Podcasting! It seems like everyone is doing it. Libraries, radio stations, television shows, and the Whitehouse are using podcasts as a way to extend their message or brand to a larger audience. Not only can you listen to your favorite morning radio show from your computer, you can also subscribe to all the best bits using their podcast. Podcasting allows you to get President Obama’s weekly address delivered to you. You can hear it immediately, or when it’s convenient. In the past if you wanted to watch a video online or listen to a digital recording of a speech the onus would be on you to seek it out. Podcasting, or more specifically, RSS allows that content to be delivered to you. Before we get too far, let’s take a few minutes to understand the difference between downloadable and streaming media and their relationship with podcasting.
Streaming and downloading are two different methods of delivering audio or video content. To better understand this difference let’s use the example of a CNN’s Web site. When you visit CNN.com you can watch live news broadcasts. The content is delivered, or “streamed” from CNN’s servers to your computer. The broadcast is not saved to your computer; rather it is delivered to you only when you request it.
Downloading installs the audio or video content onto your computer. Unlike CNN’ streaming news broadcast, audio or video that is downloaded can be accessed at anytime and does not require you to be connected to the Internet. The file is saved on your computer's hard drive and it can be retrieved in the same way you would a Word document or digital photograph.
Podcasting distinguishes itself from the above formats by the ability to syndicate and subscribe to the content. If this sounds familiar then you were paying attention during Week 3 when we discussed RSS. In some cases the same newsreader that you use to read blogs can be used to subscribe to podcasts or vodcasts (video podcasts). You can listen to (or view) the podcast when it arrives, or you can download it to your computer or a portable device.
To learn more about podcasts, check out this video from the good folks at Common Craft.
This week we're asking you to locate a podcast and subscribe to it (Thing #20). A list of suggestions are available on the Wiki page for Week 11 or you can search for one on your own. You can use subscribe to the podcast using Google Reader or any other RSS reader that supports podcasts. You can also use one of the "podcatchers" mentioned in the above video. A directory of Windows and Macintosh podcast software can be found here. (Some of these podcatchers require you to download free software. In the event that it doesn't work, check with the eiNetwork Help Desk to get administrative rights for your machine.) To document your experience, include a comment below or a link to a blog post that describes your results. As always, include your name and your library. Good luck!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Week 11: Podcasting and Streaming Media
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Week 11
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Very practical and robust research tool, plus great for those unable to sit still long enough to "read" text. NPR has a "mix your own podcast" venue...build a custom podcast of various topics, musicians, personalities and NPR programs. Also, listened to LC's "Voices from Days of Slavery" and "Music & the Brain". Pgh-PG has Patricia Sheridan's Breakfast with Angie Dickinson (this morning) discussing her current role in "Mending Fences." Thanks for bringing this "thing" to my attention.
ReplyDelete--Jackie CP&A
I've subscribed to a few podcasts via iTunes, but I always forget about them. Subscribing through RSS feeds might change that. I did a little hunting on my own and found a few knitting podcasts that might be fun to check out.
ReplyDelete- Jess, Woods Run
This was a fairly easy exercise as I have used podcasts before. But, honestly, I was happy to have a fun thing to revisit, as I had not been keeping up with my couple of podcast subscriptions and now maybe I will!
ReplyDeletehttp://shannons23thingsadventure.blogspot.com/
Shannon/Mt. Lebanon
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI kind of agree with Jess and have posted to my blog about it.
ReplyDeleteJeff-Downtown
I just subscribed to the New Yorker fiction podcast, available free through iTunes. I haven't listened to it yet but I am a big fan of iTunes.
ReplyDeleteTanya
CLP Main (Digital Resources)
I subscribed to New Work Times podcast and downloaded iTunes.
ReplyDeletewilkinsburgsam
I subscribed to the Post-Gazette podcast. I downloaded iTunes.
ReplyDeleteJoe/Wilkinsburg
My comment is posted on my blog.
ReplyDeleteLinda Scott
Penn Hills Library
Forgot to include the link to my blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lindascottsblog.blogspot.com/
Linda Scott
Wm.E.Anderson Library of Penn Hills
I subscribed to the Post-Gazette podcast for movie reviews using Itunes. It was interesting.
