PODCAST Discovery, creation, syndication:

Discovery

A Google search for "podcast directory" yields the biggest: iTunes, podcastalley, podcast.net, podzinger...many of the web-search engines have developed podcast search-engines as well

• http://www.engadget.com/entry/5843952395227141/ - Engadget Podcast from 10.05.2004 / How-To: Podcasting (get Podcasts and make your own)
• http://www.podcast.com/ - general info on podcasts, directories, tools, etc
• http://facpub.stjohns.edu/~shaughnk/DLIS/Podcasts_for_reference_skin.swf Presentation on Reference quality podcasts available to libraries, and how to find/track new podcast resources (including using RSS feeds)

Creation

General Information

• http://engage.doit.wisc.edu/podcasting/createAndDeliver/ University of Wisconsin's tutorial site includes tips for creating how to create podcasts and gives some hardware suggestions
• http://www.ftcpublishing.com/kidcast.html KidCast Book on incorporating podcasting in the classroom
• http://www.henshall.com/blog/archives/001056.html - Unbound Spiral; info on producing podcasts; includes link to Skype a free VoIP product

Audio Software

Audacity

• http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ Audacity is free, open-source audio software available for MAC and PC
• http://libraries.stjohns.edu/tutorials/audacity/Downloading_Audacity.ppt Downloading Audacity
• http://libraries.stjohns.edu/tutorials/audacity/Audacity_editing_no_audio.htm Basic Editing in Audacity
• http://www.transom.org/tools/editing_mixing/200404.audacity.html Transom.org has info on editing with Audacity (and makes appropriate comparisons to ProTools if you are accustomed to using that).

Legal music

Don't forget, if you use music for intro or outro, be sure to get permissions or use "podsafe music" and abide by artists requests. Sources of podsafe music include:

• http://podsafemusicnetwork.com/
• http://www.podsafeaudio.com/
• http://www.podcastingnews.com/2008/07/07/how-to-use-other-peoples-work-in-your-video-podcast-and-avoid-getting-sued/ this site offers tips on incorporating credits into the audio of your podcasts and into the text of your site/blog

Syndication

Using RSS to syndicate your own internal podcasts

The easiest way to syndicate podcasts is to use the RSS feeds and enclosure mechanisms built into a "Blogger" blog (http://www.blogger.com), then set up a "Feedburner" account (http://www.feedburner.com), copy the ATOM feed (right-click on ATOM, copy shortcut)from the Blogger account and paste it (right-click "paste") into your Feedburner account. Feedburner transforms your simpler blog-feed, and automatically sets up a number of syndication mechanisms, including itunes syndication. This process sounds more complicated than it is, both Blogger and Feedburner offer step-by-step instructions on their sites regarding setting up accounts, and have help features with podcasts.

If you are willing to do a little coding on your own, here are some sites that can help.

• http://forimmediaterelease.biz/index.php/weblog/comments/the_hobson_holtz_report_podcast_56_august_4_2005/ - Hobson and Holtz PPT provides xml for inserting a podcast within an RSS feed
• http://www.feedforall.com/ -- software that creates the feed for you
• http://codex.wordpress.org/Podcasting#Podcasts_with_PodPress consider using the syndication feature of a blog to do the RSS feed for you!

Publicity:

Making sure your podcasts reach your intended audience

Internal podcasts:

Work with your communications department to ask for an announcement in the Institution's newsletter, daily news digest or information portal.

External podcasts:

Register your podcasts with search directories (like those listed in the Discovery section above...and the information cycle continues.

Teaching users how to take advantage of podcasts:

Don't forget that using podcasts may require a learning curve for some of your intended audiences. Be sure to have some sort of instructions on your site...it may cover everything from "What is a podcast" to "how to load podcasts onto the computer, or download them into a personal player. There are a number of ways users can "receive" podcasts, for more discussions on iTunes, iPodder and Juice see the iTunesOrNot page.