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What is podcasting?
Podcasting makes an audio file, typically an MP3 file, or a video file, typically an MP4 file, available online for downloading via an automatic "feed." You can then hear or view the podcast whenever you want from your computer or a portable media device (MP3 or MP4). You may also download these files onto your computer without subscribing.
What do I need to hear/view 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 Juice to manage your podcast subscriptions. Google also offers a free Web-based newsreader subscription service which requires no software download to your computer. At this point, you will already be able to listen to podcast audio and video from your computer (provided your computer has a sound card and can play MP3 audio and MP4 video files). If you want to make your podcasts portable, you will need to transfer them from your computer to a portable media device.
How do I subscribe to a podcast?
Highlight the URL address in the box to the left of the orange  icon. Right-click this link (or Control-click in MacOS) and select "Copy" or "Copy Shortcut." You may then paste the link into your podcasting software. In iTunes you can find this option under the "Advanced" menu as "Subscribe to podcast."
What if I just want to watch or listen to the podcast on my computer, or just download it to my portable media device without subscribing?
Although we offer a podcast of this material, you do not need an iPod to view or save this content. If you want a copy of this event to keep, right click and select "save target as" from the download to computer link . For directions on how to add the files to your iPod without subscribing, please visit Apple's Web site. You will need the Apple iTunes software installed on your computer to transfer the audios and videos onto an iPod player.
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.
For more information, please visit Podcasting Tools.
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