A podcast is pre-recorded content in a media file (.mp3) that is made available on a website through a link to the file. It can also be distributed by subscription using syndication feeds (RSS), for playback on mobile devices and personal computers.
The term "podcast" is derived from Apple's portable music player, the iPod. A pod refers to a container of some sort and the idea of broadcasting to a container or pod correctly describes the process of podcasting.
You do not need an iPod or MP3 player to listen to a podcast. In your web browser simply click on the mp3 file link and when asked, open with your default MP3 player (wmplayer.exe if running Windows) or right click on the podcast link in your web browser and click "Save Link As...". Save the podcast (.mp3) file where you wish then double-click on it to listen.
Send questions, comments and/or suggestions to Ken Farmer (kfarmer at OpenVMS.org)