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Another roundup of interesting podcasting tidbits that caught my attention over the last month.

TOP OF THIS LIST: Post details: pseudo podcasting, by DJ Chuang, Nov. 19. This frank, detailed article cuts through the hype of podcasting. As I’m discovering, this new medium is actually a fairly complex undertaking. Podcasting combines many technologies and skills, so just about any would-be podcaster should expect to navigate some kind of significant learning curve. Chuang offers advice for novices based on his experience, and also compares text blogging to podcasting. Well done! Thanks!

Read the rest of this list…

1. Never MetaData I didn’t Like: On Nov. 11, Steve Gillmor explained why many prominent podcasters are moving away (not toward) transcripts – no skimming. He observed: “Skimming got us the election from hell. Skimming reduces the power of your intellect from recognizing the cues of emerging disruptive technologies to missing the point.” Not sure I agree with such a blanket statement, but it’s food for thought.
2. Podcasting video: Yep, it can be done. If you can attach an audio file, why not video? Brandon Fuller and Warren Ellis are doing it.
3. Podcasting the Classroom. Hey, why not? In this Nov. 2 comment, Aaron Campbell offers an intriguing idea for putting podcasting to use in education.
4. Podcasting for developing countries, by Nancy White, Full Circle Associates I’m not sure how you’d get over the technology and net access hump, but given that Nancy has some interesting ideas and links.
5. Audioblogging vs. Podcasting: What’s the difference? There are a lot of opinions on this. Personally I think it’s more of a spectrum than a duality. Here’s Adriana Cronin-Lukas’ take on the subject, published Nov. 3: “Audio blogging is blogging in sound, the only difference seems to be the format, not the approach. The spoken post is trying to achieve pretty much the same as a written post. Podcasting on the other hand, shifts the emphasis to more broadcasting style, i.e. the format influences the content and there is a distinct reason why something is podcasted rather than text blogged. For example, I can interview someone and rather than posting a transcript I can relay the entire experience. That’s what broadcasting does.” Not sure I agree, but it’s food for thought.
6. Feedburner debuts SmartCast: An Oct. 25 posting in Burning Questions (the Feedburner weblog) announced a new service intended to make podcasting easier for novices by streamlining the creation of feeds that support enclosures. I don’t see it advertised on the main Feedburner site yet, but I’ll keep watching. Podcasting is all about enclosures – if you can’t associate an audio file with a feed item, it’s not working. I haven’t tried this service yet but I probably will. If you’re not tech-savvy or generally informed about podcasting and feed enclosures, this document includes a handy plain-language FAQ.
7. Podcast your voice brand, by Neville Hobsons, Nov. 13. Yet another interesting use for this rapidly developing medium. A voice brand is corporatespeak for the environment companies create on the phone for callers – the people who record the messages, the content of recorded messages, the menu tree design, etc. But the voice brand concept could extend beyond the telephone into content delivered by podcasting.
8. BlogHarbor recommendation for podasters: Blogger T. L. Pakii Pierce just started podcasting, and he gives his blog hosting service BlogHarbor high marks for podcast support. He writes: “They provide support for RSS enclosures automatically. When you attach a media file your blog your blog enty items, the RSS enclosure information is automatically to your item when it is syndicated.” Sounds cool. Worth a look for anyone starting a new podcast.
9. WorldVibrations Radio Station: Everything a podcaster could ask for except talent, in one slick package. Just $2850 (US). Well, that’s out of my budget, even if I didn’t just total my car. However, if any CONTENTIOUS readers are feeling particularly generous, Christmas is right around the corner (hint hint hint). …Nah, if you want to drop that kind of money on me I’d rather put it toward a new car…