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NOTE: You can listen to an audio (podcast) version of this article by clicking on the PLAY icon on the left of the "Podcasts Explained" link just above this line.
Podcasting is the ability to listen to audio files on the Internet. You can listen on your Windows computer, a Macintosh, an MP3 player (such as the Apple iPod), an iPhone, or most any other device capable of listening to audio files. In most cases, listening to a podcast is similar to listening to a radio program: a podcast might be all music or it may be a talk show or even a mixture of both.
The term podcasting comes from the word "iPod" and "broadcasting."
Podcasting has several unique features:
Podcasts are not plagued by static or other atmospheric noises in the manner of radio broadcasts.
Podcasts are stored online, and you can listen to them whenever you want. Unlike radio, you do not need to check a “station schedule” and be prepared at a certain date or time. Podcasts are available whenever YOU want them.
By creating podcasts, one can reach listeners all over the world. Unlike radio stations that typically cover a limited geographic area, anyone can create podcasts that will attract listeners worldwide. For instance, I live in the northeastern part of the United States, and I have created podcasts. I later received comments from listeners in Australia, New Zealand, England, Germany, Sweden, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia.
I had a delightful time recently talking with Ron Arons. He is the author of two books: Wanted: U.S. Criminal Records - Sources and Research Methodology as well as The Jews of Sing Sing. He specializes in finding records of the black sheep of the family. Along the way, he seems to uncover many fascinating stories.
I managed to talk with Ron at the recent conference of the National Genealogical Society. Ron talked about his books and also shared a number of tips about researching records of those who were incarcerated. I was able to record our conversation and now can offer it here as a podcast. You can listen to our conversation right now on your computer or else save the file to your MP3 music player and listen to it later.
I recently had a chance to talk with David Rencher, Chief Genealogical Officer at FamilySearch. David talked a lot about the upcoming conference of the National Genealogical Society, to be held at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah on 28 April through 1 May 2010. David talks about the number of attendees expected (pre-registrations are already at a large number), the exhibits, the presentations, the Thursday evening events, the keynote speeches, and especially about the GENTECH events.
You can listen to our conversation by clicking on the following link:
The following announcement was written by Lisa Louise Cooke of the Genealogy Gems Podcast:
SAN RAMON, Calif. – January 4, 2009 - The Genealogy Gems Podcast, the #1 podcast in the genealogy category in iTunes has launched the first ever genealogy podcast app for iPhone and iTouch (in partnership with Wizzard Media). The Genealogy Gems Podcast app provides users with streaming genealogy audio and video on the go, and exclusive Bonus Content.
Sarah Long's podcast, "Longshots," explores the world of libraries through interviews with key library figures and commentary on issues that matter to libraries. She is the Director of the North Suburban Library System, an organization of over 650 academic, public, school, and special libraries in the north/northwest suburbs of Chicago. She is also a well-known podcaster, often posting podcasts of interest to librarians and others. Sarah recently interviewed me and that audio interview is now available online.
The following announcement was written by The Genealogy Guys:
The Genealogy Guys Podcast, a service of Aha! Seminars, Inc., announces its participation at the 2009 Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference in Little Rock, AR, September 2-5, 2009.
The Genealogy Guys Podcast is the longest running weekly genealogy podcast in the world, with thousands of regular listeners around the globe. Co-hosts George G. Morgan and Drew Smith share news, interviews, book reviews, listener email, and more in their one-hour recording, available for free at http://genealogyguys.com and iTunes, and through RSS subscription.
The Irish Roots Cafe featuring Mike O'Laughlin is a very popular web site for anyone with Irish roots. Mike has been offering a lot of text information plus an audio Irish Families podcast for some time. Now he has added two new weekly genealogy podcasts for those who prefer to listen to the news:
An interview with Holly Hansen, president of My Ancestors Found. Holly talks about the St. George, Utah 2007 Genealogy & Family Heritage Jamboree to be held February 9-10. Holly describes the Genealogy Jamboree crowds expected, the 107 classes to be held, the 60 or so vendors, how to travel to St. George, the local hotels, the local attractions and more. If you can be in southwestern Utah in February, you will want to listen to this podcast!
This 32-minute interview may be played on any modern computer that either has speakers or headphones attached. This podcast may also be downloaded to an iPod or other portable music player.
