What is a Podcast? Podcasting is a method of publishing audio content to the Web, allowing users to subscribe, at no cost, to a feed that will let them know when new content becomes available. The content is normally a radio show with a host, but can contain any type of content that one can record.
The term podcasting is meant to rhyme with broadcasting and is a derivative of the iPod platform. While not directly associated with Apple's iPod device or iTunes music service, the company did contribute both the desire and the technology for this capability.
Podcasting is not unlike time-shifted video software and devices like TiVo, which let you watch what you want when you want by recording and storing video, except that podcasting is used for audio and is currently free of charge. Note, however, that this technology can be used to push any kind of file, including software updates, pictures, and videos.
What software do I need?
If you currently use iTunes, you should be set! You can subscribe to the Daily in the Word Podcast here. If you don't have iTunes, you can download it here.
While iTunes will allow you to listen to the daily podcast, you will get the most bang for the buck by utilizing an RSS news aggregator that supports podcasting. News aggregators allow you to pull headlines from your favorite websites in a matter of seconds without having to visit each site individually! For example, with an RSS news aggregator, one could pull headlines from CNN, Fox News, Weather.com and Daily in the Word with a single click of the mouse! The Daily in the Word RSS feed not only includes the daily podcast, but also the daily devotional as well!
Our favorite news aggregators include Bradbury Software for Windows users and Net News Wire for those on OS X. There are other free news aggregators available, but these two are reasonably priced and well worth the money, especially if you have several sites that you visit on a daily basis.
Do I need an iPod to get a podcast? No, the podcasts are delivered in MP3 format, so you can listen to them in iTunes, Windows Media Player or any other program on your computer. You can, however, take the podcast on the road if you have a portable music player or you can burn it to a CD and listen to it on the way to work!.
How often will there be new podcasts?
We will be podcasting the Daily in the Word radio broadcast every day! Daily in the Word is a Monday thru Friday radio broadcast, so Saturday and Sundays will be repeats of the previous Friday's broadcast.
