Podcast

A podcast is a multimedia file distributed over the Internet using syndication feeds, for playback on mobile devices (ipod's) and personal computers.

The term podcast, like 'radio', can mean both the content and the method of delivery. The host or author of a podcast is often called a podcaster. Though podcasters' web sites may also offer direct download or streaming of their content, a podcast is distinguished from other digital audio formats by its ability to be downloaded automatically using software capable of reading feeds like RSS or Atom.

UMass Boston-Educational Technology Podcasts are now available on iTunes!

iTunes

iTunes is a digital media player downloadable for Mac and PC platforms. Not only will iTunes play audio files you can also purchase music, movies, TV shows, and audiobooks, or download free podcasts from the iTunes Store. iTunes now offers iTunes U, giving higher education institutions an ingenious way to get audio and video content out to their students. Presentations, performances, lectures, demonstrations, debates, tours, archival footage. UMass Boston has just subscribed to the iTunes U service and will be rolling out a pilot program in Fall 2007.

RSS

RSS is a family of web feed formats. The initialism "RSS" is variously used to refer to the following standards:
* Really Simple Syndication (RSS 2.0)
* Rich Site Summary (RSS 0.91, RSS 1.0)
* RDF Site Summary (RSS 0.9 and 1.0)
RSS formats are specified in XML (a generic specification for data formats). RSS delivers its information as an XML file called an "RSS feed", "webfeed", "RSS stream", or "RSS channel"

Using RSS, publishers can make content and updates available for download by subscribers automatically. The content on all Web sites is not available as an RSS Feed, but the list is growing daily.

In order to subscribe to RSS Feed you need a RSS Feed Reader. Check out these free RSS Readers.

• FeedReader3
• GoogleReader

RSS feeds in Outlook 2007

Using Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 to subscribe to an RSS Feed is quick and easy and does not involve a registration process or fee. After you subscribe to an RSS Feed, headlines will appear in your RSS folders. RSS items appear similar to mail messages. When you see a headline that interests you, just click or open the item. For more information, read how to add an RSS feed to Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 .