What are podcasts?

An audio podcast is very much like a radio show, but rather than listening to it via a radio station only at a scheduled time, you  either listen to it on your computer (streaming from a host website) or you download it from a free service such as iTunes (for both PCs and Macs) for later listening on your computer or mobile device (cell phone, iPod, etc.). In a nutshell, podcasting is a way for listeners to receive audio content on demand, similar to what TIVO or DVR is to television content. Listeners can subscribe to a podcast to automatically receive each new program (episode) of the podcast as soon as it is published online. The listener is able to control when and where he or she listens to the podcast.

How can I listen to the Andy's Treasure Trove podcast?

You basically have two choices:

1. Listening online: Use your browser to go to my website ( http://www.andystreasuretrove.com ) and navigate to the Podcast page and then click on one of the episodes and eventually it should begin to play and descriptive text and photos will appear lower on the episode’s page. You may have to wait several minutes for it to start if you have a slow connection (like a dial-up connection) but eventually you should hear the audio and see a little round button (under the episode image) moving slowly from left to right as the episode proceeds. While the audio is playing you can view the photos associated with that episode by scrolling down the page. This method (listening online) is good if you have a fast enough connection so that the program plays smoothly without gaps, and/or if you want to view the photos and videos on my site (or do anything else on your computer) while you listen to the episodes. But this method of listening isn't optimal because you must stay near your computer while listening, and most computer speakers aren’t good enough to give you the quality stereo audio experience that better speakers or even cheap headphones (which you can plug right into your computer) will afford. If you do choose this method and you have trouble getting an episode to play, click HERE for an alternate web page that doesn't have photos and videos for the episodes but is compatible with more browsers. Or click HERE to listen via the iTunes website, even if you don't have iTunes installed on your computer.

2. 2.Subscribing via iTunes: Install or have someone help you install Apple’s free program called iTunes. iTunes is available online and there’s a version for PC’s and for Mac’s at www.Apple.com. With iTunes installed and open, click HERE.  This will cause the most recent episode of Andy's Treasure Trove to be downloaded into the Podcast section of the iTunes “library” in your computer, in a new folder called Andy’s Treasure Trove San Francisco. There will also be buttons in that folder that you can click if you want to download any or all of the other episodes I’ve released so far. Using this method (subscribing via iTunes) means that when you play the podcast episode on your computer, you’re playing a file that’s right there on your computer vs. listening to something streaming through the internet (as in choice #1, above). You can copy the episode files onto a cell phone, iPod or another device and take them anywhere, listening to them through earbuds or headphones while you’re exercising, doing the dishes or just sitting looking out the window. You can also easily connect a portable media player to your home stereo. And if your computer can burn CDs (or if you know someone with a computer that can) you can make audio CDs and listen to episodes in your car or on any CD player. Another great thing about subscribing is that when I release each new episode, it is automatically sent to your iTunes podcast library when you "refresh" your library. To view my page in the free Podcast section of the iTunes Store, click HERE after you have iTunes installed and open.
   

Thanks, and happy listening! After listening, please leave comments at 415-508-4084.