Tune-Up #7: Podcasting, IM, and Downloadable Audiobooks

Part 1: Podcasting

DEFINE
Podcasting is the process of downloading audio files of syndicated content, usually to a portable device like an iPod or MP3 player. For example, many radio programs are now available as a podcast, which means that you can download a series of shows that originally aired weeks or months ago and listen to a digital recording whenever convenient. (A few podcasts also involve video files, but for the most part, podcasts are audio only.)

DISCOVER
Podcasting is like listening to a broadcast with the advantage that you don't have to wait for a program or music you like. Simply go online, search for what you like, and Voila! -- you can download and listen to it right away. If you want to hear more from a particular podcaster you may see the option to "subscribe" (via RSS or direct link) to receive additional episodes of the program. Note that some podcasts are educational, and some are simply for entertainment. For more information about podcasting, visit Podcasting Tools .

DO
Plug in some headphones to the headphone jack on your PC or terminal. Open your Internet browser and go to http://www.google.com/. Search for "library podcast," and visit one of the websites listed there (the Denver Public Library, for example, has some good story-time narrations; and the Alden Library in Ohio has created a series of audio tours for the library). If you want to expand your horizons, visit some of the hundreds of podcasts listed at or Podcast Alley. Write about your experiences in your blog.


Part 2: Instant Messaging (IM)

DEFINE
Instant messaging, often shortened to simply "IM," is the exchange of text messages over the Internet in real-time. IM is similar to "texting someone" on a cell phone in that both persons can communicate at the same time (rather than waiting hours or days for a response as happens with email). A key feature of IM is the ability to have a "buddy list" of friends or peers, and see at a glance which friends are available for chat.

DISCOVER
IM conversations can occur PC-to-PC, phone-to-phone, or PC-to-phone. If you have an email account with one of the large companies like AOL, Google, MSN or YAHOO!, you also have access to instant messaging.

Before you can communicate with someone you have to invite the person or be invited. If both of you decide to chat you can start right away. If the person you want to chat with is online they receive a note through a sound or pop-up window when you send a message; if not, the message will appear later when he logs in. There is a symbol in your messaging window that tells you the status of the person: either available, currently away or offline. This way you know if you will get a response immediately or later.

DO
Use your previously created Gmail account and sign in. Go to http://www.google.com/talk/start.html#gadget and explore the available options. Invite someone from your contact list, chat with him or her, and save the conversation. Create a new contact (someone’s e-mail address) and ask to be invited to experience both ways of starting a chat. Post your experiences on your blog.

Extra Credit: create a meebo or pidgin account and chat with people from different providers.


Part 3: Downloadable Audio

DEFINE
An audiobook is simply a sound recording of a book that is read aloud by the author or by a “voice actor.” Just as music can be converted to digital form, audiobooks (like the ones recorded on CDs or audiocassettes at the library) can be digitized and made available for download from the Internet. Audiobooks in this form are sometimes called electronic or “downloadable” audiobooks.”

DISCOVER
There are many sources of downloadable audiobooks on the Web. Audible (http://www.audible.com/) is one of the largest commercial vendors, offering many current popular books; but for this lesson we will explore a source of free (but older) books called LibriVox.

Using your Internet browser, go to http://www.librivox.org/ and click on the button marked “LibriVox Catalog.” Librivox includes more than 3,000 books, poetry, and short stories in the public domain. (In practical terms, “public domain” means titles that were published before 1923.) Searching the catalog, you will find the works of famous authors like Mark Twain, Louisa May Alcott, Edgar Allen Poe, H.G. Wells, Edith Wharton, and many others.

Once you locate an interesting short story or novel, plug in a set of headphones, left-click on an MP3 file, and listen to a portion of the title being read aloud. (Normally, the book will automatically begin playing on your computer using one of the many audio players available: iTunes, Winamp, QuickTime, Windows Media Player, and others.) You can also download the sound file to your iPod or other portable MP3 player and listen while you exercise or walk the dog. Another option is to save the sound files and burn them to an MP3 disk or audio CD, which would allow you to listen to them in the car or on your home stereo system.

DO
Visit http://www.librivox.org/, search for a book by a favorite author, and listen to at least one chapter. (Note that these books are read by volunteers, so the quality may vary. If you don’t enjoy one voice, try listening to another reader.) Create a blog post about your findings. Did you locate a title that you might want to write about? Would you be interested in listening to other downloadable audiobooks? How could the library utilize downloadable audiobooks?

Get set for next week's Tune-Up #8: Virtual Libraries and the TPPL Website.