Further refinements

During this coming week we will be making further improvements to the directory - based on the feedback we have received via our contact page.

The main change is that each podcast channel has a dedicated page so that all of the podcasts can be listed. Before, some of the pages were becoming quite long and the number of podcasts listed for each channel was reduced to a maximum number. As these changes take effect, the subject areas will list the podcast channels with links to the appropriate web pages.

By gradually changing to this approach, all of the podcasts for each published channel will be displayed. It will, therefore, be quite easy to identify the differences between podcast channels as some will list just one podcast, others will have a longer listing!

Impact of iTunes

Since the launch of the 4.9 version of iTunes there has been a dramatic increase in podcast traffic across the Internet. For some podcasters this has created problems as a result of high demand for the .mp3 podcast files on their websites.

A number of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) apply a "bandwidth" limit to the amount of data from a website, often as a monthly quota. Depending on their terms and conditions, some ISPs strictly enforce this limit and move to discontinue the service. Others will continue the service but impose additional charges.

If you are a podcaster then it is well worth reading through the terms and conditions for your ISP to know what these limits are because there is no real way of managing the demand (other than not making it available). Depending on the size of the .mp3 pdcast file, the limits could be easily breeched and monitoring the traffic becomes very important.

It would be a pity if the bandwith issue was to mean that some podcasters have to limit their output or "close down". ISPs may need to review their policies and practice to cater for podcasting, especially as it has become so popular.

Podcast OPML

The two versions of the OPML files that we have posted on the website have just been updated to fully reflect the current contents of our

There are two versions. The first of these: directory1.opml contains the feeds and the selected podcasts that are displayed in the directory. The second version: directory2.opml contains all the original RSS feeds of the podcaster.

The OPML files can be downloaded and imported into most aggregator software. Once imported, you can look at the feeds and delete the ones you are not interested in.

OPML is a very neat and efficient way of sharing and using information on RSS feeds.

Updated RSS feeds

Our directory makes extensive use of RSS feeds. Firstly, we use the RSS feeds published on the Internet to obtain information and updates about the podcast channel and podcast items. Because we carefully select the podcasts that will feature in the directory, according to our criteria, there may be a delay between the inital publication of the RSS feed on the Internet and the information contained in the directory.

A gradually increasing number of feeds are beginning to publish just the current podcasts and update the RSS feed on a weekly basis. In effect, this means that the podcast listed in the directory is subject to constant change. Also, some podcasters are deleting their previous podcasts, leaving just making the current list available. We do not cache podcasts as the demand for storage space would be phenomenal!

The policy and practice adopted does vary between podcasters. Many prefer to provide an updated list and allow listeners to search through the back catalogue for previous podcasts.

Wherever you look for podcast listings, our advice is simple. Check the podcast channels you are interested in on a regular basis. As soon as you see a podcast you want - download it before you loose it!!!

Some new features

We have incorporated some new features in our podcast directory to make it easy for users to locate the podcasts channels that have been included in the iTunes podcast directory.

At the end of a podcast channel listing, an iTunes button is included. Clicking on this link will open iTunes, if the software is installed on the computer (MacOS or Windows), and take you straight to the channel listed in the iTunes podcast directory. Cool!

We will continue to review the content of iTunes to ensure that each podcast channel that becomes available includes this feature.

We start here ...

Welcome to our weblog.

We hope that you will feel free to add in comments about the content and service that we provide and would also like to hear about suggestions for improving the quality and accessibility of our website.

You may already know that we produce our own podcasts to keep you updated about developments and new additions to our podcast directory. Our podcast channel and podcasts are also listed in the iTunes podcast directory.