Re: Sharing Podcasts with those without connectivity ) was Re:[DDN]Webheads and the Digital Divide Network)

[Pamela McLean]

Janet Feldman wrote:
What you propose below is
incredibly exciting to me too, as we use mobile phones...Please keep us informed about these developments, Andy,
 

and in the meantime, Pam, you might want to hook up with ...
Thanks Janet for some great links and  ideas there - unfortunately I 
have no chance to follow up on anything new at present unless it comes 
ready to run, or with its own resources, as we are too overstretched to 
reach further.

I'll be delighted to discuss some ideas w/you individually too
If  you do have any ideas for projects we could do together that 
wouldn't empty our pockets further we are always open to new ideas and 
win-win collaborations - but I don't want to waste your time by seeming 
open to new initiatives that we can't consider.

If it is something that you have developed already and want to try out 
in Nigeria then we'd be delighted to do that. If it is about ideas to 
discuss and develop then I can try to make some time. Basically, if it 
needs money - include us out  -  but if it's non-money contributions 
that you need - ideas, experience, local networking, skills and 
knowledge - we have those in abundance.

I hope to hear from you when the time is right to do something together 
- hopefully before long.

Pam
CawdNet convenor
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.cawd.net and click the CawdNet choice.
, as we have
some of the same challenges and needs in Kenya, and are both searching for
solutions and creating some ourselves. Many thanks and all best wishes, and
here's to casting our lots with pods for mobs, Janet  (Feldman,
[EMAIL PROTECTED])
Andy wrote: hi Pam... Actually, this is one of the things I hope to do with
mobcasting: to allow people in the south to be able to record and listen to
online podcasts on their mobile phones. I'm working to put together the
specs for the software, then plan to recruit some programmers to tackle it.
Then, hopefully it would be possible to host Mobcaster software on a local
server anywhere in the world and let locals use their phones to access
podcasts 




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Re: Sharing Podcasts with those without connectivity ) was Re:[DDN]Webheads and the Digital Divide Network)

[Amos Anyimadu]

Andy,

Can you expand on the technical as well as popular implications of
mobcasting?

I see that the new nokia N series phone is being referred to as a pod
killer. I think there is  a lot of room for coexistence. Even in small
towns in a poor country like Ghana it is not impossible to find phones
which can play mp3 or AAC with storage of about 6t4m.

amos


Actually, this is one of the things I hope to do with
mobcasting: to allow people in the south to be able to record and listen
to
online podcasts on their mobile phones. I'm working to put together the
specs for the software, then plan to recruit some programmers to tackle
it.
Then, hopefully it would be possible to host Mobcaster software on a
local
server anywhere in the world and let locals use their phones to access
podcasts 


-- 
  Amos Anyimadu
  [EMAIL PROTECTED]

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Re: Sharing Podcasts with those without connectivity ) was Re:[DDN]Webheads and the Digital Divide Network)

[Janet Feldman]

Dear Andy, Pam, and All,

Hello and look forward to blogs from Budapest!  What you propose below is
incredibly exciting to me too, as we use mobile phones in our projects and
are always looking for new, lower-tech, and cheaper ways to create and
disseminate info. Please keep us informed about these developments, Andy,
and in the meantime, Pam, you might want to hook up with orgs like
Developing Countries Farm Radio Network (focus on health and nutrition),
WorldSpace, First Voice International, and AMARC, as you might find
programs there for radio listening in particular, and perhaps contacts with
radio stations already in existence (ie w/whom you might be able to link
for pogrammatic content more easily).

I'll be delighted to discuss some ideas w/you individually too, as we have
some of the same challenges and needs in Kenya, and are both searching for
solutions and creating some ourselves. Many thanks and all best wishes, and
here's to casting our lots with pods for mobs, Janet  (Feldman,
[EMAIL PROTECTED])

Andy wrote: hi Pam... Actually, this is one of the things I hope to do with
mobcasting: to allow people in the south to be able to record and listen to
online podcasts on their mobile phones. I'm working to put together the
specs for the software, then plan to recruit some programmers to tackle it.
Then, hopefully it would be possible to host Mobcaster software on a local
server anywhere in the world and let locals use their phones to access
podcasts 








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Re: Sharing Podcasts with those without connectivity )was Re: [DDN]Webheads and the Digital Divide Network)

[acarvin]

hi Pam... Actually, this is one of the things I hope to do with mobcasting: to 
allow people in the south to be able to record and listen to online podcasts on 
their mobile phones. I'm working to put together the specs for the software, 
then plan to recruit some programmers to tackle it. Then, hopefully it would be 
possible to host Mobcaster software on a local server anywhere in the world and 
let locals use their phones to access podcasts 

andy
en route to budapest

Andy Carvin
EDC Center for Media & Community
acarvin @ edc . org 
http://www.digitaldivide.net
http://www.andycarvin.com

