[bookport] Re: Looking for mp3 programs? found the motherload!
- From: "Mike Arrigo" <n0oxy@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2005 19:15:59 -0500
I take it the new version of the software can navigate mp3 files directly?
Admittedly, I chose not to do the beta, but that is a nice feature, it's one
thing I like about the bookcourier, especially since I can't use either unit
on my home computers because of the chip set in those machines.
----- Original Message -----
From: "LARRY SKUTCHAN" <lskutchan@xxxxxxx>
To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2005 12:36 PM
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.
> 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
> 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
> Here is a direct download link:
> http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/ipodder/iPodder2.0.exe?download
> Another program that works well with speech is Primetime Podcast
> Receiver
> http://www.primetimepodcast.com/blog/default.aspx
> 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.
> 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
> 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
> Man his voice is amazing--and he's hilarious!
>
> Another good daily show is Chuck Chat at
> http://www.chuckchat.com
> Technology oriented but he covers a wide variety of other topics as
> well in
> a warm and friendly manner.
>
> DailySonic at
> www.dailysonic.com
> 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
> http://podcastbunker.com
> http://ipodder.org
>
> Enjoy!
>
>
> Debbie Crafts
> Framingham, MA
> debbiecrafts@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
>
>
Other related posts:
