iTunes and the Learning Hub

I used to have a problem that some of you might be familiar with. I felt like I didn't have enough time to learn or get new information. Time management can be tough when you want to fit everything in. Enter iTunes.

Most people think that iTunes (Apples digital music application) only good if you have an iPod. Nothing can be further from the truth. Even if you don't have an iPod, iTunes is a information hub. With the launch of iTunes (version 5), Apple began "podcasting". What is a podcast? Think of it as a recorded radio or TV show that you can view where and when ever you want as long as you have your computer. The quality of the audio can range widely, but in most instances it's pretty good. The selection is amazing and there are literally thousands to pick from. If you can't find one you like, I'd be shocked.

When I started podcasting with iTunes, the first thing I noticed where radio shows that I liked but usually didn't get to hear the entire show. Some of them where as much as 4 hours long. Well guess how long those same radio shows are on iTunes podcast? Approximately 2 hours. Wow. That's great. If I listened to an entire show I was actually listening to about 2 hours of commercials! No wonder my head was hurting.

Speaking of commercial, you should know that podcasts are free. iTunes is also free (in case you didn't know). Talk about "Win-Win". It's a grand-slam. But there's also more and this part isn't free, but you can get a really great discount and service.

Prior to iTunes, iPods and the lot, I was using a service called Audible.com. I get one book per month for ten dollars. This is actually a super deal since when I would go to a book store and pick up an audio book, I could pay as much as 50.00 for an audio book. Audible.com has a relationship with iTunes and the system works flawlessly.

As a suggestion, *don't* buy your audio books from iTunes. You'll pay full freight there. Though the book are from Audible.com you won't get the discount that way.

The Aubible.com library is massive, containing not only books, but magazines such as Fast Company, The Wallstreet Journal and more. Like I said it's about getting quality information more quickly. Depending on what you choose to listen to or watch (iTunes supports video podcasts) you can help yourself out a lot professionally and personally.

// Jaye Morris