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Ebooks are part of the new frontier of cyberspace.
They are an entirely new medium for sharing marketing
information, ideas, techniques, and expert knowledge.
Each day the number of people accessing the Internet
grows, causing the exposure of your ebook to increase
incrementally. It’s obvious why electronic
self-publishing has become so popular so quickly.

The publishing industry, I hope, does not intend to
forever banish the printed word to the dustbin of
history. Books in print have their own special
qualities and merits, and the world would be
diminished by their disappearance.

Having said that, let’s look at what makes ebooks so
important and so unique. Ebooks have certain abilities
and qualities that other mediums do not possess.

For example, ebooks are fairly easy to produce, and
their production cost is inexpensive. Just think about
it: you don’t need a publisher, an agent, a printing
press, offset film, ink, paper, or even a distributor.
You just need a great concept, the ability to write it
or to hire a writer, and the right software.

Additionally, ebooks are easily and rapidly
distributed online. They are also easily updated; they
do not require a second print run. All you need is to
go into your original creation and modify the text or
graphics. Because of this flexibility, ebooks can
change and grow as fast as you can type.

Ebooks are also immediately obtainable. You don’t have
to go to a bookstore or search through endless titles
at an online bookstore. All you have to do is download
it from a website, and presto! It’s on your computer,
ready to be read.

Ebooks are interactive. This is one of the most unique
and specific qualities that ebooks offer. You can add
surveys that need to be filled out, order forms for
customers to purchase your products or goods, sound
and video that draw your reader into the virtual world
of your ebook, even direct links to relevant sites
that will expand your ebook outward. The potential is
virtually limitless.

Ebooks have a particular kind of permanence that other
mediums do not possess. Television shows and radio
shows air once, and then may rerun a few times. Ebooks
remain on your computer for as long as your choose,
and they can be read and reread whenever you choose
to. They can even be printed out and stored on the
shelves of your traditional home library.

Another wonderful quality is that ebooks have no
barriers in terms of publishing. You don’t need to go
through the endless process of submitting your
manuscript over and over again, and then once you land
an agent, having the agent submit your manuscript over
and over again. Nor do you have to shell out thousands
of dollars for printing a self-published book. All
ebooks require is a writer and appropriate software.
Figure out your market, write your book, post it on
your website, and with the right business savvy, your
audience will come to you.

Finally, you have creative control over your ebook.
You don?t have to compromise with an editor or the
publishing trends of the time. You don’t have to
haggle with a designer or wait for copyedited galleys
to arrive by snail mail. You are in complete control
of the design and the text.

How to Use ebooks for Marketing and Promotion

There are innumerable ways to use ebooks to promote
your business and drive quality traffic to your
website. Once posted on your site, you can turn them
into a daily course, which brings your customer back
to read the next chapter. You can use them as a free
gift for making a purchase or for filling out a
survey. Put your ebook on a disc, and you will have an
innovative brochure. Blow your competition away by
inserting the disc into your sales packages.

The most effective marketing products are those that
are unique. Copyright your ebook, and immediately, you
have a powerful tool that you, and you alone, can
offer to the public. People will have to visit your
site to acquire your ebook, which increases the flow
of quality traffic and the potential of sales and
affiliate contacts.

Make sure that you keep your ebook current. Update it
frequently as the market and trends change. Add new
advice and techniques to show your prospects how your
goods or services can enrich their lives. By
constantly keeping abreast of new trends and
techniques, you can continue to see profits from your
ebook for years after your original creation.

Another phenomenal advantage of ebooks is that you can
test their marketing potential without putting out
hardly any cash at all. You can even produce an ebook
one copy at a time, each time you receive an order,
eliminating the need for storage and inventory. By
this method, you can gauge the saleablity of your
ebook, and make adjustments as necessary until the
orders start pouring in. Ebooks allow you to learn
about your market and customer habits and motivation
over a period of time, without risking your precious
financial resources. They also provide you with an
invaluable way to gather marketing information, which
you can use in many different facets of your business.

Use your ebook to discover what the specific goals and
problems are in your specific industry. Then figure
out how to solve these problems, and publish an ebook
with this invaluable information. This will increase
the value of your business, upgrade your reputation,
and get you known as an expert in your field.