ReplyDeleteMeghan from McKeesport
Subscribed to the Post-Gazette podcast and downloaded iTunes.
ReplyDeleteMarc/Wilkinsburg
The assignment was a good refresher course in podcasting. I have worked with podcasting, but I do not do enough of it. I added the Post-Gazette podcast.
ReplyDeleteLynn
Bethel Park Public Library
Posted my thoughts on my blog
ReplyDeleteI subscribed to the Post-Gazette podcast, "Pittsburgh Hear and Now: Tech Talk".
ReplyDeleteI have it conveniently in my feeds in Internet Explorer and can listen to it easily when I'm using IE for other activities.
Interestingly, this weeks subject is entitled "This week Techman Ced Kurtz and PG Webmaster Jody Farr get into the subject of electronic libraries and the digitization of knowledge (Total time - 14:00).
Maureen Edinger
Jefferson Hills
tis on the blog. with kittens.
ReplyDeleteI subscribed to the Denver Public Library via link on wiki page. Entry is on my blog http://hoping2learn.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteCathy (Northland)
My husband and I use podcasts to survive the long car trip to Cinci that we do several times a year (to visit my husband's family). We are quite attached to NPR podcasts, Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me and Car Talk are two of our favorites.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to check out other podcasts that are available.
Megan Fogt - CLP, Squirrel Hill
I subscribed to several podcasts through i tunes in the past.various folk music and comedy pods including ricky gervais, the creator of the orig "office" sitcom from the uk and roger mcguinn of the byrds,"folk den". tonight i subscribed to jan beatty's"prosody" from wyep. It's a podcast for poetry and writers. I really like the NPR podcasts megan above mentioned because if i miss the car talk or the wait wait dont tell me shows when broadcast orig i can catch up my listening to the podcasts.To the powers that be in charge of 23thingsn'at, although I have been on vacation I have kept up with all my "things" and as of today am up to date!
ReplyDeletePeter
Andrew Bayne Memorial
Bellevue
I downloaded Juice and listened to the P-G movie podcast. Did some searching for podcasts of interest and found Comedy Central, among others. Looking forward to exploring podcasts more at home.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Upper St. Clair
This week's assignment and comments can be found on my blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://librariesrule-m.blogspot.com/
Mindy
Monroeville Public Library
I commented on my blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://northlandcc.blogspot.com
Whitney
Northland
Wow - the Librarian Live podcasts are fantastic! What a great resource - you don't want to miss the "Weeding and the CREW Manual" and "Rethinking the Reference Collection" podcasts. :) It's too bad there is no video to these, though. It was eye-opening to see what all is on podcast.com. Also, for fun I watched the Dirty Jobs (with Mike Rowe) short podcasts. And listening to Neko Case on NPR Media Player is a treat. Another great assignment.
ReplyDeleteI subscribed to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette podcast. I downloaded ITunes from there.
ReplyDeleteFrankie/Wilkinsburg
During my childhood, prior to TV, I enjoyed the radio comedies and mysteries, and via podcast subscriptions, I have been able to revisit those old shows. I download them to my IPod and listen to them whenever I choose to. Also, I'm able to enjoy a couple current NPR shows, e.g. "Wait,Wait; Don't Tell Me" and Michael Feldman's "What D'ya Know" without having to tune them in on the days or at the times that they are broadcast.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I have not been able to grasp the concepts or skills necessary for using/enjoying streaming.
Wow - sounds like this week is really working well for most folks - if there's anything specific that's giving you grief about finding/downloading podcasts, let us know - and kudos to Peter for staying on track, even from afar!
ReplyDeleteI commented on my blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://ntrl-brieann.blogspot.com/
BrieAnn, Northern Tier
I subscribed to the Seattle Public Library's podcast through my iGoogle reader. Worked fine.
ReplyDeleteMelissa Mc.
CLP-1st Floor
Hmm, maybe I'm doing something wrong here but it doesn't seem to me that I am subscribing to regular feeds and not any fancy podcasts. It appears that I still have to look up the different podcasts. Weird. Regardless I subscribed to President Obama's feed as well as the Library of Congress' Voices from Slaves feed. I tried to get them to go to my Google Reader but to no luck. Humpf. Well, at least they are saved in a favorites folder for future use.
