Podculture
By Carlos J. Queirós
February/March 2006
Listen to the news, learn a new language, eavesdrop on someone’s thoughts, or explore a new interest. Now you can do that and more while at your computer, on your daily commute, or atop your treadmill—with podcasting.
This new technology for distributing audio and video programs over the Internet is a portmanteau combining the word “iPod” (Apple Computer’s popular portable player) with “broadcasting.” But don’t be fooled: an iPod isn’t required, and no traditional broadcasting is involved.
Podcasting’s initial appeal was that people could distribute their own radio shows. Now just about everyone is in on the craze, from large news organizations and political parties to your local school and next-door neighbor.
It’s easy to see why: you can listen at your convenience, save, pause, rewind, fast-forward, and return to programs where you left off. To get in on the action, you’ll need a computer with an online connection and pod-catching software. Apple’s iTunes and Juice are free and make subscribing to different “feeds” or channels easy. Retrieving the latest episodes of your favorite program takes just a few mouse clicks.
For a list of podcasts, visit Podcast.net or Podcastalley.com.
Typing “podcast tutorial” into a search engine such as Yahoo! or Google will offer up plenty of suggestions on how to create your own podcast. And be sure to listen to weekly podcasts from AARP Segunda Juventud at Celebrity Radio Productions.
These links are provided for informational purposes only. AARP does not endorse, and has no control over, or responsibility for, the linked sites or the content, advertisements, materials, products, or services available on or throughout these sites.
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