Listening to podcasts can be a great way to pass the time. Especially if you are assigned mind-numbing and repetitive tasks, and you want to easily keep up on the latest news, tech briefs, or educational programs. Here are my suggestions and instructions on the best way to get into listening to podcasts.
Do you find yourself performing ongoing, repetitive, sometimes mind numbing tasks?
Are you sitting at a computer all day.= do you want something interesting to “fill the void”?
Why not try listening to podcasts?
The term “podcast” was coined from the ability to download short audio files (educational, stories, music) from the internet to your iPod using a program such as iTunes. (iPod + Broadcast = Podcast) Today, with RSS enclosures., these audio files can also be downloaded to your desktop, laptop, and most other audio devices (mp3 players etc).
Educational Podcasts can be especially useful, if performing a task that does not require a lot of careful attention (ie: you can do it with your eyes closed). An educational podcast can be on a variety of topics from cooking, health, news, computer science.
Step 1: Get Some Software
The first thing you will need is a podcatcher. This is a simple piece of software that sits on your computer and watches for your favorite audio episodes to be released to the web. When this occurs, the podcatcher downloads the episodes to your media device.
iTunes automatically includes a podcatcher. So if you have an iPod and iTunse you can easily download shows and have them sent to your iPod.
But what about us non-iPod users. Yes we do exist !
To get podcasts working on your PC / laptop. I recommend the program Juice. Juice is a free podcatcher that can be run on a variety of platforms including Windows, Linux, and MacOS.
Step 2: Setup Your Feeds
Traditionally, the next step is to find a list of audio feeds you would like to subscribe to. For example you could go to one of many podcast directories. However, my favorite method is to use a service called Mevio (formerly podshow). When you signup for a Mevio account, you get your create your own custom RSS feed that you can add to all of your podcatchers (for example, mine is http://www.podshow.com/collection/79277.xml)
I have a subscription at home, at work, on my phone, etc)
Mevio then allows you to pick your favorite shows from their directory (or any directory) and it mashes them together all in one feed. You can then add/remove new shows from the easy to use web interface, and all of your podcatchers are updated and will get your latest shows
Step 3: Listen & Enjoy
Your audio files will be downloaded and to your favorite devices, and you can then listen to them with whatever audio player you like (I’d recommend VLC Player). Don’t forget a good pair of headphones! Many of these podcasts might not be safe for work!
Happy Listening!
Sat, Aug 9, 2008, by JP Russell
Audio