ReplyDeleteDani Thomas
Shaler North Hills Library
I downloaded itunes and a podcast. I did not find it difficult. All caught up now....yay!
ReplyDeleteI had already subscribed to the This American Life podcast from NPR using my bloglines news reader. As far as I can tell, I am only able to listen to these particular podcasts on a computer. I can not figure out how to transfer them to my mp3 player to be able to listen to them whenever and wherever I want.
ReplyDeleteWhew! I am finally caught up. This weeks assignment was easy for me because I love listening to podcasts. I subscribe to my podcasts through Itunes because I like to download them to my ipod and listen to them when I take a walk or while I am trying to fall asleep. (Only problem then is I miss the podcast when I fall asleep! Maybe I'm absorbing the information while I sleep) I am subscribed to the Knit Pick's podcast that discusses all things knitting. I also like to subscribe to podcasts of a few of my favorite television shows so that I hear their thoughts on the new happenings each week. What is disappointing though is when you find a podcast that looks good, but they no longer update to it. I was excited to see one by one of my favorite authors, Jodi Picoult, but after listening to one about her book 19 Minutes, she hasn't done another one. Podcasts are a fun way to get information or to learn about a favorite hobby.
ReplyDeleteLisa R., Shaler Library
More podcast goodness, or library nerdiness, depending on how you look at it: EBSCO offers podcasts in support of their resources. Neat.
ReplyDeleteWhatever you do, don't go Googling "Popular Podcasts." You'd be amazed, nay, astonished by what's popular.
ReplyDelete(And yes, I do hear all the keyboard clicking from people testing it out.)
I signed up for the P-G's Steelers Report -- never too early to plan for one for the other thumb, eh? -- and The Curling Show. You know, the sport of kings at the Winter Olympics.
Like some others, I wonder if I'm ending up with regular feeds and not podcasts.
Ann
P.S. Did you know the Pittsburgh Curling Club has a cookbook, and no library owns it? Shame!
Although I subscribe to the Moth's podcast (live storytelling: themoth.org) and This American Life's podcast on my home iTunes, I thought I'd see what it's like to subscribe on my bloglines account. I tried to subscribe to the Post-Gazette's Dining In & Out podcast. It shows up in my feed, but no "articles" appear, so I'll have to keep playing around with it.
ReplyDeleteI subscribed to Post Gazette podcast and listened to part of Rated PG Weekly Movie Podcast.
ReplyDeleteBarb
CLP--Allegheny
I am now subscribing to the This American Life podcast.
ReplyDeleteOfficial free, weekly podcast of the award-winning radio show "This American Life." First-person stories and short fiction pieces that are touching, funny, and surprising. Hosted by Ira Glass.
Gwen at Sq Hill
The comments on this weeks's assignment PODCASTING is on my blog http://shyluspilates.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteShylu - USC Library
I listened to ebscohoest's podcasts and http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/. The later has information on many topics, check it out!! Kathy/WT
ReplyDeleteI decided to subscribe to an NPR podcast. I was amazed a the volume and variety of podcast available just through NPR! there were over 50 topics and then many podcasts within each topic. I subscribed to Nancy Pearl's Book Reviews using My Yahoo. It was easy.
ReplyDeleteJoy, Shaler North Hills Library
Success! For details: http://nse23.blogspot.com/2009/07/week-11-black-hole-of-podcasting.html
ReplyDeleteNatalie
Mt. Lebanon
I subscribed to Obama's weekly address and then perused the wiki for more podcast ideas. I eventually settled on the NewsHour podcast, but was enticed by everyone else's picks. The NPR shows sound neat. I shall see if I keep up with this better than I do with my googlereader account!
ReplyDeleteThis was another interesting assignment because,unlike many of the other participants, I was not familiar with podcasting (I am learning a lot from 23 things!) Through iTunes, I listened to NPR's From the Top which I enjoyed because I always listen to this program on WQED.
ReplyDeleteRuth
Mt. Lebanon Library
It took a while to find one but I did and also
ReplyDeleteback to Firefox I found out how to change
the size of font. That was simple enough.
