What is a podcast?

The word "podcast" comes from a combination of the words "iPod" and "broadcast". A podcast is media, audio or video, available when you want it. The media file is distributed through an RSS feed. You can subscribe to a podcast feed, download a file and listen to it at any time on your computer and/or digital player.

 

How do I subscribe to a podcast?

To subscribe to a podcast directly, add the URL of the RSS feed to your RSS reader or podcast software. You can use an aggregator like My Yahoo or MyMSN. You can also use a “Podcatcher” program to capture the audio feeds for you like iTunes or Juice. Some provide a scheduling ability so you can automatically download your favorite podcasts at a specific time. Podcasting News has a helpful directory of podcast software.

 

How do I subscribe to an OCLS podcast?

 

From the OCLS podcast page, find a podcast you are interested in receiving. To the right of the podcast title and description you will see subscription links. For the mp3 and Windows Media subscription links: you can right-click on the link and select copy shortcut (Internet Explorer) or right-click and select copy link location (Mozilla). Then paste the URL into your preferred "podcatcher."

 

OCLS has its own podcatcher that comes prepackaged with our podcasts. It is called OCLS Juice and is available for both PCs and Macs. Once you have it, you can use it to subscribe to your own favorite podcasts.

 

If you have iTunes, just click on the iTunes subscription link and you will be taken to the OCLS Podcast description in the iTunes podcast directory where you can click on a Subscribe button to begin receiving the OCLS podcast.

 

If you do not have iTunes, click on the iTunes subscription link and you will be taken to the iTunes homepage where you will have the opportunity to download the free software to install iTunes.

 

Why are there two audio formats for the podcasts?

 

Different listening devices support different audio file formats, so OCLS podcasts are offered in both mp3 and wma format.

 

What is an RSS feed?

 

RSS (Really Simply Syndication) is an alternative means of accessing information on the World Wide Web. Instead of browsing websites for information of interest, the information is sent directly to you. You can subscribe to RSS feeds from OCLS.

 

RSS feeds that you've subscribed to can be viewed through aggregators. Aggregators are services that gather the syndicated content and package it in an easy to use interface. View a list of aggregators from Wikipedia.