Copy the following Slate Podcast URL—http://www.slate.com/podcast/—into your podcasting software (see Step 1 below), or ...

Click here if you have iTunes 4.9 or later installed and want to sign up for Slate's podcast feed.

Podcasting is a simple idea that turns your iPod or any other MP3 player into a kind of digital video recorder for radio. Basically, you decide which podcast audio files you'd like to receive (the choices range from home-produced audio blogs to professional radio programs), and then "subscribe" to those programs. Your podcasting software will automatically check for any new audio files that become available and download those files to your computer—or directly to your audio player if you prefer. Here's a step-by-step guide:

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Step 1: Download the Podcasting Software
If you already use Apple's free iTunes software (for Windows or Mac), the easiest way to start receiving podcasts is just to update to iTunes 4.9 or later. The software now supports one-click subscriptions to a growing number of free podcasts.

The first mainstream podcast program still works well, and it's also free. It's called iPodder, and you can download Windows, Mac, and Linux versions here.

Apple enthusiasts seem very fond of another, Mac-only, program, iPodderX, which costs $19.95 (there's also a free "lite" version). You can download both here.

Step 2: Choose Your Feeds
The software programs mentioned above include directories of podcasts, and the lists get longer by the day. If you like the news and talk shows offered on public radio, you'll find more and more of them offered as podcasts. PublicRadioFan.com maintains a list.

Step 3: Subscribe
Again, if you're using iTunes, you can find Slate's feed in the directory and simply click to subscribe. You can also paste a podcast feed's URL manually into most programs (in iTunes, just open the "Subscribe to Podcast" section of the "Advanced" menu). The URL for Slate's podcast is http://www.slate.com/podcast/.

In the iPodder software, paste that address into the window that pops up when you click "Add new feed" (here's a screenshot). Then just tell the software how often you want it to check for new shows and where to put them (in your iTunes folder, for example), and you're ready to go.

More podcasts Podcast Roundup Giving voice to some of Slate's best stories. posted Sept. 2, 2005 Andy Bowers Podcast Roundup And a call out for your favorite pods. posted Aug. 26, 2005 Andy Bowers Podcast Roundup Giving voice to some of Slate's best articles. posted Aug. 19, 2005 Andy Bowers Podcast Roundup Giving voice to some of Slate's best articles. posted Aug. 12, 2005 Andy Bowers The Week in Podcasts Another way to listen to Slate's new audio offerings. posted Aug. 5, 2005 Andy Bowers Search for more Podcasts in our archive.

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