podcast, huh?

Vinnie's comment about podcasts raises the question: what is the difference between a podcast, streaming media, and audioblogs? I found this table at podcastresearch.com. It pretty much encapsulates the differences. Not all audio files are podcasts.

Relative Differences in online audio delivery channels

	Webcast	Audioblog	Podcast
Requirement	Streaming server / client software	Web browser & mp3/wav audio player	Podcast Aggregator Software
Delivery	Streaming	Download	Download/Torrents
Published	Web page	Blog	RSS 2.0 feed
Timeliness	Real Time / Pre-recorded	Pre-recorded	Pre-recorded
Cost	Expensive	Cheap	Cheap
Technical Expertise	High	Low	Medium
Examples	SHOUTcast	Audioblogging	Last 100 Podcasts

table thanks to podcastresearch.com

Getting podcasts without an iPod

This has been around for a while (since 2004), but I thought I might bring it up again:

You do not need an iPod to listen to a podcast.

All you need is a computer of any flavor. See this handy guide.

Podcasting on a PC

Podcasting can be done easily on a PC. Most of the podcasts you listen to are probably made on a PC. I bring this up becuase some of our faculty have said they would like to create podcasts but can't, since they do not have a Mac.

Pretty much all you need is a computer and a microphone. This guide tells you how to make a podcast on pc running Windows.