Podcasting couch

How to select and collect your own radio and video clips

Podcasting sounds like a tricky tech term, but put simply, it's a way of sharing audio and video files through the Internet. You simply download them to play on your iPod, MP3 player or computer at your leisure. Once you start searching, the volume and variety of podcasts available will seem mind-blowing.

Why is it so popular?
You can grab a copy of everything from your favorite radio news program to a ten-minute fitness video from a yoga teacher in New Delhi. Better still, you can listen or watch offline at whatever time and place suits you.

Do I need an iPod?
You can get by with just a computer, but if you want to listen to your favorite program on your way to work, invest in a portable player. Some iPods and other MP3 players play both audio and video.

Which websites?
Use the Podcast Directory in iTunes, go to podcastalley.com or podcastingnews.com, or use a search engine like Google to find out what's on offer.

So how do I do it?
Check out iTunes or download a free "podcatcher" software application such as iPodderX, iPodder or Juice. » Continue reading

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Darren answers my questions on blogging and podcasting

When I woke up this morning to a pleasant weather, little did I know about the surprise lined up for me today.

As I signed in to my email inbox, I received this comment from Shypy, a new reader who informed me that my blog was featured on ProBlogger. Without any further delay, I hit ProBlogger and saw that Darren had answered some questions which I had posted on ProBlogger in response to his invitation for reader questions in February.

You might ask why is it so important for my questions to be answered on ProBlogger. The answer is ProBlogger is an A-list blog and, in order to improve one's blog or website ranking on Google and other search engines, it is necessary to get it linked from other A-list (top ranking) blogs and websites. Not only that! The visitors or readers of that site or blog are also directed towards your blog or website. Read my earlier post on How to grab the attention of A-list bloggers for some creative ideas.

Darren has not only answered my questions but he has linked to my blog, sending over lots of precious readers from his blog and also helping me improve my blog ranking. Thanks Darren! I just love you for that.

Sometimes your hard work doesn't really pay off immediately, but it surely does at some point of time in the future, as you can see it has been over 3 months since I posted those questions on ProBlogger. The comment has really paid off in terms of more visitors and readers directed towards HashOut from ProBlogger and hopefully improving my blog ranking in the long run.

So go ahead on a commenting spree. Find opportunities to comment. Comment when you feel that you can add some value to the conversation and you're sure to hit the Jack Pot. » Continue reading

Read more on AdSense, Blogging, Making Money Online, Podcasting, Search engine optimization (SEO), Webmastering

Worthwhile Indian Podcasts

Podcasting might not have taken of in India like how blogging has but here is a short list of some really worthwhile Indian Podcasts.

Podmasti
Everything you wanted to know about India and Bollywood. Arguably the first India-based podcast site.
Author: Ruchita Gupta
URL: www.podmasti.com

Kamla Bhatt Show
A blog, radio site and podcast run by Chennaiite, Kamla Bhatt, since 2005, while shuttling between Bangalore and San Francisco. Kamla Bhatt studied at Madras Christian College and at Marquette University, Milwaukee, United States.
Author: Kamla Bhatt
URL: kamlabhattshow.com

Indicast
Mumbaikars Abhishek Kumar and Aditya Mhatre gave up jobs with major companies at home and in the US to create India's first podcast site focussed solely on news and views. The podcast focuses on topics, ranging from Sonia to Sania, with a view point of the common man (aam aadmi).
Authors: Abhishek Kumar and Aditya Mhatre
URL: www.theindicast.com

PodioIndia
Concentrates on a rich content of Indian music, served up by co-podsters Piya and Deb.
Authors: Piya and Deb.
URL: www.podioindia.com

Podbazaar
A great source for Tamil podcasts.
Author: US based Sujatha Jagannathan
URL: www.podbazaar.com

PodTech-India
One of the first podcasts for those interested in the achievements of Indian techies. A spin-off from the US based Podtech.
URL: www.podtech.net/indiatech

If you are a blogger or a podcaster don't forget to catch India's largest event on audio and video podcasting PodWorks, a workshop style unconference to be held at Tidel Park Auditorium, Chennai on the 9th and 10th of June 2007. » Continue reading

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