Podcasts are audio files that are automatically delivered directly to your desktop computer, and can be transferred to your iPod or other MP3 player. You subscribe to a podcast using "podcatcher" software. The easiest are Apple's iTunes and My Yahoo. We also recommend Doppler or Juice. They both work well and are free. Both work with iTunes or the Windows media player. If you are familiar with RSS, simply think of podcasting as RSS for audio.
How much does it cost?
Nothing!
Must I have an iPod or similar MP3 player?
No. While many podcast users do listen on their portable MP3 players, you can always enjoy podcasts straight from your PC.
What audio format does Biblical Seminary use?
Biblical podcasts are available in .mp3 format, and will work with virtually any audio player software or portable MP3 player such as the Apple iPod, Creative Zen, etc.
How do I "subscribe" to a podcast?
If you are a user of iTunes or My Yahoo!, simply click the appropriate button for one-click subscription (it's really more like 2 or 3 clicks, but it is simple). The buttons look like this:
If you want to install and use other pocatcher software, like Doppler or Juice, then:
First, install your podcatcher software. (Note: If you use Doppler, you will choose which media player to use when you install it, either iTunes or the Windows media player. Juice automatically downloads podcasts, but does not place them in a media player.)
Copy the URL from our subscription URL box (example):
Open your podcatcher software (Using Doppler as an example) and click the "Add Feed" button. Every podcatcher will have an add feed function, but the details of how you access it will vary, of course.
When the "Add Feed" dialog appears, paste the copied URL into the feed URL text box.
Click "Add Feed" to conclude the operation.
Now click "Retrieve Feed" or perform the retrieve feed function in your podcatcher software. Most podcatcher software allows for scheduling of retrievals, limiting the number of previous podcasts to be downloaded, and the download sizes of files.
If you are using Doppler, it will place the downloaded podcast into the media player you chose when you set it up. If you are using Juice, it will place the downloaded podcast into a folder you chose when you installed it, and you will have to manually move the file to your media player.
Now, without further intervention, your podcatcher software will automatically (or manually, if you set it up that way) download each future episode of the podcast, and you can play them on your PC or sync them to your mp3 player.
