iTunes and Podcasting Help

Isn't iTunes a place where I buy music?

Yes, but that isn't all iTunes it also provides a central location where you can subscribe to "podcasts." iTunes Univeristy is a service Apple provides free of charge to universities who want to make information available to the the general public.

What are podcasts?

People use the term “podcast” to talk about audio (and video) content available for download from the internet. However, more precisely a "podcast" is a series of audio or video files that are regularly produced. Ultimately, you can download and listen to only those files that interest you, OR you can subscribe to the whole series.

When you "subscribe" to a series of podcasts, each new audio or video file will be automatically downloaded to your computer whenever you have your special "podcatching" software (such as iTunes) running. Because all of this happens automatically, you don't have to remember to go out and get each file when it is ready. You simply subscribe once to a podcast and the sound files are automatically updated to your computer (and to your iPod or MP3 player when you synchronize the device) and while you listen to or watch one podcast, others will be downloading in the background and be ready and waiting for you. All University Doctors podcasts are free.

What do I need to get started?

Since we make our Community Lectures available through Apple's iTunes U system, you will need to download Apple's iTunes software and install it on your computer. This software will automatically download the files and give you a way to listen to them. You do NOT need an an Apple© iPod to enjoy a lecture. However, if you have an Apple© iPod, iTunes will automatically move the files to your iPod so you can listen anywhere. You can also manually move the downloaded files from your computer to other portable audio or video devices (portable media players) for the same portability.

To download a single file simply:

• Click the link for the lecture you want and iTunes will open and begin to download the podcast AND
• If you want to get all the podcasts currently available in the series, you can click the "get tracks" button inside iTunes once it opens.
  
  
  

How do I subscribe to all future lectures?

If you want to have all the series download everytime you open iTunes, you will want to subscribe.

• Once you are inside of iTunes you can click on the "subscribe" button next to the icon at the top of the page.