| Once in awhile a technology comes along that is so simple, so accessible and so perfect that it has the potential to change the way certain activities in society are carried out. Podcasting, according to those who use it, is just such a breakthrough.
Still in its infancy, podcasting – transmitting formatted audio files that can be automatically downloaded to portable audio devices – is being used to broadcast music, educational information, sports commentary and even conversations from favourite watering holes.
"It’s a way for anyone to broadcast their own audio," says D’Arcy Norman, a software developer who works at the University of Calgary.
Norman is currently exploring ways podcasting can be used at the university to transmit lectures or educational conferences to the student body. He has been conducting test podcasts since November 2004 and was stunned by the early results.
"I didn’t think anyone would listen," says Norman. "I had more than 300 listeners."
Capitalizing on a worldwide phenomenon towards adopting high-technology, podcasting is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways for people with limited resources to broadcast audio.
"If you have a computer, you can do it," says Norman.
Most podcasts are in a standard MP3 audio format and are posted online using Real Simple Syndication (RSS). The RSS feed allows potential listeners to be automatically notified when a podcast of interest is available.
Evolved from technology initiated by Dave Winer, founder of UserLand Software in the U.S., podcasting is now capturing the attention of thousands of homemade broadcasters who have the potential to reach millions of people.
The technology, which has only emerged during the past year, has been tried by more than six million people who have downloaded podcasts to their iPods, according to an American study released by the Pew Internet and American Life Project.
In Calgary it is the Skinn brothers (Matt and Andy) who have jumped into podcasting and become minor celebrities in the process. The brothers Skinn are full-time students at the University of Calgary (Matt is completing a master’s degree in sports psychology and Andy is finishing up a PhD in medical sciences before entering med school) who now also podcast a weekly sports show called The Skinny on Sports.
"Andy came up with the idea," says Matt. "He said, what do you think about doing a sports show?"
Inspired by Adam Curry of MTV fame, who also has his own podcast called The Daily Source Code, the Skinn brothers started podcasting their mix of commentary and interviews of athletes last November.
"We sit down on Sunday or Monday night," says Matt. "It’s a 10-minute show, with four quarters and overtime. It’s recorded on a PC (personal computer) and saved as an MP3 file."
What started with a personal interest in sports has blossomed into a podcast that is now downloaded each week by more than 2,000 people within a 24- to 48-hour period.
And the brothers, despite their heavy academic schedules, plan to carry on with The Skinny on Sports, even entertaining the idea of securing sponsors for a program that is on the edge of becoming a commercial success.
To help listeners wade through thousands of programs of interest that are now starting to crowd the podosphere, several websites have sprung up with listings and sometimes reviews. Sites such as Ipodder.org and ITConversations.com demonstrate just how diverse the content of podcasting has become in such a short period of time.
Want to hear Rael Deforest, chief technology officer of O’Reilly Media, speak about the culture of remixing? It’s available. How about an interview of Pulitzer Prize-winning author James Stewart, speaking about his most recent book, Den of Thieves? No problem.
In fact, anything from beer-soaked conversations originating from a Vancouver pub to music featuring garage bands located anywhere from Katmandu, Nepal to Wichita, Kansas is now available in what is being considered by media observers as one of the fastest growing technologies in the world. |
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