The TIMBRE Media Podcast Glossary
Featuring some of the top podcasting terms
Let’s start off with the big question…
What is a podcast?
A podcast is essentially an audio show that can be downloaded from the Internet and listened to using an audio helper application, or subscribed to via an RSS feed an listened to either on your computer or with an MP3 player, such as an Apple iPod.
Aggregator
Also called a podcatcher when discussing podcasting terms, or an RSS reader, an aggregator is a website or software program that collects different syndicated content types, such as news from websites, blogs, etc., typically using RSS feeds. This collection then becomes your customized news and information service, allowing you to view and listen to different information through one single source. A few notable aggregators:
Audio Helper Application
The program that allows many websites to play audio files through your browser. Often websites will “embed” a player right on the page to allow easy playing of a sound file (as we do at TIMBRE Media). If that’s not the case, an application will launch in the background, such as Windows Media Player, RealPlayer or iTunes, to allow you to control the audio.
Blog
Once referred to as a weblog, a blog is now the common term for a website that contains journal-style entries or articles. These entries are often commented on by readers and linked to by other “bloggers” or blog authors. Blogs are a great way to distribute information as their content is freely distributed through syndication or RSS feeds, making it easy for your audience to keep up with regular entries. Blogs are often used in tandem with podcasts entries as they help to facilitate audience dialogue. Click here for Wikipedia’s coverage of the evolution of the blog.
iPod
Apple’s revolutionary portable media player has made it easy for all of us to play audio - and now video – files anywhere. This small handheld device, combined with their multi-platform software iTunes, has helped to grow an already burgeoning industry of podcasting for sound and video. See it at Apple’s website.
iTunes
The software that allows you to easily play and download sound and video files, as well as synchronize them to your iPod. Read more about it at Apple’s site.
MP3
The popular name for the MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 sound file format, and the standard format for podcasts.
MP3 Player
Any device that plays MP3 files. These files can be on a CD or DVD, or copied directly to the memory or drive of a portable device, such as an iPod.
RSS
The acronym for Really Simple Syndication – or for purists, Rich Site Summary – this is the common format for syndicating web content.
RSS Feed
The common format that allows viewers to subscribe to a site’s content, including audio and video podcasts.
Syndication
The ability to make content available to a broader audience by allowing them to subscribe to feeds.
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