Podcasting
If you are fed up with listening to your local FM station and
the mass of inane adverts that punctuate each show, or, if you
crave interesting spoken word programmes that are written and
presented by excited, knowledgeable enthusiasts, then Adam
Curry's "Daily Source Code" podcast may be just what your a
looking for.
Adam is one of a rapidly increasing group known as "podcasters",
whose shows are created to be heard on iPods or other MP3
players. Formerly an MTV video-jock, he is the man who created
the "iPodder" program. Downloadable from www.iPodder.org, this
easy to use software allows you to decide which audio feed you
wish to subscribe to. This is then automatically added to your
iPod or MP3 player to listen to when you decide.
The great thing about Podcasting is that it allows listeners to
download their favourite shows automatically. There are now tons
of "advertisement-free" radio channels for listeners to
subscribe to, with more emerging every day.
Once set-up with a program like iPodder your favourite program
downloads automatically whilst you sleep, so that you can listen
to it on the journey into work the next day, or whenever it
suits you. You are not tied to any schedule. It is true
radio-on-demand.
When you visit ipodder.org you will see details of the latest
podcasts and you will be able to easily subscribe to great shows
such as "Coverville", a music show consisting purely of really
interesting cover versions as well as the truly original, if not
a little whacky, "Whole Wheat Radio" from Talkeetna, Alaska.
(Where!!).
There are, of course, lots of shows created and presented by
true Podcast enthusiasts and knowledgable techies, such as "The
Engadget Podcast" and "IT Conversations". However, by mixing all
of these topic areas you can end up with a true, custom-made
audio experience that meets all of your listening requirements.
Podcasting is still in its' infancy and over the next 12 months
you will see more and more growth in this unique field.
Podcasting is a real example of a technology that simply could
not have existed even 2 years ago and with just a little effort
on your part over the coming months you could play a significant
part in the development of this exciting and creative medium.