Podcast Workshop

							Podcast Workshop


   June 8th AM
Agenda – Part 1 - Infrastructure

   1st hour
       Wordpress blog software
       Wiki
       Podcasts
       Videoblogs
       RSS reader / aggregator
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
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
Part 1


    Infrastructure
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.
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
Anatomy of a Wordpress site

   Blog Site Parts
       Posts
       Pages
       Archives
       Links
       RSS Feeds
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)
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.
Administration

   Admin
    dashboard
       Latest Activity
        Sidebar
       Wordpresss
        News
       Admin Menu
Administration
   Admin Menu
       Creating and editing a      Users
        page                        Options
       Managing Links              Email
       Presentation                Podpress (Plugin)
       Plug-ins
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
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.
Adding a media file to a post
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.
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
Users
User roles
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
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.
Project Disaster Wiki
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
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.
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: [=...=]
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.
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.
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.
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.
Who Vblogs?
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.
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
Feed Reader
Part 2


    Tools for Podcasting and video blogging
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
Web Cam Don’ts
    The Seven Deadly Camcorder Sins

1.   Headhunting--placing every subject in the center of your frame.
2.   Motorzooming--overuse of on-screen zooms.
3.   Rooting--staying in one spot instead of looking for interesting
     angles.
4.   Firehosing--panning all over the scene.
5.   Upstanding--shooting everything from standing eye-level.
6.   Snapshooting--taping only two or three seconds per shot.
7.   Backlighting--too much light falling on the background instead of
     on the subject.
Twelve Helpful Tips for Shooting
Great Video
1.    Use manual focus if your camcorder has it.
2.    Set white balance at every location.
3.    When shooting outdoors, keep the sun behind you.
4.    Plan your shoot.
5.    Use a tripod or other image stabilization device.
6.    For handheld stability, imagine that your camcorder is a very full cup of
      hot coffee.
7.    Use the zoom to compose your shot. Avoid zooming while the tape is
      rolling.
8.    Move the camcorder only when necessary.
9.    Shoot to edit.
10.   Keep your average shot length between 5 and 10 seconds.
11.   Keep the shot steady (no zoom or pan) for at least 10 seconds
12.   While shooting, be as inconspicuous as possible to best capture the
      true behavior of your subject
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.
Podcast Autocue
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
Audacity Sound Recorder
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
Controls
Audacity – practice editing a track

   Record a track, edit the mistakes, export as mp3
Upload to the blog using FILE /
UPLODE
Windows Movie Maker
Add your video content

1.        Add video from webcam or
          camcorder
2.        Drag and drop content into
          the timeline
     1.     Both video and audio can
            go on the timeline – I.E.
            background music
Add transition effects between scenes
Save the project to a video file

   You may need to still
    convert the file format
    for use on a blog, ipod,
    email, etc.
   File will be saved as a
    WMV file
Converting a movie

   Vlog-IT – WMV to FLV, SWF, RM
       Use to convert from Windows Movie Maker to an FLV file
        that plays in a window on the blog
   Media Converter from WMV, AVI, WMF, MPEG,
    MOV to AVI, WMV, ASF
       Use to convert from a camcorder (WMF or AVI) to another
        format (WMV) for editing
   Videora converts from AVI, MOV, WMV, MPEG to
    IPOD MP4 and H264 format
       Use this to convert from WMV to the MP4 for downloading
        via an RSS or iTunes to an iPod device
Vlog-IT
Creating a Vblog with VLogIT

1.   Create a Project – Use
     the Wizard or create a
     blank project
2.   Enter your script in the
     Teleprompter Window
3.   Reherse your script
     and set scroll speeds
4.   Select and add media
     and effects
Creating a Vblog with VLogIT

5.   Record it – redo as
     necessary
6.   Select a thumbnail to
     show with your blog
     post
7.   Publish it in an
     appropriate file format
8.   Upload it or make it
     accessible on your
     blog
Using Vlog-IT to create a video
powerpoint – export the powerpoint
   Export your
    powerpoint
    slides to a folder
    full of JPG
    pictures.
Import into slide transitions on your
timeline the powerpoint JPG images
Publishing your video – FLV, WMV, SWF, RM
   Save Vlog to a Hard Drive or Network: This publishing option saves
    your show to an output file on your hard disk or network. You can then
    distribute the file however you choose, including copying it to a DVD or
    CD with your favorite DVD or CD burning software.
   Send video in an email: This method works essentially the same as
    saving to a hard drive except that at the end the wizard creates a new
    email message and attaches the vlog to it. This requires an e-mail
    program such as Outlook Express that is installed locally on the
    computer; it does not work with web-based email that you access
    through your Internet browser.
   Publish video to a server on the Internet: This option is essentially
    the same as the Upload to the Vlog Host method, except you must
    specify the FTP address to which the file will be posted. Also, this
    method does not give you a dialog for adding a link to your blog.
   Publish video as a Vlog: Select this option to have Vlog It! post the
    finished video to your account on the host server. (Requires a hosting
    account)
Publishing to a server using VlogIT

   Choose publishing to a server on the internet or
    save it to your hard drive and use an FTP program
    to transfer it.
       Saving it to your hard drive may be preferable as you can
        convert the file and do some post processing before you
        send the files to the blog server
   VLogIT Publishing Account Info:
       Host Name: cbudd.com
       User Login: blogpost
       Password: blogging
       Remote path blank
Publishing via WS-FTP

   WSFTP
    Account Info:
       Host Name:
        cbudd.com
       UserID:
        blogpost
       Password:
        Blogging
       Check SAVE
        PASSWORD
Uploading Files via WSFTP




   Click on a file on the LEFT and click the
    arrow to transfer. Can transfer multiple files if
    you shift or control click on the LEFT list.
Part 3


    Go Do It !!!
Audio Blog

   Set up your microphone
   Check your environment for recording
   Do a sound check with Audacity
   Use Podcast Autocue to create your teleprompt text
   Record your podcast
   Edit your podcast
   Export your podcast to an MP3 file
   Upload your podcast to the blog MEDIA directory
   Create a new post and add your MP3 file using the
    PODCAST Media Wordpress Plugin
Video Blog

    Use your web cam to add content for a vlog or use
     the video cam to record and save to your hard
     drive or use powerpoint images exported as JPG
     files
    Follow the 8 steps to create a vlog with vlog-IT
     using transitions
1.   Create a Project – Use the Wizard or create a
     blank project
2.   Enter your script in the Teleprompter Window
3.   Reherse your script and set scroll speeds
4.   Select and add media and effects
Create the vlog

5.   Record it – redo as necessary
6.   Select a thumbnail to show with your blog
     post
7.   Publish it in an appropriate file format or
     save it to hard drive and convert the file as
     necessary to the intended format(s)
8.   Upload it or make it accessible on your blog
    Create a blog post and add the media files
     using the podcast media plugin