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Click here to listen to the podcast via ITUNES

Click here to listen via the RSS feed

Podcast Help Section

In this vast world of computers and operating systems 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 do I need to listen to a Podcast?
4. What do you mean by 'Subscribing' to a Podcast?
5. Does any of my personal information get transmitted anywhere?
6. What programs, players, equipment do I need to listen to mp3's | Podcasts?
7. Do I need an iPod to use iTunes?
8. Can I put iTunes mp3's on my mp3 player?
9. Do I need an iPod to listen or download podcast?
10. I click on the iTunes link on the web site and nothing happens.
11. How do I actually download the mp3 file from my web browser?
12. I don't want to download the file, I just want to listen to it?
13. What is a RSS feed?
14. Does is matter what sort of web browser I have?
15. I can't see the RSS feed in my web browser. All I see is lots of text that doesn't make any sense
16. When I downloaded the file, it's called something weird like 'PG20071028.mp3'. What's all that about?
17. Internet Security

1. What is a Podcast?

A Podcast is a file that is broadcast over the Internet and made available to download and listen to on an iPod or mp3 player. Originally derived from the words, iPod and broadcast. Click here for more info.

2. What is an mp3?

An mp3 is a file format that compresses the audio. It takes away the audio that may not be needed. This allows us to make smaller files to transfer over the Internet. The mp3 format is perfect for speech or sermons in our case. For more info click here.

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

First you need a computer the Internet and set of speakers or headphones. But if you're reading this then you are already ½ way. There are a few different ways to get the content that you want to listen to.

1. 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' and look in the Podcast section. Subscribe to the podcast and it will let you know when new episodes become available. Link.

2. You can use Windows Media Player 11. It will play mp3's and also allow you to subscribe to the RSS Feed. You must have latest version. Windows only.

3. 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) (link to downloads) 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 to browse.

4. What do you mean by 'Subscribing' to a Podcast?

By subscribing to the Podcast, it allows you to get the most up to date episodes of our Podcast. You are letting the browser or iTunes know that you are interested in the Podcast and you want to know when it changes. Subscribing allows you to be informed about these changes or 'new' episodes in the Podcast.

5. Does any of my personal information get transmitted anywhere?

This is a complicated question. No it's not. All that's really happening is that you are receiving information about the RSS feed and it's location on the Internet. For more about Internet security, click here.

6. What programs, players and equipment do I need to listen to mp3's | Podcasts?

You can use a few different things depending on your operating system (OS). You will need speakers or headphones attached to your computer, if you want to listen directly from you computer. Your computer will have a sound card in it with a place to plug your equipment into.

iTunes will work on Windows and Mac.

Windows Media Player 11 will play mp3's and subscribe to RSS Feeds. Windows only.

There are many other options including many open source players. iTunes and Windows Media Player are the most commonly used.

7. Do I need an iPod to use iTunes?

No you don't. iTunes will still download and play the files. iTunes creates it's own folder within the iTunes library that's called 'Podcasts'. In there is where your Podcasts are kept.

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. Just locate you 'Podcast' folder within your iTunes library and drag and drop the file into your mp3 player.

9. Do I need an iPod to listen or download podcast?

No you don't. Just go to the RSS feed link here and listen or download. You can listen through other ways, including...?

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

Some browsers have trouble opening iTunes and going to our Podcast. To solve this open iTunes and do a search in the top right corner search box. Put in the word 'Riverstone'. Remember that you are looking for 'Podcasts'. You also will need to have iTunes installed on your computer.

11. How do I actually download the mp3 file from my web browser?

Presuming that you are looking at the RSS feed in your web browse, you should be able to see all the 'episodes' along with other information associated with it. If you're using iTunes and you have subscribed to the Podcast, then it should download new episodes automatically.

To Download:

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 too. Select your destination and click 'OK'. Your default location should be the desktop.

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 should be the desktop.

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

12. I don't want to download the file, I just want to listen to it.

Click on the file that you want. It should open a new page or tab and start playing it. You may have to press the play button. This may vary from browser to browser.

13. What is a RSS feed?

RSS feed is just a file (an XML file) that your web browser or feed reader program read and generate then display 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.

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

Yes it does. 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) ver. 6, don't support RSS feeds. Remember that it's also important to keep your computer and the latest software on your computer. Often these updates are for security reasons not just to annoy you. Click for more info about Internet security. Below are some links to the latest download sites for your favourite flavour of web browser.

Firefox: The most popular browser besides IE. Free to download and a better alternative to IE. Available for all platforms.
http://www.mozilla.org/download.html

Safari: Currently the fastest web browser available. Very secure. Available for Mac and Windows.
http://www.apple.com/safari/

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

Netscape: Same code as Firefox, just a different name and commercially driven by AOL.
http://browser.netscape.com/downloads/

iTunes:
http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

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

15. 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. RSS feeds are made using .xml extensions. You shouldn't see this code. To fix this problem, make sure you have the latest up to date browser software. See here - link to 'Does is matter what sort of web browser I have?'

16. When I downloaded the file, it's called something weird like 'PG20071028.mp3'. What's all that about?

This 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 info for us to read. The file 'PG20071028.mp3' is just called that to identify it on the server where the files lives on the Internet. If your using iTunes, you will never see this.

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

17. Internet Security

This is such a huge topic and I can only skim the surface of this topic. The Internet in a scary place and you should take all precautions to protect yourself against 'Hackers', viruses, spyware and other thieves.

Always presume that someone has the potential to:

Antivirus software:

Disclaimer: At the time of writing this help section, the information below only relates to Windows only. It does not apply to Linux OS 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 from other people. (very unlikely in this day and age) For more on this subject see these links. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_virus

Some Antivirus software links

NOD32: Multi Award winning software and used by most large corporations. It downloads hourly and has the best monitoring rate to date. It does require a yearly subscription fee. You can download a free version and trial it free for 30days. Well worth the dollars.
http://www.eset.com/

AVG: Another great product. Works a little different to NOD. Free to download and use.
http://www.grisoft.com/

There are many other programs out there that aren't worth mentioning. If you are paying for a product and it doesn't do the job, then get rid of it. Personally speaking any computer that has had problems that I've been asked to look at are related to NORTON or bad Antivirus software. A lot of stores will try and push NORTON onto you. I would avoid it.

Make sure your firewall is on. Windows will let you know if it's off.

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.

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