You can extend the value of single ebook by breaking
the book down into chapters for a serial course, into
special reports available on your website, or into
audio or visual tapes. Ebooks can be broken down into
several different promotional materials by excepting
some of the articles and using them to promote your
product. You can include a catalog in your ebook to
promote all the products or services you sell. You can
include a thank-you note for reading your book and an
invitation to download a trial version of your
product. Or you can include a form for your audience
to contact you for further information or with
questions, thereby building your business
relationships and your mailing list.

Using ebooks in this manner helps to cut the cost of
individually producing separate promotional materials.
You can use a single ebook to entice new prospects and
to sell new products to your current customers.

No other medium has this kind of flexibility and
ability for expansion. Think of your ebook like a
spider spinning a beautiful and intricate web. Now go
and create that web, and see how many customers and
prospects you can catch!

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Popularity: 9% [?]

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In the United States, there are millions of Americans who are classified as disabled. While many of those Americans are able to go about their normal activities, such as working, there are others who cannot. A disability does not mean that you shouldn’t be able to generate income or support yourself; however, it does mean that you may have to find other ways to do so. One of those ways is a business opportunity that is taking the internet by storm, private label resell rights.

Private label resell rights are offered on a number of different products. These products most commonly include, but should not be limited to, e-books, software programs, and content articles. If you are looking for a relatively easy way to generate income, you are encouraged to further examine private label resell rights for e-books. Depending on your disability, you may find that this is the business opportunity that you have been searching for.

To take part in this opportunity, you must first find an e-book author who is willing to sell you the rights to their work. This can easily be done by using the internet. Simply by performing a standard internet search, with the words private label e-book resell rights, you should be provided with links to various different offers. Each of these offers will vary; therefore, it is important to fully examine them. In addition to examining the cost of obtaining the e-book’s resell rights, you will also want to examine any restrictions imposed by the original offer. These restrictions are most commonly listed in a user agreement or a contract.

As previously mentioned, many of the e-book offers you will come across will vary. There are a number of authors who prefer that you leave their work as is and with their name as the author. In most cases it is only a request, but you must agree to follow these terms if they are outlined in a user agreement or contract. If you are able to find an offer that allows you to edit the e-book or claim it as your own, you should take it. These types of offers may allow you to make more money because you can alter the e-book to create numerous versions, all of which you can easily sell online.

One of the many reasons why obtaining the resell rights to an e-book is a good idea, especially for those with a disability, is because of the lack of travel. For many disabled workers, the hardest part of working is getting there, especially if extra accommodations need to be made. With selling e-books, which you have legally obtained through private label resell rights, you do not have to leave your home to work, unless you want to. Not only can you buy the resell rights to an e-book online, but you can also sell that book online.

In addition to travel accommodations, you may also find it easier to work at your own pace. Whether or not your disability limits your performance ability, you do not have to respond to orders from a superior. By making a living buying resell rights to an e-book and then selling that book to consumers, you will be working as your own boss. It is true that the more you work, the more money you will make, but, that does mean that you have to put in long hours. In fact, many e-book resell right buyers are more than happy only working part-time and you may also be.

Limited travel and limited work hours are just a few of the many reasons why selling e-books may be an amazing and potentially profitable business venture. Of course anyone can make money buying the resell rights to an e-book, but if you are disabled, you may be able to reap the most benefits. If this sounds like a business opportunity that you are interested in, you are encouraged to get researching. There are a large number of e-book resell offers currently available. To make the most money with this opportunity, you are urged to find an e-book that is not only well written, but one that is in high demand.

Popularity: 10% [?]

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In the United States, many individuals are making money through a process that is known as private label resell rights. Private label resell rights are a special type of business opportunity. It is an opportunity that has a lot of potential; however, to be successful, you must first know what you are doing.

Private label resell rights are available on a wide variety of different products. Despite the wide variety of different products, e-books and software programs are the most popular. With private label resell rights, the original product creator either does not have the time or the money needed to market and sell their product. Instead of selling their product to prospective customers, they sell the rights to someone who has knowledge and the time to sell their product. There is a good chance that you can be that person.

