Podcasting

Podcasting and Videocasting Primer

Jim Greenberg, TLTC, SUNY Oneonta

TLTC

December 8, 2005

Podcasting Happens

Podcasting and Videocastingare methods of publishing audio or video programs via the Internet, allowing users

to subscribe to a feed of new files. It became popular in late 2004, largely due to automatic downloading of audio onto portable players or personal computers.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Podcasting Happens• Podcasting is the current

“Killer App” - maybe (or latest fad?)

• College students use iPods or other digital media players in increasing numbers

• College students are about three times more likely than anyone else to own an MP3 player. *

• More than 21 million iPods have been sold, according to Apple.

* Source: February study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project.

Podcatching• Podcasting audience uses Podcatching client

software (iTunes, iPodder, etc.)• Software obtains audio automatically and stores to

local computer• Software can then load audio or video to iPod (or

other digital device) when it is plugged in.• Don’t need an iPod. Computer will work also.• Process can be Automatic or Manual

InternetiPod

Podcatching Client Software

Podcast Audience

optional

How Podcasting Works

The “podcast feed” URL – address of a specially encoded

page– on the podcaster’s web server – contains information about the

podcast– if viewed in a web browser, you

will see the raw XML code used

• you copy the URL into a “podcatching” client software

• there are many different podcatching applications available

But you’re not meant to look at this “raw” data

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (LZW) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and a

TIFF (LZW) decompressorare needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (LZW) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Podcatching Clients: iPodder Lemon

XML Technology• XML stands for EXtensible Markup Language • XML is a markup language much like HTML • XML was designed to describe data • XML tags are not predefined. You must define your own tags • XML is a W3C Recommendation • An XML file is merely a text file that follows a universally agreed

upon formatting standard

XML Sample

RSS Technology

• RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication (Maybe)

• RSS allows you to syndicate your site content • RSS is a selected list of defined items on a site • RSS defines an easy

way to share and view headlines and content

• RSS files can be automatically updated

• RSS allows personalized views for different sites

• RSS is written in XML

RSS Sample

RSS Technology

Why Use RSS?• RSS was designed to show selected data.• RSS Readers are designed to regularly check the

RSS file for new data• Without RSS, users will have to check a web site

daily to check for new updates. – This may be too time-consuming for many users. – With an RSS feed they can check your site faster using

an RSS aggregator • Since RSS data is small and fast-loading, it can

easily be used with services like cell phones or PDA's.

RSS Podcast Creation Software

“What do I need to Podcast orVideocast?”

1. MP3 Audio File or MP4 Video file• Created in any number of ways. TLTC can help get

you started.

2. RSS File (or aristotle.oneonta.edu blog)• Created with RSS Podcast Software• Created Manually (if you are bored)

3. Web Server• Any Flavor• Need a Web Page to post the RSS link

4. Audience• Audience needs to know where to find the podcast• Audience needs to be interested in podcast

Putting It All Together

• Audio or video in correct format is stored on a web server• RSS feed file is created with information regarding how to

get to the file• Podcatching client looks as RSS feed regularly for updates

and downloads any new files• Podcatching client stores file on microcomputer and can

download to iPod if needed• Listener enjoys regularly updated podcasts

Internet

Web ServerSpace

iPod

MP3 Audio File

RSS Formatted XML File Podcatching Client

Software

Podcast Audience

Public Network

optional

MP4 VideoFile

MP4 VideoFile

Suggested Web Resources

Podcatching ClientsApple iTunes: http://www.apple.com/itunes/iPodder Client: http://www.ipodder.org/

Podcasting ToolsPodcast RSS Buddy: http://www.tolley.info/rssbuddy/Feed for All: http://www.feedforall.com/College Feed: http://aristotle.oneonta.edu/

Podcasting DirectoriesPodcast.net Directory: http://www.podcast.net/Podcast Alley Directory: http://www.podcastalley.com/

Podcasting TechnologyRSS/XML Tutorial: http://www.w3schools.com/rss/Podcasting 101: http://maczealots.com/articles/podcasting/Make RSS Feeds: http://make-rss-feeds.com/making-an-rss-feed.htm