Get the Software
If you're interested in podcasting, the first step you need to take is to get the software you need to listen to a podcast, create a podcast, and, finally, broadcast a podcast.
To listen to a podcast, all you need is Apple's iTunes 4.9. Although you can use other software such as iPodder, iPodSync, and ReplayRadio 6, for the sake of this article let's stick with iTunes.
Creating a podcast requires more technology. For starters, I advise you to use a Macintosh running OS X 10.3 or later if you want to take advantage of all of the features in an enhanced podcast that uses chapters. The only tools available for creating iTunes' podcasts with chapters all run on the Mac. (You can create podcasts with Windows software, but you won't be able to add chapters to them.) Start by downloading Apple's newly released podcast chapter tool.
You'll need QuickTime 6.5.2 or later and iPod Updater 3.2, as well as software that allows you to record and edit music files. I use Audacity, a cross-platform tool that saves files in WAV and MP3 format.
The final piece you need for your podcast is a web server from which you can broadcast your show.