reporters without borders : free handbook on blogging

From Reporters sans frontières comes this:

Blogs get people excited. Or else they disturb and worry them. Some people distrust them. Others see them as the vanguard of a new information revolution. Because they allow and encourage ordinary people to speak up, they’re tremendous tools of freedom of expression. Bloggers are often the only real journalists in countries where the mainstream media is censored or under pressure. Only they provide independent news, at the risk of displeasing the government and sometimes courting arrest.
Reporters Without Borders has produced this handbook to help them, with handy tips and technical advice on how to to remain anonymous and to get round censorship, by choosing the most suitable method for each situation. It also explains how to set up and make the most of a blog, to publicise it (getting it picked up efficiently by search-engines) and to establish its credibility through observing basic ethical and journalistic principles.

---> the handbook download is really interesting !! JD

how to boil an egg

this is my audio instruction called 'how to boil an egg'.
ok?

How I Wake Up

Hey everyone, this is Cheryl, and here is my podcast assignment.

I have a PowerBook G4, and I used a program called Soundtrack. I recorded all of the elements using the internal microphone. I had a few problems recording the thing because I didn't know you needed to have headphones plugged into the computer to get rid of the feedback from the speakers... whoops.

I focused my "How-To" on waking up in the morning because I tend to stay up late, am a sometimes insomniac, and I more often than not have a lot of early mornings. Hopefully none of you out there need as many alarms as I do to wake up....

SORRY TO MISS TODAY'S CLASS

Hi folks. I'm at home with a very nasty cold that flared up suddenly yesterday. I would not want to share this with you. I've left brief comments on the posted podcasts. I think you'll have fun listening to them. Remember to book the Marantz recorder and bring spare batteries! See you next week.

How to make a cup of tea

This is Lydia. This is my first time making something like this and then posting it, so I hope this works. I did my piece on how to make a cup of tea, just because I like tea :) so I thought I'd share that. Its something thats nice and simple. Enjoy.

Voice Recording on Nokia

Hi every1. Finally done with first podcasting. The topic i chose was how to do voice recording on a Nokia cellphones that run on Symbian OS. I had first recorded my voice on my Nokia handset and then it was transfered to my mac using bluetooth file transfer. Then on a PC Windows using Sound Recorder (a built in software) recorded the other sound effects as for some reason mac recording wasnt clear enough. Then took it to my mac and imported on Audacity for lil editing and joining two clips together along with other sound recordings like the nokia ring tone. Then it was exported as MP3 and uploaded on ourmedia.org. it was so cool doing something for the first time. kinda liked it. but i wonder how long would podcasting demand last over radio.

Mazhar Mohad

A7's Rainy Day Podcast

Hi all,

Well... here's my audioclip. I tried to stay away from the whole "what I know how to do" thing. I figure we'll all be tired of hearing those words soon. ;) So I decided to make it a little more "whimsical" and let what I do come out a childhood memory.

My clip is about how I like to write music on rainy days... and since it's been raining the past 2 days, it just seemed appropriate.

Rainy Day

Hope you enjoy the clip!
A7

PODCASTING -INFO - FROM ERELLA

Here is an excellent page of support information for you about using itunes for podcasting.
It requires using a service called audioblog, which costs something like $50 US per year.
It is by no means necessary that you do this, but here is some handy information that you may find useful.

note:
They do offer a no cost, one week introduction @ www.audioblog.com

Erella

Audio recording questions and updates from class

Hi all,

This is Andy, also known as "A7". There were a few unreolved questions and issues that arose in class. After a bit of playing around on my PowerMac at home, I came across a few answers. I thought this might be helpful to others, so here's some technical info for those interested.

Q1- Where is the built-in microphone on the PowerMacs (like in the lab)?

A1- There is none! The PowerMac line does NOT feature a built in microphone. You must use an external microphone plugged into the lower audio jack at the back of the machine. Another option is to record on an external device (minidisc, tape, mp3 recorder) and input it either digitally (USB cable) or as audio (line in or optical digital in). All other Macs, including iMac, eMac, iBook and Powerbook (unsure about Mac mini), all have built in mics.

Q2- How do you convert a "song" (series of audio recordings) in GarageBand to mp3 format?

A2 - As mentioned in class, you must use "export to iTunes" from the file menu in GarageBand. However, this does not export as an AAC or MP3 file. The file is exported to iTunes in an AIF file format (no compression). If you have already set your importing options in iTunes to import to mp3, then you need to highlight the song in iTunes, click "Advanced" in the menu bar, and select "convert selection to mp3". If you skip this step, you will have an VERY BIG uncompressed audio file that you cannot put on the web.

Q3- Why is the WAV file I imported playing back so fast!?

A3- WAV files can come in a variety of different sample rates. A sample rate is the frequency at which the sound was recorded. Most audio programs, including GarageBand, will default to a CD quality sample rate of 44.1 kHz. If a WAV file that was recorded at 22 kHz is imported in and played back at 44.1 kHz, it will play the audio twice as fast. 11 kHz... 4 times as fast... and so on. You must first convert the file to a sample rate of 44.1 kHz. The "quick and dirty" way is to convert to MP3, then import the MP3 (but you are then compressing, uncompressing, and recompressing the file, so you are losing quality). A program like Audacity ( http://audacity.sourceforge.net ) should let you convert the sample rate directly.

