RLN Podcasts -
Freqently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions:
Many of these are adapted from the BBC's podcast guide FAQs, vist the BBC website for more information.
Where does the word "podcast" come from?
What is podcasting?
What is MP3?
Do I need to have an iPod or MP3 player to listen to downloads?
I've downloaded an MP3 but I can't hear anything. What could be the problem?
I am on a Mac, how do I download the MP3 files?
Where does the word "podcast" come from?
This explanation is adapted from an article in The Economist, 20.4.06: The "pod" comes from Apple's iPod, a fashionable portable music player. The "casting" comes from broadcasting, which means sending a radio signal to an entire population in a particular geographic area at a particular time. (Confusingly, in some respects that is the opposite of podcasting.)
This explanation is adapted from an article in The Economist, 20.4.06: Podcasting works as follows: a podcaster (in this case, the RLN) records some audio content into a computer with the aid of a microphone, then posts this audio file onto the internet. People can then listen to it online and, more importantly, subscribe to a "feed" from the same podcaster, so that all new audio files from that source are automatically pulled down onto their computer as soon as they are published. Whenever listeners dock their iPod or other music players for charging, the audio files that have newly arrived on their computer are transferred to the portable device. People can then listen in their car, while jogging, or wherever and whenever they please.
A simple definition can be found on the BBC's website, at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/help/faq/what_is_an_mp3.shtml
Do I need to have an iPod or MP3 player to listen to downloads?
No, you don't. Anyone with a computer connected to the internet can download and listen to MP3 files. You will need a media player on your computer (many PCs come with Windows Media Player), and you'll also need speakers or headphones. The advantage of transferring the downloads onto a portable player is that you can then listen to them on the move.
I've downloaded an MP3 but I can't hear anything. What could be the problem?
There could be a number of problems, and we're unable to give comprehensive advice. You should check that you have a media player on your computer (e.g. Windows Media Player or iTunes). You should also check that the sound is turned up on your machine, and that your speakers or headphones are connected.
I am on a Mac, how do I download the MP3 files?
If you hold down the Control (ctrl) key on your keyboard whilst clicking on the MP3 link with your mouse a menu of options should appear. One of these options should be "Download Link to Disk" or "Download Linked File". If you select this option this should activate the download and should save it to your desktop.
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