KidsCast Podcast

So what's the deal with this "podcast" stuff? It just means it's now a little easier to listen to our weekly KidsCast Radio program. You can still come here to the KidsCast website and click on the link for the latest KidsCast (or any earlier 'casts you might have missed).

Or you can "subscribe" (It's free) to our podcast "feed" at iTunes. Each week's new KidsCast will be automatically downloaded to your computer (or directly to your iPod). Then, you can listen to KidsCast whenever and wherever it's convenient.

KidsCast Podcast Feed:
http://websolutions.learfield.com/kidscastradio/gestalt/rss.cfm?objectid=F87D7492-0B59-4235-B544A589A079694D.
Paste the above address into your podcatcher software. If you already have iTunes installed, simply click the button below.

What is a podcast?
Podcasts are audio shows that you can listen to on a computer or an MP3 player. Unlike radio shows, however, podcasts can be listened to anywhere, anytime. Podcasts can be downloaded to your computer or MP3 player, listened to and saved, or a series can be subscribed to and new episodes will automatically be downloaded, as they are published, to a "podcatcher" on your computer.
Yahoo: What is a podcast? | iTunes Explains Podcasts

What can I do with a podcast?
Every week we post a new KidsCast. If you're subscribed, you automatically get this new content sent to you. You can listen any time...anywhere. For example, you could download the content to your iPod and listen to the latest KidsCast while you go for a jog.

What is a podcatcher?
Podcatcher is a term commonly given to software that lets you automatically get the latest versions of a show. You tell the software what shows you want to get, by adding the rss feed url of the show (you'll find a feed URL at the top of each podcast page) into a form the software provides.

The software then periodically checks to see if the url has any new episodes; if so, it downloads them to your computer while you sleep. If you dock your iPod at night, when you get it in the morning, it will be loaded with the new episodes.

There are many free options. About.com maintains a page with the best choices for Windows and Mac podcatchers.

How do I listen to podcasts on iTunes?
Apple maintains iTunes which is one of the larger portals that provide podcasts. The following are step-by-step instructions:

1. Download the latest iTunes program if you don't have it installed.
2. Click "Advanced > Subscribe to Podcast"
3. Paste the podcast feed URL in the box.

You can also search for podcasts from your favorite school. For more information, please visit the podcasts FAQ page from Apple.

Do I need an iPod to receive podcasts?
No. Podcasts are merely RSS feeds that include audio and video files in the enclosure field. Many of the newer RSS feed readers allow users to listen to podcasts.

I've downloaded a podcatcher. Now what?
Subscribe to the podcasting feed. Each program will be a little different but you simply need to find the area in the program where you can add a podcasting stream. Paste our url in the form and you're subscribed.

Why is it called Podcasting?
The name comes from iPod and broadcasting, which has managed to cause confusion because an iPod is not needed to listen to podcasts. Regardless, the name has stuck.