The first step in taking part in this opportunity is to find a product with available resell rights. As previously mentioned, this product is often an e-book or a software program. Before agreeing to purchase the resell rights to a private label product, you are advised to know what you are purchasing. Not only will you want to make sure that the product is a quality one, but you will also need to make sure that it is one that will sell. Since you will be purchasing the resell rights to this product, you will not want to waste your money on something that you cannot use.

As soon as you purchase the resell rights to a product you may be able to begin selling it; however, additional steps may need to be taken. For instance, private label resell rights often require you to change the product, which you just purchased the resell rights to. This change is often minimal, but it is sometimes required. The last thing that you may want to do is alter a perfect product, but in a way it may be able to help you. After this alteration, you may be able to claim the product as your own. This means that you could officially be the author of an e-book or a software developer.

Once the additional steps, if any are required, are taken, you can then begin to sell your product. Unfortunately, this is where many individuals go wrong. The only way that you will make money is if the product sells; therefore, you need to find and use an effective selling method. There are a number of different methods that you can use; however, you may find your own website to be the most beneficial. This website can not only be used to provide information on your product, but it can also be used to purchase it.

When it comes to developing a website, there are many individuals who are unfamiliar with web design. If you are one of those individuals, you will have a number of alternatives. One of those alternatives includes the assistance of a professional website developer or designer. For a fee, you should be able to have a professional design your website for you. If you are looking for a low-cost way to develop your own website, you are urged to choose a web hosting plan that includes a free site builder.

When building your website, you will want to add information on the product in which you are selling. If you are selling an e-book, you may not only want to give a description of your book, but a few samples. These samples, also often referred to as inserts, will allow your potential customers to determine whether or not your product is worth the buy. In addition to adding product descriptions, samples, and pictures, you will also want to add a shopping cart. This feature, provided by most web hosting companies, will allow you sell your product right off of your website.

For a small amount of money, you will have a way to not only sell your product, but market it as well. After you have created your website, you will find that customers make their way to you, thanks to search engines. In time, you should be able to sell your product and make a substantial profit.

Popularity: 7% [?]

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There are many individuals who are misinformed when it comes to making money online. Unfortunately, a large number of individuals believe that you have to be trained in a particular field or have special talents. The reality is that skills and training may increase your chances of finding a legitimate money making opportunity; however, they are not required. All you need to do is find an opportunity that requires little or no work and then you could be on your way to making money.

An opportunity that requires little or now work; if you are wondering how this is possible you are not alone. Most individuals are taught to beware of these business opportunities because most of them are scams. While you will find scams online, there real business opportunities out there that would not require you to put in long work hours. One of those business opportunities involves selling a product that isn’t even yours. You can do this by acquiring the private label resell rights for a particular product. These products are most commonly e-books, software programs, and content articles.

The first step in taking part in this amazing business opportunity is to find a private label product that currently has its resell rights available for sale. This can easily be done a number of different ways. Perhaps, the easiest way is to perform a standard internet search. If you are interested in purchasing the resell rights to an e-book, you will want to perform a standard internet search, using the words private label e-book resell rights. If you are looking to purchase content articles, software programs, or something else, you will need to replace the word e-book with what you are searching for. By performing this internet search, you should be provided with links to websites offering resell rights for sale.

An alternative to performing your own research is to seek recommendations from those that you know. If you know of anyone who has participated in this money making opportunity, you may want to ask them for advice. While product recommendations are good, it is still advised that you closely examine each product offer before making a final decision. If you do not know anyone who has participated in this type of opportunity, you can easily speak to those that you do not know. What is nice about the internet is that it allows you to connect with a wide variety of different people. These people may be able to offer advice or inside tips when it comes to obtaining the resell rights to a particular private label product.

Once you have found an individual who is offering their product for sale, via private label resell rights, you will need to consider their product. You will want to make sure that it is not only a quality product, but one that you will be able to sell. This is important because you will be buying the right to resell the product. Since you will be investing your own money into this business opportunity, you will need to make sure that you are successful. If you are absolutely sure that you have found a quality product that you can market and sell to the general public, you can go ahead and strike a deal with the product creator.

Although obtaining the resell rights to a product, such as an e-book, software program, or collection of content articles, will not require a large amount of work on your part, it is important to remember that you will have to do some work. To effectively sell the product which you acquired the rights to, you will need to market your product to the general public. Of course, unless otherwise stated in your resell rights agreement, you should be market the product in anyway that you see fit. In other words, this means that you should still be able to make money no matter how much or how little you want to work.

