June 29, 2005
Podcasting Raises Questions of Authority
With the release of iTunes 4.9 yesterday, Apple gave millions of computer users the ability to easily join the podcast revolution. Although computer competent myself, I'll admit that I waited until yesterday to actually listen to my first podcast. My experience with iTunes was nearly flawless. Once again Apple provides average computer users the ability to engage in what was once only possible by the computer competent. After listening to my first podcasts, I then began to question the podcasts themselves.
The online social sphere is a giant unregulated web of information. Recent months have seen an increase in the usage of blogs, podcasts, and similar social networking services. No longer is content simply provided for public consumption: it is provided for public deliberation. Publishing methods once limited to the printed press and those with deep pockets are being replaced with services that are free to use and open to anyone with enough will to publish. Although this is great for the free-exchange-of-ideas market, individuals seeking worthwhile and relevant information face greater hurdles with the growth of this sector.
How do I, as an end-user, sort through all of the choices available to me? How do I guarantee that the blogs I read and the podcasts to which I subscribe are worth my time? Where do I go for a list of credible blogs and podcasts? Apparently Apple asked that same question. Their answer: the iTunes store. I was delighted to see a list of available podcasts, organized by topic, in the iTunes store. I was even more delighted to see them organized by popularity. This will definitely give me a start.
Does the nationally-syndicated movie critic
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