Homespun ‘Podcasts’ Explore a Universe of Topics

Homespun ‘Podcasts’ Explore a Universe of Topics
Andy Sullivan, Reuters, April 10, 2005:

Like the World Wide Web 10 years ago, many podcasts rely on homespun charm rather than slick presentation. Anybody with a computer and a microphone can set up their own show. Several radio stations have developed podcasts of their own, typically condensed versions of their morning shows. Businesses from Newsweek to General Motors have set up podcasts, as has Democratic politician John Edwards, who ran unsuccessfully for U.S. vice president last year.

Survey: Millions tuning in to ‘podcasts’

Survey: Millions tuning in to ‘podcasts’

The home-brewed audio programs known as “podcasts” are catching on with people who own iPods or other digital-music players, according to a survey released Sunday.Twenty-nine percent of U.S. adults who own MP3 players like Apple Computer Inc.’s iPod say they have downloaded podcast programs from the Internet, the Pew Internet and American Life Project found.That means more than 6 million people are listening to a form of communication that emerged only last year, according to the non-profit group.

Community Site for “Masses Media” Launched

Local podcaster and obsessive online community builder Ryan Ozawa today launched Voxmedia.org, which aims to explore podcasting, blogging, and vlogging (or videoblogging) as powerful forms of individual expression and interaction. The three forms of “masses media” (in contrast to mass media) — text, audio, and video — are covered in three ways: a message board, a wiki (a collectively edited resource), and a news blog.

Podcasters and podcast enthusiasts are encouraged to start conversations in the podcasting forum, or to add their own brand of expertise to the podcasting wiki.

Read the press release here.