On Apr 2, 2008, at 1:16 PM, John R. Klim II wrote:

Bruce,

See http://radio.about.com/od/podcastin1/a/aa030805a.htm for more details on Podcasting.

The Wikipedia page also describes it pretty well.

Summary of notes for people new to podcasting:

- The "pod" in "podcast" doesn't mean that only an Apple-brand iPod can play it. Podcasts are typically just MP3 files stored on a webserver. Literally anyone with a web browser and a way to play an MP3 file on a PC can listen to "podcasts". The "magic" comes in the next comment.

- In other to get the "cast" part of "podcast" and RSS feed file in XML format is also placed on the webserver to "syndicate" the distribution of the podcast file. "Podcatcher" type software can then "see" that a new file has been uploaded and download it. Then these programs also often have "sync" software to sync un-heard files into some kind of portable player, an iPod, iRiver... whatever you might have.

- Most podcasts today also include an "icon" graphics file on the server and referenced in the XML that provides a little "advertisement" in graphics (AMSAT logo for yours probably?) that the player can show when you click on a particular podcast in your player of choice.

- And finally a "warning"... make sure you have high bandwidth caps on whatever server you use... because of the automated download nature of podcasts, as soon as you put that XML file out there, your server is likely to take a beating while hundreds of people download your podcast. And they MIGHT not even listen to it... or if they're like me, they're behind "forever" on the various content they want to listen to, and "get around to it" by storing unlistened-to files in their player... I recently finished up the 2006 files in one of my lesser-listened-to podcasts.

- Going back to the Apple thing, users can "point" iTunes directly at your server... and you can provide directions to do so, or you can create custom "buttons" or links that will "enter" the data for them into iTunes and a couple of other popular players. If you want to be a "nice guy". These links/buttons could be put on the main Houston AMSAT page, etc.

As far as the file goes, and the XML... there are a bunch of free tools out there to create the RSS "feed" and things. And from what I've read and when I was playing with it, Apple's XML reader expects certain fields to be used for certain things so it's a good idea to "subscribe" a few players from your testing machine and see how things look, so you can "drive" your tools correctly.

Since a large number of your users will probably be subscribing with iTunes, I would target getting it right first...

All the Apple folks do is "re-publish" your RSS feeds for you, as long as you meet their criteria. Some folks have tried for years to get their highly popular podcasts on iTunes Music Library and never gotten answers as to why Apple wouldn't put them on there, and others who have horrible podcasts that are an utter waste of time, get theirs done easily. I think your "topic" shouldn't have any problems. Look up how to add things like the "Clean" tag, telling people that there's no profanity in your podcast, etc... those little XML perks are useful for folks who have families, etc.

Also be forewarned that there are a LOT of fly-by-night software makers and servers out there that were trying to "cash in" on podcasting. They either offer software at high cost (who needs it, you can literally edit the XML file by hand if you know what you're doing, or find free software to assist you until you're comfortable doing it) or offer free server space that isn't always "free" or has bandwidth caps, etc...

A final note: Production quality is important. If the recording is cruddy (easy to do when coming from an FM 2-way rig), too hot, too low, etc... no "bumper" announcements etc... it sounds crude and/or will REALLY sound bad on a decent stereo. (I listen to podcasts via an iPod adapter in my Jeep on an upgraded non-factory sound system, for example.) Nothing is more of a turn-off for a podcast listener than to have to constantly jockey the volume or have to mess with treble/bass controls to make your recording sound better. Treat it as critically (or close) as you might a full-blown broadcast production and it'll be great. Slap a cheap low-bitrate MP3 recorder on an FM rig and forget to set levels critically, and you won't have any listeners.

One of the best ham radio podcasts out there, is Jeff KE9V's podcast called "Long Delayed Echos". Jeff uses the Wordpress blogging software to handle the "syndication" part of his podcast, which can be a little confusing to first-time listeners, but I think he also provides those "magic links" for iTunes and maybe Podcatcher? Don't remember... but Wordpress has a built in RSS feature for syndicating your text blog posts, and it's been found that it works well for MP3 files too, so it's a popular way for home users doing small podcasts to publish. Jeff is also listed (the last time I looked) on the feeds from the iTunes Music Store (often abbreviated ITMS by those talking about how to get more listeners for their podcasts).

Whew... sorry that was a long brain dump on podcasts and podcasting. I haven't listened to (much) commercial radio since I "discovered" them.

http://www.natetech.com/?p=241 -- my little article about what I'm usually "subscribed" to.

Better content, more focused on what I'm personally interested in, and I'm always glad to hear about more Amateur Radio content! No matter how you slice it, well-produced or cheesy but with good content... the stuff I download to listen to is usually a LOT better than the corporate media companies put out on broadcast these days, that's for sure!

-- Nate Duehr, WY0X [email protected]