Aggregators are software or web sites that check for new editions to podcasts and blogs that you subscribe to. (See Wikipedia definition for aggregators.) Aggregators are typically free and easy to use. They can look for news, podcasts, vodcasts, blogs, and any content that is released via RSS feed. The method of subscribing varies from aggregator to aggregator but typically you can click a subscribe link on the web site for the podcast and the aggregator will so the rest. Sometimes you will have to confirm the subscription or login to the aggregator.
Depending on the aggregator, you will either have to login to see new content or it will alert you at time intervals you schedule.
Aggregators are also sometimes called: news readers, podcatchers, and feed readers. Remember, some aggregators are platform-dependent (Windows or Mac).
RSS feeds are the code podcasters and bloggers use to allow you to subscribe to their content. (See Wikipedia definition for RSS.) As a subscriber or consumer, you don't have to worry too much about RSS -- just look for the symbols to click for subscribing. Typically, look for the orange RSS feed icon. Some content providers have special icons for various popular aggregators like My Yahoo! or iTunes or Juice.
Special note on iTunes: If the podcast you are looking for is not already listed in iTunes, you can still use iTunes as your aggregator by adding the RSS feed to iTunes.
Copy the URL to the RSS feed
In iTunes, click Advanced in the menu bar
Select Subscribe to Podcast
Paste the URL in the window that opens
Click OK
As a creator of RSS feeds, you will want to have a copy of FeedForAll or use FeedBurner. These tools will make creating your code simple. You can code an RSS feed by hand using an HTML editor.