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Popularity: 4% [?]

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Each year, million of Americans think about working from home. Many of those individuals are either stay at home parents, retired, or disabled. Working from home allows many individuals, who otherwise would be unemployed, to generate an income. While the previously mentioned individuals most commonly work from home, you do not have to fall into one of those categories to be a home worker. If fact, if you just feel like working form home, you can.

One of the many reasons why working from home has increased in popularity is due to the limited number of expenses. When you think about it, the cost of working a traditional job can easily add up. You may not give it any thought, but, in a way, your gasoline, travel time, food away from home, and drinks away from home, can all be considered extra expenses. This is because if you were working from home, you wouldn’t necessarily have to pay them. That is why a large number of everyday individuals, just like you, are making the switch to business opportunities that allow them to work from home.

If you are interested in joining the growing number of individuals who work from home, you will need to find a work at home job or a work at home business opportunity. A work at home job is similar to most traditional jobs. With a work at home job, you will still be working for someone else, but you will be working from the comfort of your own home. A work at home businesses opportunity will not only allow you to work from home, but it will also allow you to be your own boss. If given the choice, many individuals would prefer to find a money making business opportunity versus a job. If this is the case, you are advised to start reviewing all of the opportunities that are out there.

In your search for a money making business opportunity, it is likely that you will come across an opportunity which offers you the private label resell rights to a particular product. Those products may include, but should not be limited to, e-books, mass collection of content articles, or software programs. Some of the best offers include ones that offer the resell rights for e-books. This is because the popularity of e-books is rapidly increasing. Instead of borrowing a book from the library or buying a new book, many individuals are reading books that come in the form of an e-book.

With this business opportunity, you will need to find an individual or company that is offering their e-book resell rights for sale. When searching for e-book resell rights, it is advised that you examine a number of different offers. You will find that these offers tend to vary from person to person. Once you found an e-book, that you feel will be easy to sell, you need to inquire about purchasing the private label resell rights. Depending on who you are doing business with, this cost may be high; however, it is important to keep in mind what you are getting.

Individuals that are placing their e-book resell rights on the market are mostly likely the original author of the e-book. This gives them the ability to place restrictions on the reselling that you are allowed to do. If these restrictions exist, they should be outlined before you agree to do business. Depending on what these restrictions are, they may have a positive or negative effect on your ability to sell the e-book. Common restrictions include advertising methods, the altering of materials, or author rights. In many cases, you are not only able to sell the e-book, but change a portion of it and then claim it as your own, but this is not always the case.

As you can see there are a number of important factors that must be examined when it comes to obtaining the resell rights to a well written e-book. If you are interested in this business opportunity, you are encouraged to familiarize yourself with it before making any final arrangements. After your examination, you may very well find that this opportunity will not only allow you to quit your job, but cut back on your weekly expenses.

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Popularity: 5% [?]

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Today is Christmas, at least for those of us in the US, and to celebrate the spirit of giving, I am giving you a free gift!

From time to time, I come across some really great products and when I get the chance, I try to pass them on and this is one of those times.

Everyone that sets up a web site or uploads files for a blog uses some form of an FTP Client. There are several good ones out there, but they cost money to purchase, after the free trial time, and have some decent overhead in running on your system. The free FTP clients normally are difficult to operate and won’t function half of the time.

Introducing GraiteSites ViralFTP v2.0. This is a free FTP client that allows you (when you purchase the brandable version) to insert your own ads and give away. You can use this free version, with no restrictions or time limits.

You can also get your own Brandable version and insert your own ads and even get Master Resell Rights along with Private Label Rights (that allows you to change the source code and re-compile as your own software) for only $7.00.

Download your own free copy today at http://www.nmpnetwork.com/viralftp/

Merry Christmas from The NMP Network!

Popularity: 3% [?]

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Spyware is one of the fastest-growing internet threats. According to the National Cyber Security Alliance, spyware infects more than 90% of all PCs today. These unobtrusive, malicious programs are designed to silently bypass firewalls and anti-virus software without the user’s knowledge. Once embedded in a computer, it can wreak havoc on the system’s performance while gathering your personal information. Fortunately, unlike viruses and worms, spyware programs do not usually self-replicate.

