What is a podcast?

“What is a Podcast?”

If I were to answer this question as simply as possible I would say, “Podcasting is making a recording for use on an Ipod or a computer using syndication feeds.” Podcasting is relatively new concept in the world but wasn’t created yesterday either. A podcast is an existing recording that was made for playback on an Ipod or a computer.

Adam Curry came up with the program used for creating a podcast, in October of 2004; while he was recovering from a motorcycle accident. He, with the help, of his friend, Dave Winer developed it using Apple Script.( http://www.ipodder.org by Adam Curry, copyright 2004)

Even though Adam and Dave created podcasting they didn’t coin the phrase podcast. The honor of naming the program belongs to Ben Hammersly. He coined the phrase by combining two words, Ipod and broadcast. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcasting)

At first Podcasting was strictly for sharing audio files. Now that technology has advanced podcasting includes video sharing as well.(Hands on Guide to Video Blogging and Podcasting/Emerging Tools for Business Communication)

Podcasts have evolved since their conception in 2004. They are not just for trivial recordings made by promising musicians or authors. Podcasting is used regularly by businesses: promoting products and ideas, doctors; sharing their knowledge with their colleagues, and schools; for a variety of disciplines. So the uses of the podcast are vast and almost limitless.

Hands on Guide to Video Blogging and Podcasting/Emerging Tools for Business Communication by: Damien Stolartz and Lionel Felix; copyright, 2006 published by: Oxford Focal Press)