Tuesday's Tech Tip: Listening to podcasts

Betcha you've heard of podcasts. But do you listen to them? Do you know how fun, informative and convenient they can be? No? Then pay attention, grasshopper.

1. The Basics

Okay, a podcast is basically an audio program like a radio show formatted for an MP3 player like an iPod. Podcasts run the gamut. You can find podcasts about all kinds of things, like history, science, the Philadelphia Eagles, and even your favorite television program.

One neat thing about podcasts is that they're generally free -- including many very high-quality podcasts.

Another neat thing about podcasts is that once you find one you like, you subscribe to it in iTunes (or whatever you use) and it will keep your MP3 player updated with shows as they become available.

2. Getting podcasts

If you have an iPod, then you want to go to iTunes, click on Podcasts and then click on the podcast directory. Subscribing is as easy as clicking the "subscribe" button. Just make sure you don't subscribe to anything that doesn't say "free" after it.

If you use other means, like Microsoft's Zune desktop software coupled with a Microsoft Zune, check your software's help feature or visit its website for more information.

3. Some cool podcasts

Well, I think they're cool. Behold:

• In Our Time, from BBC Radio 4. "The big ideas which form the intellectual agenda of our age are illuminated by some of the best minds. Melvyn Bragg and three guests investigate the history of ideas and debate their application in modern life."
• This Week in Tech. "Your first podcast of the week is the last word in tech. Join Leo Laporte, Patrick Norton, Kevin Rose, John C. Dvorak, and other tech luminaries in a roundtable discussion of the latest trends in high tech. Released every Sunday at midnight Pacific."
• The Onion Radio News. Parody news done by the masters.
• Slate Explainer. I love this show. Each is only a couple minutes long and address some question surrounding the news of the day. Recent topics included Is the Fed Private or Public?, Can You Really See Russia From Alaska?, and Why Are Georgia and Georgia Both Named Georgia?.

BTW, you can listen to these (and other) programs on your computer. Click the links to the shows on The Podcast Directory and you'll see a link to listen to the show through your web browser.

4. Parting thought

The nice thing about podcasts (at least the ones you like) is having favorite shows, piled up on your MP3 player, just waiting for you. Suddenly your gym visit or drive to Ohio just flies by.

Now, these are just some of the podcasts I like. I keep these and a bunch more on my iPod. I like to believe that they live on my iPod, quietly talking amongst themselves, readying themselves for the day that I need them.