Podcast FAQ

In this vast world of computers and operating systems (OS) there are a variety of ways to listen to the podcasts on our website. None is simpler than the other. But in my opinion iTunes is the most fuss free way in terms of downloading and listening to the MP3's.

1. What is a Podcast?
2. What is an MP3?
3. What equipment do I need to listen to a Podcast?
4. How do I get the Podcasts?
5. What’s 'Subscribing' to a Podcast mean?
6. I click on the iTunes link on the web site and nothing happens.
7. Do I need an iPod to use iTunes?
8. Can I put iTunes MP3's on my MP3 player?
9. What if I don’t have an iPod? Can I still listen to the Podcast?
10. How do I actually download the MP3 file from my web browser?
11. I don't want to download and save the file, I just want to listen to it.
12. What is a RSS feed?
13. I can't see the RSS feed in my web browser. All I see is lots of text that doesn't make any sense.
14. When I downloaded the file, it's called something weird like 'PeterG20071028.mp3'. What's all that about?
15. Internet Security
16. Does is matter what sort of web browser I have?
17. Using Linux to Listen to Podcasts.

1. What is a Podcast?

A podcast is a file (usually audio) that is broadcast over the Internet and made available to download and listen to on your computer, iPod or MP3 player. Originally derived from the words, iPod and broadcast. This is the perfect way to deliver our sermons to you, making it easy to listen to sermons that you may have missed, want to re-listen to or even pass onto other people. Click here for more info.

The idea is that you can download sermons and listen at your convenience, in the comfort of your home, making sermon listening available to anyone, even people who don’t attend the church can listen.

2. What is an MP3?

An MP3 is an audio file that is compressed. It takes away the audio that may not be needed. This allows us to make smaller files to transfer over the Internet, making your downloads as small as possible. The MP3 format is perfect for speech or sermons in our case. Click here for more info.

The ogg-vorbis format (.ogg) is also another great format. It’s license free and superior to MP3. Unfortunately iPods wont play them, (unless you replace the firmware on them) so it’s not as popular. We currently don’t offer this on the website but may do in the future. Click here for more info.

3. What do I need to listen to a Podcast?

If you're reading this then you are already 2/3 of the way there. You will need:
1. A computer
2. Internet Connection
3. Set of speakers or headphones attached to your computer.

If you are listening directly from your computer, your computer will need a sound card to output the sound to speakers/ headphones. This is a standard thing these days.

4. How do I get the Podcasts?

There are a few different ways to get the episodes (sermons) that you want to listen to.

1. iTunes
Download and install iTunes. (Information about how to install iTunes is available on the Apple web site). Open iTunes and in the iTunes store, search for 'Riverstone'. The search window is at the top right hand corner. It says ‘Search iTunes Store’. Look in the podcast section. Subscribe to the ‘Riverstone Community Church’ podcast and it will let you know when new episodes become available. Download
Note: You have to have iTunes open to receive the updates episodes of the Podcast. Click here to take you directly there. (Mac and Windows)

2. Windows Media Player (WMP)
Download and install Windows Media Player 11. It will play MP3's and also allow you to subscribe to the RSS Feed. You must have the latest version. (Windows only) Download
Note: You have to have WMP open to receive the updated episodes of the Podcast.

3. Web Browser
Use your web browser to look at the RSS feed file located here. It's very simple and one of the most popular ways to get content off our web site. Your web browser (if up to date) should display the files in a nice easy way to view them. Just click on the name and it should start playing in a new window or tab, depending on how your browser is set up. (Mac/Windows/Linux)

5. What’s 'Subscribing' to a Podcast mean?

By subscribing to the podcast, it allows you to get the most up to date episodes of our podcast. You are letting the iTunes, WMP or your web browser know that you are interested in the podcast and you want to know when it changes or updates. Subscribing allows you to stay informed about these changes or 'new' episodes in the podcast.
Note: You must have iTunes, Web Browser or WMP open to get this update.

