Podcatcher Tools

My favorites (in order)

1) Google Reader (Yes you can subscribe, organize, watch, and/or listen to your podcasts in Google Reader! I just discovered and it is way better than iTunes, watch out Apple)
2) Netvibes (Also webware)
3) iTunes (Good for finding podcasts but you need to download software and can't organize)
4) Juice (Freeware)

See also Wikipedia list (and definition) of Podcatchers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_podcatchers

How Podcatchers Work

Image Source

What, Why, & How to Podcast

What

Video: Podcasting in Plain English

See Google and Wikipedia's definition

Why

-Podcasting supports the Long Tail phenomenon like blogging

-You can subscribe to audio on the go.

-iTunes U = Free college lectures with out the HW, papers, and exams

-You can broadcast your own radio talk show, music, interviews, speeches, or presentations.

How

To listen= You will need a podcatcher see a list of my favorites or you can use the easiest and most popular one- by downloading iTunes for free (you don't need to listen to podcasts on an ipod you can listen to them on your computer

To create a podcast= See these collections of Free Podcasting Webware Tools and Free Podcast Software Tools and Getting Started with Audacity

See Our 5th Grade Podcast for an example.

Free Podcast Software Tools

Audacity (Mac and Windows, freeware)

Garageband (Mac; comes with new Macs; latest version can be downloaded free from Apple)

Sound Recorder (this software comes automatically with Windows but has a limit on the length of time it can record any one session

Mixpad (Windows; freeware)

Free Podcasting Webware Tools

Free Open Source Software:
Audacity one of open source's most famous and popular free software. Very powerful and easy to use. Don't forget about screencasts. To learn this software just type in "How to audacity" into Youtube and you have a bunch of great free tutorials to quickly learn the tool.

Web Apps:



http://www.houndbite.com/



I have been looking for a web service similar to youtube for audio as an easy way to upload, link, embed, and share. Houndbite appears to be a very simple way for beginner to tryout podcasting.


http://www.podomatic.com/

Create Find and Share Podcasts. You upload and they take care of the rest, the hosting, iTunes subscription. These types of services give you a decent size to start up but once you start building up the space there are premium upgrades.

Web App + Cell Phone:





http://www.gcast.com


No equipment needed. Simple and Fast.

Gcast is an incrediblly easy way to start up a free podcast.

1) Sign up for an account

2) Call toll-free anytime at 1-888-65-GCAST (888-654-2278) If outside USA: +1-305-437-8719

3) Type in primary phone number

4) Enter 4 digit pin

5) Record your message, and either:

6) Save and Publish

7) Link or Embed your podcast and player

See Our 5th Grade Podcast for an example.

Video: Podcasting in Plain English

Podcasting in Plain English