure with
several
directories to choose from. Most of these programs use a tabbed
interface
so you use control-tab to change views. Use the tree structure to
locate
categories and podcasts you are interested in. In Ipodder, simply
press
enter on any show you want to add. Hit shift-control-tab to cycle
back
to
the subscriptions view which shows the list of shows you are
subscribed
to.
Be aware that most programs including Ipodder start you off with a few
default podcasts. If you aren't interested in these defaults, they
can
be
easily removed. In Ipodder, right click on the unwanted entry and
choose
"remove" from the menu. In Primetime, just hit the delete key. You
can
manually enter feeds by copying a feed's URL and then pasting it in to
the
program's new feeds dialog box. In Ipodder, use control-n to bring up
that
box.
Step 3: Scan for new shows
Once you've subscribed to some shows, start the scanning/downloading
process. In Ipodder, you can do this by pressing f5. It is also
possible
to scan an individual show from the tools menu. Most programs will
download
just the newest show for each podcast. If you highlight a program in
Ipodder, then press tab, you will be in a list of the podcasts on the
server. If you want to download previous programs, use your review
cursor
to locate the graphic symbol to the left of the episode you want, then
left-click it. The status of the entry will change from "skipped" to
"to
download". I cannot find a keyboard equivalent for this. The bottom
of the
display should display information about the downloads in most
programs.
Step 4: Transfer your files
Locate your download directory. The files for each podcast you have
subscribed to will be housed in its own folder. What I do is to move
the
files I want to put on my Bookport in to one combined folder (E.G.
"current
podcasts") and then do a send-to-Bookport on that folder. This
technique
has several advantages: 1. I can easily check the folder properties to
make
sure that the size of the files I want to transfer will fit on the
card
I
have in my machine; 2. The files will transfer in alphabetical order;
3. It
cuts down on the amount of folder navigating I need to do. The
downside is
that where folder names are very descriptive, the actual file names
are
far
less so.
Step 5. Sit back, relax and enjoy!
'nuff said! Below are just a few of my favorite podcasts to help get
you
started. I've given website URLs instead of actual feed addresses so
you
can visit the websites, from where you can manually download files to
see if
you do indeed want to subscribe. If you do, find the link to the
feed,
do a
copy shortcut, and paste in to the new feed dialog box of your
aggrigator.
Ok here goes:
Adam Curry's Daily Source Code
http:www.dailysourcecode.com=3D20=20
Good place to get clued in to what's happening in the podcasting
world.
Very enjoyable, and my favorite until I ran across
The Richard Vobes Radio Show at
http://www.vobes.com=3D20=20
Man his voice is amazing--and he's hilarious!
Another good daily show is Chuck Chat at
http://www.chuckchat.com=3D20=20
Technology oriented but he covers a wide variety of other topics as
well in
a warm and friendly manner.
DailySonic at
www.dailysonic.com=3D20=20
is an extremely well-done magazine-style program that comes out every
weekday.
I could go on for a while, but I'll leave the rest of the treasures
for
you
to discover yourself. Below are some podcasting directories to
explore,
all
of which are easily navigable with speech:
http://www.podcastalley.com=3D20=20
http://podcastbunker.com=3D20=20
http://ipodder.org=3D20=20
Enjoy!
Debbie Crafts
Framingham, MA
debbiecrafts@xxxxxxxxxxxxx=3D20=20
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