Last week I discovered podcasting. Podcasting is in some respects an audio version of blogging, but it’s actually far more than that. Basically, people are using their computers to produce little radio shows and put them on the web for people to download. There are even applications that let you subscribe to any number of podcasts, and the program will download the shows soon after they are posted. Not only that, but it will put that show into iTunes. If you have your iPod set to automatically sync with iTunes, your iPod will automatically get your new Podcasts. Alternatively, you can just listen to the mp3 files via your browser, or manually download them and play them with the application of your choice.
With any technology, there are sure to be plenty of, shall we say, lousy examples of it. For instance, when the internet showed up, most websites looked downright silly and awful. Many still do. And when people started blogging, most of the weblogs were not terribly interesting. Now, however, there are some fantastic blogs out there, and they aren’t all about the internet or blogging. Examples: You Grow Girl | IEBlog | 2005 Ford Mustang
Podcasting is still pretty new. Lots of the podcasts out there are just about podcasting. Many others are about technology and the internet. Fortunately, it seems that there are some new topics coming up that even the non-geek could enjoy. One that I’ve listened to a couple times is Reel Reviews. It is a short show in which Michael Geoghegan reviews a film you may, or may not, have seen.
Reel Reviews – High Fidelity (mp3, 2.9MB, 6:28)
Reel Reviews – The Kid Stays in the Picture (mp3, 4.7MB, 10:07)
Also, you might enjoy Morning Stories, a podcast published by WGBH in Boston. Morning stories is a collection of little stories that various people tell – little snippets of their lives. Try one or two here:
In the Buff (mp3, 6.6MB, 3:33)
Mother Duck (mp3, 5.1MB, 4:23)
Podcasting was started by Adam Curry, a former MTV VJ who now lives in Europe. He has a daily podcast by the name of “Daily Source Code”. Try it out: Daily Source Code: October 20 (mp3, 19.8MB, 43:04)
One quick disclaimer, especially since I linked to Adam Curry’s podcast. These are not regulated by the FCC. That said, you might run across the occasional cussing.
There are many more Podcasts. I understand 30 or more per day are being added. Far more than any one person can consume. If you want to find more, go to iPodder.org to find out how to subscribe to various podcasts. They have a large directory of all available podcasts. Another way to see the freshest of what’s out there, try going to audio.weblogs.com to preview and discover all of the newest podcasts. I’ll be keeping my eye on this technology, it seems like in the future this could be pretty big. I hope so.
Frost on the windows this morning. I love the seasons.
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Be Good Not Bad is all about really good web design, based on the utmost respect for web standards, accessibility and respect for the user. Based in Denver, Colorado, Be Good Not Bad is run by Brian Warren, freelance designer, blogger, homebrewer and coffee nut.
John Mark,
Blue skies and in the 60s here.
Indeed, I too read faster than people speak. That doesn’t keep me from listening to the radio though. Sounds from “on the spot” interviews, and music certainly don’t come through when I read the newspaper or internet news sites. And indeed, emotions and inflections are lost in the written word as well.
Also, I listened to a podcast while walking to work this morning. Reading and walking just don’t work for me.
Dan: That sure would be fun! I don’t know if the other guys (Casey and Peter) would be up for it though.
§ By Brian Warren at 12:21pm on October 25 2004