Podcast Workshop

1. Podcast Workshop June 8th AM

2. Agenda – Part 1 - Infrastructure • 1st hour • Wordpress blog software • Wiki • Podcasts • Videoblogs • RSS reader / aggregator

3. Agenda – Part 2 - Tools for Podcasting and video blogging • 2nd hour • Studio microphone • Video camera • Podcast Autocue • Audacity Sound Recorder • Windows Movie Maker • Vlog-It • WSFTP Client • Videora iPod converter

4. Agenda – Part 3 – Go Do It !!! • 3rd hour • Create a 5 minute podcast on a subject of your choice and put it on ProjectDisaster.Com • Create a 5 minute powerpoint with video talking head, wipe / fades and put it on ProjectDisaster.com

5. Part 1 Infrastructure

6. Wordpress Blog Site • WordPress is a web publishing system (a.k.a. content management system) written in PHP and founded on a MySQL database. WordPress is used to manage frequently-updated Web content, especially Weblogs. It is distributed under the GNU General Public License and is available free of charge. • PHP (Personal Home Page) Tools is a server-side, cross-platform, HTML embedded scripting language that lets you create dynamic web pages. PHP-enabled web pages are treated just like regular HTML pages and you can create and edit them the same way you normally create regular HTML pages. Connecting these pages to a database or user input via forms on a web page makes them able to serve to the end user dynamic content. • MySQL (pronounced "my ess cue el") is an open source relational database management system (RDBMS) that uses Structured Query Language (SQL), the most popular language for adding, accessing, and processing data in a database. Because it is open source, anyone can download MySQL and tailor it to their needs in accordance with the general public license. MySQL is noted mainly for its speed, reliability, and flexibility.

7. Site structure • ProjectDisaster.com files started out under the Errata site – where they remain in • /www/errata/blog • Under the directory BLOG on a web server • wp-admin – all the PHP admin files • wp-content – all the themes, plugins, database backup, etc. • wp-includes – Additional function libraries and support files, images, etc. • Media files for podcasts, etc are in • /www/errata/blog/media • Powerpoints and word documents are in • /www/errata/blog/media • At some time we may need to move these under /www/projectdisaster

8. Anatomy of a Wordpress site • Blog Site Parts • Posts • Pages • Archives • Links • RSS Feeds

9. RSS Feeds • RSS is a family of web feed formats, specified in Extensible Markup Language (XML) and used for Web syndication. RSS is used by (among other things) news websites, weblogs and podcasting. The abbreviation is variously used to refer to the following standards: • Really Simple Syndication (RSS 2.0) • Rich Site Summary (RSS 0.91, RSS 1.0) • RDF Site Summary (RSS 0.9 and 1.0)

10. RSS Feeds • Web feeds are widely used by the weblog community to share the latest entries' headlines or their full text, and even attach multimedia files. • Since mid-2000, use of RSS has spread to many of the major news organizations, including Reuters, CNN, PR Newswire, Business Wire, and the BBC. These providers allow other websites to incorporate their "syndicated" headline or headline-and-short-summary feeds under various usage agreements. • RSS is now used for many purposes, including marketing, bug-reports, or any other activity involving periodic updates or publications. Many corporations are turning to RSS for delivery of their news, replacing email and fax distribution.

11. Administration • Admin dashboard • Latest Activity Sidebar • Wordpresss News • Admin Menu

12. Admin Menu Creating and editing a page Managing Links Presentation Plug-ins Users Options Email Podpress (Plugin) Administration

13. Administration - Posting and editing • A blog entry typically consists of the following: • Title - main title, or headline, of the post. • Body - main content of the post. • Permalink - the URL of the full, individual article. • Post Date - date and time the post was published. • A blog entry optionally includes the following: • Comments - comments added by readers • Categories (or tags) - subjects that the entry discusses • Trackback and or pingback - links to other sites that refer to the entry

14. Trackbacks & Pingbacks • TrackBack is a mechanism for communication between blogs: if a blogger writes a new entry commenting on, or referring to, an entry found at another blog, and both blogging tools support the TrackBack protocol, then the commenting blogger can notify the other blog with a "TrackBack ping"; the receiving blog will typically display summaries of, and links to, all the commenting entries below the original entry. This allows for conversations spanning several blogs that readers can easily follow. • Pingback is a method for Web authors to request notification when somebody links to one of their documents. This enables authors to keep track of who is linking to, or referring to their articles. Some weblog software, like WordPress, supports automatic pingbacks where all the links in a published article can be pinged when the article is published.

