About Podcasting
The technology of podcasting allows you to publish rich media (audio or video) that people can consume on the web and subscribe to in order to get automatic updates. Think of podcasting as a digital video recorder for the web. As a podcaster you make content available that people can get how they want, when they want. All anyone really needs to consume podcasts are a computer and an internet (preferably high speed) connection.
Still Confused?
This is what I tell my parents. If podcasting existed before the Internet, you would have to subscribe to a podcast the same way you would subscribe to a magazine. Now imagine not having to check the mailbox for today's issue. With the Internet, your subscription to a podcast is instant, and the delivery of new audio/video episodes occurs as soon as it is available. All you have to do is go to your computer and the latest audio/video recordings you're subscribed to are sitting right there ready to be played. And if you have a portable media player connected to your computer, the audio/video would be automatically copied to it as well. You could play the audio/video sitting at your computer or take your portable media player and listen/watch on your way to work or the store. This whole automated procoess is what we call podcasting.
Why the name Podcast?
The word podcast derives its name from the iPod manufactured by Apple Incorporated. Podcasts and podcasting did not originate from Apple and does not require owning an iPod to listen/view podcasts. Apple added podcasting support to their iTunes software in the summer of 2005 which then allowed iPod users to consume podcasts as easy, if not easier, than other mp3 players at the time.
For more information go to http://www.podcastfaq.com/
What is a Podcast
It has been several years since the word Podcast originated and today many people continue to be confused about what constitutes a podcast.
People have been producing audio and video and posting it online the past several years and many have mistaken this for podcasting. However, one very important element is missing. In order to make posted audio and video files a true podcast, the proper technology needs to be in place to allow automated content downloading and syndication.
Podcasts utilize software such as iTunes, Juice Receiver and others to automatically download to a computer desktop that then can seamlessly be placed (synched) onto a portable media device. This auto downloading and synchronization has caused podcast consumption to explode. To date, almost all portable media players can be automatically synchronized with podcasts.
With the ability to download new content to computer, say, while you sleep then by simply synching it to your media player in the morning, you have fresh content for the rest of the day. This is the power of walk away content: The ability to feed your brain with audio and video content that interests you.
Podcasting uses a process called Really Simple Syndication (RSS). A format or specification of XML used to create feeds for consumption by users. This is also the technology used in subscribing to blogs. RSS is familiar by the orange icon 
found in web browsers, blog and news sites.
Several podcast sites allow you to listen or watch right from the website without having to subscribe, download or synch anything. Simply consuming a few podcasts will better enable you to understand many of the other dynamics of podcasting. The section of this site "Finding Podcasts" will help you explore the expansive and diverse world of podcasts. http://www.podcastfaq.com/
History of Podcasting
The History of Podcasting according to Wikipedia
A Technical History of Podcasting through 2005For more information go to http://www.podcastfaq.com/
Finding Podcasts
A great thing about podcasting is that there are thousands out there and it has become very simple to find, subscribe, and consume them. Traditionally podcasts are found via directories and communities, subscribed via iTunes or subscribed from individual sites and other applications.
Getting Started
For those at the beginning of the podcasting journey there are two very important decisions to make.
1. What will be the theme of your podcast? We recommend that you pick something you arepassionate and knowledgeable about.
2. In what format will you distribute your podcast? This choice depends on your theme and alsothe technology you are comfortable with. Some themes work best with video but if you arecomfortable with audio tools then maybe you should start with audio. Either way, plan oninvesting time to learn the tools to help create podcasts in the format you settle on.
Cost may be a factor in getting started as well. We recommend that you get started with the most basic equipment possible. In the beginning, podcasting is about creating content and getting familiar with the process. If you have large debts for equipment hanging over your head you will be stressing about the wrong things.
We also recommend that you think of a unique name for your podcast and secure a domain (ordomains) that reflect that name. Domains are very inexpensive these days (as low as $8.95 per year via our partner GoDaddy) so there's no reason you shouldn't stake your claim on a domain name that can represent your podcast.
For more details, see: CREATING A PODCAST
For more information go to http://www.podcastfaq.com/
Glossary
A multitude of acronyms, phrases, and terms exist in the podcasting space. Provided here is a quick list of the most common words to know, whether you're a podcaster, advertiser, or listener. The terms are divided into several loose categories to help you find the term you are looking for. If the definitions here don't answer your questions, many other resources exist to provide additional information.
If you are interested in a specific topic, choose the appropriate page of terms from the left. If you are unfamiliar with podcasting or even the web in general, the Web site terms page is a good place to start for general terms.
For the complete Glossary, see: Web Site Terms, Blogging and Podcasting Terms, Audio/Video Production Terms, Advertising Terms
Resources
Graphics / Website Creation
Links to resources that will give one the tools necessary for web site / graphic creation.
Books
Related books on Podcasting
Hardware Retailers
A great list of online retailiers specializing in Audio/Video hardware.
Web Resources
Links to other online Podcasting information.
Technical Information
Links to technical documents, useful for developers.
Podsafe Audio
A list of sites that offer various music and audio for producers to use in their podcasts.
For more information go to http://www.podcastfaq.com/
Nick Marino
Invite as author
Nice Basic Definition