If you can believe it, I read this for work. I am newly in charge of my program’s podcast and a co-worker kindly gave me a big ‘ole stack of “how-to-podcast” books, including this one.

Just as the FCC does not regulate podcasts, there is no managerial body regulating whether or not I can write a review for what is really just a user-friendly instruction manual, with some jokes thrown in for good measure. So I figured why not - here’s my brutally honest review of Podcasting for Dummies (the 2nd edition) - it’s okay.

Published in 2008, there are parts that are a bit outdated. Choices like the inclusion of long-form URLs are questionable, but I won’t fault someone for citing a source. Do keep these stylistic choices in mind if that ain’t your jam.

Given this was written a decade ago, it was hilarious to read how the authors were dumbfounded by the “new” tech of iTunes. Also funny are moments when they recommend utilizing social media by posting to sites that internet archaeologists would refer to as ancient virtual landscapes like “digg” and something called “MySpace.”

That said, because it was written prior to the emergence of massively popular podcasting platforms like SoundCloud that do technical work for you, they do provide good information on writing your own RSS feed.

Really, this volume is more effective as a history of podcasts than as an effective and relevant how-to manual. That said, I came to this book knowing nothing about podcasts, and now I am not the least bit intimidated by them, so there is that.

The book ain’t bad, but I’m sure there are more up-to-date volumes out there.