15. Adding a media file to a post

16. Notes about media files • Multiple media file types can be added to a post to help satisfy all users computer capabilities • *.flv files open in a window in the blog post and play with a click • *.mp3 files are music files that play on an MP3 player • *.mov or *.mp4 are Ipod video compatible files • *.avi and *.wmv files are windows media files that play in Windows media player • In order for an IPOD with I-Tunes to see the audio / video file, the IPOD capable audio or movie file needs to have the RSS checkbox selected so that it gets “Included” in the RSS feed. • You can change the order of the files attached to a post - use the “MOVE UP” button in the Podcasting media files dialog under the post.

17. Themes & Plugins • Themes • Using themes and the theme system you can make WordPress look however you want. A few of the more generous members of the community have decided to create themes for anyone to use. • To browse available themes, http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/ • Plugins • Plugins are tools to extend the functionality of WordPress. The core of WordPress is designed to be lean, to maximize flexibility and minimize code bloat. Plugins offer custom functions and features so that each user can tailor their site to their specific needs. • To browse available plugins, http://codex.wordpress.org/Plugins

18. Users

19. User roles

20. Who blogs? • The term "weblog" was coined by Jorn Barger in December 1997. • The site Xanga, launched in 1996, had only 100 diaries by 1997, and over 50,000,000 as of December 2005 • Blogging Software: • Open Diary launched in October 1998. Open Diary innovated the reader comment. • LiveJournal in March 1999. • Blogger.com Launched in August 1999 (purchased by Google in February 2003) • Wordpress – Downloaded 100’s of thousand times – 213,000 users

21. Wiki • A collection of hypertext web pages, each of them can be visited and edited by anyone. Essentially users can add and edit content collectively – making the Wiki site a truly collaborative content on a series of web pages. • “Wiki wiki” means "rapidly" in the Hawaiian language.

22. Project Disaster Wiki

23. Wiki sandbox • Just like the sandbox when we were kids – its where you go to play • Use the sandbox to practice with text formatting • The sandbox can be erased at any time

24. Why a wiki? • Wiki’s aim to make it easier to author documents, even if doing so limits the types of documents being authored. • Wiki doesn't make any attempt to do everything that can be done in HTML - What Wiki does try to do is make it easy to link Wiki to other "non-wiki" web documents, to embed Wiki pages inside of complex web pages, and to allow other web documents to easily link to Wiki. • Although this wasn't at all the original intent of Wiki, it became quickly obvious that WikiWikiWeb principles could be used to make it easier for groups to collaboratively design and maintain a public web site presence. • Easy to install • A compressed zip file size of just around 200K – quick and easy download • Wiki stores all data in flat files, so there is no need for MySQL or other utilities. • Upgrading is usually a simple matter of copying the latest version's files over the files of your existing Wiki installation.

25. Editing a Wiki page • Text Formatting Rules - Documentation Index • Tables: Simple? - Advanced? • Paragraphs: seperated by empty line; • -> to indent text, -< hanging text • Line break: \\ or [[<<]] • Lists: * for bullet lists, # for numbered lists, • :term:definition for definition lists • Emphasis: ''italics'', '''bold''', '''''bold italics''''', • @@typewriter@@ (monospaced) • Links: [[another page]], [[another page | link text]], • [[http://www.example.com]], [[#anchor]] • Groups: [[Group/Page]] displays Page, • [[Group.Page]] displays Group.Page, • [[Group(.Page)]] displays Group • Separators: !, !!, !!! for headings, ---- for horizontal line, ==== for double hor. line • Change size: [+...+] is bigger, [-...-] is smaller, • '^superscript^', '_subscript_' • Prevent formatting: [=...=]

26. Podcasts • Podcasting, a portmanteau of Apple's "iPod" and "broadcasting", is a method of publishing files to the Internet. It first became popular in late 2004, used largely for audio files. • Podcasting is the method of distributing multimedia files, such as audio programs or music videos, over the Internet using either the RSS or Atom syndication formats, for playback on mobile devices and personal computers. • The term podcast, like 'radio', can mean both the content and the method of delivery. • The host or author of a podcast is often called a podcaster. • Podcasters' web sites may also offer direct download or streaming of their files.

