by Geoffrey (Jan 20, 2006)

"Podcast" was named the word of the year, but a lot of people don’t know what a podcast or podcasting is. Podcasting is a new technology that allows you to receive your favourite radio programmes first on your computer and then on your mp3 player.

For the moment it is free. To receive a podcast, you must do a podcatcher : Ipodder or Itunes, two free software. This is easy with the RSS of the podcast: when there are new radio programmes your podcatcher downloads them.

But why the name podcast ?

In fact the name podcast is a mix between two things: Pod like Ipod, the succefull mp3 player, and cast like Broadcasting the radio station on satellites in the USA.

Is podcasting a success ?

Today in the world podcasting is a real success. Some politicians like the first minister in the UK and in Belgium are using podcasting to communicate. Every radio station has also its programmes in podcast, even “Radio France” although it is a radio with old traditions.

React if you know details about podcasting !

If you wish to react to this article, write to the editor.

July 14, 2006

Podcasting is intensely popular in the United States as well as throughout the world. It provides the opportunity for anyone to broadcast their opinions. One could almost say it's the audio equivalent to the "blog" (online diaries - a combination of the words "web" and "log".)

Individuals have created Podcasts on a variety of topics that are generally not addressed by mainstream media sources. For example, I currently subscribe to two different Podcasts on Atheism, four on French Culture and Language as well as radio talk programs that are not available in my area or at inconvenient times.

I think that a reason for the popularity of this medium is because of the increasing feeling that the American press filters reporting. This was evident in the coverage of the September 11th terrorist attacks when news agencies from other countries were far more detailed in their coverage than those in the U.S. American's take their first amendment rights (the right to free speech) very seriously and if they feel the press isn't doing the best job, they will find a way to spead information themselves.

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to your article and for your research as well as your careful use of English to express your findings.

Teresa, Ann Arbor, MI, USA