To listen to the interview, click on the link below. To download and save on your hard drive, right-click on the link below.
Genealogy podcasts seem to be popping up everywhere and for good reasons. These audio “broadcasts” are great for conveying certain types of information. Now Michael C. O'Laughlin, a world-famous Irish genealogist and author, has created what is believed to be the first Irish genealogy podcast. You can now listen to Michael describe “how to do it right.”
This 38-minute interview may be played on any modern computer that either has speakers or headphones attached. This podcast may also be downloaded to an iPod or other portable music player.
To listen to the interview, click on the link below. To download and save on your hard drive, right-click on the link below.
Podcast: A talk with Michael Leclerc, co-chair of the 2006 Federation of Genealogical Societies' annual conference. In this audio interview, Michael lists some of the events and "happenings" of this year's event to be held in Boston, Massachusetts. He also tells why this conference is expected to be the largest genealogy event ever held in North America.
You can listen to this 29-minute interview using any modern computer that has either speakers or headphones attached. To listen to the interview, click on the link below. To download and save on your hard drive, right-click on the link below.
Podcast: Excavating Grandma's Privy for Family History Data. This is a delightful interview with Craig Pfannkuche. Craig is an expert amateur archaeologist who describes why and how to excavate your ancestors' outhouses in order to find more about their lives.
You can listen to this 29-minute interview using any modern computer that has either speakers or headphones attached. This podcast can also be downloaded to an iPod or other portable music player. To listen to the interview, click on the link below. To download and save on your hard drive, right-click on the link below.
Podcast: An interview with Liz Kerstens discussing Clooz version 2.0. Clooz is a Windows XP database for systematically storing all of the clues to your ancestry that you've been collecting over the years. This is not another genealogy program! It is an electronic filing cabinet that assists you with search and retrieval of important facts you've found during the ancestor hunt. You can listen to this 37-minute interview using any modern computer that has either speakers or headphones attached. To listen to the interview, click on the link below. To download and save on your hard drive, right-click on the link below.
Podcast: Christine Rose talks with Dick Eastman about "Courthouse Research for Family Historians"
Christine Rose recently published a new book: "Courthouse Research for Family Historians: Your Guide to Genealogical Treasures." In this audio interview, Dick Eastman interviews the author who gives detailed information about the book and why a genealogist would want to read it. This book and the interview focus on U.S. court houses.
You can listen to this 16-minute interview using any modern computer that has either speakers or headphones attached. To listen to the interview, click on the link below. To download and save on your hard drive, right-click on the link below.
It seems that genealogy podcasts are popping up everywhere. The Genealogy Tech Podcast is a new podcast geared toward genealogists/family researchers who want to learn the basics of using a PC, as well as how to use some of the latest software, hardware, and Internet based applications in their genealogical research. The Genealogy Tech Podcast is produced by Bill Puller.
Podcast: Version 3.0 of Family Historian was released a few weeks ago. This powerful Windows genealogy program is very popular in the U.K. and elsewhere. Family Historian is very graphics oriented and its visual representations of family trees extend even to the program’s data entry screens. In this audio podcast, Dick Eastman talks with Simon Orde, the owner of Calico Pie Limited, the company that produces Family Historian. Simon thoroughly describes the many features of Family Historian.
Podcast: I am delighted to announce another expansion of this newsletter’s offerings: podcasts. I will now be offering “radio broadcast” interviews of many of the world’s leading genealogy experts. To listen to these interviews, all you need is your present computer. In fact, there is no requirement for new software; you can use what you already have.
You can listen to this 9 minute, 47 second story using any modern computer that has either speakers or
headphones attached. It can also be downloaded to an iPod or other
portable music player. To listen to the interview, click on the link below. To download and save on your hard drive, right-click on the link below.
Podcast: This is an audio interview with Barbara Vines Little, President of the National Genealogical Society. In this podcast, Barbara and I discuss the upcoming National Genealogical Society annual conference to be held near Chicago on June 7 though 10.
You can listen to this 28-minute interview using any modern computer that has either speakers or headphones attached. It can also be downloaded to an iPod or other portable music player. To listen to the interview, click on the link below. To download and save on your hard drive, right-click on the link below.
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