27. Who podcasts? • Neither podcasting nor listening to podcasts requires an iPod or other portable player, and no over-the-air broadcasting is required. In fact, some believe that more people listen to podcasts on personal computers more often than on portable devices • While the name was primarily associated with audio subscriptions in 2004, the RSS enclosure syndication technique had been used with video files since 2001, before portable video players were widely available.

28. Video Blog (Vlog) • A vlog or video blog is a blog (short for weblog) which uses video as the primary content; the video is linked to within a videoblog post and usually accompanied by supporting text, image, and additional metadata to provide context. • With development of RSS enclosures, which provide the ability to attach media files to a feed item/blog post, it is possible distribute media to the masses via the Internet. • As of 2006, videoblogging is rising in popularity, especially since the release of the new Apple Video iPod and the availability of iTunes Store's video content. • Problems? current inability of search engines to create rich metadata or "search engine" data from the stream. • For Vlogs to be fully embraced as part of web culture, some indexing solution will need to emerge.

29. Who Vblogs • In early 2000s, various experiments with "video blogging", never take off. • In 2004, Steve Garfield announces 2004 is the year of the videoblog. There are still only a handful of regular videobloggers. • During the second half of 2004, big media discovers videoblogging, with articles in the NYT and a few others. • January 2005 - VloggerCon, the first videoblogger conference, is held in New York City. • May 2005 - vlogdir.com, the videoblog directory launches. • October 2005 - Apple announces the 5G iPod will play video, and that iTunes Store will serve video content. • February 2006 - Rocketboom(rocketboom.com), popular vlog earns $40,000 in eBay auction, promising five 15-second ad spots to ATM maker TRM.

30. Who Vblogs?

31. News Aggregator / RSS reader • An aggregator or news aggregator is a type of software that retrieves syndicated Web content that is supplied in the form of a web feed (RSS, Atom and other XML formats), and that are published by weblogs, podcasts, vlogs, and mainstream mass media websites. • An aggregator is able to subscribe to a feed, check for new content at user-determined intervals, and retrieve the content. The content is sometimes described as being "pulled" to the subscriber, as opposed to "pushed" with email or IM.

32. FeedReader RSS aggregator • Simple user interface • One click access for different view modes • Group by headlines, source, date, tag, etc. • Smart feeds (learns when feeds are updated and triggers update only when needed). • Enclosures and podcasting support

33. Feed Reader

34. Part 2 Tools for Podcasting and video blogging

35. Condenser Microphone • An acoustic to electric transducer that converts sound into an electrical signal • Capacitor / Condenser microphone • The diaphragm acts as one plate of a capacitor, and the vibrations produce changes in the distance between the plates. • Since the plates have a fixed charge, the voltage maintained across the capacitor plates changes with the vibrations in the air • expensive and require a power supply, commonly provided from mic inputs as phantom power, but give a high-quality sound signal

36. Electret microphone • Used in many applications, from high-quality recording and lavaliere use to built-in microphones in small sound recording devices and telephones • Require no polarizing voltage, but normally contain an integrated preamplifier which does require power • This preamp is frequently phantom powered • While few electret microphones rival the best DC-polarized units in terms of noise level, this is not due to any inherent limitation of the electret. Rather, mass production techniques needed to produce electrets cheaply don't lend themselves to the precision needed to produce the highest quality microphones.

