Question:
So what are y'alls recommendations for podcasting a conference without breaking the bank?
All I need is mono sound, and reasonable quality - not broadcast - quality - to pass on to people who can't attend this particular - conference due to biz travel and other conflicting plans. This isn't - for a podcast studio. Just mobile events that are voice only without - music.

Answer:

I'm wondering what a good but frugal set-up (e.g. total - cost of recorder / mic under $500) for podcasting a - professional conference from either at the lectern or - in the audience?

Don't bother recording "in the audience" unless it is only for your own amusement. It is not suitable for podcasting or any other kind of distribution.

Or should I suck it up, empty the bank account, buck the - desire to go non-pro, and go for a Marantz? This is for a - non-profit event, and it's my dime. I don't know any place - in my area that will rent me a Marantz or pro mics.

The Marantz is gross overkill for your budget. Your project cannot be done in any kind of decent production value with only one (or even two) microphones. You may be in over your head if you can't even locate a pro-audio rental vendor in your area.

- 1) Podcasting people giving presentations (one room has - a 1/8" out at the podium, the other room doesn't even a PA - system)

The only practical way to do this on your budget is with a clip-on mic on the presenter and an MD recorder in their pocket or clipped on their belt.

- 2) Podcasting panel discussions, e.g. 4 people sit at a table - and field audience questions. Minimum of one desk-stand microphone between each two panelists, plus at least one additional directional mic to pick up audience questions.

Plan on repeating the questions for your podcast because you will never get decent pickup on your budget.  Note that multiple microphones imply use of a mixer to feed the recorder.

- A Marantz would be terrific, but don't those start at USD - ~$600, not including a good quality mic? Not clear whether you are just looking for an excuse to buy a Marantz, or whether you actually want to do a passable job of recording the conference events?  These do not seem compatible with each other on your stated budget.

- What about using a higher-end PDA and/or PDA with a - high-end audio card in it, or a higher-end MP3 player? Without having appropriate microphones in the right places you will have nothing worth recording on any kind of device.  Given your aspirations and budget, I'd spend 80% of the budget on microphones and use a MD or even cassette recorder.

- All I need is mono sound, and reasonable quality - not - broadcast quality - to pass on to people who can't attend - this particular conference due to biz travel and other - conflicting plans. This isn't for a podcast studio. Just mobile - events that are voice only without music. MD recorder (s) or even audio cassette recorder(s). But unless you can get mics in the right places, don't bother.

- iRivers seem absurdly expensive for < 1GB models, but maybe you get - what you pay for. And if I could buy two of them to get redundancy, or - to use in different areas of the same meeting space, maybe that's a - better choice than a Marantz. Overkill for your project on your budget.