Podcasting makes an audio or video file available online for downloading via an automatic "feed." Once you subscribe to this "feed" your computer will automatically download the newest files to your hard drive. You can then watch or listen to the file whenever you want from your computer or a portable media player.

The first thing you need is podcast subscription software. Your options include the latest version of Apple's iTunes (which has the software built in), or other services such as Odeo or iPodder, to manage your podcast subscriptions. At this point, you will already be able to listen to or watch your podcast from your computer (provided your computer has a sound card and video card and can play the type of file you downloaded). If you want to make your podcasts portable, you will need to transfer them from your computer to a portable media device.

To subscribe to a podcast using iTunes, simply click on the iTunes icon () and you will automatically be brought to the iTunes music store, where you can choose to subscribe. To download the latest version of Itunes click here.

To subscribe using another podcatcher (Odeo, Ipodder, etc.), simply copy and paste the URL in the text box next to the "RSS Feed" image () into your podcast subscription program, or click the "RSS Feed" image to view the rss feed.