The Townhall Talk Radio podcast is really getting popular! So, I thought I would share some tips and answers to the most frequently asked questions about podcasting. If you haven't signed up for podcasting yet, take this as an opportunity to do so.

QUESTIONS: (find corresponding answer below)

1. How do I set up podcasts?
2. I am able to see the file I would like to listen to in ITunes, but it is grey and there is no length listed.
3. How can I see the dates for different shows, or what’s coming up on a particular show?
4. It is only downloading the 10 most-recent files from each show. Can I go farther back than that?
5. Am I able to update (add/delete shows) after I have created my podcast?
6. When I click “Listen Now” it says that my preference is “Windows Media - High”, is there a way to change this?
7. Can I just download the file in MP3 format myself? I don’t have ITunes, and I would like to play them with another player.
8. Is there a way to fast-forward, pause, or rewind the “Listen Now” window?
9. Ok. All that is good, but I can't figure out iTunes. How do I set up my podcast in iTunes?
10. All that is good, but I'm having trouble logging in in the first place. My account doesn't seem to work, and I can't get to my personalized podcast feed.

Here are the answers:

1. How do I set up my podcasts?
   
   The easiest way to set up podcasts is with ITunes. You can learn more about listening to podcasts in iTunes at http://www.apple.com/ilife/tutorials/itunes/it5-1.html If you are using another program, please see the second section. In iTunes, simply click the “Music Store” link and type in the name of the host you’d like to hear. You should then see their podcast appear and choose “Subscribe.”
   
   Your first step is to make sure you have created a Townhall.com account and that you are logged-in. You will know you are logged in to Townhall.com when you see your local radio station call letters displayed on the top right box of any page.
   
   
   1. To set up your podcasting feed for iTunes (http://www.apple.com/itunes) or Juice (http://juicereceiver.sourceforge.net), click on the “Talk Radio Online” link under the Townhall.com header bar. It will be the second link from the left on the navigation bar.
      
      
   2. Click on “Set Up Podcasts.” It will be the first link from the left under the red navigation sub-bar, right under the grey navigation bar.
      http://www.townhall.com/TalkRadio/SetUpPodcast.aspx
      
      
   3. You will see 11 show podcast choices. At the bottom of the screen, all podcast shows are listed with a check box next to each. Click the “Get It” check box next to the shows you would like to listen to.
      
      
   4. When you have selected the shows you’d like, click the “Update you Podcast” button at the bottom of the page.
      
      
   5. The page will reload, and you will see a web address appear below the “Set up Podcast” header at the top of the page. This is your podcast feed link--you will need it to download your podcasts into iTunes or your favorite aggregator.
      
      
   6. Open your podcasting program (Such as ITunes or Juice), copy the podcast feed address, and paste into the podcast subscription window. Alternatively, on some computers, you can just drag this web address over the main iTunes or Juice window.
      
      
   7. You will see the name of the Townhall.com podcast, with a list of downloadable files. In some cases, you may have to click on the arrow/triangle to the left of the show title for the files to appear.
      
      
      
2. I am able to see the file I would like to listen to in ITunes, but it is grey and there is no length listed.
   
   This indicates either a file that has not been downloaded. If you have tried to click the “Get” button on a file you would like and it does not download, please let us know. 
   
   
3.  How can I see the dates for different shows, or what’s coming up on a particular show?
   
   Each host’s Townhall.com page will have a section for “Audio Clips” which will include the full synopsis and length, and will also let you search the archive for shows that are more than 30 days old. In addition you will see topics that will be discussed that day, and directions on how to call the show.  http://www.townhall.com/talkradio/
   
   
4. ITunes is only downloading the 10 most-recent files from each show. Can I go farther back than that?
   
   Unfortunately, you are not able to podcast farther back than the latest 10 episodes you have downloaded. If you would like to hear an older show, you can go to the Host’s page on Townhall.com click on “Show Clips, which will allow you to “Listen Now” to many past shows.
   
