Podcasting

What may be the latest in internet 'fads'. It's been around for quite awhile actually but with the popularity of the iPod this form of communication has taken on a life of it's own.
Podcasting doesn't specifically have anything to do with the iPod per se, but because the iPod has become the latest 'Coke' or 'Kleenex' of Brand name words used for generic items it has taken on the 'Pod' moniker.
Here is what it is:

Quite simply, podcasting is creating an audio file (traditionally in MP3 format, though other formats can be used as well) and making it available online for other people to listen to. If that were all there was to it, you would probably say "So what? That capability has been around for years!" and you would be correct. What's different now is that there are simple ways to subscribe to specific shows and have the audio files automatically downloaded to your computer and placed into your MP3 software - likely iTunes on the Mac - and, thus, if you wish onto your MP3 player - probably an iPod - without any effort. Simplifying and automating that task has made all the difference.
(text taken for TidBITS article 2.14.05)

Here's where to find the software that will let you get in on this latest phenomenon.

Here are the programs that are designed solely for podcasts:
iPodder (free)
iPodderX Lite (free)
iPodderX ($20)
PoddumFeeder ($5)
These tools all help you subscribe to specified RSS feeds and copy to iTunes any and all MP3 files they find during periodic scans.
Give it a shot, and if you end up creating your own podcasts to share with the world, let me know so I can listen in.