Q: What is a podcast and do I need an iPod to listen to the Linux Reality podcast?

A: A podcast is an audio file that can be downloaded and played on a computer or portable audio device. Despite the name “podcast,” you can listen to the Linux Reality episodes on your computer or any portable audio device capable of playing MP3 or Ogg Vorbis audio files. Therefore, you do not need an iPod to listen to a podcast. Perhaps “audiocast” is a better term than “podcast.”

Q: How do I subscribe to the podcast?

A: If you have an iPod, you can find the Linux Reality podcast available for free in the iTunes Music Store. Just click on “podcasts” while using the iTunes software and then search for “Linux Reality.” Alternatively, you can click on the feed links on the home page. You will be taken to the Feedburner pages where you can easily subscribe to the podcast. Finally, you can also manually enter the RSS feed into your podcatching software such as iTunes, Juice, or other similar software by using this URL for the MP3 feed, http://feeds2.feedburner.com/linuxreality, or this URL for the Ogg Vorbis feed, http://feeds2.feedburner.com/linuxreality-ogg.

Q: For whom is this podcast intended?

A: This podcast is intended for new Linux users and computer users who may have never used Linux before but are interested in learning about this exciting, free and open-source operating system.

Q: Is this podcast still being produced?

A: Unfortunately, no. I started this podcast in early 2006 and concluded its run in March, 2008. My reasons for ending the show are outlined in episode #96, but basically it was due to a desire to spend more time with my family, a desire to work on other free and open source projects, and a feeling that I had accomplished the things I set out to do when starting the podcast. During the show's run, I published over 100 episodes, all of which are still available for download from this site.

Q: What is Ogg Vorbis?

A: In short, Ogg Vorbis is a free and open-source audio codec, similar to MP3 or AAC. Many audio enthusiasts believe that an Ogg Vorbis version of an audio file will have superior sound and take up less disk space than a comparable MP3 version of the same audio file. Please see the Wikipedia entry on Ogg Vorbis for more information. Linux Reality will be offering Ogg Vorbis versions of each episode to support this free and open-source audio codec. What audio players support Ogg Vorbis? Most of the players offered by Cowon iAudio do, as do some of the players made by iRiver.

Q: What technical tools did you use to create the podcast?

A: At the start, I recorded the shows onto an iRiver mp3 recorder and later switched to using a Zoom H4 digital wav recorder. In both cases, I then used Audacity, an open-source cross-platform audio editor and recorder, to edit the shows.

Q: Where did you get the cool logo?

A: From awesome Linux Reality listeners, that’s where! In the fall of 2006, I threw out a call to the Linux Reality listeners to help come up with a new logo and they responded in spades. The new logo is a direct result of many listeners and community members coming together, in true free and open source fashion, to create something original. I would like to especially thank those who contributed actual design ideas, including (in no particular order): Halitech, rfquerin, philiphorrari, heathenx, RichardBronosky, and sarelon. Thanks for all your fantastic ideas, everyone!

Q: Where did you get the theme music?

A: Early episodes of Linux Reality used: “The Number is Three” by Matthew Hall which can be found at the Podsafe Music Network, “Loop-o-Plane” by Jeff Wahl which can be found at Magnatune, and “Sandoway” by The Exotics. The music used in the later episodes was “World Turned Upside Down” by Bombskare (intro and first bumper), “Merrigan’s Reel” by Jim Fidler (tips), “That’s No Dream” by Derek K. Miller (feedback), and “Onions A Go-Go” by The Original Onions (closing).