What+is+a+podcast

A podcast is . ..
Podcasting isn't simply downloading or listening to audio on the web. This has been around ever since the web started to go mainstream in 1994.

So what is different about podcasting?

Basically it is a one time subscription to an audio (or video) program which will, from then on, automatically download to your PC audio (or video) files whenever a new one is made available. Podcasting also involves the automatic sycnhronization of this audio (or video) content to a mobile device that will play the files; mobile devices such as MP3 players, Sony PSP and smartphones.

There are numerous genres in podcasting. Topics can vary from music to computer advice. Some podcasts are purely for entertainment value, while others are strictly informative.

Podcasts are also produced by people from different backgrounds and for different reasons. A podcast may be produced by an amatuer as a hobby, a university for educating students, a professional promoting their work, companies extending their network or politicians trying to get a message out to the public.



**Types of Podcasts**
Podcasts run a range from large news media and entertainment companies (such as the BBC, CNN, etc) to the individual at home doing this in their own time doing this on almost zero budget and driven by passion and enthusiasm. The larger companies see podcasts as another means of content distribution to existing audiences. The individual is more focused on delivery to a small, 'niche', audiences who share their same passions and interests.


 * Media and Entertainment Organizations
 * BBC
 * CNN
 * Inidivudals/small teams
 * Radio shows -- a mix of news & current affairs, independent music (e.g. [|Schwagcast], [|Accident Hash]), interviews (e.g. [|You Are the Guest]), music and reviews (e.g. [|Eclectic Mix])
 * Distribution of creative works -- music (e.g. [|The Barenaked Ladies Podcast]), comedy (e.g. [|Comedy4Cast]), novels (e.g. [|7th Son]) etc.
 * Recordings of events -- meetings, seminars, speeches, debates, conference sessions (e.g. [|IT Conversations]), etc
 * Sports (e.g. [|Boxing Scoop])
 * Food and Drink (e.g., [|The Good Beer Show)]
 * Travel shows -- “Sound-seeing” or “sound-scene” tours (e.g. [|SoundSeeingTours.Podshow.Com/])
 * Educational -- language (e.g. [|Grammar Girl]), history (e.g. [|Matt's Today in History])
 * Family-oriented -- parenting (e.g. [|GROW podcast], [|Manic Mommies])

Listen to an example of a podcast about podcasting
media type="custom" key="4261"
 * Today in Podcasting**

**Podcast News**
([|Pickle's Podcast News]) A great news site made by Podcasters, for Podcasters