Podcasts of special events, major press conferences and guest lecture series at the University of Delaware are becoming increasingly popular, and the selection is growing, according to Paul Rickards, manager of Information Technologies-University Media Services.

Podcasting, the distribution of video or audio files over the Internet for listening on mobile devices and personal computers, makes it possible for content to be delivered automatically to a personal computer. After the content has been delivered, it can be transferred to a portable device, such as an iPod.

“UD podcasts began in late December of 2005, and since then we have increased the number of hits at a steady pace,” Rickards said. “Users seem to like the convenience of having content that was once scattered in many different places delivered automatically.”

Popular recent videos include the 10-year anniversary of the Trabant University Center and an April press conference introducing Monté Ross, the new men’s basketball head coach. Two of UD’s Global Agenda lectures, including one by John Bolton, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, also are available as podcasts.

All recordings are made with advance permission from both the speakers and sponsors of the events.

UD podcasts can be downloaded by subscribing to the feed using iTunes software, which is available as a free download at [www.apple.com/itunes]. Users can subscribe to the same content in the iTunes podcast online directory under University of Delaware. Alternatively, users can download the podcasts by visiting the web site [www.ums.udel.edu/podcast], and those without iPods can listen to the audio-only version on any MP3 player.