Frequently Asked Questions


Academy Procedures
What are the minimum technical requirements in order to webcast?

Internet Connection
   In order to webcast, you need a stable internet connection that provides at least 100kbs upload bandwidth (which means dial-up connections will not work).  If you plan to have more than one or two people in a skype call, you will probably need a bit more than that.  You can test your bandwidth at AuditMyPC.com or speakeasy.net .  

Hardware

  • Based on our experience thusfar, it is necessary to use either a desktop USB mic like this or  USB Headsets like these which have two separate inputs for the mic and ear piece. Models that have been confirmed to work include: USB headsets that do NOT have the two separate inputs for mic and ear piece will not work and may cause severe anxiety for webcasters attempting to use them!
  • There are no other fixed minimum hardware requirements, but webcasting with anything less than 512kb RAM or the equivalent of a Pentium 4 would probably be pretty difficult.

Software

Information about software used to webcast can be found in the Webcaster Kit.  Trial versions of commercial programs are available, but as far as unavoidable long-term costs, Mac users will eventually need to purchase Nicecast, Windows users will need to purchase Virtual Audio Cables.
How do I 'join' the academy? What's involved in being an 'intern'?

For information about this, please check out:

About The Webcast Academy

Site Orientation

Webcast Academy Application

How can I keep track of all the content being produced on this site?

We're still in the process of figuring this out, but here are some pointers. 

All Front Page Nodes (audio, blogs, newsletters)
   Page View: http://webcastacademy.net
   RSS Feed: http://webcastacademy.net/feed.xml

All Comments
   Page View:  http://webcastacademy.net/comments
   RSS Feed:  http://webcastacademy.net/crss 

 All Blog Posts

   Page View:  http://www.webcastacademy.net/blog
   RSS Feed: http://www.webcastacademy.net/blog/feed    

All Forum Posts

   Page View:  http://www.webcastacademy.net/forum
   RSS Feed:  http://webcastacademy.net/allforums/feed

More links and feeds can be found on the Site Map


  

 

How do I participate in my class's group skype chat?
First you add 'webcastacademy' as a skype contact.  You will then be added to the skype chat within a few hours.
Then take a look at this screencast for some pointers.
http://www.screencast.com/t/TnPDoVVh15_
How do I know when it's OK to stream and how can I add a webcast the event calendar?

Once interns have been given access to the Webcast Academy streams (usually after completion of the first two tasks), they can can webcast anytime they like on either Sandbox A or Sandbox B.

To do impromtu (unscheduled) webcasting, first check the event calendar to make sure nothing is scheduled and then double check that there's no one already on the stream you plan to use by going to the listen page, checking the streaming status, and (just to be sure) try listening to that channel. It's also a good idea to enter the chat room to see if  anything is happening there  If a stream is available, you (interns) are welcome to use it.  If one stream is already in use, but the other is available, feel free to use that.

To schedule an event, click 'create content/event'.  You can  post the time in any timezone you like, but the default time zone is 'GMT'.  If you post the time in another time zone, MAKE SURE TO SELECT THE APPROPRIATE TIME ZONE from the pull down menu.  This will result in that time being listed in the event calendar, but will also cause confusion because time zone adjustments are not made on the calendar page.  As a result, it IS VERY IMPORTANT, that you INCLUDE A GLOBAL TIMES LINK when posting an event.  To do so, go to the TimeandDate.com Fixed Time Converter and copy the URL of the time you create.



How can I copy the URL of the Yugma?
Click on the top right icon in the Yugma window and 'copy session URL'.


How can I fix the overlap between between the main content and right column?
That overlap is created with some content when viewing the site with the default theme (Garland) on a 1024pixel wide monitor. You can fix it by clicking 'My Account / Edit' and then choosing either the zen theme or fancy theme.
Where's the old FAQ?
It's here - http://www.webcastacademy.net/node/677 We've just started using this new faq system and hope to have all that old info transferred over soon as we move into this new faq system.
Audio
How do I publish audio on this site?

Interns can post audio on this site by clicking 'create content/audio'.  Choose the appropriate category for your content (introduction, assignment, interncast, etc.)
Please do not publish audio by attaching it to your blog post (as we did in the early days of the Academy).