-Original Message-
From: Pamela McLean <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tue, 10 May 2005 21:32:37 +0100
Subject: Re: Sharing Podcasts with those without connectivity )was Re: 
[DDN]Webheads and the Digital Divide Network)

Ross Gardler wrote::

>> Ross Gardler wrote:
>>
>>> ...Remember that bandwidth need not be a live Internet connection
>>
> It would be great if someone with a media bent could create a set of
> dramatisations on key subjects (such as HIV/AIDS) in an accessible form.
> Something along the lines of the BBC World Serice WestWay series
> (http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/arts/features/westway/index.shtml )
>
> They get around the problem of being understandable by having lots of
> characters that are not native English speakers. Hence they speak in
> understandable ways.
>
> DOes anyone know a drama or media student looking for a final year
> project to do?

Ross - you have got me thinking.

Community radio has always been part of our plan - but  for community 
radio you need a license... (and our problems there are another story.)

We want to "speak" to people - preferably in Yoruba. We have played with 
ideas of audio cassettes.We even considered getting a PA system to use 
on market days
But all of these ideas were too extravagant in time and/or money for our 
meager resources - so the spoken word side of things has been on hold.

Maybe its time to start thinking  again. As you say -  no need for 
computers - a much cheaper way to disseminate information...

I haven't followed the threads on podcasting - but gather its  an easily 
accessible way of generating  and sharing the spoken word. It could be a 
good supplement to the other work of our InfoCentre...

If any media students do think of following up Ross's idea please also 
consider the farm radio scripts that are available - I forget the source 
but perhaps other DDN members know - if not I could hunt around.

I have no time to follow through on this at the moment for Ago-Are - but 
it's back bubbling in my mind again - so thanks Ross for bringing 
forward again the issue of the spoken word and alternative  strategies 
for disseminating it.

Pam
Pamela McLean
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Sharing Podcasts with those without connectivity )was Re: [DDN] Webheads and the Digital Divide Network)

[Ross Gardler]

Pamela McLean wrote:
Ross Gardler wrote:
Remember that bandwidth need not be a live Internet connection. I 
recently passed a Compact Flash containing a number of key 
presentations from IT Conversations to a colleague in rural Guyana.

In his village he doesn't even have a computer, let alone an Internet 
connection. Yet that lack of bandwidth does not limit him with 
podcasting, he'll be using an MP3 player to listen to the podcasts and 
will be using what he learns from them to convince the village 
community that they need an IT Centre.

Ross
Would this information be appropriate to share with the community in 
Ago-Are - to give them a clearer vision of the potential of their 
InfoCentre?
The particular info I was mentioning is all IT related stuff. So I doubt
that it will be applicabe to the Ago-Are community. However, as I
mention in a subsequent mail there should be other items that are more
applicabe to the community in Ago-Are.
They do have computers (not very high spec but some do include sound).
Could the info go to them on a CD?.
Yes
What are the accents like?  How fast do the contributors speak? i.e. How 
well must my Ago-Are people understand English to make sense of it? (The 
people I have in mind to listen can understand my English - but not if I 
speak too fast - i.e my usual rate...).
This is not an issue for Guyana (English speaking). For something like
the BBC West Way series it is designed for non-english speakers.
It would be great if someone with a media bent could create a set of
dramatisations on key subjects (such as HIV/AIDS) in an accessible form.
Something along the lines of the BBC World Serice WestWay series
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/arts/features/westway/index.shtml )
They get around the problem of being understandable by having lots of
characters that are not native English speakers. Hence they speak in
understandable ways.
DOes anyone know a drama or media student looking for a final year
project to do?
By the way does this renewed activity mean that the floods have gone 
down and life is getting a little easier there in Guyana now - I hope 
so..
To an extent. The floods have gone, but the damage is still being repaired.
Ross
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Re: Sharing Podcasts with those without connectivity )was Re: [DDN] Webheads and the Digital Divide Network)

[Pamela McLean]

Ross Gardler wrote::
Ross Gardler wrote:
...Remember that bandwidth need not be a live Internet connection

It would be great if someone with a media bent could create a set of
dramatisations on key subjects (such as HIV/AIDS) in an accessible form.
Something along the lines of the BBC World Serice WestWay series
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/arts/features/westway/index.shtml )
They get around the problem of being understandable by having lots of
characters that are not native English speakers. Hence they speak in
understandable ways.
DOes anyone know a drama or media student looking for a final year
project to do?
Ross - you have got me thinking.
Community radio has always been part of our plan - but  for community 
radio you need a license... (and our problems there are another story.)

We want to "speak" to people - preferably in Yoruba. We have played with 
ideas of audio cassettes.We even considered getting a PA system to use 
on market days
But all of these ideas were too extravagant in time and/or money for our 
meager resources - so the spoken word side of things has been on hold.