Where does it come from?

Typically, spyware originates in three ways. The first and most common way is when the user installs it. In this scenario, spyware is embedded, attached, or bundled with a freeware or shareware program without the user’s knowledge. The user downloads the program to their computer. Once downloaded, the spyware program goes to work collecting data for the spyware author’s personal use or to sell to a third-party. Beware of many P2P file-sharing programs. They are notorious for downloads that posses spyware programs.

The user of a downloadable program should pay extra attention to the accompanying licensing agreement. Often the software publisher will warn the user that a spyware program will be installed along with the requested program. Unfortunately, we do not always take the time to read the fine print. Some agreements may provide special “opt-out” boxes that the user can click to stop the spyware from being included in the download. Be sure to review the document before signing off on the download.

Another way that spyware can access your computer is by tricking you into manipulating the security features designed to prevent any unwanted installations. The Internet Explorer Web browser was designed not to allow websites to start any unwanted downloads. That is why the user has to initiate a download by clicking on a link. These links can prove deceptive. For example, a pop-up modeled after a standard Windows dialog box, may appear on your screen. The message may ask you if you would like to optimize your internet access. It provides yes or no answer buttons, but, no matter which button you push, a download containing the spyware program will commence. Newer versions of Internet Explorer are now making this spyware pathway a little more difficult.

Finally, some spyware applications infect a system by attacking security holes in the Web browser or other software. When the user navigates a webpage controlled by a spyware author, the page contains code designed to attack the browser, and force the installation of the spyware program.

What can spyware programs do?

Spyware programs can accomplish a multitude of malicious tasks. Some of their deeds are simply annoying for the user; others can become downright aggressive in nature.

Spyware can:
1. Monitor your keystrokes for reporting purposes.
2. Scan files located on your hard drive.
3. Snoop through applications on our desktop.
4. Install other spyware programs into your computer.
5. Read your cookies.
6. Steal credit card numbers, passwords, and other personal information.
7. Change the default settings on your home page web browser.
8. Mutate into a second generation of spyware thus making it more difficult to eradicate.
9. Cause your computer to run slower.
10. Deliver annoying pop up advertisements.
11. Add advertising links to web pages for which the author does not get paid. Instead, payment is directed to the spyware programmer that changed the original affiliate’s settings.
12. Provide the user with no uninstall option and places itself in unexpected or hidden places within your computer making it difficult to remove.

Spyware Examples
Here are a few examples of commonly seen spyware programs. Please note that while researchers will often give names to spyware programs, they may not match the names the spyware-writers use.

CoolWebSearch, a group of programs, that install through “holes” found in Internet Explorer. These programs direct traffic to advertisements on Web sites including coolwebsearch.com. This spyware nuisance displays pop-up ads, rewrites search engine results, and alters the computer host file to direct the Domain Name System (DNS) to lookup preselected sites.
Internet Optimizer (a/k/a DyFuCa), likes to redirect Internet Explorer error pages to advertisements. When the user follows the broken link or enters an erroneous URL, a page of advertisements pop up.
180 Solutions reports extensive information to advertisers about the Web sites which you visit. It also alters HTTP requests for affiliate advertisements linked from a Web site. Therefore the 180 Solutions Company makes an unearned profit off of the click through advertisements they’ve altered.
HuntBar (a/k/a WinTools) or Adware.Websearch, is distributed by Traffic Syndicate and is installed by ActiveX drive-by downloading at affiliate websites or by advertisements displayed by other spyware programs. It’s a prime example of how spyware can install more spyware. These programs will add toolbars to Internet Explorer, track Web browsing behavior, and display advertisements.

How can I prevent spyware?

There are a couple things you can do to prevent spyware from infecting your computer system. First, invest in a reliable commercial anti-spyware program. There are several currently on the market including stand alone software packages such as Lavasoft’s Ad-Aware or Windows Antispyware. Other options provide the anti-spyware software as part of an anti-virus package. This type of option is offered by companies such as Sophos, Symantec, and McAfee. Anti-spyware programs can combat spyware by providing real-time protection, scanning, and removal of any found spyware software. As with most programs, update your anti virus software frequently.

