How To Subscribe to Podcast Feeds

Podcasts come in all shapes and sizes. You can find podcasts that educate you, podcasts that entertain you, and podcasts that infuriate you. Many television shows have official podcasts featuring the producers, directors, and casts. Amateurs and professionals alike are creating new podcasts every day. You can listen to them on your computer or take them with you on a portable media player. Most of my experience with subscribing to podcasts is through iTunes, but that isn't the only way you can do it.

1. Make sure your computer has a program that allows you to listen to podcasts. Most podcasts are available in MP3 format for individual download. Many websites also offer streaming podcasts that you can play right from the site.
2. Find a podcast that you are interested in. There are podcast aggregators such as PodCast Alley that will help you to find podcasts; on the website you can search by genre. The iTunes store has a lot of free podcasts that you can subscribe to. You can also go to individual websites that offer podcasts and find them there. BBC radio has a large selection of podcasts. You can also do a Google search for podcasts on whatever subject you can imagine.
3. Download the podcast you are interested in. You can subscribe to the feed and automatically get new podcasts. You will need a dedicated RSS reader to do this. Some readers for Windows are FeedDemon and HappyFish. You can also use an online reader such as MyYahoo and Google Reader. Many sites offer the podcast in a variety of formats. For example, on the BBC you can download podcasts and automatically subscribe to them through iTunes, MyYahoo, and Google Reader. A site such as PodCast Alley allows you to stream the podcast directly from the site.
4. Enjoy the podcast on your computer or your MP3 player. If you subscribe you will usually receive a new podcast weekly or monthly.

Podcasts help to pass your time productively. I listen to podcasts when I’m waiting for buses, when I'm on my coffee break at work or when traveling. I am currently learning French through a podcast. I’m learning to cook different foods through another, and I’m also improving my grammar by listening to yet another podcast. If you haven't been exposed to podcasts yet, you are in for a wonderful surprise, and you might just learn something new.