Podcasting

Podcasting is the creation and distribution of audio or video content via the Internet, usually delivered automatically to users who are subscribed to the podcast. Despite the name, podcasts were not invented by Apple, and have no exclusive ties to the iPod. The "pod" in podcast was originally meant to stand for "portable on demand", drawing on the concept of "time-shifting" people are used to having with devices such as the TiVo. The TiVo and other PVRs (personal video recorders) allow a television viewer to watch broadcast shows whenever they deem convenient by having favorite programs automatically recorded and stored. Podcasts take the concept one step further, by allowing people to enjoy entertainment not only when they want it, but where they want it. Podcasting has been embraced by Apple, and iTunes users can subscribe to most existing podcasts through the iTunes Store. However, most podcasts are free of charge and not encumbered with DRM restrictions. Most podcasters provide multiple ways to subscribe to their podcasts, and iTunes is in no way necessary for creating or receiving podcasts. However, subscribing via iTunes is the most convenient way to have podcasts automatically copied onto the iPod.

Podcasting -- Keeping Up: Once you discover the world of podcasts, you will probably be eager to subscribe to everything of interest. Since they're free, you may subscribe to more than you can handle at first. One solution for this is to create a "Smart Playlist" within iTunes. For example, select "podcast is true", the date added is within 7 days, the listen-count is zero, and limit it to a maximum of 25 podcasts or 8 hours. Save the playlist, then click on it in iTunes. If you then order it by the "date added" date, you will have recent podcasts you haven't heard, in order by date. If you find yourself skipping over less-interesting shows, they will be replaced within seven days by others, and you can easily unsubscribe from that show and delete the old episodes just by clicking the name of the podcast under the "Podcasts" section of iTunes and pressing the "Delete" key.