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Podcasting

Podcasts

What are Podcasts?

Podcasts are audio files that are automatically delivered directly to your desktop computer, and can be transferred to your iPod or other MP3 player.  You typically subscribe to podcasts using "podcatcher" software.  We recommend iTunes, but there are many to choose from.

How much does it cost?

Nothing!

Must I have an iPod or similar MP3 player?

No.  While many podcast users do listen on their portable MP3 players, you can always enjoy podcasts straight from your PC.

What audio format does Palomar College Use?

Academic Technology podcasts are available in .mp3 format, and will work with virtually any audio player software or portable MP3 player such as the Apple iPod, Creative Zen, etc.  On the program notes page for each podcast we also offer a direct mp3 download (rather than a download that occurs automatically through podcatching software), and a streamed wma version of the podcast.

How do I "subscribe" to the ATRC podcast?

If you are a user of iTunes or My Yahoo!, simply click the appropriate button below for one-click subscription (it's really more like 2 or 3 clicks, but it is simple).

Click to subscribe to this podcast via iTunes  Click to subscribe to this podcast via My Yahoo! 

If you want to install and use other podcatcher software, like Doppler or Juice, then:

  1. First, install your podcatcher software.  (Note: If you use Doppler, you will choose which media player to use when you install it, either iTunes or the Windows media player.  Juice automatically downloads podcasts, but does not place them in a media player.)

  2. Copy the URL from our subscription URL box:

  1. Open your podcatcher software (I will use Doppler as an example) and click the "Add Feed" button.  Every podcatcher will have an add feed function, but the details of how you access it will vary, of course.

  2. When the "Add Feed" dialog appears, paste the copied URL into the feed URL text box.

  3. Click "Add Feed" to conclude the operation.

  4. Now click "Retrieve Feed" or perform the retrieve feed function in your podcatcher software.  Most podcatcher software allows for scheduling of retrievals, limiting the number of previous podcasts to be downloaded, and the download sizes of files.

  5. If you are using Doppler, it will place the downloaded podcast into the media player you chose when you set it up.  If you are using Juice, it will place the downloaded podcast into a folder you chose when you installed it, and you will have to manually move the file to your media player.

  6. Now, without further intervention, your podcatcher software will automatically (or manually, if you set it up that way) download each future episode of the podcast, and you can play them on your PC or sync them to your mp3 player.

How do I find the program notes for a specific podcast?

Use our podcast index.  On the index you will find all podcasts listed with a brief description of the show with the original podcast date.  The program notes pages contain fuller descriptions of each topic discussed in the podcast, along with all the relevant links.  These are an invaluable resource on following up on the podcast discussions.

Is there an easy way to get to the program notes from my podcatcher software?

Yes. 

iTunes

If you use iTunes, click the arrow after the title of our podcast, and from the next page click the "Website" link.  You will arrive at our ATRC home page.  From that page, click "Podcast Index" on the main page menu and you will find the links to the program notes, arrange in date order.

then...

Juice

If you are using Juice, it is much simpler.  Right click the webcast title on the Subscriptions tab and choose "Show Notes."  Your browser will be invoked and you will be taken to the appropriate notes page.

Doppler

If you are using Doppler, right click the podcast title in the main Doppler windows, and choose "Read Posts."  Then, in the windows that opens, click the title of the post to be taken, in your default browser, to the program notes page.

then...

Details will vary, depending on the podcatcher you use, but all of them have a simple means of getting back to the program notes. 

I have a Zune, what do I do?

Click this icon for information:

Can I listen to the podcasts in streaming media format?

Yes.  Not on your mp3 player, of course, but on your PC.  From the program notes page, click the link at the top of the notes page to "Streamed Version."  We stream the podcasts in wma format from a Windows media server.

Do I need permission to reuse your podcasts, or any part of them?

Yes.  They are copyrighted material, and you must obtain permission before using them, except as covered by "Fair Use" or the TEACH Act of 2002.  Contact Palomar College Academic Technology for information.

How can I find other podcasts?

Try one of the following Podcast indexes:

Or, click on the Podcast Directory button at the bottom of the Podcast section of iTunes, then click the Browse button on the next page, which will give you access to the iTunes categorized Podcasts.  Find ours under Podcasts > Education > Higher Education.

 

 
 

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