All the science you ever wanted - in a pod.

Byline: mark chillingworth

Podcasting is one of the fastest growing mediums of information provision and, like the internet, has a broad appeal, with amateurs and professionals alike adopting it. Nature and New Scientist have always been eager to experiment with new ways of delivering scientific content, so it's no surprise to find both provide podcasting services.

Cynics may suggest that podcasting is not a serious medium for delivering and receiving information, but the take-up rate by users and the fact that every major publisher and news organisation -- from the Daily Telegraph to the BBC -- is experimenting with the format, suggests there is a big future for the podcast.

Information professionals should consider guiding users towards podcasts for three reasons:

l For users who are always in a rush, podcasts are an excellent way of acquiring the latest information while travelling.

l Podcasts can also act as a powerful medium for those who do not enjoy reading or prefer information to be presented in audio or visual formats.

l Like radio, podcasts allow users to multi-task, listening in at the same time as carrying out other duties.