37. Dynamic microphones • Use a small movable induction coil, positioned in the magnetic field of a permanent magnet which is attached to the diaphragm. • When sound enters the sound wave vibrations move the diaphragm. When the diaphragm vibrates, the coil moves in the magnetic field, producing a varying current in the coil through electromagnetic induction. • The principle is exactly the same as in a loudspeaker, only reversed. • Dynamic microphones are robust, relatively inexpensive, and resistant to moisture, and for this reason they are widely used on-stage by singers. They tend to have a poor low-frequency response, which is advantageous for reducing handling noise as a vocal mic, but tends to exclude them from other uses. • Don’t require phantom power

38. Directionality & Frequency Response • A microphone's directionality or polar pattern indicates how sensitive it is to sounds arriving at different angles about its central axis. • The most common unidirectional mike is a cardioid microphone, so named because the sensitivity pattern is heart-shaped • A frequency response diagram plots the microphone sensitivity in decibels over a range of frequencies

39. Care and Placement of the Microphone • “close miking”, a directional microphone is placed relatively close to an instrument or sound-source. This serves to eliminate extraneous noise — including room reverberation. • Avoid dropping or jarring – even blowing into or tapping to “test” can cause damage to the mic capsule • Use a windscreen if outdoors or to decrease the wind blowing / pop from a close voice

40. Recording Tips The cardioid pattern always indicates the front of the microphone • Record in a “dead” room – if you clap and hear an echo consider adding carpets or blankets to absorb sound. • Position roughly 6-8 inches away • Too close – enhanced base and popping P’s, B’s, D’s and T’s • Too far away – more room and ambient sound like being in a tin-can • Consider wind screen or pop-filter 2-3 inches away • Adjust volume controls in the Windows Control Panel for optimum sound vs. noise.

41. Phantom Power • DC power from a 48 volt signal (can range from 9V-52V) supplied to condenser microphones by a dedicated pre-amplifier or mixer which enables the mic to operate • An XLR cable (3 pin connector) • Phantom power will not work with a cable that has a 3 pin at one end and a ¼” phone plug at the other • Some microphones are self-powered and thus provide their own power – not needing Phantom Power

42. Web Cam / Video Cam • A web camera (or webcam) is a real-time camera whose images can be accessed using the World Wide Web, instant messaging, or a PC video calling application. • Webcams typically include a lens, an image sensor, and some support electronics • Consumer webcams usually offer a resolution in the VGA region, at a rate of around 25 frames per second (320x200 to 640X480) • Makes it ideal for posting pictures and video to the web

43. Installing the Web Cam • Place the driver disk in the computer and install driver software • Plug in the web cam and let drivers install • Go to My Computer and you should see it as a device next to the hard drive and CD • From here on, you should be able to get access to the camera hardware through other programs such as your web cam software or Video Blogging software.

44. Web Cam Don’ts • The Seven Deadly Camcorder Sins • Headhunting--placing every subject in the center of your frame. • Motorzooming--overuse of on-screen zooms. • Rooting--staying in one spot instead of looking for interesting angles. • Firehosing--panning all over the scene. • Upstanding--shooting everything from standing eye-level. • Snapshooting--taping only two or three seconds per shot. • Backlighting--too much light falling on the background instead of on the subject.

45. Twelve Helpful Tips for Shooting Great Video • Use manual focus if your camcorder has it. • Set white balance at every location. • When shooting outdoors, keep the sun behind you. • Plan your shoot. • Use a tripod or other image stabilization device. • For handheld stability, imagine that your camcorder is a very full cup of hot coffee. • Use the zoom to compose your shot. Avoid zooming while the tape is rolling. • Move the camcorder only when necessary. • Shoot to edit. • Keep your average shot length between 5 and 10 seconds. • Keep the shot steady (no zoom or pan) for at least 10 seconds • While shooting, be as inconspicuous as possible to best capture the true behavior of your subject

46. Podcast Autocue • The Basic Function of Podcast Autocue software is to provide a smooth scrolling text to the reader, who can feed the required text, set an appropriate speed and other settings, and then start the Autocue, so that it can keep scrolling the text without any more interaction from the user.

47. Podcast Autocue

48. Pasting Text into Podcast Autocue • Podcast Autocue doesn’t seem to have a PASTE function for the text box – use CRTL-V to paste text you have in your clipboard from another application

49. Audacity Sound Recorder

50. Setting up Audacity to export MP3 files • Install Lame MP3 Encoder – Edit audacity preferences to use LAME Library • Click on FIND LIBRARY and find it in the directory you installed the LAME MP3 encoder