How do you get started with podcasting? What works? What doesn't? That's the subject of today's podcast. As promised in the audio, here's a list of my software and equipment: (a) IBM Thinkpad X31 running Sony Soundforge 8.0a; (b) Samson Audio CO3 Multi-pattern Condenser Microphone; (c) M-Audio MobilePre USB 2-Channel breakout box; (d) Samson MDR624 Mixer. (plus cords) Here's a picture of a podcasting station (wine glass optional). Here's a screenshot of Sony Soundforge in operation. Here are the Apple extensions to RSS 2.0 to get data into the iTunes Store, and here's an application to help you write the Apple data to RSS. If you have iTunes, here's a direct link to my podcast in the iTunes directory (which includes a button to subscribe). (iPro Radio No. 40 / 15 Minutes) Header Music: "So You Want To Be A Rock-and-Roll Star" by Black Oak Arkansas.

Robert Scoble has two nice posts (one / two) on a user's view of formats, specs, code and protocols. I'm with him. It's also (sort of) the subject of today's podcast in which I'll talk a little about Apple's extensions of RSS 2.0 for the iTunes store. I don't particularly care that Apple has its own set of RSS codes for iTunes. What bothers me is that Apple provided no application that would allow users to write their RSS data in the iTunes preferred format. And Apple didn't give the developers of blogging tools a peak of what was coming so their tools could support the Apple extensions.

Is Neustar a renegade? What should we make of the newly announced .GPRS TLD that will be operated in a private root zone outside of the ICANN root? All this and more on today's Internet Pro Radio. (iPro Radio No. 39 / 10 Minutes) Header Music: "Turn Your Radio On" by Grandpa Jones.

Civil Society is calling for political oversight of ICANN. Does it make sense? Should ICANN have a "host country agreement" with the United States? All this and more on today's podcast. (iPro Radio No. 38 / 10 Minutes) Header Music: "Hanging Upside Down" by David Byrne.

When the World Summit on the Information Society talks about creating a "new forum" what are they talking about?  What is this new forum?  What will it do?   What power will it have? (iPro Radio No. 37 / 10 Minutes)  Header Music: "Trouble Waiting to Happen" by Warren Zevon. 

I've returned from my conference in Atlanta. Catching up on WSIS. Gender issues on the Internet. Do we need a new forum for Internet legal issues? (iPro Radio No. 36 / 10 Minutes) Header Music: Kitty Wells, "Will Your Lawyer Talk to God For You?"

Ambassador David Gross, U.S. Department of State: "The United Nations will not be in charge of the Internet. Period."

The comment came in response to a question at the September 12, 2005 meeting of the Congressional Internet Caucus on the subject of WSIS and Internet Governance. Here is a recording of the question and answer: twelvewords.mp3. 55 seconds. You should download this and listen. Yes, I mean you.

If you're subscribed to the GNSO's RSS 2.0 feed, you've already received it, but the MP3 of today's Council meeting is now online (mp3 here / just over two hours). The primary subject was new gTLDs (agenda here), and the Council requested an issues report from ICANN staff on the creation of new TLDs as a prelude to the initiation of a policy development process. What this means is that we're on track to launch another round of new gTLDs before the MOU expires in September, 2006. We're off!

If you're not subscribed, here's the link to the RSS: MP3 of GNSO Council Meetings.

How to: In iTunes 5.0 and above (for both Windows and Mac), go to the "Advanced" menu and select "Subscribe to Podcast." Paste this URL into the text box:

You'll be subscribed to all future GNSO MP3 recordings and today's will begin downloading. Once it finishes downloading, you can transfer it to your iPod or just listen to it on your computer.

A very short introduction from me, followed by a recording of yesterday's opening statement of "civil society" at the WSIS proceedings in Geneva. Adam Peake, William Drake, Milton Mueller, and Jeanette Hoffman. (20 Minutes.) Header Music: "A Little Bit Is Better Than Nada," 4 Aces. The rest of the WSIS proceedings (yawn) are linked from these pages. 

A few thoughts on the meaning of WSIS and why I'm podcasting again. The answer to one of those questions is 'because I can.' 10 Minutes. Header Music: "Theme from The Sopranos."

A few thoughts on how we built an Internet with .CAT, .COOP, and .AERO...and why it's the right approach to a taxonomy of the name space. (10 Minutes) Header music: David Bowie, Theme from 'Cat People'.

Notes: Link to article on new TLDs I mentioned in the podcast.

Here are a couple of thoughts on ICANN's announcement that it had approved a new TLD: .CAT. And deferred a final vote on another one, .XXX. Music: "From Small Things, Big Things Come," by Dave Edmonds.