So what is the podcast blog? Why am I writing this blog? Why would you want to read it?
The way in which media is produced and consumed has changed
radically in the years since the Internet, and particularly since broadband
Internet, has become mainstream. I am particularly interested in podcasts, both
as a consumer and as a producer. I am starting this blog on the subject of
listening to podcasts, but it is going to develop to become mainly of interest
to people who produce podcasts (or who would like to do so). Technically, the
word “podcasts” can refer to audio or video programmes available for
subscription on the Internet; primarily I will be considering speech-based
audio podcasts in this blog.
What is so good about podcasts?
In my younger years, I enjoyed listening to music. Sometimes
I would buy albums of my favourite music, but I found that the most economical
way to listen to a broad variety of music was through the radio – at home or in
the car. I listened predominantly to BBC Radio 1 – sometimes I would listen to
commercial radio stations, but the adverts became very annoying. But popular
music fashions change, and personal tastes change. In my late twenties, I
became increasingly frustrated with the radio – the stations were playing more
music that I did not care for, and less music that I really enjoyed.
One day, around 1990 give or take a year or two, I was on a
long drive on my own. Disillusioned with the pop music radio programme, I
re-tuned to BBC Radio 4. I was soon engrossed in the talk programme, and when
it came to an end, I enjoyed the programme after that; and the one after that.
I had hit a turning point – from then on I was going to listen to much less
music, and much more talk.
I do not enjoy everything that Radio 4 offers: the shipping
forecast gets boring, I do not care for the Archers, and I hate sports
commentary. But enter the age of the podcast! Now I can listen to the kind of
programmes that I like, when I like, and where I like – as long as I keeping
downloading a new supply, and take the appropriate equipment with me.
Come to think of it, what is the point of live radio
broadcasts? I can see the point of live news and weather (and sports commentary
for those who really like that kind of stuff). But otherwise it seems a lazy
solution – just turning the radio on and accepting what comes, instead of
choosing your programme. If you manage your podcasts properly, you always have
something good to listen to - when you want to listen. If you are aware of a
good programme on the radio, you do not need to miss it anymore because of
another engagement – just listen to it later!
The vital equipment
Of course listening to the radio is simpler. To listen to
podcasts, you need a selection of the following:
| A computer with a broadband connection – vital for acquiring and managing podcasts. You can also listen to podcasts whilst sitting at your computer.
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| A personal media player – great for music and talk programmes when on the move, on the bus or train; when gardening, etc. My trusty old MP3 player with 1 GB of solid state memory lasted me a good number of years, but the ubiquitous smart-phone is rendering these dedicated devices obsolete.
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| A radio or hi-fi with iPod dock, audio-in socket, USB port, or SD-Card slot – for listening at home, with family and friends, and the joy of being able to listen without wearing earphones. An Internet radio provides an alternate solution. |
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| An FM transmitter personal device. Great for the car – plugs into the cigarette lighter socket. Most of these devices have an audio-in socket. Some take a USB memory stick and/or SD-Card. The device broadcasts from the MP3 player, or from MP3 files on the memory stick – and you pick up the broadcast on the car radio. |  |
