FAQs

PodTrippin FAQs

I’m embarrassed to ask this, but what is a Podcast?

Look, I’m old-school too, so don’t feel bad. Not too long ago, I asked this same question. Now, your baby-boomer coworkers will think you are super-smart for knowing about this before them.

The following information is from Wikipedia.

Podcasting, created by former MTV VJ Adam Curry, is a term that was devised as a crisp way to describe the technology used to push audio content from websites down to consumers of that content, who typically listen to it on their iPod (hence the "pod") or other audio player that supports mp3 at their convenience. The term podcasting is meant to rhyme with broadcasting and is a derivative of the iPod platform. While not directly associated with Apples iPod device or iTunes music service, the company did contribute both the desire and the technology for this capability. Podcasting is not unlike time-shifted video software and devices like TiVo, which let you watch what you want when you want by recording and storing video, except that podcasting is used for audio and is currently free of charge. Note, however, that this technology can be used to push any kind of file, including software updates, pictures, and videos.

Podcasting uses an XML-based technology called RSS, or Really Simple Syndication. Content publishers describe new content in an XML RSS file which includes dates, titles, descriptions, and links to MP3 files. This auto-generated file is called an RSS feed. The key to making podcasting work with RSS is enclosures, a feature supported by RSS 2.0.

What makes podcasting special is that it allows individuals to publish (podcast) radioshows, that interested listeners can subscribe to. Before podcasting you could of course record a radio show and put it on your website, but now people can automatically receive new shows, without having to go to a specific site and download it from there.
Related Terms: podcast, podcaster, broadcatching, podcatching

How do I subscribe to PodTrippin?

Subscribe to PodTrippin so that you don’t ever miss an episode. Its free and an almost painless process. This is our site feed:

http://podtrippin.libsyn.com/rss

Copy and paste the address into your podcast ‘receiver’ software (itunes, ipodder, etc) to have new podcasts of PodTrippin automatically downloaded to your computer/mp3 player when they are uploaded by us.

So, if you happen to have itunes, go to Advanced>Subscribe and insert the feed address we just provided. iTunes will then ping this feed and download a list of shows for PodTrippin. Now, you can officially call yourself a PodTripper!

Do I have to own an iPod to listen to PodTrippin?

No, you do not need to own an iPod or any other portable mp3 player. You can listen to it on your personal computer.

When will new episodes be available?

PodTrippin will try and post a new show at least once a week. Please remember that we are new to this.

How can I get in touch with you?

Our email address is PodTrippin at aol dot com. Send us your emails and we just may be reading it on our next show. If your travel story is funny enough, we may even ask you to be a guest on our show!

I want a PodTrippin t-shirt, where can I buy one?

In the very near future, you will be able to purchase logo shirts with funny quotes.

Shannon, you are so cool. How can I be a podcast host like you?

Well, you sure have set your goals high. Don’t worry, you can always aspire to be the best (hehe).
Seriously, being a podcast host isn’t too hard. You simply record what you want to say into your computer’s microphone, edit it with Audacity (free program), and post it on a hosting site like Libsyn.com. You can even add music from new musicians at music.podshow.com. Its that simple.

If you do produce your own show, please let us know so we can add your link to our site.