Remember the good old days of TV and radio? Everyone would gather around to be entertained. Shows were broadcast at specific times and if you weren't there on time, you missed it. Broadcasts disappeared into the ether. Well, things have changed.

This is Podcasting in Plain English

Here's the big idea. Thanks to podcasting, show times don't matter. When a new show is created, podcasting gives you a way to capture it and take it with you to watch or listen to later - usually for free. It makes shows personal and available on demand - That's what makes it different from broadcasting.

It works by setting up a connection between a web site and a computer, so that new shows automatically show up when available.

Here are Three reasons why podcasting is becoming so popular.

The first is that anyone can do it. No satellites, radio towers or studios needed. Most people only need a microphone or video camera, a computer and a connection to the Web. With these things in place, they can make their own show that is open to everyone. It also means that there's a wide variety of podcasts. Whether it's investment advice from Wall Street, or your neighbours gardening show from down the street. There is likely a podcast for you.

The second is subscriptions. This means that if you visit a website that has a great podcast, you can click a button and subscribe to receive future shows automatically. All you need is a free tool called a Podcatcher, like iTunes, that acts as a way to capture the shows. The shows become yours to listen to or watch as much as you want, where you want.

The third reason is gadgetry. You can download a podcast onto a computer, but you can also download it to an MP3 player or other portable device and take it with you. And remember, podcasts work on all sorts of devices, not just iPods.

So, let's look at how Jason uses podcasts.

He uses the web everyday, rides the bus to work and loves Japanese culture.

Recently he found a podcast by a Western couple living in Tokyo. After a quick listen, he subscribed to their podcast from their web site. That night, as he slept, a new show downloaded onto his MP3 player. The next morning he was on the bus, listening to his new friends in Tokyo, imagining what it would be like to eat the freshest sushi in the world.

Podcasting made it happen. It made it possible for the couple in Japan to create a show for only a few yen, it made it possible for Jason to subscribe to their show and take it with him. Podcasting means we don't have to depend on traditional media - now, everyone can have a voice that shows their true colours.

I'm Lee LeFever and this has been podcasting in plain English (on the commoncraft show).

Oh, one quick thing. The Common Craft Store now offers downloadable version of our videos for use in the workplace. Find them at Commoncraft.com.