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By: Ikedi Ani-okoye.

Introduction to podcast

A podcast client is the software used to access and download podcasts. Podcast clients are also known asmedia 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 tofind, and because there are so many available for free, itis 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 sitesthat 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.

Podcast Video

Podcasting was originally only for audio files but now 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 thenew 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 Blogging

Podcast video, and other types of podcasting are thus part of the blogging revolution. Individuals and grouparound 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.

Podcast Directories

While some video feeds can be found by visiting the site that hosts them, many more are easier found by visiting a directory of podcast videos. These podcast video directories maintain listings of podcasts that have been submitted to them.They may sort the list according to region, category, and popularity, helping visitors find exactly the type of feed they are looking for.

Tech video podcasts can be found, with regular episodes about technology news. Some video feeds are experimental podcasts, created by designers interested in showcasing their work and trying out new forms of editing and storytelling. There are some feeds that recreate talk and comedy shows, with interviews every episode.

CONCLUSION

Podcasting, unlike other media forms, almost never has charges for services, and the vast majority of feed producers distribute free podcasts. This puts at odds with, say, online radio stations, news sites that offer media to subscribers, or the online music industry general.

Even though podcasting has very direct correlations with industries like news and music that have strong business models, podcasting differs. Podcasting does not really have a business model, and hardly anyone is podcasting in order to profit from it. There are some businesses and news sites that podcast, but they do it as a way to supplement their companies and to gain technological geek credibility, not to make money. This is an odd thing, but explainable in light of what podcasting is.