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1. What is a podcast?
A podcast is simply an audio file that you can download. The files are downloaded to your computer where they can be played, replayed, copied, and shared. You can either listen to it from your computer or transfer it to your portable media player.
Podcasting is a term used to describe a collection of technologies for automatically distributing audio and video programmes over the internet using a publisher/subscriber model. It is best described as "radio on demand". As a listener (or "podcatcher") you subscribe to the programmes of your choice using a podcasting programme like Juice or iTunes. This programme then automatically checks for a new show and if one is available, it downloads it automatically. After you've downloaded the podcast, you can transfer it to your portable media player and listen to it whenever and wherever you want.
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2. What do I need to hear podcasts?
The first thing you need is podcast subscription software. Your options include the latest version of Apple's iTunes (which has the software built in), or other services such as Odeo or iPodder, to manage your podcast subscriptions. At this point, you will already be able to listen to podcast audio from your computer (provided your computer has a sound card and can play MP3 audio files). If you want to make your podcasts portable, you will need to transfer them from your computer to a portable media player.
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3. How do I subscribe to a podcast?
Simply copy a podcast link into your favourite podcast software.
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4. How do I unsubscribe to a podcast?
If you wish to unsubscribe to a podcast, please be sure to delete the entire feed entry (not just the individual audio editions) in your subscription management software.
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5. I subscribed to a podcast. Why don't I hear anything?
First, be sure that you have audio player software; then, verify that the correct audio file was downloaded to your computer. You may need to modify the update settings in your podcasting software to ensure that this process occurs automatically. Next, check the update times in the description and make sure that a new edition should have been posted.
Do I need an iPod to get a podcast?
No. In fact, anything will work, as long as it plays MP3 files. You can even listen on your computer.
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6. How do I download the file?
This depends on your setup (PC or Mac, and which operating system and browser you are using). Usually, if you left-click on the 'Download MP3' link or icon, the file will play. Right-clicking on the link or icon should display a list of options. Select "Save Target As..." or "Save Link As..." then you should be able to save the MP3 file to your computer.
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7. I've got a Mac - do I have to do something different?
Yes. Hold down the Control (ctrl) key on your keyboard and click on the 'Download MP3' link to get a menu. Select "Download Link to Disk" or "Download Linked File" to activate the download. This should save it to your desktop.
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8. I've downloaded an MP3 but I can't hear anything. What am I doing wrong?
First of all, check that you've got a media player on your computer. It could even be something simple, like the sound is turned down on your machine, or your speakers or headphones may not be connected properly.
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9. I've downloaded an MP3 but the quality is bad. Am I doing something wrong?
You're not doing anything wrong, but it could be that your computer is having trouble running the media player you've chosen. You could try listening with a different media player to see if that solves the problem.
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10. What format will the podcasts be in?
They will be in MP3 format, meaning you will be able to play them on any portable media player, as well as any PC, Mac or Linux platform computer.
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11.What is the difference between podcasting and streaming?
Unlike streaming, podcasting does not provide live data transfer. Podcasting is a mechanism for transferring content which is already completely produced. You can download podcasts into your computer and listen to it anytime and anywhere. With streaming, you listen to the audio content as it is being downloaded.
Podcasting provides a more suitable means of transferring high-quality media content to users with low-bandwidth connections than does streaming. Also, low data rates and high latency do not adversely affect the quality of the content of podcasts as they do with streaming.
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