beginner's guide to podcasts | practical guides for girls

What you need...

To receive podcasts:

Computer with sound card
MP3 player software and/or a portable MP3 player
Internet connection
Speakers and/or headphones
You do not need an iPod!

(see article on How to create podcasts to find out what you need to find out what you need for this.)

What is a podcast?

A podcast is a media file that is distributed over the internet using something called RSS, sometimes referred to as a "feed". RSS is short for Real Simple Syndication, and it acts much as your local paperboy does. You have a "subscription" with your newsagent and the paperboy delivers the goods.

Podcasts are a lot like miniature radio shows. They are usually anywhere between 10 minutes to an hour long and can be about absolutely anything. There is something for everyone with shows ranging from business and finance info, to comedy and knitting.

Different podcasts

There are three types of podcast:

Audio
Video
Enhanced

Audio and video are self-explanatory. An enhanced podcast can display images as well as the regular audio/video and can also contain chapter makers. These podcasts can present information in much the same way as in a Power Point presentation.

There are two standard file formats:

MP3 – Audio
MP4 - Video

How do I receive podcasts?

You decide what kind of podcasts you want to receive, you subscribe to them, and your podcast software takes care of the rest. Every time you start up your software, it will automatically find and download the latest episodes of any podcasts that you subscribe to.

What next?

1. Install podcast software on your computer
2. Subscribe to some podcasts
3. Listen or transfer
4. Unsubscribing

1. Install podcast software on your computer

Don't worry, it's free! Some of the most popular software includes iTunes, Juice and Doppler. These can easily be found using a search engine and are easy to install.

2. Subscribe to some podcasts

This step will be different depending on what software you installed on your computer. If you are using iTunes then you can simply browse around the podcast category in the iTunes store.

For most other programs, you will need to find and subscribe to a podcast manually. To browse and locate podcasts use a podcast directory such as:

When you find something you like, look for a button or link inviting you to "Add", "Subscribe" or it may simply say "RSS". There is also the orange feed button as seen here. Any one of these will contain a link that you need to paste in to your podcast software. If you are using a PC, right click the link and select any option inviting you to "Copy Shortcut" or "Copy Link Destination". If you are using a Mac, click and hold the mouse button and select "Copy".

Now you need to paste this in to your podcast software. Look for a button or option that invites you to "Subscribe" or "Add Feed".

3. Listen or transfer

Every time you start up your podcast software, it will automatically detect and download new episodes of feeds that you have subscribed to. You can listen/watch your podcasts on your computer. Alternatively, if you have an MP3 player you can listen to your files on the go. Simply transfer the files to your MP3 player using your regular music software (iTunes,Windows Media Player). If your MP3 player also plays video, then you should be able to play all types of podcast.

4. Unsubscribing

If you no longer want to receive a podcast then you can unsubscribe. This process will vary between different software. Look for something that invites you to "Unsubscribe, "Clear" or "Remove feed".