Alissa/ Whitehall Public Library
I have been loving podcasts for ages -- my 2 favorites (other than tons of goodies on NPR of course) are Birds & Nature with Scott Shalaway (fantastic local naturalist) and genealogyguys. This one is great if you want to keep up on new happenings in genealogy otherwise it is a perfect cure for insomnia. I was interested in the streaming video, which I have viewed only as "jokes" passed from my friends... There are so many possiblities for library use in both.
ReplyDeleteThank you again for directing me to look seriously at both "new" things.
Lesle
Shaler North Hills
I've been listening to NPR's This American Life for the last six months on the family Ipod thanks to my husband. Now I can boast that I've added the Post Gazette's Hear and Now On Stage section with drama critic Chris Rawson and I also subscribed to the Boston Symphony podcast. For personal enjoyment as well as library patron use, I can clearly see the value of podcasting. Thanks again for a most enjoyable week.
ReplyDeleteDiane
Bayne Library
This assignment is posted on my blog at http://rohi23.blogspot.com.
ReplyDeleteCheck out my blog
ReplyDeletehttp://libraryladykathy.blogspot.com/
to see all my insightful comments!
Kathy
Sewickley Public Library
I subscribed to Rhett and Link, who I used to enjoy watching but haven't remembered lately. It'll be a pleasure watching them again.
ReplyDeleteI subscribed, but I didn't seem to follow the directions given. I did it via Google/YouTube. I'll have to give the method prescribed in this week's Thing a try when time allows.
Regina G. / CLP Sub Pool
I subscribed to the podcast from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette regarding the Steelers to XML.
ReplyDeleteKathleen
Shaler North Hills Library
I subscribed to Morning Joe using Google Reader. The problem I have is finding time to watch it or maybe more accuately finding time to do the things I should be doing while I am watching it. pwk/npl
ReplyDeleteMy comment is on my blog at: www.blog423tj.blogspot.com.
ReplyDeleteDeb CLP-Main
This one was a little baffleling for me until I realized that I've been listening to podcasts on several of the knitting websites to which I've subscribed!
ReplyDeleteWho new?!!!
I, of *course*, subscribed to MuggleCast, a Harry Potter podcast run by the folks at Mugglenet.com
ReplyDeleteI knew that Mugglenet did podcasts, but not until I used Bloglines to subscribe to MuggleCast this morning did I ever actually listen to one! Now I'm listening to their latest episode (which they recorded in NYC) while I type this up. I love their rocked-out version of the Harry Potter theme which plays at the beginning of the podcast ...
~~ Pam (Monroeville)
This was easier than I thought it would be. I subscribed to LJ podcasts on my iGoogle page, as well as LJ news. This is useful since I no longer have access to LJ.
ReplyDeleteSusan
USC
This was an easy one this week. I downloaded Itunes and suscribe to a couple podcasts and one videocasts. It was easy to find them and listen to them.
ReplyDeleteMaureen
USC
I have been subscribing to the Grammar Girl podcast via itunes! I don't always get to listen to it, but I make the effort to try. :D
ReplyDeleteSara Beth, Sewickley Library
In honor of the 4oth anniversary of the Moon landing and our president's pledge to make math and science "cool" again, I used Google Reader to subscribe to NPR's On Science Podcast. It was pretty easy to do and hopefully I will keep up with it and become more knowledgeable about scientific topics.
ReplyDeleteCathy - CLP Library Support Center
Didn't have much trouble with this.
ReplyDeleteJohn-SNHL
No credit for me on this assignment, but watched the video, followed some links and read. Think I gained a little more understanding.
ReplyDeleteBarb/Carrick
I found this pretty easy to subscribe to a podcast. It wasn't much different than suscribing to any RSS feed. I ended up choosing NPR: Sunday Puzzle Podcast because I usually don't get to listen to Will Shortz.
ReplyDeleteTracy
Monroeville Public Library
ERG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteReally don't understand this.
I subcribed to Pittsburgh Hear and Now Dining In, Dining Out for this assignment. Wanted to find something else of interest but could not. Lesle from Shaler loves them, I can bug her to assist me, I hope.
I swear I will not give up.
