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Podcasting?

Back in January I wrote a post titled When is a Podcast not a Podcast in which I agreed with Greg Schwartz regarding folks using the term “podcast” when they’re talking about linking to MP3 files on Web sites. In other words, complaining that people are misusing the term. To clarify, here’s the basic definition of podcasting from Wikipedia:

“Podcasting is the method of distributing multimedia files, such as audio programs or music videos, over the Internet for playback on mobile devices and personal computers. The distribution format of a podcast uses either the RSS or Atom syndication formats… Podcasters’ web sites may also offer direct download or streaming of their files, however a podcast is distinguished by its ability to be automatically downloaded automatically using software capable of reading RSS or Atom feeds.“

What brings me to mention this is two recent posts, one from Library Stuff and another from Travels with the State Librarian. In the first case, Steven points out that the links for the MP3 versions of the SirsiDynix Institute recordings are not podcasts and I completely agree. The second case is a little more complicated.

Christie, the state librarian of Kansas has posted her first podcast using AudioBlogger.com a free service that allows you to post audio files to your blog via your telephone. Just call the number, enter your PIN, and record your message. Minutes later a link to an MP3 version of your recording will appear as a post on your blog. Even I, in the past have called this a “quick and dirty podcast”. However, giving it some more thought, and looking back at the definition of podcast, I’m forced to change my mind. This is not a podcast. Here’s why.

In the case of AudioBlogger, even if you have an RSS feed for your blog’s content, the MP3 file itself is not being distributed via that feed, nor can it be automatically downloaded. All that’s being syndicated via the feed is a link to a MP3 file that you must manually download. For these reasons, linking to an MP3 file, regardless of the method of announcing such a link is not a podcast.

Now that I’ve argued the semantics I wonder if I should bother. Language changes and terms get applied differently as more people use them. Technically, you don’t “go” to a Web page, the page is sent to you. However, that doesn’t mean I never say “go to this or that Web page”. Should I care this much about how the term podcast is being applied? Should any of us?

Published by Michael Sauers

Michael Sauers is currently the Director of Technology for Do Space in Omaha, NE. Michael has been training librarians in technology for the past twenty years and has also been a public library trustee, a bookstore manager for a library friends group, a reference librarian, serials cataloger, technology consultant, and bookseller since earning his MLS in 1995 from the University at Albany’s School of Information Science and Policy. Michael has also written dozens of articles for various journals and magazines and his fourteenth book, Emerging Technologies: A Primer for Librarians (w/ Jennifer Koerber) was published in May 2015 and more books are on the way. In his spare time he blogs at travelinlibrarian.info, runs The Collector’s Guide to Dean Koontz Web site, takes many, many photos, and typically reads more than 100 books a year.

One Reply to “Podcasting?”

  1. Well, you already know what I think. There were audioblogs before there were podcasts and audioblogs did not suddenly become podcasts. If she runs the Blogger ATOM feed through Feedburner’s SmartCast, she’s got a podcast. I wonder if someone should tell her.

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