Audio and podcasts: FAQ
This page addresses some questions you may have about using the audio files and podcasts on onestopenglish.
- Can I play audio files online?
- How do I download the audio files to my computer?
- What is a podcast?
- How do I 'subscribe' to a podcast series on onestopenglish?
- How do I receive podcasts using iTunes?
- When I play an audio file online it cuts off before the end. Why?
Anchor Point:1Can I play audio files online?
You can listen to the audio files online by left-clicking on the links. The audio should then play automatically in whichever media player you use, e.g. Real Player, Windows Media Player, etc.
If you're having problems playing the files online, please try adjusting the settings in your browser. Select 'Tools' on the top navigation bar; then go to 'Internet Options' and click on the 'Advanced' tab. Scroll down the options to the security settings and make sure that the box for 'Allow active content to run in files on My Computer' is checked.
Anchor Point:2How do I download the audio files to my computer?
Windows users: To save the audio files to your PC, simply right-click on the file and choose the 'Save target as' option. Select the folder that you would like to save the file in and then click 'Save'.
Mac users: To save the audio files to your Mac, hold down the Control (Ctrl) key, click on the file and select either ‘Open Link in New Window’ or ‘Open Link in New Tab’. Then go to the new window or tab and select ‘File / Save page as’. You can then choose a location on your Mac to save the MP3 file. This procedure applies to Mac OS 10.
Once downloaded, you can listen to the files on a media player on your computer or transfer them to a portable MP3 player.
Anchor Point:3What is a podcast?
A podcast is a digital media file or series of files distributed over the Internet using RSS syndication feeds which can be played on a media player. RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. This is an XML file which can be read by special software (a feed reader or aggregator) or certain web browsers designed to enable you ‘pull’ in content or ‘feeds’ from your favourite sites on the Internet.
Anchor Point:4How do I 'subscribe' to a podcast series on onestopenglish?
Step 1: Downloading the podcast software
Before you subscribe to a podcast series, you will need to download some computer software which will allow you to receive podcasts. This software is sometimes known as 'podcatching' software and is usually available to download free of charge. Examples include feed readers/aggregators or a browser with an RSS application.
Some popular options:
You can find out more about podcasting, including a list of other podcast software clients, on podcastingnews.com.
Step 2: Subscribing to a feed
Clicking on the orange ‘Subscribe to this podcast’ link will take you to an XML file for that particular feed. The page you see will look like this:
You need to copy the address (URL) of this page and paste it into your podcatching software or browser application. How you do this will depend on the software or application that you are using.
You will now be set up to receive podcasts from onestopenglish!
Once you have logged in to the Staff Room, your podcast software will automatically download any new files that have been added.
Anchor Point:5How do I receive podcasts using iTunes?
iTunes will not display the Staff Room login screen when you click on a podcast which is for Staff Room members only. If you are using iTunes, we recommend that you download the audio files to your computer by right-clicking on the files instead.
When I play an audio file online it cuts off before the end. Why?
If you are having problems playing a complete audio file online - by left-clicking on it and playing it in your default media player - we suggest that you download the file to your computer and then play it. To download audio files, simply right-click on the link, then click Save Target As... and select a destination folder for the file.
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