Strategic Communications

Podcast Help

What is a podcast?

A podcast is an audio file on a specific subject or topic that is released regularly and posted online. Think of a radio talkshow distributed via the Internet. It is basically a digital audio file that lives on a Web page. There are any number of ways you can listen to a podcast, from playing them on your computer to downloading them to your phone or digital music player. You can also subscribe to the podcast so that you receive regular updates. Read more about podcasts on Wikipedia.

How do I play the UM System podcast?

The easiest way to listen is to visit our podcast page, go to the first story and left-click on the mp3 button ( ) to play in your browser or right-click to download to your computer.

What does it mean to "subscribe" to a podcast?

Our podcast publishes an RSS feed, which you can add to your news aggregator or "podcatching" software so that you're immediately aware of any additions or changes to the podcast page.

Can I subscribe with iTunes?

Absolutely, here's how: open up iTunes, click on "Podcasts" on the library at left. Next click on the "Advanced" menu and choose the "Subscribe to Podcast..." option. Paste the below URL into the box that appears. Now the latest UM podcasts will automatically be downloaded by iTunes.

http://www.umsystem.edu/ums/departments/ur/interact/?feed=rss2&cat=3

Can't I just go to the UM System podcast page and play the audio file there?

Sure!

What does it mean when I click on the "subscribe" link and I see a bunch of code?

That probably means you are using Internet Explorer 6.x or some other older browser. That's fine. A podcast subscription is actually a string of XML code. You would want to copy the URL of that page into the "podcatching" or "news aggregating" software of your choice. Too complicated? Don't subscribe to a lot of podcasts? No problem, feel free to simply visit the podcast page on the UM website weekly and listen to the audio there.

What is the best browser for viewing the podcast page?

The podcast page is best viewed with Internet Explorer 7 or FireFox 2. Click on the browser names to download the latest versions.

Any more questions about podcasting? Just drop a line.