As discussed, the Internet Explorer (IE) is often a contributor to the spyware problem because spyware programs like to attach themselves to its functionality. Spyware enjoys penetrating the IE’s weaknesses. Because of this, many users have switched to non-IE browsers. However, if you prefer to stick with Internet Explorer, be sure to update the security patches regularly, and only download programs from reputable sources. This will help reduce your chances of a spyware infiltration.

And, when all else fails?

Finally, if your computer has been infected with a large number of spyware programs, the only solution you may have is backing up your data, and performing a complete reinstall of the operating system.

Popularity: 10% [?]

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Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the U.S. The U.S. Secret Service has estimated that consumers nationwide lose $745 million to identity theft each year. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, the average victim spends 607 hours and averages $1,000 just to clear their credit records.

Identity thieves employ a variety of methods to gain access to your personal information. They may get information from businesses or other institutions by stealing it; by bribing an employee who has access to records; hacking into records; or conning information out of employees. Once identity thieves have your personal information, they may use it to commit a fraud or theft in your name.

How can you tell if you have become a victim of identity theft? Some signs include unexplained charges or withdrawals from your financial accounts; bills or other mail stop arriving (the thief may have submitted a change of address); a credit application is denied for no apparent reason, or debt collectors begin calling about merchandise or services you didn’t buy.

Your computer can be a goldmine of personal information to an identity thief. To protect yourself and your computer against identity theft consider:

• Updating virus protection software frequently. Consider setting your virus protection software to update automatically. The Windows XP operating system also can be set to check for patches automatically and download them to your computer.
• Not opening files sent to you by strangers, clicking on hyperlinks, or downloading programs from people or companies you don’t know.
• Using a firewall program, especially if you use a high speed Internet connection like cable or DSL that leaves your computer connected to the Internet 24 hours a day.
• Providing your personal or financial information through an organization’s secured website only. While not fool proof, a lock icon on the browser’s status bar or a URL for a website that begins “https:” (the “s” stands for secure), may provide additional security.
• Not storing your financial information on your laptop, unless absolutely necessary.
• Deleting all the personal information stored on a computer before disposing of it. A wipe” utility program to overwrite the entire hard drive is recommended.
• Checking with an anti-fraud education organization such as CardCops (www.cardcops.com). Card Cops runs a web site designed to help consumers determine whether their credit card numbers may have been stolen. They monitor Internet “chat rooms” where identity thieves illicitly trade and sell stolen credit card numbers. CardCops turns the information over to law enforcement authorities, but also allows consumers to access their database to see whether individual card numbers may have been stolen. In the first two months of operation, the site identified more than 100,000 stolen credit cards.

As with any crime, you can not completely control whether you will become a victim, but you can take steps to minimize your risk by remaining diligent and by minimizing outside access to your personal information.

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Popularity: 13% [?]

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This week we will start another Podcasting 101 Series called “The Phases of Podcasting”. There are 6 phases that we will cover over the next several weeks that will take you from the very basics of podcasting to the more advanced levels, including video and screencasting.

So, let’s get started! This is Phase 1 – The Basics of Podcasting. In this phase of training, we will discuss podcasting from it’s very base form, pre-recorded and hosted. When podcasting first began in the early 2000′s, it was primarily used as a means for small radio stations to send out portions of their programming to listeners. In this way, if a listener was out of range for a station, they could still enjoy some of the programming that station offered.

The term Podcast has always offered several explanations for how it came to be. Originally, the term was said to have come from the words iPod and Broadcast, however, some trademark issues said otherwise. On February 5, 2005, Shae Spencer Management LLC of Fairport, New York filed a trademark application to register the word PODCAST for an ‘online prerecorded radio program over the internet’. On September 9, 2005, the United States Patent and Trademark Office rejected the application. The rejection notice cited Wikipedia’s podcast entry as describing the history of the term.

As of September 19, 2005, known trademarks that capitalize on podcast include: Podcast Realty, GuidePod, PodGizmo, Pod-Casting, MyPod, Podvertiser, Podango, ePodcast, PodCabin, Podcaster, PodShop, PodKitchen, Podgram, GodPod and Podcast.

