[tag]Podcasting[/tag] is not an old internet capability, but relatively new. In 2003 regular podcasts started showing up on well-known Web sites and software support for podcasting spread throughout the internet. Wikipedia describes podcast as a media file that is distributed by subscription (paid or unpaid) over the Internet using syndication feeds, for playback on mobile devices and personal computers. The term “podcast” is derived from Apple’s portable music player, the iPod. Though podcasters’ web sites may also offer direct download or streaming of their content, a podcast is distinguished from other digital audio formats by its ability to be downloaded automatically, using software capable of reading feed formats such as RSS or Atom.
Now, what does that mean to me as a knitter? Many [tag]knitting podcasts[/tag] are appearing all over the net. Your favorite author or yarn shop may be uploading to the internet a podcast. [tag]Knitty[/tag] has a very good article by [tag]Rhonda Bell[/tag] listing many sites to download your favorite designer’s words about their craft. [tag]Unwound[/tag] offers podcasts on her site and also lists the content and pertinent links to the information so you know before you download what her podcast contains.
What do you need to listen to a podcast? Your PC will do just fine with Windows Media Player downloading and playing the podcast for you. If you have an mp3 player, you can transfer the podcasts to it and listen anywhere. Itunes has knitting podcasts at their site, but I personally have a Zen mp3 player. I use juice to find my podcasts or the website for the company that manufactured my player.
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