What is a podcast?
Why is Oakland County creating podcasts?
Where do I find Oakland County podcasts?
What kind of equipment do I need to listen to Oakland County podcasts?
How do I listen to Oakland County podcasts?
How do I download a podcast to my computer or portable MP3 player?
How do I subscribe to receive new Oakland County podcasts automatically?
Is there a fee for downloading or listening to Oakland County podcasts?
How often are new podcasts available?
Are other governments using podcasts?
How do I get help using podcasts?

What is a podcast?
A podcast is a digital recording that is published on the Internet and distributed via individual web pages and/or free podcast directory services such as Podcast.com, etc. Podcasts are similar to broadcast radio programs, except that you choose when, where, and how to listen to podcasts.

Why is Oakland County creating podcasts?
Podcasts are yet another technological advancement that Oakland County is using to be even more informative and responsive to your needs. Oakland County's podcasts feature news and information about topics of interest to people who live, work, play, and do business in Oakland County. Each podcast will cover a different topic, such as new County government services, seasonal programs, and other news.

Where do I find Oakland County podcasts?
Oakland County podcasts are available on the County's web site and via several popular podcast directories, including iTunes and many others.

What kind of equipment do I need to listen to Oakland County podcasts?
To listen to Oakland County podcasts, you will need a computer that is connected to the Internet and has a sound card and speakers. If you want to listen to podcasts via the Oakland County web site, you will need to have Adobe Flash Player version 7 or higher installed on your computer. Depending on whether you want to download podcasts to your computer or portable MP3 player, or subscribe to automatically receive County podcasts, additional software may be required.

How do I listen to Oakland County podcasts?
There are three ways to listen to Oakland County podcasts:

1. On the Oakland County web site. If you are connected to the Internet and your computer has a sound card and speakers, you can listen to a podcast directly from the Oakland County web site. Click on the "play" link near the name of the podcast that you want to hear. The podcast should begin to play automatically in the player that is provided on the page.  Adobe Flash Player version 7 or higher is required.

2. Download to your computer.

3. Subscribe to receive new Oakland County podcasts automatically.

How do I download a podcast to my computer or portable MP3 player?
If you would like to save a copy of a podcast to listen to whenever you want, or to transfer it to a portable MP3 player, you can download the podcast file to your computer. While you are connected to the Internet, click the "download" link near the name of the podcast that you want to save. You can then specify the location on your computer where you want to save the podcast file. After the podcast file has been saved to your computer, you will be able to listen to it with an audio player (such as RealPlayer, Windows Media Player, QuickTime, etc.) or transfer it to your portable MP3 player.

Because of the many differences in various MP3 players, the process of downloading, listening to podcasts, and transferring podcasts to MP3 players will vary depending on which software you have installed. Refer to the instructions provided with your MP3 player for specific how-to information.

How do I subscribe to receive new Oakland County podcasts automatically?
There are two ways to receive Oakland County podcasts by subscription:

1. Using podcast subscription management software (such as iTunes, Juice, etc.). Many different free versions of podcast software are available online. Once you have installed your choice of podcast management software, you can enter the Oakland County podcast subscription URL into your software. To get this URL, click the "RSS" button   on the podcast page. A new window should open, containing a page of computer code. Locate the URL of this page in the browser's address bar and copy/paste it into your podcast software. The location where you will enter this URL will vary according to the podcast software you are using; refer to the instructions provided with your software. Your podcast software then automatically retrieves new podcasts from Oakland County and downloads them to your computer when you are connected to the Internet. You can then use your podcast software to listen to podcasts or transfer them to your portable MP3 player.

2. Using RSS reader software or a web portal that includes the ability to add RSS content (such as MyYahoo, MyMSN, etc.). To subscribe using RSS, you add the Oakland County podcast RSS URL to your web page or RSS reader. Oakland County provides automatic RSS links to some popular web portals, including:

           

On the podcast page, click the appropriate button for the portal you are using and the RSS subscription will be done automatically.

Otherwise, click the "RSS" button   on the podcast page to get the RSS subscription URL. A new window should open, containing a page of computer code. Locate the URL of this page in the browser's address bar and copy/paste it into your web portal or RSS reader software. The location where you will enter this URL will vary according to the web portal or RSS reader software you are using; refer to the instructions provided by your portal or reader. New podcasts from Oakland County will then automatically appear on your web page.

Because of the many differences in various podcast management software, RSS readers and podcast web sites, the subscription process will vary depending on which software you have installed. Refer to the instructions provided with your podcast software, web portal or RSS reader you are using for specific how-to information.

Is there a fee for downloading or listening online to Oakland County podcasts?
No. Oakland County does not charge any fees for listening to or downloading its podcasts.

How often are new podcasts available?
Oakland County plans to produce new podcasts approximately every two weeks. This schedule may change at any time without notice.

Are other governments using podcasts?
Yes. Other government agencies and organizations are using podcasts to communicate with citizens. For example, a variety of podcasts are currently available from the State of Michigan and the U.S. federal government.

How do I get help using podcasts?
Because of the many differences in various audio players, podcast management software, RSS readers and podcast web sites, the process of downloading, subscribing and listening to podcasts will vary depending on which software you have installed. Refer to the instructions provided with your audio player, podcast software, or the RSS web site you are using for specific how-to information.