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Author: Sharon Housley

How much do you know about podcasting? Take the podcast quiz and test your knowledge.

Question: Are there any size limitations to podcasts?

Answer: There are no maximums or minimums when it comes to podcast size. Obviously, the larger files might intimidate listeners with a slow connection. Podcasts can be successful at any size, generally wise podcasters balance the file size and the quality of their show.

Question: What are ID3 Tags?

Answer: ID3 tags consist of meta data that describe the contents of the audio file (typically ID3 tags relate to MP3 files). ID3 tags generally contain information related to the audio file, including things like title of the audio file, the artist, album, or other relevant information. There is speculation that podcasting search engines and directories will use the information contained in the ID3 tags to categorize, search, and group podcasts in the future.

Question: Are Podcasts are always in the RSS 2.0 format?

Answer: No, while RSS 2.0 was the first version to support enclosures, RSS version 1 also now includes an enclosure tag for podcasting. While the current RSS 1.0 supports podcasting, RSS 2.0 is by far the more popular format for those podcasting. This is not only because RSS 2.0 was the first standard to support enclosures, but also due to the fact that Apple iTunes uses RSS 2.0 for it's podcasts.

Question: Can podcasts be restricted to a specific group of listeners?

Answer: Yes, while there are no provisions in the RSS 2.0 specification for passwords or protecting files, as with any web documents, podcasts can be password protected by placing it in a subdirectory. You can use any security mechanism available on the http server to protect the entire feed or the actual audio file.

Question: Are there any fee based podcasts?

Answer: Yes, while the model has not yet been widely adopted, some publishers have experimented with providing fee based "commercial-free" podcasts. Rather than charging advertisers to advertise in the podcasts, the publishers have monetized the podcasts by charging listeners for the contents of the podcast. Typically the audio file is password protected and only subscribers are able to download or listen to the file. The model is similar to that which the cable shows HBO/Showtime use, where they charge a fee for premium content. It is likely that educational podcasts, or language lessons will adopt this model.

Question: What file formats are acceptable in a podcast?

Answer: It really depends on what your definition of a podcast is. Initially the term podcast referred to any RSS feed that contained an audio file as an enclosure. The usage of the term podcast has expanded and now many people consider any RSS feed that includes a file in the enclosure field to be a podcast. In other words, many people use the term podcast to refer to an RSS feed that has a video file, or power point presentation or other enclosure.

Technically you can put just about any type of file in the enclosure field. If you are referring to a traditional audio podcast, for the sake of compatibility, most podcasters use either MP3 or M4a. The added benefit of using an MP3 or M4a file is that both formats are also supported by iTunes, which allow people to expand their podcast with iTunes tags and include it in the iTunes Music Store.

Interested in additional RSS FAQs visit the RSS Knowledgebase http://www.feedforall.com/podcasting-knowledgebase.htm or subscribe to the RSS knowledgebase feed http://www.feedforall.com/podcasting-knowledgebase.php

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This article may be used freely in opt-in publications and websites, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated send an email to sharon[at]notepage.net.

Additional articles available for publication available at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm

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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 RecordForAll http://www.recordforall.com podcast software for audio recording and editing."