Podcasting and Blogging with GarageBand and iWeb [Paperback]

Robin Williams (Author), John Tollett (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 032149217X | ISBN-13: 978-0321492173 | Publication Date: September 2, 2006 | Edition: 1

If you've got something to say and want to join the podcasting revolution but don't know how to start, this short and approachable guide from bestselling authors Robin Williams and John Tollett will teach you how to create and distribute podcasts using Apple's easy-to-use audio and Web site tools. Using the Garageband and iWeb tools from Apple's iLife 06 suite of tools, Robin and John show you how to create professional sounding and looking podcasts, including how to add chapter markers, artwork, sound effects, jingles, and musical accompaniment to your podcasts.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robin Williams is the author of dozens of best-selling and award-winning books about the Macintosh, including the groundbreaking The Little Mac Book and Robin Williams Mac OS X Book. She is an icon in the Mac community. Through her writing, teaching, and seminars, Robin has educated and influenced an entire generation of computer users in the areas of design, typography, desktop publishing, the Mac, and the Web. John Tollett's graphics background includes working as a designer, art director, and illustrator at advertising agencies and as a freelancer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Peachpit Press; 1 edition (September 2, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 032149217X
• ISBN-13: 978-0321492173
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,318,218 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but more like podcasting with a touch of blogging..., October 11, 2006

By 

Manny Hernandez "@askmanny" (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Podcasting and Blogging with GarageBand and iWeb (Paperback)

This book should be titled differently as the emphasis it has is on podcasting using Apple GarageBand, rather than on blogging using iWeb. Still, this does not result surprising or dissapointing, because the level of depth and quality of the illustrations and instructions provided make it impossible for the reader to miss a beat, leading to great results when using GarageBand to create podcasts. Also, it makes sense to a certain degree, because iWeb is most definitely not the most popular (or recommendable) tool for blogging, even if you are working on a Mac.

In general, it's a good book if you are looking for a reference on podcast production. Otherwise, if you are looking to blog with your Mac, for the best book on the topic out there, consult "Dispatches from Blogistan".

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Podcasting and Blogging: Get up to speed in less than 30 minutes!, December 31, 2006

By 

D. Greenbaum "DoctorDave™" (Lawrence, KS) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Podcasting and Blogging with GarageBand and iWeb (Paperback)

Robin Williams is truly the queen of user instruction. She takes the hard concepts and makes them accessible to novices. She's no relation to the actor Robin Williams of course, who has played a queen in the past!

"Podcasting and Blogging with GarageBand and iWeb" is a perfect guide for someone curious about blogging and podcasting. The book requires the reader to have a .Mac account and own iLife 06. Without these two essential components, the book is of almost no use. If you are able to type an email, then you'll be able to blog and podcast after reading this short book.

Unlike a lot of technical books that explain a dizzying array of options, Robin makes the tasks easy and straightforward using the tools most every Mac comes with. This is not a reference guide that gives you tips and tricks. You'll find nothing in this book about using Blogger or Wordpress nor will there be advice on which type of mic to use for a podcast. She uses strictly iLife '06 and .Mac. This is a step by step how to guide for someone who has never used a Mac or blogged before can be up and going within less than an hour.

Typical of Robin William's books, she assumes no prior knowledge of anything but Macintosh basics such as moving the cursor and opening applications. Each step contains a screen shot of exactly what to expect with outstanding layout and flow. Some readers will complain that she doesn't give the reader enough options as to how to create their podcast or blog. However, the goal of the book is to get the reader to create a blog or podcast as quickly and easily as possible. Once the reader feels they want more, then at that point they should buy an intermediate book. If someone has already created a podcast or blog before, then they probably don't need this book.

Overall, a great book for people curious about trying to create their own podcast and/or blog using software that comes with most newer Macs

Pros: Extremely easy to understand, requires no prior knowledge
Cons: Tied to iLife '06 and .Mac, offers few tips if you aren't using those told

5.0 out of 5 stars Podcasting and Blogging, November 15, 2010

By 

R. S. Russell "Bob R" (N. Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Podcasting and Blogging with GarageBand and iWeb (Paperback)

It's by Robin Williams, so if you're a designer of any sort, you should read it along with all of her other books!