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Podcast and RSS

How to subscribe to a podcast

With the change in the website design came a few other changes, including the url for podcast and RSS feeds. The new url for the twice-daily Podcast Update is http://www.wtopnews.com/podcast/611200.rss. To subscribe to this podcast in iTunes simply do this:

  • Open iTunes
  • Click on Advanced, and select "Subscribe to Podcast"
  • Copy and paste the URL (see below for list of available feeds)
  • Click OK


Now, every time you open iTunes, it will automatically fetch any podcasts that have been added to that feed.

Here is a list of all the available podcast feeds from WTOP Radio:

You may also browse the "Audio Archives" section, and wherever you see the orange podcast button, click that for the url.

The same applies for RSS feeds of the news sections. For example, if you would like to subscribe to the RSS feed of the Entertainment News section, simply select Entertainment from the drop down menu under News and click the orange XML button for a feed of headlines from that page.

Not sure what the heck we're talking about? Keep reading...

It's simply a way to have audio links fed to you so you can download them to your iPod or MP3 player. No, despite the name, this is not reserved only for those with Apple products.

All you need is some stuff. First, an RSS Feeder. That's just a software program that lets you subscribe to feeds offered by websites. This one is built especially for iPod users. There is more information on getting an RSS Feeder below and on the links to the right.

In fact, the whole concept is explained below. The only thing that separates Podcasting from these other RSS feeds is that instead of having a link to a web page sent to you, you get a link to an audio (mp3) file, which you can then transfer to your portable player. (We are working on the assumption you know how to do that.)

Still confused? Try some of these links, then come back and give it a try.

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcasting
iPodder.org: http://www.ipodder.org/
How to Get (And Make Your Own Podcasts): http://www.engadget.com/

What is RSS?
RSS (or Really Simple Syndication) feeds are an easy way for you to keep updated on websites you like. Rather than going from website to website, you can have content aggregated for you in one place.

WTOP now offers RSS feeds (or channels) for most of its sections.

What tools do I need to use RSS?
To start using RSS, you need a special news reader or aggregator. This displays RSS information feeds from your chosen websites on your computer.

All you then have to do is choose which RSS feeds you want. For instance, an RSS feed of all the latest Local stories from WTOP.

How Do I Get a News Reader?
There are a range of different News Readers available. Many are free to install. Some readers are stand-alone programs, while others work in programs you may already have, like your web browser or Microsoft Outlook.

Different News Readers work on different operating systems, so you will need to take this into account when you make your choice.

Once you have set up your news reader, you simply subscribe to the RSS content feeds you want.

What are the benefits of using RSS?
RSS is an easy way for you to be alerted when content that interests you appears on your favorite Web sites. Instead of visiting a particular Web site to browse for new articles and features, RSS automatically tells you when something new is posted online.

Click on the section title link to obtain the RSS URL, which you will see in the "Address" field of of your browser. Simply copy this URL and follow the instructions for your particular news reader to subscribe.

Now, every time you open iTunes, it will automatically fetch any podcasts that have been added to that feed.

Here is a list of all the available podcast feeds from WTOP Radio:

You may also browse the "Audio Archives" section, and wherever you see the orange podcast button, click that for the url.

The same applies for RSS feeds of the news sections. For example, if you would like to subscribe to the RSS feed of the Entertainment News section, simply select Entertainment from the drop down menu under News and click the orange XML button for a feed of headlines from that page.

Not sure what the heck we're talking about? Keep reading...

It's simply a way to have audio links fed to you so you can download them to your iPod or MP3 player. No, despite the name, this is not reserved only for those with Apple products.

All you need is some stuff. First, an RSS Feeder. That's just a software program that lets you subscribe to feeds offered by websites. This one is built especially for iPod users. There is more information on getting an RSS Feeder below and on the links to the right.

In fact, the whole concept is explained below. The only thing that separates Podcasting from these other RSS feeds is that instead of having a link to a web page sent to you, you get a link to an audio (mp3) file, which you can then transfer to your portable player. (We are working on the assumption you know how to do that.)

Still confused? Try some of these links, then come back and give it a try.

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcasting
iPodder.org: http://www.ipodder.org/
How to Get (And Make Your Own Podcasts): http://www.engadget.com/

What is RSS?
RSS (or Really Simple Syndication) feeds are an easy way for you to keep updated on websites you like. Rather than going from website to website, you can have content aggregated for you in one place.

WTOP now offers RSS feeds (or channels) for most of its sections.

What tools do I need to use RSS?
To start using RSS, you need a special news reader or aggregator. This displays RSS information feeds from your chosen websites on your computer.

All you then have to do is choose which RSS feeds you want. For instance, an RSS feed of all the latest Local stories from WTOP.

How Do I Get a News Reader?
There are a range of different News Readers available. Many are free to install. Some readers are stand-alone programs, while others work in programs you may already have, like your web browser or Microsoft Outlook.

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