Introduction to Select Access Podcasts

What is a Podcast?

Wikipedia defines podcasting as a method of publishing audio and video programs via the Internet that lets users subscribe to a feed of new files (usually MP3s). It became popular in late 2004, largely due to automatic downloading of audio onto portable players or personal computers.

"Podcasting" in its strictest sense is distinct from other types of online media delivery because of its subscription model, which uses a feed (such as RSS or Atom) to deliver an enclosed file. Podcasting enables independent producers to create self-published, syndicated "radio shows," and gives broadcast radio programs a new distribution method. Listeners may subscribe to feeds using "podcatching" software (a type of aggregator), which periodically checks for and downloads new content automatically.

Each feed consists of a series of individual episodes that you can listen to how you want — on your PC, using your MP3 player, or with just a web browser. One of the best features of podcasts is that you can listen whenever and wherever you want — taking information with you to listen to when its most convenient

You can listen to podcast episodes one at a time or you can 'subscribe' to the entire podcast series using software on your PC (see links at right). When you subscribe to a podcast, all new shows will be automatically downloaded to your computer as they are published. And if you have an MP3 player, the next time you sync your device, your podcasts will be downloaded for listening on the go.

Select Access is using podcasts and downloadable mp3 audio files to communicate better with its customers on their terms. Whether you want to download or listen to an audio segment on expanding the reach of your brands from this web site while you're in the office, or prefer to subscribe to the podcast feed so you can take it with you and listen in the car, on the train or at 30,000 feet in a plane, we want to help enable that freedom.

How do I get started?

The additional information column on the right provides links to other sources on the web to learn about podcasts, or get the software you need to subscribe to a feed. However, you can get started right away by listening to individual segments on the Select Access site in the Select Cast section. You can even download the files there and manually transfer them to the audio device of your choice without the use of podcasting software.

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