What is podcasting?

A combination of the words "iPod" and "broadcasting", podcasting is a multimedia file that is distributed over the internet via syndication, and may be captured and downloaded to your computer automatically through an aggregator (often called a "podcatcher") such as iTunes or Juice.

To use more simple language, a podcast may be thought of as simply an internet audio file that may be subscribed to just as one would subscribe to a blog feed (so that you can listen to it when you want, and catch up with your subscriptions all ot once). A podcast is not just audio that may be streamed or downloaded. While audio files on the internet have existed for some time, it is the subscription feature that makes podcasting a powerful form of social media...it is audio that you want to listen to, available when you want to listen to it.