Choosing A Podcast Client

A podcast client is the software used to access and

download podcasts. Podcast clients are also known as

media aggregators, programs designed to automatically

access an online file, or feed, and download the audio or

video file associated with it. Hundreds of these

programs exist, with names like IpodderX, Juice,

Nimiq, and PodSpider. These podcast clients are easy to

find, and because there are so many available for free, it

is easy to find one that suits an individuals needs and

style. These programs run on the users computer,

periodically downloading a small RSS file from sites

that it has been told to monitor. The file tells the

program about an audio or video file stored on the

server, and the podcast client then downloads that file

for the user to view or listen to.

The podcast client thus allows the user to view

information on a wide range of topics from their

computer, without even using a web browser. Just like

blogs let people find writers they enjoyed for any niche

topic they were interested in, podcasts let people do

them same for audio and video. Its as if a thousands of

radio and television channels were created to serve

every possible interest, and more were made every day.

Using the podcast client to access and download the

files makes it as easy to keep up with the sites one likes

as it is to publish the feed.

Video Podcast Basics

A growing trend online is podcast video. While

podcasting was originally only for audio files, more

people are beginning to send video, especially with

broadband connections more accessible. To podcast

video, content distributors enclose it in a web

syndication file that users can download and view when

they want. Users subscribe to the different files,

checking them for updates regularly, and download the

new offers when they become available. Each file is

often referred to as an episode, and may be part of a

video blog, or vlog.

Podcast video, and other types of podcasting are thus

part of the blogging revolution. Individuals and groups

around the world, with a small investment in equipment

and time, can become content producers. Because it is

so simple to use and cheap to set up, many people are

getting involved. They can podcast video around the

world, becoming producers and directors for any small

niche they want to exploit.

Many of these podcasters have small audiences that

download their podcast video, but larger groups are

getting involved. News organizations and websites that

serve massive audiences are discovering that podcasting

and podcast video can distribute their content to

millions of people easily. These groups have found that

podcasting video is yet another way to distribute their

news and information. Since podcasting is so easy to

use, it's likely that even more people will start using

How To Use Podcast Directories

A podcast directory is a listing of syndication feeds that

link to a podcast. They are often organized by category

and topic, and allow the user to find a feed that podcasts

about almost anything. Just as search engines help

people find sites with the information they need, a

podcast directory presents a searchable list of podcasts

users can subscribe to. Users may even be able to play

the available feed episodes from within the site.

Unlike most search engines, though, a podcast directory

rarely searches out and finds content on its own,

automatically. All the feeds are either contributed by

users who want people to find their podcast, or added

by the staff. Nearly anyone can set up a podcast, but

gaining visitors can be difficult, and so podcasters can

submit their feeds to the directory to gain readers.

Since its so easy to make a podcast, a podcast directory

often uses ways to separate the very good feeds from

the ones people do not enjoy as much. A directory may

have a ranking system, feature certain special feeds on

the front page, or even allow visitors to comment with

their thoughts on a feed.

Visitors to a podcast directory can thus add their own

podcasts, search for feeds on topics or regions that

interest them, and even comment on those they like or