Many Ways to Subscribe to Podcasts
Around half of Podcast listeners choose to listen to Podcasts at their computer instead of using a portable device. An easy way to subscribe to and receive
Podcasts from your computer is to use your web browser. You can also install desktop software on your computer specially designed for Podcasts. These programs
will automatically download Podcasts to your hard drive at regularly scheduled intervals.
If you have an MP3 Player or MP3 capable mobile phone you can take your Podcasts with you on the go. This usually requires a two
step process of downloading your Podcasts first to your computer using desktop software and then transferring them to your mobile device. With a little upfront
work, the process can be set up so that new Podcasts are automatically loaded onto your mobile device.
Web Browser
You can subscribe to Podcasts and view the individual Podcast episodes as links on a Webpage.
You can play or download the files by clicking on the links on the page.
- Internet Explorer 7 -
The latest version of Internet Explorer allows you to view Podcast feeds in a user-friendly format. You can subscribe to Podcasts feeds and even configure your
settings to download episodes to your computer on at scheduled intervals.
- My Yahoo! - This is one of the easiest ways to
get started with Podcasts if you already have a My Yahoo! Homepage. From your home page click the "Add Content" button and look for the "Add RSS by URL" link to add the Podcast feed URL.
- Google Reader -
Google Reader is another fantastic way to listen to Podcasts. Login or register for a Google Reader account to get started. From your home page click the "Add Subscription" button and type the URL of the Podcast feed into the box and click "Add".
Next select the feed you just added and click the play button on the Flash audio player below an article title to listen to a Podcast episode.
Desktop Software
These software programs will run in the background on your computer fetching Podcast episodes at regular intervals then downloading
them to your computer's hard drive. Once on your computer you can listen to them by loading the software or you can choose to transfer
the files to your mobile device.
- Juice - Simple but versatile Podcasting program.
Allows you to search for, subscribe and download Podcasts all in one location.
- Doppler -
A great alternative to iTunes if you want a lightweight program specifically designed for downloading Podcasts.
Mobile Phone
The newest wave of Podcast innovation is to receive Podcasts on your mobile phone. With the introduction of broadband wireless technology it
is now possible to download your favorite Podcasts directly to your phone without connecting it to a computer. You can also transfer Podcasts
from your computer to your phone using a USB connection if you do not have a broadband wireless connection with your mobile phone carrier.
- FeederReader - If you have a Windows based mobile phone
you can use this program to download Podcasts directly to your phone from your mobile carrier's broadband connection.
- Skookum - Another Podcast Feed reader for Windows based mobile phones.
Allows you to download Podcasts to your phone through a wi-fi or your mobile carrier's broadband connection.
-
Included Software - Some new phones today come with Podcast software included. Check with your mobile phone carrier for phones that enable you
to download Podcasts.
MP3 Player
After you set up one of the methods above for copying files to your computer then you are ready to load them onto your MP3 player.
There are many different types of players available and each player comes with it's own software for copying files from the computer to the player.
You will need to refer to your user manual to determine the best method for copying files on to the player.
| 
, 
), this is a link to the Podcast feed
used to subscribe to the section of the newspaper you are currently viewing. Clicking this link will take you to an RSS page that is used
by your Podcast program. You will need to "Copy" the URL address of this page. You will later "Paste" this URL
address into the Podcasting program you choose to subscribe to your Podcasts.