I've been on this podcast wagon for a while. It started with listening to dotnetrocks every week, then as more and more people started publishing audio content, I started to rely on radio (and even music) less and less for my commute time ear candy.

As I posted before, I'm also starting to get into the mac. Since I'm still pretty macdumb, I've been hunting for podcasts that might help me learn osx, and other things mac. I first have to say thanks to Adam who runs the fantastic maccast. This has quickly become my favorite mac podcast, if not my favorite podcast.

I have noticed a number of mac related podcasts publishing only AAC files, though. I realize AAC is a pretty dominant format, but please remember, it's proprietary. So in effect, you are immediately cutting your listeners to those that support AAC. I may own a mac, but I don't have an ipod, and I hardly use itunes. I do, however, have an mp3 player, and time in the car to listen to your content.

Maybe these podcasts feel that AAC is just way superior over mp3, and losing those listeners is worth the extra features and quality. Of course there is no quality difference, and the only show I know that comes out with a bookmarked podcast is the maccast, which offers it as a secondary feed, so I'm thinking those aren't the reasons. Maybe you just want less listeners. Doubtful.

So I plead to podcasts, please don't pigeonhole users by supporting only a proprietary format. If you want to publish AAC, more power to you, but don't forget about those who haven't latched onto that proprietary format. Some of us still have older mp3 players (or just non-ipods), or don't love itunes.