Below are instructions for listening to AINC's shows in Podcast format using Accessible Podcatcher and iTunes:

Accessible Podcatcher
   1. First, you will need to download and install a podcast aggregator. AINC strongly recommends Accessible Podcatcher 1.4 (follow link to download install file). Unlike most aggregators, Accessible Podcatcher is able to subscribe to password-protected podcasts. It also plays well with text synthesizers like WindowEyes.
   2. Now Run Accessible Podcatcher (it will be in a program group called "WebbIE 2"). Add the AINC Podcast Accessible Podcatcher's list of available podcasts...
         1. Click the "Podcasts" menu, or key in ALT-C.
         2. Click "Add Podcast" or key in the letter A.
         3. Type in or copy/paste the name of the Podcast:AINC Podcast

            Hit ENTER.
         4. Type in or copy/paste the web address of the Podcast: http://216.241.41.68/podcast.rss

            Hit GET PODCAST.

You will have to login

Now you have the AINC Podcast bookmarked in Accessible Podcatcher. To listen, simply choose AINC from your list of bookmarked podcasts and hit ENTER to list all the shows available. (You will be prompted for your Username and Password.) To listen to a show, choose it from the list and hit ENTER. Or, you can use the Export command under the File menu to download the shows to your computer for transfer to your iPod or other portable MP3 player.

iTunes

Every day, more and more blind people are turning to iTunes. Not just because of the iPhone or various iPods, but because of the way it handles podcasts. Not only will it accept podcasts with usernames and passwords, but it also updates automatically. This gives users with i devices the ability to always take the latest podcasts from the Audio Information Network with them wherever they go.

The following outlines how to set up iTunes to receive AINC podcasts. This describes the process of iTunes using windows. The iTunes installation process will not be described here. For that please visit

<a href=”http://www.apple.com/iTunes/”>The iTunes Website</a>

The reason that the iTunes Installation is not outlined here is because the installation is quite involved. This document just assumes that iTunes is already installed and running. With that, let’s get started.

1. Find the iTunes icon on the windows desktop and press enter.
2. When iTunes opens, you will be placed in a treeview which is also the left pane of the iTunes window. At this point, we don’t need it.
3. Press alt plus the letter A. This means holding down the alt key, and pressing the letter A together with it, then releasing the alt key. This brings you into the advanced menu.
4. Arrow down to the option that says “Subscribe to Podcast” then press enter.
5. A dialog box will pop up asking for the URL of the podcast. Type the following then press enter.
   http://216.241.41.68/podcast.rss
6. Once this is done, you will be asked for your username and password. In this case, your user name and password is a set of two numbers known as IOD, or (information on demand numbers).  These should have been supplied to you when you registered for the listening and Information on Demand services.
   The first box asks for your user name. Then you tab to the password box, and enter in your password.
7. Tab to the checkbox that says something like “remember my user and password?” Make sure it’s checked.
8. Click the OK button, and you should be ready to go.

By default, iTunes will download the first unplayed podcast starting with the most recent one at the top. It also checks once a day by default. Options for changing that will not be outlined in this document. See iTunes help.

Here is how to navigate through podcasts.

1. Open the iTunes window from your desktop if it isn’t open already. Once this is done, a treeview will pop up, and your screen reader will say the word “music”
2. Navigate using the down arrow until you hear the word “podcasts. Your screen reader should give a number after that. For instance, Podcasts, 21 unplayed. This means that you have 21 podcasts that haven’t been played yet.
3. Press the F6 key, and you will be placed in a treeview of items in the podcast itself.
4. If you simply want to play the selected show, and not put it on a mobile device, just navigate using the up and down arrows until you find the episode you want to hear.
   Note that iTunes only downloads the most recent unplayed episode by default when you first subscribe, so pressing enter on that one will cause it to play right away, provided it’s all downloaded.
   However, all older episodes need to be downloaded manually before listening. To do this, just press enter on the episode in question. iTunes will let you know if an episode is not downloaded or simply unplayed by giving a notification.
   For instance, it will say something like “Undownloaded” Denver Post Monday April 11. This means just that. The episode for Monday has not been downloaded yet.  Just press enter if you want to download.
   If an episode is downloaded, but hasn’t been played, it will say “Unplayed”, Denver Post for Monday April 11. Pressing enter on an unplayed episode causes it to be played right away, because it’s already downloaded.
5. If you want to download multiple episodes at once, just press enter on each episode you come to using up and down arrows.  iTunes will notify you when each episode is done downloading by a small music ding sound.

Note: each time iTunes updates this particular podcast, it will ask for your user name and password. Just tab to the ok button and press enter and everything will be good. Unfortunately, I have not discovered a way around this.  I’m guessing it’s for security reasons.  However if anyone finds a way, I’m all ears.

I hope this helps. – Joe Goode