Podcast Subscribing and Playing Instructions via Firefox

If you are familiar with Podcasting and simply need the feed, here it is:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/HighcallingBlog
To download a printable PDF version of these directions, click here.

You may be asking yourself, "Why use Firefox instead of Internet Explorer? Go to http://www.firefox.com and they'll give you a number of reason. But it really boils down to security, ease of use and features .. in short it is a better browser. Firefox (also known as Mozilla Firefox) has a long history as the basis Mozilla browser and as the core technology behind Netscape Navigator. Navigator is a good browser as well, but it has been builtup to include built-in email and much more making it more than most people need. Firefox is small, efficient and quick.

Better security means that all the security wholes that Microsoft struggles to plug up in Internet Explorer (most that are put there purposely so that Microsoft and other agencies can keep an eye on you and make sure you are using valid software .. and that hackers exploit for their own ends) are non existant. Ease of use and features meaning that most innovations in browsers are made by Firefox and others long before IE adopts them .. like Tabbed browsing and RSS reading (to read feeds and Podcasts which we'll be needing).

Firefox is also cross-platform meaning that there is a version available for Windows, Mac OS and Linux. For our purposes, you will need to running Firefox on Windows 2000, XP or Vista, on Mac OS X or a recent release of Linux in order to run the latest version of Firefox (2.0.0.2 as of this writing) which includes the features we need.

You should also be aware that Mozilla also offers an e-mail program called Thunderbird which is quite good as an alternative to Outlook Express.

These directions are for Windos and Mac OS as the program is virtually identical on both platforms.

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Step #1. Check to see if you have Firefox instatlled
a.	If you are not sure that you already have installed Firefox, then it is likely not installed as Firefox does not normally come installed on PC or Mac when purchased new .. But here is how to check.
b.	In Windows, if Firefox is installed, it will listed in your Applications. Go to Start, All Programs and see if Mozialla Firefox is listed.
c.	In Mac OS X, if Firefox is installed it will be listed in your Applications folder. Go to a Finder window and select Applications to see if Firefox is there.
d.	Firefox is very good about keeping itself up-to-date asking you if you'd like to do the update when new versions come out. To make sure you are update, go to the Help Menu and select Check for Updates ....
e.	If it is there, you can go to Step #3. .. otherwise go on to Step #2.

Step #2. Downloading Firefox
a.	Using what ever internet browers you currently have (ie. Internet Explorer 6, Safari, etc.), go to http://www.firefox.com. It will take you to the download page for Firefox that is suitable for your OS. The page will look something like:
	Click on the Download Firefox - Free button:
b.	Unlike Microsoft with IE7, Firefox will not take you through a Validation process and analyse you system to make sure you are running a valid and legitamate copy of Windows 2000, XP or Vista. Depending on the browser you are using, tt may ask you if you like to Open or Run the program or if you'd like to Save it. If you have the opportunity to Open or Run it then do so. If the only choice is to save the file then save it to your desktop so you can find it easily.
c.	If you selected Open or Run, then when the program is done downloading, it should start the Firefox Installation program. Follow the prompts until Firefox is completely installed. If the file was Saved to your desktop, then find a file that starts with the name Firefox Setup. Find that file and double-click it to start the installation.
d.	When the Firefox installer program is done, Firefox should now be completely installed. You can verify as noted in Step #1.

Step #3. Subscribing to the Highcalling Podcast in Firefox
a.	Launch Firefox if it not already up and go to http://highcalling.randomize.com/podcast.html. The page should look something like this:
b.	Now click on the Highcalling Podcast Feed link or button in the left hand column. A new window or tab will open with content that looks something like the following:
c.
d.	We are specifically interested in the icon that looks like this: It is glowing orange indicating the presence of RSS feed information on this page .. if you leave your mouse over it, the Subscribe to this page ... box will appear next to it. Click on this icon () and the page will change to look like the following:
e.	You will notice that the new content has opened up into a new Tab. Tabs is a way to have many screens open without getting clutted by many windows. You can select a Tab to see the content in that tab. In the upper left corner, you will notice the following info on yellow: Here is where we are going to subscribe to the podcast feed. You can leave these options as they are and select the Subscribe Now button. After selecting Subscribe Now, this window will open. Select the OK button.
e.	The Bookmarks Tool bar has now been changed to include Highcalling Blog.
	Congratulations! You have Subscribed to the Highcalling Podcast using Firefox!

Step #4. Playing the Highcalling Podcast Firefox
a.	Launch Firefox if it is not already running.
b.	Move your mouse to the Highcalling Blog button on the Bookmarks Toolbar. When you click on it, you will see an updated list of all the Highcalling Blog / Podcast editions as seen below:
c.	Select the entry / edition you are interested in or open them all by using the Open All in Tabs. Opening an entry will show you something like this:
d.	If we look closely at one entry:
	This entry includes info about the Podcast edition as well as some other relevant info about the Podcast edition's topic. To play the actual Podcast audio, select the blue coloured text in the line that looks like A new window or tab will open with your defaut media plaryer (may be Windows Media Player, may be QuickTime Play, Real Player or other .. depending on which player is set as your default for MP3 files) and will open and play the file. Be aware that it may take some time for the file to download fully before playing.
	Congratulations! You have subscribed to the Highcalling Podcast and listing in!
e.	We really hope you enjoy the Highcalling Podcast. We really do need your feedback back to make the Podcast and and instructions the very best they can be. Please fill in and submit our Feedback Survey.