Welcome to the third task post! We've almost been at this for a week, and so far I have eleven people participating in the challenge. If you aren't participating yet, don't worry, there's still time!
Task 5: Podcasts
Websites aren't the only things that use RSS technology to get information to their users. Podcasts are audio files that also use RSS to distribute themselves to listeners. Like website feeds, you have to subscribe to the podcast's RSS feed, and the feed will automatically send you the file every time a new one is added. For an example, check out the Authors on Tour Podcast. Each episode can be downloaded individually, but you can also get the downloads by RSS. The feed can be found on the right hand side, under the subscribe heading.
Here are some good sites to search for podcasts:
You can also find podcasts on iTunes if you have this program downloaded on your computer.
You do not need an iPod to play podcasts! All you need is a music player. Windows Media Player is included with all Windows computers, and should be able to play the mp3 file for you.
So! Now that you know how RSS feeds work, getting podcasts will be easy!
Your task: Search some of the above podcast search engines for some podcasts that interest you. Add them to your bloglines account, the same way you added the website RSS feeds. (Hint: look for the orange icon!)
Task 6: YouTube and other video sites
As you may have heard, Time Magazine just named the video sharing website YouTube "invention of the year". This site allows users to upload video, comment on each others videos (including uploading their own videos in response to someone else's video) and put videos in their list of favorites so they can easily find it later! Another cool thing you can do with YouTube videos is post these videos in your blog to share with readers.
As an example I show you two videos. This one, posted by David Lee King, shows his frustration as he tries 14 times before he correctly ties his necktie. Viewers can comment about his video (one suggests he try a bowtie) or add it to their favorites. In response, Michael Sauers posts this video, doing it right on the very first time. Now, we anxiously await the video where the two sing alternating verses of Anything you can do I can do Better.
Your task: I was disappointed to find out that YouTube now requires you to register in order to put one of their videos on your blog. I don't want you to have to remember another login for something you might only use once. So if you would like to register, feel free to but otherwise, try Google video to find a video to post in your own blog. (After a google video finishes playing, you can click "post to blog" and fill in the blanks. It's that simple!)
Don't forget, use your blogs to respond to what you've been doing!
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