Jascha Dub has announced UndergroundMedia.org, a site that he hopes will help individuals create an underground alternative to mainstream media.

“Most people I see doing podcasting now do the talk, computer, hobby/interests type of subjects. . .which is fine,” states Dub. “But I see the possibilities growing to enable people to go into more journalistic areas. Just as bloggers have grown into a power to be reckoned with in the media (Gannongate for example). So podcasting and video blogging will be the next logcal evolutionary step.”

Dub is a developer and writer that has worked with several media-related sites in the past, including Downhill Battle and IndyMedia.

Dub plans to cover reporting and editing using primarily open source or free tools. “I had not seen a site focused on helping people to use these new(er) technologies to expand their own power in terms of media coverage.”

Topics and projects at the site include:
* Wireless radio/podcasting for community access
* Peer-to peer content distribution
* Mixing both live streaming with podcasting

Dub adds, “We are not focused on any political/social leanings (right, left-wing, progressive, etc) - only focused on educating people on leveraging technology to create news and media instead of the old model of in-taking it from those who could afford to be the media.”

UndergroundMedia.org

Apple has updated its iPod photo lineup by introducing a new 30GB model, holding up to 7,500 songs, for just $349 and a new 60GB model, holding up to 15,000 songs, for $449.

Both iPod photo models feature a high-resolution color screen for displaying photos and enhancing the entire iPod music experience. Both models hold up to 25,000 digital photos and will feature the ability to import photos from your digital camera via the new iPod Camera Connector for instant viewing and slide show playback on iPod photo.

“The new slim 30GB iPod photo at just $349 lets music lovers enjoy their iPod in full color, including album artwork along with their personal photo library,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “And now you can import photos from your digital camera directly into iPod photo with the optional iPod Camera Connector.”

The new iPod Camera Connector is an optional accessory that enables customers to connect their digital camera to iPod photo and import their photos into the iPod. By simply connecting the iPod Camera Connector and a digital camera*, customers can easily transfer digital images to their iPod photo, providing tremendous storage space so they can take more pictures. Imported photos are immediately viewable on iPod photo’s crisp color screen, and can also be brought back to iPhoto on the Mac or various photo applications on the PC. The iPod Camera Connector is expected to be available in late March for $29.

Pricing & Availability The 30GB and 60GB models of iPod photo for Mac or Windows are available worldwide immediately for a suggested retail price of $349 (US) and $449 (US) respectively, through the Apple Store, Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. iPod photo includes earbud headphones, a USB 2.0 cable, a USB power adapter and a CD with iTunes 4.7.1 for Mac and Windows computers.

Optional accessories with the following suggested retail prices include the iPod Dock for $39 (US), in-ear headphones for $39 (US), the iPod Camera Connector for $29 (US) and FireWire cable for $19 (US). Laser engraving is available for iPod for free from the Apple Store (www.apple.com) and can include two lines of text with up to 27 characters per line.

iPod photo requires a Mac with a USB 2.0 port or FireWire, Mac OS X version 10.2.8 or 10.3.4 or later and iPhoto 4.0.3 or later; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 or FireWire port or USB 2.0 or FireWire card and Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4 or later, or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later, and Adobe Photoshop Album 2.0 or Elements 3.0 or later.

CyberJournalist.net reports that podcasting has doubled the number of online listeners WNYC’s On the Media reaches, in just four weeks.

On the Media, WNYC’s nationally-broadcast NPR media analysis show, now has a podcast audience that rivals the number of individuals that listen to the program in a mid-sized media market like St. Louis or Kansas City.

WNYC announced today that it will begin podcasting its first local program. Beginning Monday, March 7, select interviews from The Leonard Lopate Show will be made available as podcasts.

“Podcasting is a remarkable boon for local radio broadcasts,” said Phil Redo, VP of Station Operations and Strategy, in a statement. “This easy-to-access, easy-to-use technology allows local programming to transcend the limitations of both traditional radio and online streaming, by allowing users to plug into great programming from far-flung places, anytime, anywhere.”

CyberJournalist

FeedForAll has introduced an online tool for generating custom RSS feed buttons.

The icon generator creates buttons in the most popular format:

The free tool lets you quickly create buttons by selecting the text and the color scheme. Once the colors and text are entered, a custom graphic is instantly created.

The recordist has a collection of free sounds that can be used with podcasts.

The MP3 stereo versions are high quality 44.1 compressed.

Sound effects categories include Aviation, Crashes and Destruction, Doors and Structures, The Elements and Autos and Vehicles.