Datasheet

19
Chapter 1: Get ting the Scoop on Podcasting
Figure 1-3:
While com-
pressing
audio files,
Apple gives
a progress
report on
the con-
version
process.
If you already have a Web server for your blog, company Web site, or personal
site, this process can be as easy as creating a new folder and transferring your
newly created audio file to your server via your FTP client of choice.
If that last paragraph left you puzzled and you’re wondering what kind of
mess you’ve gotten yourself into . . . relax. We don’t leave you hanging out in
the wind. Chapter 10 covers everything you need to know about choosing a
Web host for your podcast media files.
Note that we called your audio a podcast media file. Podcasting isn’t just about
audio. On the contrary, you can podcast any sort of media file you like, even
video. Although this book focuses on audio files, you can use all the tips we
give here to handle other types of media files.
After you post the media file, you need to create a specially formatted text
file, known as an RSS file (Really Simple Syndication), explained in detail in
Chapter 12, and move it up to your Web server. This file describes where to
find the media file you just placed on your Web server. This is your podcast
feed. People who listen to your podcast can subscribe to your show by plac-
ing a link to this podcast feed in their podcatching client.
Yes, we know . . . this sounds really complicated. But we assure you it’s not.
Some hosting companies such as LibSyn (www.libsyn.com) specialize in
taking the technological “bite” out of podcasting so you can focus on creating
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