To Post Your Podcast...

Audio Podcasting at Truman - by Instructional Designer, Diane Richmond.  the following is intended as an overview to the processes required to record and distribute podcasts at Truman.  For information on the educational application of podcasting or more in-depth technical resources, please visit our podcasting topic page.

You will need...

1. Audio File
   
   • Record/produce an .MP3 file
     • Audacity is a great, cross-platform, and best of all - FREE tool for sound recording & editing.
     • Windows Documentation
       • Handout on using Audacity to create MP3s (pdf)
       • Handout on installing Audacity and MP3 encoder (pdf)
       • Video Demo - how to edit and save audio files (flash)
     • Mac OS X Documentation (Coming Soon)
       
       
   •  Store that file in a folder on a webserver
     • We recommend creating a specific folder to organize your podcasts into
       • e.g. /podcasts/
         
         
     • To store it on your personal website - save it to your T:\ drive or to your webspace at http://www2.truman.edu/~username
       • the URL of the file would then be:
       • http://www2.truman.edu/~username/podcasts/fileName.mp3
       • note that URL - you will need it later
         
         
     • To store it in your office/department website - import the file into your FrontPage web as you would any type of file (.pdf, .doc, .xls, etc.)
       • the URL of the file would then be:
       • http://officeWebName.truman.edu/podcasts/fileName.mp3
       • note that URL - you will need it later
         
         
2. RSS/XML file

• This is the RSS feed “wrapper” for the MP3 file - it is also stored on a webserver The file is a fairly complex XML file that must conform to certain specifications.   It gives visitors to your podcast certain technical information and a way to subscribe to your podcast and any future episodes.

• Here at Truman, you can upload your audio file to TruTube and automatically generate your XML file. 

• Otherwise, go to ApplyTools.com or to PodcastBlaster.com to generate one (there are also many others - these are both free)

  • Optionally - Validate/test your feed by running the file through the Feed Validator

• This file could be saved to the same podcast folder where the MP3s are.  Make note of its URL.

3. Album Art (Totally optional, but greatly appreciated)
   • This should be a 300 X 300 (max) to a 50 x 50 (min) pixel .JPG or .PNG image representing the content of the podcast
     
     
   • Store this file on the webserver and note its URL
     
     
4. Links to make your podcast available to the public.  Your options include:
   
   
   1. Make a simple link to the .MP3 file from a webpage - clicking on such a link will prompt the visitor to download and save the file locally (where they could transfer for it to a portable player if desired) or to open the file in the media player of their choice
      
      
   2. Make a link to the RSS/.XML file from a webpage.
      
      
   3. Submit the podcast to the iTunes store using iTunes desktop client (requires a free iTunes account) You will need all the URLs noted above - i.e. the locations for your .MP3 file, your .XML file and your .JPG file.
      
      
   4. Submit the podcast to PodBean.com or any other of the dozens of podcast aggregators

References for the above information include:

1. The Apple iTunes Podcast Tech Specs Guide