   
5. Am I able to update (add/delete shows) after I have created my podcast?
   
   Yes. All you have to do is login to your account, and click “Manage Your Podcasts” under the “Your Info” link (http://www.townhall.com/talkradio/SetUpPodcast.aspx). Select or unselect the shows you would like, then click “Update my Podcast” and the page will reload. Return to your podcast managing program and click update, and it will automatically add shows without you needing to re-past the podcast feed URL/Address.
   
   
6. When I click “Listen Now” it says that my preference is “Windows Media - High”, is there a way to change this?
   
   As of now, this is the default player for the “Listen Now” window. Additionally, the Listen Now and the player currently only work in the IE browser. We are working on upgrading the player to a browser-neutral Flash based player very soon.
   
   
7. Can I just download the file in MP3 format myself? I don’t have ITunes.
   
   Yes, you can download the MP3 files, but only through a podcast aggregator--not each individual audio file directly. If you don’t have iTunes, there are many other Podcasting aggregator programs out there such as Juice (http://juicereceiver.sourceforge.net/) that will allow you to download the audio files to your computer. This will allow you to listen to the files on your computer, as well as copy them into your favorite MP3 player other than iPod.
   
   If you are looking to put files onto another audioplayer such as a Creative, Samsung or IRiver, after you have downloaded the podcasting software you can explore the program files of the software (Usually held in the “my Music” folder) and locate the MP3 files directly, then copy/paste or drag them to your player folder using your Windows explorer.
   
   
8. Is there a way to fast-forward, pause, or rewind the “Listen Now” window
   
   As of now, there is no way to do this with “Listen Now.” We are currently working on adding this feature.
   
   
9. Ok. All that is good, but I can't figure out iTunes. How do I set up my podcast in iTunes?
   
   
   1. Make sure you have the latest iTunes installed. You want to open iTunes 4.9 and select Music Store in the Source list.
      
      
   2. Copy your podcast feed URL from the set up podcast page. (you have to be logged in) http://www.townhall.com/talkradio/SetUpPodcast.aspx
      
      
   3. Open iTunes, and find the "Subscribe to Podcast" menu item, under the "Advanced" main menu popdown menu.
      
      
   4. Paste the Townhall.com Talk Radio podcast feed URL into the iTunes URL window, and click "ok."
      
      
   5. A list of podcast episodes will appear.
      
      
   6. Double-click any episode to listen to the entire podcast if you wish.
      
      
   7. Click Podcast in the Source list to see the Settings button on the bottom. You can use the Settings button to indicate how often you want to check for new episodes, and set which podcasts will be copied to your iPod.
      
      
   8. You may view and download past podcast episodes. To do this, select Podcasts within the Source list and click the arrow to the left of the podcast name. iTunes will reveal all downloaded and available episodes. To download a particular past episode, click the Get button.
   
    
10. All that is good, but I'm having trouble logging in in the first place. My account doesn't seem to work, and I can't get to my personalized podcast feed.
    
    If you created your account prior to July 5th, 2006, you will need to create a new account. When we re-launched the Townhall.com web site, we did not bring over the old accounts, in order to give everyone the chance to opt-in to the new site. If this is the case, we apologize for the double work and thank you for your continued readership.
    
    If you recently created your Townhall.com account, but are still having trouble logging in, here are some more tips to help you figure out what the problem might be.
    
    What is my Login name?

    Your login name is the email that you provided when signing up for Townhall.com, and the one that the password was sent to. If you never got a password over email, this means you might have put in a typo when you entered your email. You will need to create a new correct account.

     

    Where do I find my password?

    A computer generated password will be emailed to you after you complete the signup. After you retrieve it from your inbox and use it to sign in, you should go to “Your Info” and click on “Change My Password” and change it to whatever you’d like. 
    
    If you used a fake or had a typo when you created your account, then this feature will not work. If this is the case, you will need to create a new account.
    
    I try to create a new account, but the form is rejecting my email:
    If this is the case, it means that there is an account with that email already. Contact me and let me know what the email is, and I can look into what else might be the problem

Well, there you have it! If you have tried setting up your podcast before, but had trouble, give it another try. Feel free to leave your comments, questions or feedback below--we're always open to hear suggestions and ways to imrpove what we are doing.