BlogTalkRadio has a wonderful service called Cinch that makes it super easy to create voicemail messages that flow out to an RSS feed. Your phone must support Caller ID. Then you call a special number, record a message, and it adds it to a feed identified by your phone number.
For example, I had an old phone whose number is 858-342-9663. I called the Cinch number, 646-200-0000, and recorded a short message. Hung up. Then it appeared in this feed. That's all there is to it. I wrote it up on 2/18/08.
The BlogTalkRadio Tool monitors your feed and when a new podcast appears, it posts it to Twitter, FriendFeed or Identi.ca, depending on how you have it configured.
2. Choose Update opml.root from the File menu. (Note this is especially important for this tool because there was a bug fix in opml.root for this release.)
2. Choose Tool Catalog from the Misc menu.
3. Click on the Install link in the rightmost column for BlogTalkRadio.
4. OK to confirmation dialog.
A Prefs page opens, which should be self-explanatory.
How to use it
You can use this tool without leaving the OPML Editor running at all times, but it's easier if you do, esp if you have a spare computer.
When you want to make a podcast, call the special number, 646-200-0000, and record it. Hang up. In a few seconds it appears in your feed. At the top of the minute the tool checks the feed, finds the new podcast and posts it.
I always practice what I'm going to say once before calling if it's a short message, otherwise I just wing it and hope for the best. People on Twitter are pretty forgiving, if they aren't just block em! :-)
