How Does Podcasting Work?

It has been said that in October of 2004 a Google search returned less than 6,000 results for the term "podcasting". Today, a similar search yields more than 857,000 results. Like the blogging phenomenon, podcasting has come out of nowhere and attracted an enthusiastic following.

While some traditional radio talk shows have begun providing podcasts of their regularly-scheduled broadcasts, the bulk of the podcasts that have cropped up tend to be independent broadcasters who have a fascination with technology. As a result, some podcasts are a little rough around the edges. Nonetheless, it is clear that the technology provides a significant opportunity and potential. Even nay-sayers believe that podcasting is more than a passing fad.

Podcasting is RSS that is used to syndicate and distribute audio files. Podcasting contains an audio file in the RSS feed's enclosure tag. An enclosure tag is used in RSS feeds to include certain types of files. The file contained in an enclosure tag can be: an image, a data file, a video file, or an audio file. Podcasting specifically refers to RSS feeds that contain audio files in their enclosure tag. The RSS version that currently supports enclosure tags is RSS version 2.0. All podcasts are currently created using this specification.

The benefit to podcasting is the fact that users can sync content with their media player and listen at a time and a place of their choosing: radio on demand. And while this technology is not limited to music, it seems to be the area that has received the most attention.

Podcasting is generally inexpensive to implement. Investment in a good quality microphone will ensure that the recording is audible. Depending on knowledge and experience, some podcasters invest in audio conversion, compression and audio editing software applications. Also, web space bandwith and software to create the feed for the podcast is needed. All in all, the initial expense is relatively small.

Publishing Podcasts In three simple steps, independent broadcasters can have their voice heard:

1. Publishers create audio content, posting it on a website for listeners.

2. Create or edit an existing RSS feed including a link to the audio file in the "enclosure" field of an RSS 2.0 feed, uploading it to a website.

3. Tell the world that a podcast is available.

Listen to Podcasts:

In three simple steps web surfers can listen to podcasts:

1. Download a news aggregator or RSS reader that supports podcasting or sync a wireless device like an iPod with your computer.

2. Enter the URL of the podcast feed into the news aggregator or podcast management software.

3. As new items appear in the aggregator, review the podcast's description and listen to those that are of interest.

As popularity increases it is likely many voices will be drowned out, but for now, an independent broadcaster with a microphone and unlimited bandwith can make a name, create an image and change the world.

Useful Tools for Podcasting:

Create podcast feed - http://www.feedforall.com

news aggregator supporting podcasts - http://www.feeddemon.com or http://www.primetimepodcast.com

See also Podcasting Tools - http://www.small-business-software.net/podcasting-tools.htm

about the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for NotePage http://www.notepage.net a wireless text messaging software company.

Marcy Gym Equipment Yoga And Body Ball Set

Warm Sesame-Oil Massage: A Yummy Yoga Treat! (And Great Way of Calming Vata)

The art & science of Ayurveda (a close cousin to Yoga) perceives, maps & speaks of the human body in terms of the three Doshas ~ Vata, Pitta and Kapha ~ each of which governs a different aspect of our lived experience. Though all three Doshas operate within every (living) person, each of us manifests a unique (and ever-changing) combination of their attributes. The predominant pattern of this combination within us gives rise to what is known as our Tri-Dosha type, or constitution.

The Vata Dosha, which will be the focus of this article, corresponds to the elements space and air. As such, it governs all movement in our human physiology, from the subtle, fleeting movement of thoughts across the screen of our mind, to the coursing of blood through our arteries and veins, to the movements of our limbs and pranic body in a yoga asana practice. The Vata Dosha can be, within this system, divided further into five sub-doshas, each of which represents the functioning of Vata in a specific part of the body. These sub-categories (which correspond to Yogic divisions of Prana) are: prana, udana, vyana, samana & apana.

When Vata is in balance, we are alert and spontaneous in our mental, emotional & physical movements. Our intelligence is active in a relaxed and fluid way. We are spacious without being spaced out.

When Vata is out of balance, we manifest symptoms such as: worry, stress, anxiety, fatigue, an over-active mind, restlessness, agitation, difficulty sleeping and mood swings. There are also physical symptoms of out-of-balance Vata, such as dry skin or constipation though my focus here is more on the emotional/mental aspects. [Just an aside: these are symptoms which are often given, within western medicine, the diagnosis of ADD or adhd hmmm ]

So how do we bring an out-of-balance Vata back into balance? ayurvedic suggestions for doing this include:

(1)Maintaining a regular daily routine with respect to meal-times, exercise & relaxation, and sleeping times. Early to bed & early to rise tends to be best for Vata and if youre having trouble sleeping, try drinking a cup of warm milk with a pinch of ground nutmeg, right before bed.
(2)Eating warm cooked meals (as opposed to cold or raw foods) which include oils (e.g. ghee or sesame or sunflower oil) and/or oily foods (e.g. nuts, seeds, olives, avocados).
(3)Living in a warm moist climate with lots of fresh air and sunshine (e.g. Hawaii or at the least, buy a humidifier!).
(4)Wearing clothing that is either warm (e.g. red, orange, yellow) or calming (e.g. green) in color.
(5)Choosing for leisure calming activities such as walks in nature or parks (see my previous post on Walking Meditation!)
(6)Treating yourself to a warm oil massage the really yummy thing which will now be described in a bit more detail

