About Podcasts

The word "podcast" can be used to refer to syndicated content or to the method of distributing that content. An audio podcast usually takes the form of an MP3 file; a video podcast is often an MPEG file, but may also be a JPEG file or a PDF file that's been exported to video. Both audio and video podcasts can be downloaded from the Internet to a personal media player. A podcast also contains RSS/XML data that describe the media file. Subscribing to a podcast is like subscribing to an RSS feed.

The word “podcasting” is a combination of the words “iPod” (Apple Computer’s personal media player) and “broadcasting.” You don’t have to have an iPod to listen to or watch a podcast; any player that supports portable media file formats will work.

A podcaster is an individual or organization that offers audio or video feeds, or both, and a podcatcher is a special RSS aggregator that has the ability to transfer files to media player software or hardware.

MP3 and MP4 are file types in which the data have been compressed to reduce the file size while maintaining the original quality of the audio and/or video.

First, you need to download and install the right software to subscribe to an AAFP podcast. Once you’ve downloaded the software, you can visit the AAFP's complete listing of available podcasts and choose the ones you want.

Once you’ve downloaded the podcast software, it will automatically check to see whether the AAFP has uploaded new material, and it will automatically download the files into your media player software. Most podcast programs will also let you choose to simply place the downloaded files in a folder -- a good option if you'd prefer to manage the files yourself.

To subscribe, right-click the orange POD icon next to the desired podcast below and choose "Copy link location" to copy the podcast link. Then paste the podcast link into your podcast software. You may also subscribe using iTunes via the links below.