Digital Rochester's monthly networking event featured a breakout session on podcasting led by Mike Saffran, associate director of university news services at Rochester Institute of Technology.

The event: Tribeca in the High Falls district was the space chosen for this month's DR networking social, free to invitees tempted with fresh veggies and dip, deviled eggs, stuffed mushroom caps and local beer from High Falls Brewing.

More than 20 people occupied the low-lit and positively red "Cherry Lounge," fairly dizzying for its rotating mirror balls, to participate in a discussion on a widely misread element of new media, the podcast.

"The biggest challenge is education of the older generation," Saffran said. "For example, you don't need an iPod" to listen to or produce podcasts.

He has been producing podcasts for RIT for two years. The podcasts are free digital audio files that can be either streamed or downloaded onto a computer or other digital storage device such as an iPod.

Fairport resident Juli Klie, vice president and co-founder of Digital Rochester, told how these special interest discussion groups are being offered at networking events for people trying to stay current with technology.

"General networking is helpful to make business connections, and we are seeing that there is enough interest to hold participant-driven discussion groups," she said.

The crowd: About 100 affiliates of Digital Rochester, a network of technologically astute individuals interested in enhancing the area's standing as a technology center.

Greg Taylor of Irondequoit, a recruiter with Excelsior Search Partners specializing in information technology, is interested in meeting "difference-making talent. I'll ask people, 'Who do you know in the room that makes a difference where they work?'"

Rochester resident Jon Vallone said the level of communication with Digital Rochester has "impressed me through their Web site, and turnaround time with e-mails has been great. They take pride in what they do."

Indeed, DR's leaders say they take pride in local technological talent and expect to grow as more businesses get involved in the field.

— Jeremiah Curtin