Finally, I'll end with some instructions on how to convert your miniDV audio into MP3 in case you are stuck using a miniDV video camera for your audio. First, of course, you record your audio with the camera. :) Since iMovie is installed on all Macs by default, I recommend using iMovie to import the video and convert it to audio. So you launch iMovie and create a new project. Then you plug in your video camera via the firewire cable and turn on the camera. Make sure the camera is in "vcr" or "playback" mode. iMovie will automatically recognize the camera and bring you to the import screen. Rewind your tape to the beginning, and start the import. When you are done, you will have all your clips located in little boxes on the right. Just drag them to the bottom timeline and place them in the order you want. When you are satisfied, click on "file" and "share". Select "Quicktime" at the top, and select Compress movie for "expert settings". Click "share". Under "export", select "sound to aiff". You can then import the aiff audio file it creates into iTunes and convert it to MP3. Simple as pie! Well... kinda. :/

Good luck!
A7

our podcasting feed address

As step one of the podcasting process, I've activated a feed for our class blog using feedburner. The URL appears above. I followed instructions at Podcasting News' site : Podcasting with Blogger Basics .

Next on my things to do list : learning more about how to use the potential of syndication for our audio programs!

podcast - the first try

I'm going to try and podcast Martha's "this is something I can do" audioclip...

First, I'll create a good old fashioned HTML text link to the URL where her file is stored :

MARTHA'S 'CAN DO' AUDIOCLIP

Then I'll publish this on the blog...

No Condition is Permanent

Also from Erella:

Another wonderful one is by my friend Count Reeshard.
He is fanatically obsessed with world music that has not been recorded and released on CD. His writing is the very best.

http://permanentcondition.blogspot.com/

keep the coffee coming

My brilliant friend Erella is fond of this blog. She writes :

The way it works is, lovely.
The woman posts her fave music every day or every few days. Unlike many blog writers, she is not in desperate need of an editor. She also has links to other audio bloggers. The taste in music is eclectic, and observations are wry. I enjoy it immensly. The music is only on her site for about a week, like many audio blogs. She posts links to a variety of them.

another audio post

Here's a little voice only file. Like Martha, I've created a link to a web URL with the MP3.

Something I know how to do

For Project 1 - I have recorded a short audio clip using garageband to mix and edit piano samples and a voice over, recorded simply using the external mic on my ipod (you can also use the internal mic or an external mic with your computer at home or in the lab). You can listen or download the file to your ipod/mp3 player if you like - just select the title link.

Check your email! assignment details

I'm sending you all a copy of the "audio clip / podcasting" assignment details. Remember, your audio file is due TUESDAY Sept. 20! In this class, we'll provide details on how to prepare and post your audio for podcasting. Focus on making the BEST CLIP possible on "How To Do Something". Also, check online (above) for further information and a clickable link list.

Blogging from Louisiana

This is the real thing - Kari Huus and Jim Seida are traveling through Katrina-ravaged areas along the Gulf Coast, reporting on refugees' efforts to rebuild their lives. Personal stories and real data. I found FEMA info here that I couldn't believe. Great up-to-the-minute reporting (you can see them adding to the blog), photos, and some great research with amazing audio, video, multimedia, pdf and ppt resources.

readingpictures.com / Virtual Communities

Here you can find clickable links to online materials - much easier to search. Remember to check the official course web site at ocad.ca (my courses).

nfb blog wants student submissions

This site has a focus on documentary, activism and journalism. Student material is welcome.

CBC Unplugged - the Lockout!

Tod Maffin is a podcasting pioneer and hosts what has become the most talked about blog on the CBC lockout. More than 3 weeks ago, CBC managers locked out members of the Media Guild including producers, editors, reporters, web site programmers and designers... Peter Mansbridge - the lot. Personally I've been avoiding the CBC since the lockout, and am getting news from other sources including podcasts. Let's do some research on how the "labour disruption" (a.k.a. lockout) has affected CBC online...

Podcasting on CBC Radio3.com

This is a good resource for podcasting programming, podcasting information and podcasting links and clients - all the things you need to find out more about podcasting, with some really good independent Canadian music to listen to. This is sort of the official channel for the Canadian Independent Music virtual community.

SUBSCRIBE TO CBC RADIO 3'S PODCAST
Listen to the best in new Canadian independent music when you want, where you want, with the weekly CBC Radio 3 Podcast. It features 100% Canadian music from new and emerging artists. It's great news for music fans, and for independent Canadian musicians.

Podcasting allows you to listen to our programming on your computer or on your digital audio player. It's the radio equivalent of taping your favourite TV show with a VCR. No more having to tune in at a specific time and listen in real time - this is radio on-demand and it offers listeners a completely new listening experience.

horizonzero

Have a look at horizonzero, the Canadian arts + cultural community website

Welcome to our Virtual Communities Blog

In this course, you will learn about key aspects of virtual communities, while examining virtual narratives and developing hands-on skills with storytelling for the Internet and wireless technologies. The course is intended as a cross-disciplinary opportunity for art and design students to learn and collaborate together. Through lectures and case studies, class discussion, research, field trips and both individual and collaborative group project work, students will learn about both historical and emerging models of virtual community. We will review the history and practices of an array of virtual communities and subcultures: from teleculture, bulletin boards, newsgroups and multi-user domains, to gaming, new media art and design and activist networks. We will examine how stories about virtual communities exist in a context of technological and social change.

Are virtual cultures an escape from the social world? How do virtual communities impact on our local ones? Who accesses virtual technology and how does it affect the quality of life in different localities? New media artists and designers are responding to these questions.

In this course, we will creatively explore the topic of virtual communities, carrying projects from research through to the creation of prototypes for interactive projects. Students will also present small-group seminars on different examples of virtual communities and focus on debates arising from the lectures and case studies.