A
podcast (or netcast) is a series of
digital media files (either
audio or
video) that are released episodically and often
downloaded through
web syndication.
The mode of delivery differentiates podcasting from other means of accessing media files over the
Internet, such as direct download, or
streamed webcasting. A list of all the audio or video files currently associated with a given series is maintained centrally on the distributor's
server as a
web feed, and the listener or viewer employs special
client application software known as a
podcatcher that can access this web feed, check it for updates, and download any new files in the series. This process can be automated so that new files are downloaded automatically. Files are stored locally on the user's computer or other device ready for offline use, giving simple and convenient access to episodic content.
Commonly used audio file formats are Ogg Vorbis and MP3.
Academics at the Community, Journalism & Communication Research group at the University of Texas at Austin in the USA are proposing a four-part definition of a podcast: A podcast is a digital audio or video file that is episodic; downloadable; programme-driven, mainly with a host and/or theme; and convenient, usually via an automated feed with computer software
.Go to www.podcast.com and look around
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