Podcast Producer

Description: Podcast Producer is a feature of Mac OS X Server

What it can be used for: It uses the server space to upload podcasts. Podcasts can be audio, video or file podcasts. Once the podcast is made using Podcast Capture, it is automatically transferred to Podcast Producer where it automatically encodes the format into MPEG-4. The podcast then can be published to a series of places, including blogs, iTunes and iTunes U.

What you need: Mac OS X Server and a mac with Mac OS X Leopard.

Ease of use: Easy to use like any apple device.

Why it is important: Allowing schools to use server space to host podcasts instead of each individual paying for Mobile Me will encourage teachers and students to create podcasts. The server is also used as a central place where all of the school podcasts are stored, making it easier to manage them.

Personal opinion: If you're a school owning a Xserve, then I highly recommend to enable this feature. But if you're an individual and you're thinking about buying a 360,000 yen server just for podcasts, forget it. Instead, use other pay sites or for the best ease-ability, use Mobile Me instead.