If you have a high-speed Internet connection, chances are that you’re already familiar with podcasting, even though you might not have known it was called that. Podcasting involves converting audio files into MP3 files that can be directly downloaded onto computers and audio-playing devices. For example, let’s say there’s an audio file of a man describing how to catch and alligator. Using podcasting software, the man will record his instructions, which will then be converted into MP3 files and into a format that can be easily downloaded onto other people’s computers. A broadband Internet connection can allow you to easily podcast information about a wide variety of topics to the Internet and share this information with literally millions of users.
MP3s vs. Podcasting
So what exactly is the difference between an MP3 and a podcast? The MP3 is a podcast once the audio file is included into an RSS feed that is subscribed to (for free) by using what’s called a feed aggregator. The feed aggregator scans this feed, and looks for and downloads the audio file. If you’re using an iTunes music player, Windows Media Player or other music player, the aggregator will download the latest audio file that is available in the feed to your computer, and then it will locate the file in the player you use. The software will then proceed to download the file onto your audio-playing device.
Podcasting Software Needed
The best part about podcasting, is that you don’t actually need an iPod or an MP3 player for it to work. The feed aggregators download the file onto your computer so that you can listen to it whenever you want, and choose whether or not you want to download the file to an MP3 player. However, you will need to download podcasting software in order for your recorded files to be able to be broadcast over the Internet.
The majority of podcasting software is free. The following is a short list of some of the software that is available. Make sure you choose one that can be used with your computer’s operating system.
- iPodder – available for Windows and Mac, with a beta version available for Linux.
- Doppler – available for Windows
- Nimiq – available for Windows
- iPodderX – available for Mac
- Primetime Podcast – available for Windows
- jPodder – available for Windows
- PoddumFeeder – available for Mac
- PlayPod – available for Mac
- BogMatrix Jager – available for Windows, Mac, Linux
Podcasting is yet another great advantage to having a broadband Internet connection. Research one of the above podcasting software sites and explore this fun possibility today!
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