New podcasts

In our latest podcast (26 August 2005), we feature more podcast channels from our podcast directory. Firstly, we are delighted to announce that some great podcast channels have been included from two schools on different continents:

• The Ace Kids from Ballina, Australia
• Radio Willoweb from Nebraska, USA

In addition, we also feature some new subject-based podcasts:

• Notable physicists share a perspective about Einstein's formula E=mc²
• She Grooves Radio - selected songs from female musicians
  

iTunes influences

We posted our latest updated podcast feed onto our website yesterday evening at 16:45 BST (26 August 2005). Since then we have been closely monitoring the ways in which the file has been downloaded. For a period of just 7 hours, our log results make interesting reading:

• there had been 75 downloads of our latest podcast (icast260805.mp3);
• 72 download requests were via systems using iTunes 4.9 (Mac or Windows);
• 51.4% of computers were running iTunes on a Mac, 48.6% on Windows;
  
• 3 download requests had been made via systems using iPodder.
  

If this trend continues, it would be safe to conclude that iTunes appears to have had a very significant influence on podcasting. We will keep you posted!

Less can be more!

Sometimes there is a need to change a web page to ensure that there is not too much content and prevent the need for excessive scrolling to assimlate the information.

As the number of selected podcast channels in our directory tops 50+ we have made some changes to our listing of podcast channels. In its the original form the list was becoming too long!

We have, therefore, spread the list of podcast channels across a series of consecutive pages. At the same time we have also included a neat icon-based navigation system to make the process of moving from one page to another easy.

RSS update

We have updated and republished our RSS feed to include all of the iTunes tags in our podcast channel and all our podcasts.

Although this process takes a little time to complete and validate, particularly for each podcast, it does provide a measure of control on some of the presentation features that are included within the iTunes application. There does, however, seem to be a delay between publishing an amended RSS feed and whatever process is used for refreshing the iTunes directory.

If you have subscribed to a podcast channel you will receive quick notification of a new podcast but will find that the podcasts listed in iTunes for the channel do not update as quickly. This aspect seems to lag behind by a period of up to 24 hours.

Podcaster challenge

With the advent of iTunes version 4.9, there appears to have been an increase in the number of broadcasters entering the fray. A high proportion of the podcasts from well-established media companies seem to flooding the market with canned versions of earlier broadcasts.

Whatever their reason, the standards that are often set with the audio quality of broadcasting corporations is a challenge to podcasters. That is asuming they apply the right MP3 codec of course! With years of experience in managing recording, mixing, editing and post production processes, producing quality audio is a snip for broadcasters. Much of the software available to "indie-podcasters" is now of a high standard and can be used to produce exceptional quality audio.

So the challenge is on. Can we podcasters really show how well it can be done in terms of audio production and, therefore, level the field?

Podcast update

Our latest podcast (7 August 2005) includes extracts from a further three podcasts that have been added to the Podcast directory for educators, schools and colleges. The new additions are:

• Jane Markham with the first podcast from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
• an insight into the fascinating world of microbiology with the MicrobeWorld podcasts; and,
  
• the first educational podcast from Singapore, looking at psychology - Ventriloquy.

Quality podcasting

Every so often you come across some high quality podcasts, created and produced with great skill and expertise.

One such podcast was recently submitted and is now listed on our website - RSPB Bird Notes. As well as fascinating content about ornithology topics, Jane Markham has produced a podcast of superb quality in terms of the audio recording, editing, mixing and encoding.

The audio quality of this podcast sets a standard for all podcasters to aspire to.

RSS & XML Feeds

Details about the RSS feed for the iPodcast Weblog is now accessible from pages on the website via the RSS - XML images. From this same location, the RSS feed for our podcasts can also be obtained.

Details of the RSS feeds for aggregator and podcast software are as follows.

• For the weblog at: http://www.recap.ltd.uk/iblog.xml
• For the podcasts at: http://www.recap.ltd.uk/podcasts.rss
  

Quality v Quantity

The number of podcasts listed on a number of podcast directories are quite high and show that there is both supply and demand. On iTunes today, for example, there are around 6,000 podcasts now listed!

The range of content, production and audio quality of podcasts can vary quite significantly. Podcasts from professional broadcasters appear to have a distinct advantage over the so-called "indie-podcasters". In general, the quality of audio and production appears to improve as podcasters gain in experience.

Our directory places an emphasis on "quality" podcasts rather than "quantity". We carefully listen and select the podcasts we list in our directory as we aim to provide ready access to podcasts that are suitable for children and young people.