I want to hear a podcast

Want to hear podcasts? Worried you need an iPod? You don't. Podcasts available here on StarTribune.com can be listened to right on your machine using our Flash player (this requires the latest Flash plugin).

That's the simplest solution. But there are other ways to listen and subscribe to podcasts. The most popular is via Apple's iTunes player, which is available for Windows and Mac, has built-in podcast support and organizes music files, too. All StarTribune.com podcasts provide a one-click method for subscribing using iTunes. Just click on the 'Listen in iTunes' icon. But you can also subscribe using a newsreader (this is often the best approach for people who cannot install iTunes). One popular newsreader is Bloglines. To subscribe via Bloglines, follow these instructions:

• Go to bloglines.com
• Create an account
• Click "My Feeds"
• Click "Add"
• Enter address of the podcast feed you want
• Check out the audio episodes (you may have to click "Enclosure")

Other options are only slightly harder, but still as easy as 1 - 2 - 3:

1. Get a player

All our podcasts can be downloaded and listened to using a player, but you need to install the player software, and the player must be able to handle MP3 files. Fortunately, just about every player out there fits the bill. Here are some choices:

Windows Media Player - It comes with every copy of Windows. Do nothing if you've got a Windows PC.

QuickTime - It comes with every Apple OS. Do nothing if you've got an Apple/Mac.

RealPlayer - Available for Windows, Mac and Linux.

2. Get a reader

Unlike regular web pages, podcast "feeds" are monitored and read by a special program called an RSS reader or aggregator. This is the software that makes it possible to watch for new podcast episodes and automatically download them as they become available.

You can download a standalone RSS reader, or add one to your web browser or add one to your music software, if you have the right one.

Choices:

Doppler - standalone program

IPodder - standalone program

Pluck - Browser add-on

TinyRSS - Add-on for Internet Explorer

infoRSS - Add-on for Firefox

Live Bookmarks - Already built into Firefox

Bloglines - Web-based reader (no software to install)

3. Subscribe to a podcast

Don't worry - it costs nothing. In most cases, "subscribe" means telling your reader where to find the "feed" - the constantly updated list of programs and where they live. As noted above, StarTribune.com podcasts offer a one-click option for subscribing via iTunes. But you can also subscribe manually.

For a specific podcast, this usually copying the url for the podcast feed (provided on every StarTribune.com podcast launch page) and pasting it into a specified field in the newsreader or player of your choice. The url will look something like this:
http://www.startribune.com/style/metafiles/podcasts/olympics/daily_jay.xml

4. Enjoy

Once you've subscribed, your reader will show you (or, optionally, alert you) when a new podcast is available. Either click the link or call up the file in your media player and listen.

Congratulations -- you're part of the podcasting revolution!

5. Learn more

These things are like salted peanuts. Have one, and you'll want more.

Here are some places to search and/or browse:

Podcast Alley

iTunes Podcasts

Podcast.net

Happy listening!