6. I click on the iTunes link on the web site and nothing happens.

Some web browsers have trouble opening iTunes:

1. First you will need to have iTunes installed on your computer. Download & Install.

2. To solve this, open the iTunes application on your computer. Do a search in the top right corner search box, ‘Search iTunes Store’. Put in the word 'Riverstone' or ‘Riverstone Community Church’. Our Podcast should be displayed in the ‘Podcast’ section. Click on the Rivo Church icon. It should take you to the right page. Then hit the ‘Subscribe’ button.

7. Do I need an iPod to use iTunes?

No you don't. iTunes will still download and play the files. It will be in the ‘podcast’ section on the left hand side when iTunes is open.

8. Can I put iTunes MP3's on my MP3 player?

Yes you can. All the podcasts on our website are in the MP3 format. This has been done so you can do this. Other music etc may not play on your MP3 player from iTunes as they are in a different format (AAC). Just locate your 'podcast' folder within your iTunes library and drag and drop the file into your MP3 player.

Windows:
My Music/iTunes/iTunes Music/Podcasts/Riverstone Community Church – Audio Podcast
Riverstone Community Church – Podcast FAQ. Ver. 1.2 20/03/10 2:04 PM

Mac:
Music/iTunes/iTunes Music/Podcasts/Riverstone Community Church – Audio Podcast

9. What if I don’t have an iPod? Can I still listen to the Podcast?

Yes you can. Use iTunes or just go to the RSS feed link here and listen or download. Clicking on the episode you want should make it automatically start playing.

10. How do I actually download the MP3 file from my web browser?

Presuming that you are looking at the RSS feed in your web browser, you should be able to see all the 'episodes' along with other information associated with it.

RSS feed
To Download for Windows: Right click on the title that you want and select 'Save linked file'. It should then ask you where you want to save it. Select your destination and click 'OK'. Your default location is most likely the desktop.

To Download for Mac: Right click or ctrl click on the title that you want and select 'Download linked file'. It will start downloading to your default download spot. Your default location is most likely the desktop.

iTunes:
If you're using iTunes and you have subscribed to the podcast, then it should download new episodes automatically.

11. I don't want to download and save the file, I just want to listen to it.

Well the MP3 file still gets downloaded to your computer. Simply click on the file that you want. It should open a new page or tab and should start playing. You may have to press the play button. This may vary from browser to browser.

12. What is a RSS feed?

RSS feed is just a file (an XML file) that your web browser or feed reader program reads and displays the correct information. It helps people who have information on a web site, keep you informed about changes or new information to their web sites. These files can be things like, word documents, PDF's, MP3's and just about anything that can be seen on the Internet. . Click here for more technical stuff.

Note: You have to have the Browser or iTunes open on your computer to see this.

13. I can't see the RSS feed in my web browser. All I see is lots of text that doesn't make any sense.

What you are seeing is the XML file code. You shouldn't see this code. To fix this problem, make sure you have the latest, most up to date browser. See here

14. When I downloaded the file, it's called something weird like 'PeterG20071028.mp3'. What's all that about?

This is what the file is called. MP3 files have other information which they carry called ID's or Tags. iTunes and the RSS feed material translate this information for us to read. The file 'PeterG20071028.mp3' is just called that to identify it on the server where the file lives on the Internet. If you’re using iTunes, you will never see this.

• 'PeterG' stands for the speaker's name. In this case 'Peter Gordon'
• '20071028' is just a way of writing the date. So '2007' being the year, '10' being the month & '28' being the day of the month. This started because some operating systems don't allow you to use Riverstone Community Church – Podcast FAQ. Ver. 1.2 20/03/10 2:04 PM, things like ':' or '.' in the file names. So computer nerds came up with a way to get around it and still keep dates with files.
• '.mp3' is the file type, which is an MP3 audio file.

Once you double click or open these files, your default audio player should open and start playing it along with the title and other information.

15. Internet Security

I’m in no way a guru in this area. This is such a huge topic and I can only skim the surface of this information. The Internet in a scary place and you should take all precautions to protect yourself against 'Hackers', viruses, spyware, malware and other email scams etc.
Always presume that someone has the potential to:

• Read your emails
• Look at files your computer
• Get personal information like your address, DOB, Internet banking details, credit card details.
• Put or send you malicious programs that can ruin and take over your computer.
• Use it as a server to store nasty things on.