All audio published to the Webcast Academy and Worldbridges sites should be:

  • an mp3 file encoded at no more than a 64kbs bitrate. Higher bitrate files can be exchanged as pre-edited raw files. 
  • Sample rate should be 22 or 44khz in order for the audio to work with audio flash players.
    Screencast: Configuring Audio Specifications in Audacity
  • ID3 tags should include the Title, Artist, website URL (in comments section), and Licensing information
    (creative commons licensing info)
    Screencast How to deal with ID3 tags
  • Filenames should always describe the content of audio, date produced, and be unique from any other filename. For example, intern introductions should be named like - jane-doe-introduction-2007-08-01.mp3
    Do NOT use spaces or special characters (i.e. # @ & $ !) in filenames. Underscores and dashes are fine.

How do I include ID3 tags in my audio file?

You can see several methods in these screencasts.

 



How do I include a flash player in my audio post?

Click 'create content/ audio' , choose the appropriate category for your post, and attach your mp3 file.
Screencast here:
http://www.screencast.com/t/fWMe7G5TzUn

 It is possible to include a flash player in a non-audio type post (see code below), but generally speaking it's more hassle than it's worth. Interns are encouraged to post all audio materials by clicking 'create content/audio'.

 

----code for outdated method----screencast here------

  <object width="125" height="18" align="middle" data="http://webcastacademy.net/audioplayer.swf?src=http://webcastacademy.net/files/filename3.mp3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash">
    <param value="http://webcastacademy.net/audioplayer.swf?src=http://webcastacademy.net/files/filename.mp3" name="movie" />
  </object>
-------------------------

Publishing
Where can I find automatic recordings of the stream?

Recordings of the Sandbox A stream are recorded automatically and posted to http://webcastacademy.net/station/archives (stream archive on the left menu) if the conditions below are met.

 The recording begins at xx:01 each hour and will terminate if there is more than a 20 second break in the stream.   If you don't start streaming by xx:01, nothing will be recorded.  Audio should be posted within two hours of show completion.  Archives will remain online for two weeks before being automatically deleted.  Generally speaking, you will get better audio quality from the recording you do on your own computer and the stream archive recording should only be used as a backup and for diagnostic purposes.

How do I control how much of my post is seen on the front page?

You need to switch to the html code view by clicking on this icon

Anytime you need to edit the html code directly or embed code in to a post, you can click that icon.
In this case (determining where the page break is for your post),  you'll need to enter the code <!--break--> where you'd like the end the front page preview of  your post. 


Streaming
How do I stream on a Windows Computer with SimpleCast?

 How do I stream on a Windows Computer with SimpleCast?

What are the different speaking tools that can be used for streaming other than skype?
Which Channel & Chat Room should I use?
Interns should steam on Sandbox A or Sandbox B.  Once they have applied and been accepted to another community (i.e. EdTechTalk or EFLBridges) they can stream on those channels as well. If both Sandbox A & B are available and bandwidth permits, interns can try simultaneously streaming at 64kbs on Sandbox A and 24kbs on Sandbox B.  Otherwise, they can choose to stream on whichever Sandbox is available.
  Normally, the 'webcast academy' room of the chat space should be used during 'interncasts'.  If another show is already using it, feel free to use any other available room.
Telephony
What is the Purpose of Kicking the Stream?
The stream kicking practice originated when we used to stream recordings of past shows between live broadcasts. We used to do that when we first got in to Second Life and wanted to provide a constant source of audio for those stopping by Worldbridges land there. At that time, if someone wanted to grab the stream and the person who was streaming the recording wasn't around, it was necessary to 'kick' them. We stopped the automatic streaming because it was causing more confusion than it was worth - is this live or recorded? If we can figure out a way to make that clearer for visitors, we may start doing so again, but in the meantime, stream kicking will usually not be necessary unless someone forgets to turn off the stream, which does occasionally happen. Forum Discussion here: http://www.webcastacademy.net/node/1259
How do I get the +99... number from a skypecast?
You can only do so once the skypecast has begun. When it has, right click 'join this skypecast' on the skypecast page, and paste it in to your your call form. Delete the characters before the '+' and after the last number and add to conference. You can see this done at the beginning of this screencast: http://webcastacademy.net/screencasts/skypecast/index.htm