What is podcasting?
Podcasting is a technology that allows you to subscribe to audio content and have it delivered to your computer automatically.  In other words, your computer will automatically download the weekly message for you to listen to later in the week.

Podcasting is a play on two words.  The "pod" in podcasting comes from the Apple iPod Music player, a portable device that stores music and other audio files so that you can take them with you and listen to them anywhere.  "Casting" comes from broadcasting.  So, podcasting is broadcasting to portable MP3 players.  In other words, when you subscribe to a podcast, the audio content automatically downloads to your computer whenever new content becomes available.

Why Use Podcasting?
Podcasting allows you to receive fresh content on your iPod, computer or other MP3 player automatically.

How Does Podcasting Work?
There are three key ingredients that go into making a podcast.

1. A MP3 audio recording published on the Internet.
2. A Podcast feed.
3. A Podcatching program installed on your computer.

People have been uploading audio files to the Internet almost from the very beginning.  Having the ability to receive new audio content automatically is brand new.

Here is what it happens, a new podcast is uploaded to the website.  A podcatching program on your computer checks the website automatically and notices there is a new MP3 recording available.  The podcatching software downloads the MP3 and places the file in your iTunes or Windows Media Player music library.  Once the file is on your computer you may listen to it on your computer, sync it to your iPod or other MP3 player, or burn it to a CD.  That means whenever there is new content, your podcatching software does all the work for you.

How do I get started?

Step 1: Download a podcatching client.
We recommend using the newest version of iTunes that can be downloaded from here, which now has podcatching capabilities.  Another option is to downlaod the iPodder Lemon program from here, this program is available for Windows, Macintosh, and the Linux platforms.  There is also a product called iPodderx for the Macintosh that can be downloaded here.

Step 2: Subscribe to a podcast feed.
If you have iTunes 4.9 or better installed you can click here to be taken to the iTunes music Store where you can subscribe to the First Baptist Church of Scottsdale  podcast.  Another approach to subscribe is to click on the Podcast Feed button below, it will take you to a page that will look very strange in your browser...don't worry, it's ok.  Highlight the internet address in the address bar of your browser and copy it.  Now open your podcatching software (iTunes, iPodder Lemon or iPodderX) If you are using iTunes, click the "Advanced" tab in the menu, then choose "Subscribe to Podcast..." and paste the internet address you just copied in the pop-up window and click "OK."  For iPodder Lemon or iPodderX, click the "Add New Feed" button and paste the internet address in the pop-up window.  Click the next button.  The program will go out and find it and allow you to subscribe to the feed. If you need further instructions on using your podcatching software, consult the help menu in your podcatching software.

Here is the for the weekly message.

What if I Don't Own an MP3 player?
That's fine.  You have two options.  You can listen to the messages on your computer, or you can burn them to a CD and listen to them in your car, home stereo or wherever.

What if I Own a Brand of MP3 Player other than iPod?
No problem.  In your podcatching software, make sure in the Preferences you choose "Windows Media Player" rather than iTunes.  That way, Windows Media Player knows there is a new file that needs to be synced.

Where are the MP3s Stored on My Computer?
In the preferences of your podcatching software, you can select which folder to save the MP3s.

Do I have to Use Podcatching Software?
No, you can still download the messages directly from http://www.fbcscottsdale.org.