Audio Podcasts
An audio podcast is an audio file. This can be downloaded to the personal computer through the use of RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds to the computer. The word “podcast” is obtained from iPod, which is the Apple Computer’s portable music player. Audio podcasts are generally downloaded by the use of a program like iTunes. These can be heard in streaming format or can be downloaded on a computer or to an iPod using RSS feeds. There are different types of audio podcasts that include topics like cars, sports, science, comedy etc.
How to hear audio podcasts?
There is no need to have an iPod to hear audio podcasts. iTunes can be used for the same. To hear the audio podcast, one must click on the Listen/MP3 link and use an RSS feed reader.
NASA audio podcasts
There are three methods to hear the NASA audio podcasts. The first is to reach the story page. While the person is hearing the audio podcast, it is possible to read the story and view any images. Podcast directories exist on the Internet. People can search and hear the required podcasts after keeping track of the favorite ones. There are many directories in the left column of the web page where one can browse the podcasts. There is a podcast client program where the user can subscribe to the favorite podcasts.
Microsoft audio podcasts
Microsoft audio podcasts are not chargeable and also there is no need of any registration. The user has to simply click and listen. These are categorized by product or topic. Every category has its self RSS feed. There are audio podcasts for IT professionals like enterprise search, management, Microsoft active directory, Microsoft exchange server, Microsoft forefront, Microsoft office system, Microsoft SQL server, Microsoft windows vista, scripting, security, unified communications, and Windows server. For IT managers, there exist audio podcasts having titles similar to the above. There also exist audio podcasts for developers, business professionals, business executives, technical executives etc.
Advantages of audio podcast over audio books
Podcasts exist in bite-sized chunks and when a person has only 10 to 15 minutes for listening then these are very suitable. Another advantage is that they can be downloaded automatically. In case of audio books, these have to be downloaded manually. These are also bigger in size and need 10 to 15 minutes to be pulled down. An important advantage of audio podcasts is the timeliness. Certain information like news, sports, and current events must be heard at the apt time. Audio books would take longer to convey this information.
