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Podcasting and videocasting: a new, simple technology to enjoy free excerpts of Maharaji’s addresses
What is podcasting?
Podcasting is a technology that allows you to subscribe to the periodic delivery of audio clips and to automatically receive these clips in your computer as soon as they are released.
How does this work?
Whether you have a Mac or a Windows computer, you can download and use the iTunes free software to subscribe to a specific podcast. Then, every time a podcast is published, it gets automatically sent to your computer and stored in your podcast “library.” There are a number of other podcasting tools, but iTunes is particularly user-friendly.
How do I listen to podcasts from my iPod?
Synchronization happens automatically when you connect your iPod to your computer. iTunes will synchronize the computer with the iPod and download the podcasts from the library onto your iPod.
Do I need to have an iPod or an mp3 player to listen to podcasts?
No, you don’t. You can listen to them from your computer, providing you have speakers or just a headset.
Does this mean that during the night I can receive a podcast of excerpts from Maharaji into iTunes and into my iPod, and when I take my morning walk, listen to the podcast on my iPod headset?
Exactly.
What about videocasts?
They are to video what podcasts are to audio. They arrive in your computer just like podcasts. And now, with the new video iPod and iTunes, you can watch them on your computer and your iPod wherever you are. You can store hundreds of videocasts on your iPod.
How long are the TPRF podcasts/videocasts, how often are they sent out, and what languages are they in?
They range from 3 to 4 minutes and are sent out weekly. For now, they are only in English. We are looking into producing translated versions as well as originals in Hindi.
Are the TPRF videocasts and podcasts made of the same excerpts?
Yes. Actually, they start out as clips in the Inspire newsletter. Then they are made into videocasts and podcasts using the latest video-compression technologies. As of today, we have more than 40 episodes available to download. When you subscribe, not only do you receive the upcoming new episodes, but you can also download all previous episodes.
Will you be producing custom videocasts?
Right now we are using excerpts of addresses by Maharaji from Inspire, but soon we will be creating custom short videos just for videocasting.
What does this cost?
It’s free. You can download the iTunes software as well as the podcasts and videocasts for free.
What is the advantage of a videocast over watching a video clip on Inspire?
The videocast is more “yours.” You have it immediately available in your computer or iPod. You can build your own library of videocasts in your computer to enjoy again and again at your leisure. Same for podcasts.
What else can I do with podcasts or videocasts?
You can send the clips to friends, or even better, send them the link so that they can subscribe for themselves as well.
Do I need a high-speed internet connection?
Podcasts can be downloaded rapidly over high-speed and dial-up connections: the size is about 1.5MB. Videocasts take more space, 15MB on average. They can be downloaded on dial-up connections if you are patient, at night for example. Once they are downloaded, they play from your computer or iPod, and you do not need to be connected to the internet to enjoy them.
If I want to subscribe, what do I do?
Whether you are a Mac or Windows user, you may download the free iTunes software from http://www.apple.com/itunes/ (you will need iTunes 6 or higher). Once you have done that, you may subscribe by clicking on these links:
... or by going to the iTunes Store Podcast directory and searching for “Prem Rawat” or “Maharaji.”
What about the technically challenged people who did not grow up with a computer?
We are setting up a helpline to provide answers to most commonly asked technical questions about podcasts and videocasts. For technical assistance, place an inquiry on our HelpDesk or send your inquiry to:
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