So, there's nothing on telly, you've browsed all your regular websites, and you're bored? How about a video Podcast?

You're thinking, 'isn't that just for geeks?' Well, once, perhaps, and there probably are more geeky podcasts than not, but there are some gems out there that might have you clicking, rather than tuning in for each episode. The beauty is you choose when you want to watch (and they're free)

So, firstly, incase you have been living in a box: Wikipedia describes it as: "Podcasting is the distribution of audio or video files, such as radio programs or music videos, over the internet. Podcasting; is a portmanteau word coined in 2004, that combined two words: iPod and broadcasting."

Video Podcasts, are also known as 'Vlogs' from Video Blog, 'Videocasting' or 'Vodcasting' etc.

and no; you don't need an iPod or other portable media player to watch/listen to Podcasts. You can watch them straight on your Mac/PC

Now that's out the way, how do you get them?

The easiest way to subscribe to a Podcast is through iTunes. There are other ways of doing it, but iTunes is by far the simplest.

Open iTunes (make sure you've the latest version)

You'll notice in the left pane a little logo, labeled 'Podcasts'



Select it and you'll be presented with an empty window, unless of course you've already subscribed to some Podcasts, and in that case I'm teaching you to suck eggs.

Select: at the bottom.

You'll be taken to the Podcasting directory in the iTunes Music Store.

As you can see, there are a LOT available. There are more Audio, podcasts than video. I don't listen to many audio podcasts, but there are some good ones out there. Great alternative to the radio, and you can take them away with you to listen on your iPod, in your car (if you have the technology) etc.

But, we're talking video here. So click on:

There, a long list of Video Podcasts, you can either press subscribe, which will take you back to your list of subscribed Podcasts in iTunes, but I'd recommend clicking on the picture thumbnail of a Podcast you're interested in. It'll show you more detail, and also you'll be able to download individual episodes, before deciding to subscribe to the whole thing.

If you wanted to subscribe to Tiki Bar, you'd just click Subscribe.



Or, just download one episode by selecting

Once subscribed, whenever a new episode is available, iTunes will download it for you, without you needing to do anything.

To watch, it's as simple as playing anything in iTunes, just double click.


Here are some of my favourites. The name, links you to their website and Feed is a quick link straight to iTunes (Saves you searching).


Mac Observer's; Mac Geek Gab Feed

The Mac Observer's Dave Hamilton and John F. Braun talk about all things Mac. Dave is TMO's publisher, John pens the Monday Mac Gadget column.

One of the few Audio podcasts I listen to on a regular basis, I've even got a mention a few times.

Ask A Ninja Feed

A Ninja answers questions sent to askaninja@gmail.com in this hilarious video podcast.

Rocketboom Feed

Rocketboom is a three minute daily video weblog. Agenda includes releasing each new clip at 8am est, Monday through Friday. Some topics involve New York City, the arts, technology, internet culture, commentary on internet culture, commentary on commentary on internet culture, and so on.

Diggnation Feed

The top technology news stories on digg.com (digg is the new slashdot), hosted by Kevin Rose & Alex Albrecht.

GeekBrief Feed

GeekBrief.com is a video podcast featuring the gadget loving hottie, Cali Lewis. The hottest gadget news is delivered to you in 3-5 minute shows 2-5 days a week.

Stu's iTunes Review: Enjoyable, but sometimes embarrassing ***

"The geek brief can be informative on its good days, introducing you to some great things you may have missed. On its bad days, Cali can feel like she's a little too desperate to make the 'big time'. Her laughter, and "impromptu-I'm a sexy geek" dancing, can feel forced almost insincere (maybe she's nervous?) A little less sycophancy would go a long way. If you can deal with a bit of cringe, then it's still worth a watch. I'm staying subscribed"

She is very good at acknowledging feedback.

Danny's Contentment Feed

Drivin' an electric car in London.

Tiki Bar Feed

Swingin' bachelors and forbidden cocktails in a swank pad. One of the big hits in Podcasting.

Strong Bad Emails Feed

Strong Bad answers real emails from real morons, draws his independant comic "Teen Girl Squad!" and freaking lots more. This is a feed from Homestar Runner, where you can see more than just the emails.

Sky News Feed

A Digest of the latest headlines from Sky News, as well as an in-depth look at the day's top story.

Okay, I've never really watched this, but wanted to include something serious, to show it's not all just people being daft.

The Wedding Feed

Paul Knight: "Our wedding video chopped up into 15 small chunks for all to enjoy, 10 of which you can download for your iPod (but not just your iPod), the last 5 you can only watch on my blog courtesy of dailymotion.com"

If you want to be reminded of a good traditional British wedding, then here it is, in all its glory. It's a pure classic!


So, there you go! Never be bored again, you'll be avidly waiting for the next diggnation or what Doctor Tiki will do next? Have a search yourself; there's bound to be something you'll enjoy! This is where TV is headed don't you know.

Some descriptions from PodCastAlley, another source for all things Podcast.

*rubs eyes, and again* and you thought switching to intel was spooky, well, Apple released Boot Camp today. It allows owners of Macs based on the intel chip to run Windows XP as well as Mac OS X on the same machine.

"More and more people are buying and loving Macs. To make this choice simply irresistible, Apple will include technology in the next major release of Mac OS X, Leopard, that lets you install and run the Windows XP operating system on your Mac"

I wasn't expecting that. Still, that will make running those games not available for Macs easy to run. Though, there will be concerns that developers may use it as an excuse not bother to port some applications/games to the Mac. Let's hope not.

This amused me:

"Windows XP, and even the upcoming Vista, are stuck in the 1980s with old-fashioned BIOS. But with Boot Camp, the Mac can operate smoothly in both centuries'."

The final version of Boot Camp will be built into Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.


Update: You can watch a video of the installation here also see this blog by a recent switcher on the subject. (He's from up north you know, funny, soon as I read his blog I guessed he was in England)

I was also reminded by the Mac Geek Gab, of the old PowerMac 6100 PC. It had a built in 66Mhz 486 on a card. I had one many years ago at work, and would often confuse fellow workers flicking between PC & Mac mode. They'd look under the desk thinking I'd hooked it up to a PC. So really, there is nothing new about being able to run Windows on a Mac.

Having the ability to run Windows applications, without the need to reboot would be better. This may come about with virtualization, or if Virtual PC is released for intel based Macs.

To be honest, I really have no need to run any Windows applications day-to-day, I'm sure I'm not the only one. (or we'd have bought a PC, right?) Hence most people's interest has focused on PC games, as they're often out sooner on a PC.

It's still good having that ability.

Yesterday 3rd April 2006, Apple released 10.4.6 update for Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger. Has various fixes.

You should be able to update straight from Software Update in your System Preferences, or download the standalone installation from here. (Make sure you use the correct update for your system. Intel or PPC)

I've read there is no need to repair your permissions after or before installing this update.


I've noticed that 10.4.6 breaks Cage Fighter's ability to change Mail.app's Icons. There is a solution.

Just use Mail Stamps instead. It does the same thing, and is slightly more attractive.