Eileen from Shaler
I commented on my blog
ReplyDeletehttp://jo-annesspace.blogspot.com/
Jo Anne
Northland
Here's my blog, http://toomanybooks-annandrews.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeletewith my new podcast
Ann
Lauri Ann West
Better late than never, I'm hoping. I added the NPR Podcast All About Books to my Google Reader feed. It's slightly dry for my tastes, but short enough that I can make it through the review. (I'm so much more of a textual person than an aural one!)
ReplyDelete--Meg, Northland
As always, nothing ever happens exactly like it is supposed to, or I was in the wrong place. When I tried to watch videos on CNN they would not load. I had to install Flash Player and itunes and neither installed. I did manage to hear President Obama's rant about health care and hear a podcast through the Post-Gazette. I do not want to subscribe to a podcast because I do not like having my e-mail address out there so much, and I will never listen to it again anyway.
ReplyDeleteBarbara USC TWP Library
I have downloaded podcasts to my iPhone (and then not listened to them…), so I’m hesitant to subscribe to one and overload my iTunes library and my mp3 or iPohone. I listen to streaming audio frequently – my computer and laundry room are on the same level and audio of NPR programs I’ve missed keeps me chugging along with the wash. “Wait, wait don’t tell me” keeps me cheerfully washing everything I can find. As do the Capitol Steps holiday shows. Yes, I could download these as podcasts, but then they become one more ‘to-do’.
ReplyDeleteI tried to subscribe to Braincast podcast from libsyn (Library @ Mohawk through iTunes but got bogged down in their search and couldn’t find it. It was easy to do from the braincast screen with Google Reader. I realized after I listening to ‘Podcast on podcasting’ that these were older podcasts. I’ll get practice in ‘unsubscribing’. Then I downloaded one episode of NPR technology podcast through iTunes, thoug I chose not to subscribe to them all. Since I could find that one, it was easy to download.
I subscribe to Democracy Now's podcasts. It's great to listen when I am able to (NOT at 8 a.m. when the show airs). I use iTunes to subscribe and receive podcasts.
ReplyDeleteI subscribed to the podcast of the Bachlorette. I absolutely love that show! This season was really good. I dont usually watch the Bachlorette, but once I started to watch it I was hooked. I never ever knew about podcasting. I had a co-worker show me how it works. It is soo neat and very simple! I have the Finale to finish and Im finally done! Yay!
ReplyDeleteKatie B from ACFree
On my blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://ebs23things.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth/Mt. Lebanon
I subscribed to NPR Music and PRI World News through ITunes. I have listened to Podcasts before, but never subscribed to any. It was a pretty easy excercise and I must admit that now that I've done it, I'm sure I'll be looking for more fun things to listen/subscribe to. I'm a little concerened that this will overload my ITunes library; I'll have to have a conference with my computer whiz 16 year old for some advice on that. With Blogs, RSS feeds, and now Podcast subscriptions- not to mention Hulu- I think it is no wonder that some people ever leave the safety of their computer screens.
ReplyDeleteHolly / Mt. Lebanon
I subscribed to NPR's Jazz Track.
ReplyDeleteOh shoot....I forgot to put my name. Joyce/Hill
ReplyDeleteI thought I posted but can't find it in the list--anyway it is on my blog.
ReplyDeletehttp://susansreflections.blogspot.com/
Susan S, Northland
I listened to one of the Irish Roots Cafe podcast, which I'd been wanting to do anyway!
ReplyDeleteKay
CLAV
Some interesting podcasts from the Pittsburgh-Post gazette: "Moonlighting" about the 1969 launch of the Apollo 11. I also download to my ipod from itunes all the time.
ReplyDeleteJoanne - SNHL
I subscribed to Hear and Now Tech Talk podcast from the Post Gazette.
ReplyDeleteEsther
Downtown and Business
I posted my comments of my podcast experiences on my blog: librarykb-23thingsblog.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThis exercise was fun and something I will most likely use frequently.
Kathy B.
Community Library of Allegheny Valley
I love podcasts and the fact that so many radio and tv stations are making content available on a "listen when you can basis." I listened to many podcasts while cooking and baking. I used itunes software on my home computer for subscriptions.
ReplyDelete