... are audio files containing very different themes, mostly free distributed via Internet by downloading onto the PC or best way, directly onto a mpeg3 player.
… can be listening again and again, 24 hours and everywhere, for example driving the car or during sports activitites (e.g. Jogging).
… are easy to be maintenanced [
] and for use. Podcasts are the medium for everyone.
… have an impact on further developments of all medias and
… are revolutioning by the way radio broadcasting: the decision about the where, when and what lies alone in the hands of the audience (listeners).
… mostly are free of advertising (commercials).
… are being published regularly within fixed time periods and have a high rate of actuality.
… are being designed individually by each podcaster.
… are authentically, neither limited in content nor framed in the way of presentation (text design).
… cover special themes.
… allow a productive exchange (dialogue) with the audience (listeners).
… integrate the listeners in an active way, for example by feedbacking, columnes or elements of interviewing.
The single conditionss are Internet access and a so called podcatcher (or iPodder / podcast client).
This software for reciving podcasts has the function to give an overview about the big number of podcasts. Users herewith can select audio reports [
], which cover their interests and download the
material onto the PC or Mpeg3 player. Another function is to take out a subscription. Then the
podcatcher will search in regular periods of time for new episods an will actualize automatically the archive. Established podcatcher software fo example are
Azureus, iPodder, iTunes, PodSpider and Winamp.
(IMC note: Downloads of PocCatcher software for Microsoft, Apple, Linux or designed as cross platforms see below.)
Podcasting is an artificial word. Its a combination of the English item broadcasting (transmission, radio) and the name of the
popular audio player iPod from Apple. The „Washington Post" titled: podcasting is the unique technlogy, which covers both mainstream and underground.
], as it is known from Blogs (Online diaries).
In this feed, the links for the audio files are named. The addresses of the RSS feeds are overgiven to
the podcatcher, which can find the new published episode and download it easily.