As of February 2007, there have been 24 attempts to register trademarks containing the word “PODCAST” in United States, but only “PODCAST READY” from Podcast Ready, Inc. was approved.

On September 26, 2006, it was reported that Apple Computer started to crack down on businesses using the acronym ‘POD,’ standing for “Portable on Demand,” in product and company names. Apple sent a cease-and-desist order that week to Podcast Ready, which markets an application known as myPodder. Lawyers for Apple contended allegedly that the term “pod” has been used by the public to refer to Apple’s music player so extensively that it falls under Apple’s trademark cover. It was speculated that such activity was part of a bigger campaign for Apple to expand the scope of its existing iPod trademark, which included trademarking “IPODCAST,” “IPOD,” and “POD.” On November 16, 2006, Apple Trademark Department returned a letter claiming Apple does not object to third party usage of “podcast” to refer to podcasting services and that Apple does not license the term(s).

This slightly changed the term Podcast from iPod Broadcast to Personal On Demand Broadcast.

The first podcasts were pre-recorded and then sent to a podcast host or direct to the listener or subscriber. There were a variety of means used to pre-record the podcast, including tape recorders, and of course, editing was a long, not very easy, method that had to be completed before the actual podcast could go out. Most times, an unedited podcast would go out, if the podcaster felt it was quality enough to be heard as it was recorded, or there wasn’t enough time to do proper editing.

The term podcaster was given to anyone who would produce a podcast. This term still goes on today for anyone who produces a podcast, whether pre-recorded or live.

The first podcasts produced were done on an “as time permitted” basis. Many podcasters simply didn’t have enough time to produce more than one or maybe two podcasts a month because of editing requirements of the time. Today, with the use of PC’s and editing software, podcasts can be produced on a daily, weekly or even monthly basis and editing only takes minutes, compared to the hours spent of days gone by.

Let’s look at pre-recording a podcast. To pre-record a podcast, you will need some basic equipment including a PC with a soundcard, a microphone, a set of headphones or speakers, some basic audio software and of course, the basic knowledge of how these all plugin and work together.

I’m not going to go into a lot of details in this section, as most PC’s setup the same way on their soundcards. Generically speaking, your PC soundcard will have, at the very least, a mic input and a speaker output port. These ports will be identified by either graphics indicating what they are or actual verbage. Locate the proper ports for you microphone and headphones (or speakers) and plug these items in. Don’t worry about testing just yet, we will get to that after the software is installed.

Speaking of software, I recommend a free audio editing software package called Audacity that will allow you to not only record your podcasts, but will give you the capability of editing and adding effects to your podcasts too. You can download a copy of this free software from http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/.

Now, I’m going to assume you already know how to download and install software, so I won’t go into any details about doing that here. If you need help with that, please let me know, and I will be happy to assist you in that area. Go ahead and download and install the Audacity software. Once installed, it will use defaults of setting to your PC’s soundcard for the mic and speakers. You can verify these settings by clicking on EDIT and then PREFERENCES.

Once you have the Audacity up and running, you will find a red dot button at the top on toolbar. This is your record button. Have your mic in front of you and then click on the record button. You will see a line progressing across the screen and as you speak into the mic, you should see a waveform appear and silences will appear as a flat line. Record a few seconds of voice, make sure you see the waveform and then click on the Stop button (looks like a yellow square) and then click the Play button (looks like a green triangle on it’s side, just like your VCR) and you should hear your voice playing back. If everything is hooked up correctly and operational, you should now have the means of recording a podcast. If no sound is heard, you need to make sure you have everything plugged into the proper ports. This should be the first place to begin troubleshooting audio issues like this.

When recording a podcast, you may want to script it out so that you have some material to read from or at least refer to while recording. This will help cut down on your editing time after the fact. To begin, shut down Audacity and restart it again to begin a fresh session. When you are ready, click the record button and record your podcast. When finished, click the Stop button and play it back to listen to your recording. Make notes for yourself of where editing needs to be done and listen to the podcast clear though. This will help you to get used to the sound of your voice on the recording and help you to become, “your own worst critic”.

Ok, that wraps it up for this week. We will continue next week with more of The Basics of Podcasting. Like I said in an earlier post, some of these phases will take multiple weeks to complete.

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