In order to share content on the web, it must first be uploaded to a web host server. FTP (file transfer protocol) is the standard method for the direct exchange of files with these web servers. FTP refers to the software that is on both ends (the client and server). It is the protocol which allows users to upload, access, retrieve, and delete files.

In the case of podcasting, a user must have web host server space to upload and store audio files. Content contained on the server can then be accessed by a listener by means of an RSS feed pointing to the file on the server and downloaded to the desktop by means of an aggregator.

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