Podcasts

A podcast is a collection of mp3 files that is distributed over the internet. Although they are usually available for download from a website, they differ from other internet audio files in that they can be syndicated, subscribed to, and downloaded automatically when a new one becomes available. They were originally created so that individual, average people could create what are essentially internet radio shows, and while this is a common use there are now many more. They are becoming very popular education tools. Official and unofficial audio tours for museums have been made which can be used on a portable mp3 player while walking through the building. Classes are being turned into podcasts for absent students. What attracts me to it is the ability to find an enormous amount of audio content of all different kinds. It makes the hours I spend drawing on a regular basis more enjoyable if, along with music, I also have fiction or documentaries to listen to. I listen to podcasts where a new short story is read every week - and not crappy ones, really really good ones. There is also a trend in making podcasts in the style of old radio dramas, with actors and music. Naturally there is a lot of non-fiction out there too, including many interesting shows on science and politics. As well as being great for me to have all this content available, it also creates wonderful opportunities for writers to get their work out there, or for people more clever than I am to spread their ideas.

TRUSTWORTHY - Since they're usually made independently by people who also have jobs and other things, I suppose it's possible that some podcasts that you're subscribed to might miss a week here and there. However I haven't had a problem with that yet, and the technology itself has worked perfectly fine.

APPROPRIATE - I've managed to find many things that I enjoy, but the range of content is so wide that someone with completely different tastes from me could also find something. It's just a way of distributing content, the content itself is completely versatile.

SMART – The technology and the idea behind it is extremely smart in my opinion, as it allows for so many possibilities. The content of course varies in intelligence.

RESPONSIVE – One of the interesting things about a podcast is that they will sometimes alter content based on positive or negative feedback from listeners who email or discuss it in forums. In some cases they seem to have a strong internet community around them.

CLEVER – Having something set up in such a simple way where once you've subscribed it downloads automatically, this is a great way for people like me who are lazy and forgetful to get ongoing content.

LUCID – It varies somewhat from website to website, but generally I've found them to be very clear. It's a bit more complicated for the ones you have to pay for.

PLEASURABLE – Yes! Unless you subscribe to crappy, boring podcasts. Don't do that.

INTERESTING AREAS OF DESIGN PROCESS:

I would probably be most interested in brainstorming, creating and editing the content for a podcast rather than dealing with the software. That's what appeals to me so much about the system, the way that it can be used as an outlet for ideas and creativity.