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Sep 24 2008, 8:18 PM EDT (current) virtuallibrary 1 word deleted
Sep 22 2008, 4:46 PM EDT virtuallibrary 4 words added, 21 words deleted

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Question mark

What are podcasts and vidcasts?


Watch the short video to get an overview of podcasting.

The word podcast is used to refer to a audio or video broadcast that is distributed over the Internet. Sometimes people call the video broadcasts vidcasts.

You don’t have to have an iPod or a MP3 player to listen to podcasts. You can listen to them right on your PC or Mac. You'll need headphones or a speaker and the ability/permission to download - check with your tech support.

In learning about podcasting, I created an account on Podbean, and uploaded our Baker's Dozen rap to it. Yes, you heard me right, a rap. Which we created here at PCPL, with the help of a talented wordsmith and in-house first-time rapper.

You've gotta listen to it.

check markDiscovery Exercise


  1. Take a look at one or two of the podcast directories listed below and see if you can find a podcast that interests you. Hint: you can type in the word library to find library podcasts.
  2. Listen to one (or more) podcast that you find.

  3. To complete this exercise, go to the bottom of this page, where it says Threads.

  4. Click Post a new thread.

  5. Copy the link of the podcast you listened to and paste it into your thread, and tell us about the podcast. Did you find anything useful?

If you find a podcast you enjoy, you might want to subscribe to it, so that you don't miss an episode. Use RSS or one of the podcast subscription services software services listed above to subscribe.

Pointing handWhy should you know about podcasts and vidcasts?


With the introduction of mobile devices like the iPod, mp3 player and and phones like the iPhone, the world of the web is becoming more and more portable. People want:

  • Opt-in
  • Mobile
  • On demand

Podcasts fit the bill perfectly!
  • I subscribe to what I want (opt-in)
  • I can take it with me (mobile)
  • I get updates automatically through a subscription, or grab off the web 24/7/365 (on demand)

Think about it! People could subscribe to a podcast about library events that comes out once a week or today's events that comes out every day. They can get the podcast automatically through software specially designed for this (see next section), and they can listen to it on the go.

GearsAbout Podcast Subscription Software


For convenience, you can subscribe to your favorite podcasts and have them automatically downloaded to your podcast subscription software (see below) each time a podcast is updated.

iTunes is one way to subscribe to podcasts. iTunes is a free download, and works on both PCs and Macs. Some other free software player options include Juice and Odeo. Once you select and download your software, follow the instructions on how to subscribe to podcasts. After the podcast files are downloaded, they can be transferred to your mp3 player, if you have one.

You can also subscribe to a podcast in an RSS reader, so that you are alerted when a new podcast is posted on your favorite site. Find out more about RSS & RSS readers here.

Library pod/vidcasts

brainMore information for the curious


Make your own podcasts!
Want to make your own podcast and share it on the web? Look at these sites for free software and hints on creating podcasts. As always, add any podcasts you create to your blog.


YouTube
The video on this page was embedded from YouTube, which allows you to subscribe to their favorite channels, which makes YouTube a podcasting (or vidcasting) service. And to make YouTube even more cool, you can embed video from YouTube to blogs, wikis, websites, and social websites, like Facebook.

Why "podcast?"
The word "podcast" comes from the combination of iPod + broadcast. iPods were the first portable devices that had scripts that allowed podcasts to be automatically transferred to the device.


Don't forget!

Threads
Feel free to post questions and concerns and respond to others comments in the threads at the bottom of this page as well. Remember, learning and collaboration are the reason we're here.

Play Pages
If you find interesting links, photos or videos you want to share, head on over to Play Pages to find out how to post them to this wiki.


Back to The 13 Things.