A delightful way of calming an out-of-balance Vata is to give yourself a warm-oil massage. The oil that is best to use for Vata imbalance is sesame oil (organic un-roasted cold-pressed is the very best). So buy yourself some oil; warm up about 1/3rd cup or so (in a small pan on your stove, medium heat); turn up the heat in your house; spread a large towel or a sheet on the floor; and then ~ from head to foot (including your hair and scalp!) ~ work the warm oil into your skin, using circular massage-strokes. When youve finished, cover up so that you stay really warm, and let the oil soak into your skin for a half-hour at least. After youve relaxed like this for a half-hour or hour, then take a warm shower, washing off any excess oil (which hasnt by this time been absorbed into your skin). Apply a light moisturizing lotion after the shower (to seal the oil thats already there) and notice how you feel!

If you do this weekly or even daily, when youre experiencing Vata-imbalance symptoms, youll very likely notice a shift notice the balanced-Vata qualities of relaxed alertness and joyful spontaneity emerging once again.

Enjoy!

And to end (this article, and begin the rest of your day), what feels to me to be a very Vata poem (you can decide if its balanced or imbalanced!) by the great Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore (from his Gitanjali):

I am like a remnant of a cloud of autumn uselessly roaming in the sky, O my sun ever-glorious! Thy touch has not yet melted my vapour, making me one with thy light, and thus I count months and years separated from thee.

If this be thy wish and if this be thy play, than take this fleeting emptiness of mine, paint it with colours, gild it with gold, float it on the wanton wind and spread it in varied wonders.

And again when it shall be thy wish to end this play at night, I shall melt and vanish away in the dark, or it may be in a smile of the white morning, in a coolness of purity transparent.

Elizabeth Reninger holds a Masters degree in Chinese Medicine, is a published poet, and has been exploring Yoga ~ in its taoist, buddhist & Hindu varieties ~ for more than twenty years. She is a student of Richard Freeman and Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche. For more essays on yoga-related topics, please visit her website: http://www.writingup.com/blog/elizabeth_reninger

Yoga Supplies And Clothing

Developing A Good Fade Golf Shot

A good golf swing, for most people is developed through hours of golf instruction and practice. Many people never really do develop what they would describe as a good golf swing. The most common problem for the average golfer is overcoming their slice. For many beginning golfers it is a cause of great frustration and may cause them to quit the game of golf altogether. A golf ball slices when one of several golf swing problems cause excessive side spin on the ball causing the ball to curve to the right.

If you have a good golf swing that is consistent and repetitive then you might even want the develop the effects of a slice. A controlled slice is called a fade. The major difference between a slice and a fade is the amount of control. Why would you want to slice the ball? All golf courses have obstacles and dogleg fairways that have to be overcome by the golfer. Many golfers will play short or lay up to get around these course obstacles however many good golfers will choose to hit a fade or draw golf shot. A good fade shot is a good way to get around a right dogleg or an tree located in the right side of the fairway. Again a fade is a controlled right hand curving golf shot.

So how do you make a good fade shot? You begin by getting into your normal address position. Swing your club up to waist high follow through position so that your left arm is fully extended so that the club and your arm forms an L shape. That means the tip or toe of the club must point back to right. When you look down the club shaft you should note that your point of aim is 10 to 15 feet to the left of your target.

Now bring your swing all the way to the back swing position. Repeat this move several times to ingrain the feel of this swing. You will notice that the position of your follow through position will cause your to take a wide outside upswing plane. As you make your down swing your club face will remain open as your swing moves outside during your release. This will cause strong left to right spin and thus a fade shot. You will have to spend a good deal of time at the range to get a comfortable and confident with your fade shot. Remember to warm up your practice session using the fundamentals of a good golf swing. plan your practices sessions with distinct objectives. Keep a diary of each practice session to assure you develop a repeatable golf shot.

On the course you can use the mental check list of steps provided above to make sure that your swing plane is correct for the fade shot. Some golfers will also increase the amount of fade by further opening the club face. One additional tip is to make sure you maintain strong left hand grip to delay the release of your hands which will also open the club face at the point of impact. As you develop your skill and confidence at making a consistent fade shot your enjoyment of the game of golf will increase and your partners will marvel at your skill. Imagine the look on their faces as your ball fades around a center fairway tree to lie in the middle of the fairway on the other side. A good golf swing is a beautiful thing.

James Kesel, MS, is the publisher of Good Golf Swing website. Providing information on golf swing tips, putting tips, golf instruction, golf Swing aids and Golf ebooks.

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