How to Podcast, easy as 1.2.3…

Podcasting is actually very simple to do. Anyone with internet access can create their own podcasts, and, as we have seen, podcasting is a cool and different way to communicate social information. Podcasting can enhance your blog or deliver your information to the pockets of all your followers. Sometimes, people are more interested in audio data than written information anyway. In this class, we learned how to use several programs to podcast. I prefer to use podomatic, soundcloud, and audacity. The first thing to do is to figure out what you’re going to talk about. On podomatic, you can create a profile that pretty much walks you through how to podcast in a step by step process. You can also do the same thing using Audacity, and this program allows you to edit your content. You can select blank spaces and delete them using trim. You can tighten up spaces between words or even delete whole words. Next, you can upload the content to a program like soundcloud. The program eventually will allow you to copy a hyperlink, and then, you can go on your blog and paste the url. Its as easy as that! The podcast player will then appear on your blog. Podomatic is a cool program because it organizes all your podcasts and you develop a podcast personality. You can explore other programs like Blip.tv or Ivoox on your own, but I prefer audacity and soundcloud, because it was very easy to export the material to my blog. You literally press record, say what you want to say, edit the sound, save the material, export it to a program like podomatic, and post the hyperlink to your blog, or upload the material and transfer it to iTunes, etc. Podcasting is extremely easy, and can definitely add a little spice to your blogs or webpages, giving the material you usually post more of a personality. Record, Upload, Distribute, and share with friends now using these programs!

Podcasting- the portable audio revolution

With the universal spread of portable audio players like the iPod came the advent of the “podcast,” cheap audio software similar to weblogging that spread over the Internet and became available for easy download. Podcasts are a sort of amateur radio, and a natural development in the digital revolution of 2.0 media.  Audio content such as interviews about various topics can be distributed in much the same way as written material via blogs. Audio versions of radio shows or the Wall street journal for example, could be sold and transported to portable audio devices. Shows, books, etc could now be listened to whenever and wherever the listener wanted. Audible information could now be portable. Developing a better system for audio file transfer required a new RSS language, which was eventually developed. A new program was developed and synchronized with the iPod, and podcasting as a practice spread like wildfire. Audio files could be transferred directly to portable audio devices in the pockets of every American. It seemed only natural that the trend would grow, considering the massive spread of the practice of blogging before it. The term “podcast” expresses the importance of the iPod and iTunes in spreading the practice of podcasting audibly and visually. The portable aspect of the podcast, and the ability for anyone to be a podcaster are two possible reasons for the popularity of podcasting. People tend to appreciate something as easy as downloading and listening to a subscribed feed rather than searching and reading scattered Internet content. The syndicated feed allows users to keep up to date easily with a podcaster. Podcasting and video-podcasting have grown in popularity and become an essential part of the “2.0 revolution.” Podcasts allow subscribers to have whatever audio content they desire at their fingertips and in their pockets, ready to be called upon whenever the listener decides. This sort of user-control is essential to its success. 

Click Here to learn how to create your own podcast

Lost in Translation

Huh?

For die-hard celebrity gossip/pop-culture fanatics like myself, studying abroad in a foreign country may pose a serious threat to our very existence. The language barrier/ different “celebrities” in this country make it very difficult to browse the latest issue of People while painting your toe-nails, and before you know it… you may even fall too far behind to catch-up on your favorite show (we’ve all been there with Grey’s Anatomy).”Cultural Immersion” doesn’t have to mean that we should be unaware of a high-profile teen pregnancy, the latest scandals for the women of the “Real Housewives” franchise, or exclusive scenes from Kim Kardashian’s royal wedding. Luckily for you, I vouch to dedicate a substantial portion of my Facebook time each and every day browsing websites like Perezhilton.com and keeping up with my favorite shows on iTunes simply because I care about my fans. Without all of you, this blog might not be possible.

A brief sample of what you can expect from this blog:

This week, Bravo fired Jill Zarin, Alex McCord, Kelly Bensimon, and Cindy Barshop from the upcoming season of the Real Housewives of New York City. Congrats to Sonja for keeping her job, she could use the paycheck. Cindy- you were too sane for this show from the start. Jill- you never quite understood the concept that you were being filmed each time you talked behind someone’s back and then claimed on the reunion special that you were a changed person. Kelly- you’re just weird. Ramona- aren’t you a little too busy with your “businesses” to stay on this show? Not quite sure how this show can continue without them, but it was becoming painful to watch anyways. Props to you Bravo- now I can dedicate more time to the Beverly Hills biotches and the New Jersey gals. Lets all cheers with a glass of Ramona pinot grigio to the last time we ever have to hear Jill Zarin’s voice!