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 Episode 7 [22:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We’re excited to have Alan Houser with us in the studio today. Alan is our Creative Director who is not only a talented Web Designer, but he’s also a podcast pioneer.

Alan and Tony wax poetic on all things podcasting. Tony’s excited about flying to Cancun on his honeymoon the next day!

To kick things off, Alan defines podcasting: “Like radio for the internet… but more than that” … “It’s about syndication… subscribing to a podcast through iTunes or other news readers.”

clipped from wikipedia.com
Podcasting is the method of distributing multimedia files, such as audio programs or music videos, over the Internet using either the RSS or Atom syndication formats, for playback on mobile devices and personal computers. The term podcast, like ‘radio’, can mean both the content and the method of delivery. The host or author of a podcast is often called a podcaster. Though podcasters’ web sites may also offer direct download or streaming of their files; a podcast however is distinguished by its ability to be downloaded automatically using software capable of reading RSS or Atom feeds.

Usually a podcast features one type of ’show’, with new episodes released either sporadically or at planned intervals such as daily or weekly. In addition, there are podcast networks that feature multiple shows on the same feed.

The guys agree that one of the strengths of podcasting is the portability. A listener decides when they want to listen, where they want to listen and on what device they use. This is the core principle of “Web 2.0″. Tony mentions the term Timeshifting. {again with the Wikipedia…}

clipped from wikipedia.com
Time shifting is the recording of television shows to some storage medium to be viewed at a time more convenient to the consumer.

The guys talk about shows they subscribe to: TWiT.TV, Cranky Geeks, KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic and Duct Tape Marketing, to name a few.

Tony makes the great point that podcasts in his playlist are all considered continuing education. You can find just about anything to broaden your horizons.
NOTE: Search on Yahoo’s Podcast site for what interests you, and you will find someone talking about it: podcasts.yahoo.com

Alan shares his podcast history: The Mobile Podcast A-Go-Go, where he talked about web design from the seat of his car. CreativeXpert, an interview show that Alan hosts to talk with other designers. The Bionic Genius Roundtable, an entertainment/comedy show where three self-proclaimed genii talk about what they’re having for lunch and interview fringe stars.

The guys then discussed how when home recording technology for musicians became more affordable, this is the same technology that podcasters and businesses have adopted.

Tony suggests that posting a podcast {or even a blog} is like fishing… the reach is far & wide.

Towards the end of the show, the discussion turns to non-conventional uses of podcasting, including recording a show on the commute, director’s commentary for a TV show, exercise, live broadcasting and even in-house audio training for new employees.

Join us next time on The Promethean for our discussion of Web 2.0 technologies!