Antivirus software:

Disclaimer: At the time of writing this help section, the information below relates only to Windows. It does not apply to Linux or Mac OS X.

Antivirus software is software that runs a program on your computer. These programs run in the background of your computer and monitor files and emails that you receive. DO NOT THINK THAT YOU DO NOT NEED THIS! No one is exempt from this unless you are never connected to the Internet and never install or receive files/programs. (If you’re reading this you or someone else has installed software). For more on this subject click here.

Antivirus software comes in many flavours. I think you should spend your money on something that does what it says it does. That’s to stop viruses. If you are paying for a product and it doesn't do the job, then get rid of it.

Antivirus software links
I guess because I’m writing this I get to say what I want. Well I used to have a few links here but I took them down. There is only one product that does what it claims and that’s this one. Sorry to be so gloomy but the virus problem is only getting worse.

Please read these links. Your antivirus software is probably listed.
http://www.eset.com/products/compare-NOD32-vs-competition.php

An online scanner. No install required.
http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/

It does require a yearly subscription fee (you’d spend more on coffee for the year). You can download a free version and trial it free for 30 days. Well worth the dollars.
http://www.eset.com.au/ if you want to purchase.

Make sure your firewall is on. Windows will let you know if it's off. Please do your security updates. This relates to all platforms. (Windows/Mac/Linux)

There are lots of opinions out there about this subject of security. Some professional IT people will even tell you something different. Their training is based on Windows and are innocently unaware of the other side of the coin. I'm here to tell you about the other side. BE CAREFUL.

16. Does is matter what sort of web browser I have?

No not really. Make sure that you have an up to date web browser that can read RSS feeds. A lot of the older versions of Internet Explorer (IE) version 6 don't support RSS feeds.

Remember that it's also important to keep your computer up to date. Often these updates are for security reasons not just to annoy you. Click here for more info about Internet security.

Below are some links to the latest download sites for your favourite flavour of web browser and media playback. (Browsers in order of speed)

Safari 4: Currently the fastest Browser. Some websites don’t like it. Available for Mac and Windows. http://www.apple.com/safari/

Google Chrome: A lightweight web browser. Windows only (at the moment). http://www.google.com/chrome

Firefox 3: The most popular browser besides Internet Explorer (IE). Free to download and a better alternative to IE. (Mac/Windows/Linux) http://www.mozilla.org/download.html

Internet Explorer (IE): The most popular browser online. Not recommended for online banking and other security driven things. This is a must for some websites. Windows only. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/ie/getitnow.mspx

iTunes: (Including QuickTime) http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

Windows Media Player: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/default.mspx

VLC Player: An open source player that will play almost anything. (Mac/Windows/Linux) http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

17. Using Linux to Listen to Podcasts.

If you’ve taken steps to free your computing experience and moved towards the wonderful world of an ‘Open’ operating system such as Linux, then congratulations!

Distributions such as Ubuntu have really opened the way to free up your desktop and get on with the business of computing. I have recently tried the ‘Linux Mint’ Distro and have loved it.
It’s a great OS for the person who:

• Emails
• Surfs the internet
• Writes Word, Excel, Power Point documents (Open Office)
• Skype
• Photos
• Music
• Video
• Instant Messaging
• Plays games

...And much, much, much more.

It’s free and will probably run on your current computer. It’s also free from Viruses, Spyware, and Malware, which can bog down your computing experience.

Instead of writing a whole chapter on ‘How to’ listen in Linux. I’ll point you to a great web site called Going Linux. There are some great articles and audio podcasts on the whole podcast thing.

Check out: Going Linux #35 - Getting Podcasts Delivered Automatically
It’s a great resource for the topic. It gives suggestions on what programs to use and how to get them onto your iPod. The website also has a great many things to offer. Also can be seen and downloaded on iTunes.