Dear Lula,

I'm almost embarrassed to be writing you with this problem, but you're here to help the chronically kaput, right? I'm kaput when it comes to technology. Maybe I have a magnetic thumb or something, but whenever I load a new piece of software, work on ProTools, do nearly anything having to do with tech, I screw up, really screw up.

As an independent producer in this "Era of Podcasting," it seems even more essential that I be savvy...well, but I'm inept. Is there some handy guide to podcasting that begins at the beginning? I mean lower than most of Transom? I'm too humiliated to (under my Real Name) ask the folks on the AIRPAG all the time, because I need help all the time. Where and to whom can I turn in my endless hours of need? Or should I go back to my Otari and razor blades and really cute Olivetti typewriter?

Love,
Ima Klutz

Dear Ima Olivetti,

I'm no expert, either, so I've consulted my panel of secret Whiz-Bangers and here's what we've come up with.

First thing, stop thinking and start listening. Get yourself an iPod, plug into the latest iTunes. There's a simple, searchable podcast directory where you'll cherry-pick casts and get a feel for what's everybody yakking about. Two of my personal favs at the moment are Madge Weinstein's "Yeast Radio" and ABC Australia's "Night Air."

Quick clicks:

> You'll find the best deal on a 20-gig iPod at http://www.pricegrabber.com/(~$225)
> Download iTunes: http://apple.com/itunes

Set aside half a Saturday to get yourself in business. Start working the menus. I found the most time-consuming and frustrating bump in the road to be updating my iPod with what I'd sucked into iTunes from virtual space--takes practice.

It won't take too much trolling around the directory of podcasts for the light bulbs to start flashing.

When you're ready to put your work into pod-space, check out AIRDaily from September 12th. Barrett Golding maps out good steps.

Some will accuse me of enabling, but if you have trouble along the way setting up, send me an e-mail. I'll interface with smart AIR people so you don't have to reveal just how dumb you really are.

Everyone's jumping the bandwagon, and there's a lot of peer pressure to get on board. Don't go there. This technology is new, exciting, and it's not running away without you.

Coupl'a pointers for anybody that's thicker in:

• Make sure new program releases include language like "any media existing or developed in the future" or "any current or future medium" to cover your rights for podcasting and future offspring.

• The rules governing fair use of ancillary content when you're producing a podcast are different than radio's and depend on the genre you're drawing from. When you excerpt from an archive, a news event, lecture, or use music from a CD, each carries different restrictions. A lot's in flux. You need to think about risk in a different way.

Gotta run!

Love,
Lula

Don't be shy. Lula's waiting for you at lula@airmedia.org.

Note: All correspondence is strictly confidential. Lula sends no personal replies. If you don't provide a nom de plume, Lula will make one up for you.