Podcasts

In our DIL session on Thursday we discussed podcasts which turned into a conversation about RSS generally. Previously, I was reasonably in the dark about what a podcast actually was. For example, I knew it was a downloadable form of video/audio distribution but that was about it. Now, I think I have a better handle on what they actually are - an automatic distribution of you video or audio. However, this is what I have a problem with. It seems like they have limited applications. There are very few situations where you would want to download everything that someone produces. Just like an RSS feed from a site that provides a full-feed rather than the first few sentences of an update. It really isn't that hard to click to read a fuller version if the brief one doesn't suit your needs.

Also, if you create a podcast then you need to make sure that you are not filling people's computers with rubbish. Having said this, the editing requirements are usually too great for someone who cannot devote a great number of hours to keeping a podcast - i.e. someone who devotes their time to a podcast. However, one should pay attention to the difference between downloadable video/audio and a podcast. The former is simply an infrequent uploading of content to a site or blog.

The discussion then moved onto RSS feeds. We watched a Common Craft clip on YouTube: RSS in Plain English. Not only is the presentation obnoxious - in the sense of loud, rambunctious etc - but it is also a rather scary view. Apparently, we are wasting time if we go to our favourite blogs and websites to check to see if there is anything new. As if many of us can say that our time is actually that precious. And I also have to add that, if your time is so precious, then why are you wasting it on reading blogs or news feeds anyway!