Comments

Chienworks wrote on 6/7/2006, 5:19 AM
Interesting question. When i visit sites that are superhyping their glorious new podcasts and all the wonderful new net-technology they supply, all i find is a bunch of .mp3 and .mp4 files that i can right-mouse-click on a download just like any other audio & video files. *shrug*

Then again, i still don't understand the whole .rss thing either. I can go visit a website and read all the information without accessing the .rss feed. What is .rss for and what does it do for me that http doesn't? If i were cynical (and many say i am) i'd say that all this new stuff is a vain attempt for content producers to make themselves look more cool than before.
Jay Gladwell wrote on 6/7/2006, 5:30 AM

LOL -- Kelly, I am in total agreement with you!

When I looked into this, I saw the same thing--mp3 and mp4 files. "Okay," I thought. "It can't be that simple. I must be missing something." Hence, the question.

The thing I can't fathom is trying to watch a video on such a small screen. I'd think anything other than talking heads (and I mean ECUs) would be a waste.

Anyway, I'm just trying to be prepared should a client ask for video suitable for podcasting.

Thanks!


jmpatrick wrote on 6/7/2006, 5:53 AM
Podcasts allow listeners to "subscribe" to audio programs using an IPOD or other MP3 player. When they subscribe to a particular Podcast, that program will automatically download into their player every time a new show is released. This is usually done by connecting the player to a PC and re-syncing.
Coursedesign wrote on 6/7/2006, 6:36 AM
Podcasting really is amongst other things a very convenient automated way to subscribe to audio and video content.

There are lots of podcast directories, in addition to the enormous quantity of content available through iTunes (not just music).

RSS is just a way to have subscribed content downloaded to your computer automatically as it becomes available. You click the RSS button on a web page, DONE.

Microsoft is pushing RSS hard with IE7, after much backlash from appearing to try to make a proprietary version of it (which they weren't able to do).

I've been getting more and more requests for podcast content over the last 6 months especially, primarily from the under 30s but that is nothing to sneeze at.
Chienworks wrote on 6/7/2006, 7:12 AM
Ah, so it's basically a new version of "push" media delivery. Hmmm. Wasn't that recently listed as one of the worst technical innovations? It died before because the providers started pushing anything and everything regardless of what subscribers wanted. Well, that and that very few people had broadband back then so the experience was miserable. I wonder how long it will last this time around.
jmpatrick wrote on 6/7/2006, 7:28 AM
The Podcasts I've subscribed to are tailored to very specific listeners. I've never received anything other than exactly what was expected...no ads, no spam, etc. Most of them have been very "home brewed."
Coursedesign wrote on 6/7/2006, 7:57 AM
Push failed because it clogged skinny Internet pipes.

Podcasts are a monster success because they make a lot of sense.

If anybody missed Microsoft's take on the iPod, check out .

He created it to make a valid point, and it's funny too.

Ben1000 wrote on 6/7/2006, 9:40 AM
Howdy...

Here's a video podcast I made, entirely with Vegas...

http://www.neo-fight.tv

Enjoy!

Best,

Benjamin


----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.neo-fight.tv [The "Techno-Debate" Video Podcast]
kayakthom wrote on 6/7/2006, 1:45 PM
A podcast, or any other .rss feed, is really just a way for users to subscribe to text, audio, video, or some combination thereof.

If I like a newspaper or magazine, I could go to the news stand every time a new copy is released. If I really like it, and want to save myself some effort, I can subscribe and have every issue delivered to my doorstep.

In much the same way, I could go out to web sites regularly and read text, or rightclick and download .mp3, or .mp4 files to play on my computer or some portable device (iPod, PSP, etc.). If, however, I like the content, and don't want to have to go out to the web site and check, I can click and subscribe to the .rss feed to have my computer go out to the site at regularly scheduled intervals of my choosing and download any new content automatically . Previously, this process required a feed reader application, but many browsers now have the capability built-in.

One of the more popular portable devices on which to view or listen to content is the iPod, and many people use iTunes as their feed reader. This is one of the reasons why many .rss feeds are referrred to as Podcasts ( or maybe it's just hip and trendy) . Other .rss feeds are true Podcasts in that they contain content deisgned specifically for the capability of iPods. Video iPods have the ability to play back photos or slides synchronized to audio content in a Podcast (primarily used in educational settings where the students are required to have an Ipod for the class).

Tom