Podcasting is a growing phenomenon where blog publishers create audio programs and upload them to their weblogs as MP3 files. Readers can access the weblog and download the audio file for listening at their computer, or use software such as iPodder to download content each day and automatically synch their iPod with new podcasts. The concept of creating and syndicating audio content with the expectation that it will be consumed away from the computer is something that gives podcasts a unique flavor.
BlogHarbor supports our users who are creating their own podcasts through our support of enclosures in RSS feeds.
Attachments and Enclosures
The BlogHarbor service allows you to add an attachment to your blog article, much in the same way that you would add an attachment to an email message. Attachments are a great way to permanently link a file to an article, and are especially useful when you are posting articles to restricted categories as the category restrictions apply to the attached files as well as the article.
Additionally, when you attach a file to an article, your RSS feed is updated to include a link to the attached file; the element in the RSS feed is called an enclosure.
The use of enclosures in your RSS feed allows iPodder programs to scan your RSS feeds on a regular basis and check for new files. When the iPodder finds a new enclosure in the RSS feed, it will automatically download the podcast.
Creating a syndicated podcast
Creating your podcast might be difficult, but syndicating it via your blog is easy. Just create a new article on your blog, and attach your podcast file in MP3 format to the article. That's it. Your RSS feed will automatically include the enclosure information for the attached file, which will be used by iPodder programs to download your podcasts.Using Categories for your Podcast
We recommend posting your podcasts into their own category, so you can use category-based RSS feeds to make it easy for your listeners to download your podcasts. By posting your podcasts to their own category, you make it easier for your listeners to download only your podcasts and not those pictures of you at the office party last week.
So, for example, if you create a category called Podcasts in your blog at example.blogharbor.com, the RSS feed for that category is at http://example.blogharbor.com/blog/Podcasts/index.xml . Tell your listeners to subscribe to your Podcast RSS feed and get busy creating your podcasts!
