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Podcasting is a
means of distributing audio and video programs via the
Internet that lets users subscribe to a number of files,
also known as "feeds," and then hear or view the
material at the time that they choose. A feed is usually
in the
MP3 audio format.
Podcasting became popular in late
2004 with the spread of free software that enabled
automatic downloading of audio MP3 files onto computers
and mobile MP3 players.
"Podcasting" is
distinct from other types of online media delivery
because of its subscription model, rather than one-time
delivery. A series of files are delivered because
subscribers want to get the information regularly.
Subscriptions use a
"feed" (such as
RSS or
Atom) to deliver the enclosed files. Podcasting
enables independent producers to create self-published,
syndicated "radio shows," and gives broadcast radio or
television programs a new distribution method. Listeners
may subscribe to feeds using "podcatching" software (a
type of
aggregator), which periodically checks for and
downloads new content automatically.
For more information on podcasting, please
visit Wikipedia.org for a thorough explanation of its history and uses.
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