I've had a similar issue, not in finding podcatchers-- there are a few, but in finding a good one, that is not a behind the scenes resource hog/backdoor into your computer.

Back in Windows I used an older version of ziepod, which was just perfect for subscribing to, downloading AND listening while downloading podcatcher. Just fantastic. Newer version, not so much. But older .89 version (I believe)just fantastic.

Unfortunately since moving to Ubuntu over a year ago, while I've found great linux alternatives to almost every thing I could do windows, one of the two exceptions is a great podcatcher.

My needs are relatively simple, I'd like something that:

1/ grabs podcasts,

2/ is stable and reliable,

3/ not a resource hog(usually related to behind the scenes bittorrenting and phoning home)and

4/ does not use or rely on bittorrent, but rather just uses HTTP to provide you your podcasts.

Unfortunately none of the numerous podcatchers I've tried, gpodder, hpodder, exhaile, icepodder, miro, listen, kitty, penguintv, rhythmbox, have been able to meet those 4 simple requirements. I run a firewall so I can always tell when programs are generating traffic, phoning home, or generally downloading when I'm not explicitly telling it to.


Anyone if anyone has a recommendation, for a simple, not bit-torrent integrated podcatcher. Please post it. Thanks!

My podcast catcher comes in the form of my audio player, Amarok. It's absolutely brilliant. To add a podcast to Amarok:

In the Playlist section, right click Podcasts, and click Add Podcast. It accepts ATOM or RSS feeds.

It will now show you the latest casts from your chosen podcast. It will let you download them, play them live, link existing files to them (so you can see what you have already), etc. The possibilities are endless!

Cheers
Dan

Have a look at BashPodder: http://www.lincgeek.org/bashpodder/

It operates in the background, and as the name implies, it is a shell script. You can see and modify what it does.

Thanks Dan and Peng,

I'll give Amarok another spin. I did try it a while back, but remember having some resource issues with it, and believe it depends on torrenting in the background as well.

I'll give it another test drive.

I'll also try out bashpodder. Also something called Aqualung is now supposed to provide podcast support, so will build that and give it a try.

Thanks