My Favorite Podcasts
Contents
Introduction
For anyone that has not been on the net in the last year, podcasts are really nothing more than streaming media delivered via an RSS feed. While they have been hyped beyond belief, the technologies envolved are nothing new. RSS feeds and streaming media have been around for years. The name ‘podcast’ is a combinations of the terms ‘broadcast’ and iPod, although an iPod is not required. As is always the case with new technologies, it is always the geeks who find a use for them first. Currently there are thousands of podcasts available on the net, with topics ranging from pregnancy to life on the battlefield.
How?
Every day more and more people are trying their hand at producing a podcast. All that is required to produce a podcast is a computer and a way to record your content. This can be as simple as an average home computer with freely available audio recording software and a microphone. On the highend, shows like This Week in Tech have a much more complex set that uses as multi thousand dollar mixers and microphones combined with expensive audio editing software. Many podcasts are recorded by people in different locations using voice-over-IP applications like Google Talk or Skype. If you would like to learn more about producing your own podcast, Kevin Rose of Tech TV fame, has created a tutorial video that covers the topic very well.
Where?
With so many podcasts to choose from, finding what you want can be a daunting task. To help you out, a plethora of sites of popped up to provide a directory of podcasts. These directories are largely tag based, a few of them are listed herehere.
- Odeo is a great site to browse for new podcasts.
Technology
This Week In Tech
TWiT is the most popular podcast on the net. It is my personal favorite because of the poeple involved and subjects they discuss. It regularly features Leo Laporte, Patrick Norton, Roger Chang, Kevin Rose, John C. Dvorak, and Robert Heron. They discuss current technology news and occassionally other important topics from the real world.
IT Conversations
ITConversations, started by Doug Kaye, is a listener supported site devoted to bringing you the latest technology related podcasts on dozens of topics. These podcasts are largely from various conferences and seminars, such as Web 2.0 and . All of the shows are edited and produced by volunteers. Their site is well organized and provides RSS feeds based on the series, topic, and event. The topics range from bio-tech, to web development.
Security Now
Great podcast created by Leo Laporte and Steve Gibson that covers basic security topics. So far, they have covered topics such as wireless security, passwords, rootkits, and DoS attacks. The Security Now podcast usually runs between 20 and 30 minutes and is released every Thursday.
Inside the Net
This podcast was created by Leo Laporte and Amber MacArthur. They talk about current events/topics on the internet and have interviews with web personalities and developers. This podcast usually runs between 20 and 30 minutes and is released every Tuesday. So far they have interviewed several developers for big name web 2.0 projects like Flock and .
SploitCast
From their website: “the podcast for hackers, geeks, and the security paranoid. We are a group of students and IT professionals that have decided to start a downloadable talk show. SploitCast will discuss a wide variety of topics; these include, but are not limited to, new vulnerabilities, exploit code, security and technology news, and possibly even cute little bunny rabbits (but don’t hold your breath). The SploitCast crew will also be conducting interviews and round table discussions with other members of the security industry.”
Buzz Out Loud
From Buzz Out Loud website: Buzz Out Loud is CNET’s “podcast of indeterminate length,” featuring Tom, Molly, and producer Veronica’s entertaining, sometimes caustic, and always skeptical take on technology news. The daily show features commentary, guests, and phone calls and e-mail from our listeners. Subscribe to the Buzz Out Loud newsletter to get the links to everything they talk about in the show. Visit the Buzz Out Loud show page.
Web Development
Web Essentials 2005
The Web Essentials 2005 Conference was held on the 29th & 30th of September 2005 in Sydney Australia. It featured several of the big names in web development and usability. Among them were: Molly Holzschlag, Eric Meyer, and Douglas Bowman. This conference featured a lot of good information on usability and the current enviroment in the industry. I really enjoyed Eric Meyer’s presentation on Rapid Design Proto Typing With Standards(mp3).
Web 2.0 Conference 2004
From the The Web 2.0 Conference website: The Web 2.0 Conference is of, for and about the leading figures and companies driving innovation in the Internet economy. The conference will debut with the theme of “The Web as Platform,” exploring how the Web has developed into a robust platform for innovation across many media and devices - from mobile to television, telephone to search.
Open Source
LUG Radio
LUG Radio UK based podcast created by Jono Bacon, Stuart Langridge, Matt Revell, and Ade Bradshaw that discusses Linux topics with a heaping helping of GNOME. Even though I am not a GNOME fan in the least, I still enjoy their show. They have had interviews with several of the big names in the Open Source community, like Michael Meeks and Alan Cox.
OSCon 2005
ITConversations presents the keynote presentations from the Open Source Convention held in Portland Oregon, August 1-5, 2005. Be sure to catch the Paul Graham keynote entitled ‘Hackers and Painters‘.
OSBC 2005
ITConversations presents the keynote presentations from the Open Source Business Conference held in San Francisco, California on April 5-6, 2005. Don’t miss the keynote given by renowned Stanford law Professor Lawrence Lessig. He is also one of the founders of the Creative Commons License.
FLOSS Weekly
A new FLOSS Weekly is released every Friday. It is hosted by Chris DiBona and Leo Laporte, they interview some of the smartest and most interesting people from the Free Software and Open Source community.
Miscellaneous
Science Friday
This is the podcast edition of the popular radio show, Science Friday, hosted by Ira Flatow. This weekly show covers current events in the world of science, some of which are very controversial. Of the many podcasts I listen to, this is one of my personal favorites.
Scientific American
This is the new podcast for the most popular science magazine around, Scientific American, hosted by Steve Mirsky. This weekly show covers the hot topics in the world of science, some of which are very controversial. If you like the magazine, you will love the podcast.
2600: Off The Hook
This is a wonderful podcast created by old school hackers: Emanuel Goldstein, Redbird, Arsony, and Bernie S. While these guys are hackers, their show is largely political these days. They operate out of New York and discuss current events in technology and the world at large. Be sure to visit the 2600 Hackers Quarterly website. The rss feed linked below is for the High-Fidelity version, visit their site for the low-fi feed.
2600: Off The Wall
This is a solo podcast hosted by Emanuel Goldstein of 2600 Hackers Quarterly fame. The show takes place in New York and discusses current events in technology and the world at large. The feed linked to below is for the High Quality Off the Wall.
Penn Jillette & Michael Goudeau
If you enjoy Penn & Teller Bullshit, or if you just want a good laugh, check out this awesome talk radio show hosted by Penn Jillette and Michael Goudeau. I really enjoy their show and I hope they keep up the great work. They talk about anything and everything and do a great job of keeping the show entertaining.
