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.
Name
The term "podcasting" was first mentioned by Ben Hammersley in The Guardian newspaper in a February 2004 article, along with other proposed names for the new medium. It is a portmanteau of the words "pod"—derived from iPod, a brand of portable media player produced by Apple Computer (now Apple),—and "broadcasting". The name may be misleading, as despite the etymology it has never been necessary to use an iPod, or, indeed, any other form of portable media player, to use podcasts; the content can be accessed using any computer that can play media files. Use of the term "podcast" predates the addition of native support for podcasting to the iPod, or to Apple's iTunes software. To avoid a term suggestive of "iPod", some use the term netcast instead of podcast, such as the TWiT.tv podcaster Leo Laporte. A backronym has been posited where podcast stands for "Personal On Demand broadCAST".
History
Podcasting began to catch hold with the public in late 2004, though during the 1998–2001 dot-com era there were multiple "podcasts" done by major companies, such as Real Networks and ESPN.com.[citation needed] Many individuals and groups contributed to the emergence and popularity of podcasts. Adam Curry is credited with coming up with the idea to automate the delivery and syncing of textual content to portable audio players. In 2005 The Ricky Gervais show became the most Downloaded podcast and would go on to receive the first Guinness World record for Podcasting in 2007. The show had an average of 261,670 downloads per episode during it's first month.
The advantages of podcasts
There are websites where people can download podcasts to whatever topic they arte interested in. That is a huge advantage in comparison to the radio. People have actually the choice to what they want to listen to. It has everything that can be thought of, starting from comedy to sports. Radio is giving people the choice to listen to the program if it is interesting, but for example at podcast.net, people can choose their own podcasts. It is very useful for journalists because it can give the information one might need and not find in the newspaper, regarding to a topic which has not been touched for a longer time.
A new way of learning a new language is through podcast, instead of buying all the books and expensive cassettes to get used to the sound. Lot’s of journalists have to travel and of course talk to a lot of people and maybe have to learn some basic sentences of a new language and on their way to the new place, they have the opportunity to learn.Podcast opens a new world to media and communication. Radio is there to listen and get entertained, but with podcast gives people the opportunity to get involved and the choice of what they want to do with that piece of information.
Podcast is different from radio, but people still talk about the new form of radio, probably because it has something to do that people are listening to podcasts and radio, although there are more ways of using podcasts than a piece from the radio.