Maybe its time to start thinking  again. As you say -  no need for 
computers - a much cheaper way to disseminate information...

I haven't followed the threads on podcasting - but gather its  an easily 
accessible way of generating  and sharing the spoken word. It could be a 
good supplement to the other work of our InfoCentre...

If any media students do think of following up Ross's idea please also 
consider the farm radio scripts that are available - I forget the source 
but perhaps other DDN members know - if not I could hunt around.

I have no time to follow through on this at the moment for Ago-Are - but 
it's back bubbling in my mind again - so thanks Ross for bringing 
forward again the issue of the spoken word and alternative  strategies 
for disseminating it.

Pam
Pamela McLean
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
.
.
We considered a
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Re: [DDN] Webheads and the Digital Divide Network,

[Dave Pentecost]

Thanks to Ross for such a clear example of podcasts (or audio files)
as appropriate technology.

I would only add two things:

1) That the argument against podcasting based on broadband
inequalities assumes that those inequalities are intrinsic to our
world and cannot be changed. Providing affordable broadband to a wider
global population (including U.S citizens now blocked by monopolies)
is a prime part of our mission on this list. It's a little like
arguing against books because not everyone in the world can read. Self
fulfilling. Come to think of it, aural media may augment cell phones
in primarily oral cultures.

2) And that one strength of audio files in repressive regimes (take
your pick) is that they cannot be searched for content by Google or
other search engines. This despite claims by at least one website to
provide searches of podcasts - very few are actually transcribed and
indexed. In a world increasingly under surveillance this can be a
distinct advantage.

Pod on!

Dave Pentecost


On 5/9/05, Ross Gardler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Taran Rampersad wrote:
> > I disagree still about mainly because 15 meg of MP3 is usually less than
> > 64k of text. IT Conversations is a nice site, but it's also a way of
> > enforcing the unavailability of content to the community.
> >
> > If IT Conversations, as an example, is such a brilliant site - why is
> > the bar so high for entry?
> 
> Tell that to my colleague in Guyana that I refer in my original mail. He
> doesn't see a high barrier to entry. He has his US$25 MP3 payer and a CF
> disk I sent out to him. He is now listening to keynote speeches
> otherwise unavailable in the deepest parts of the Guyanese Rainforrest.
> He seems pretty damn happy!
> 
> Sure I could print it out and send it, but that would cost far more in
> the long run since paper has a very short lifespan in damp environments.
> 
> I could send the text files and he could read them off a PDA, but that
> is tiring on the eye and far less enjoyable. Not to mention a PDAs cost
> far more than a cheap and chearful MP3 player.
> 
> Furthermore, print and PDA cannot easily be shared with other members of
> the community (remember they have no computers), an MP3 can be passed
> easily from houshold to household, hell you could have four loaned out
> at once for the same cost of the cheapest PDA.
> 
> In addition there is *no* training required in using an MP3 (well beyond
> click this button to start and this one to stop). Conversely, using a
> PDA or a computer requires considerable training for people in the most
> technologically underdeveloped communities. I'm not sure this can be
> called a high barrier to entry.
> 
> Better yet, you can plug an MP3 into a truck stereo as a rudimentary PA
> system.
> 
> The only barrier to entry I see is the bandwidth required for getting
> the maerials in the first place. What we must remember, though, is that
> bandwidth does not have to be an Internet connection. A CF disk in the
> post is pretty high bandwidth and very cheap. A CD is even cheaper if
> there is a CD player available.
> 
> Of course, the materials I have sent him are not the kind of thing he
> would share with his community, they don't have the BSc in computer
> science that he has. However, I am sure podcasts could be made that are
> relevant to the wider community, perhaps something like the HIV/Aids
> awareness episodes of the BBC World Service West Way series would be a
> good example for Nigeria.
> 
> Perhaps we all need to remind ourselves not to write off a technolgoy
> simply because we do not yet see how it can be applied. Lets show it to
> those who may be able to make use of it and see if they come up with any
> ideas ( I blogged about this a good few weeks ago in relation to the
> Simputer http://www.digitaldivide.net/blog/rgardler )
> 
> Ross
> 
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> 


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RE: [DDN] Webheads and the Digital Divide Network,

[Steven Clift]

I use the commericial product, Text Aloud MP3 to convert text that I can
cut and paste into MP3 files.  It sure saves on paper for those articles
I should read but don't need to waste trees with.

Also, I had an open source prototype built for webcasting public meeting
audio with webcam images for the UK Local E-democracy National Project.
Would anyone like to help us test it more widely? Drop me a note:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

Steven Clift

Steven Clift - http://publicus.net - Reply to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Join
DoWire: http://dowire.org
E-Democracy: http://e-democracy.org



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Re: [DDN] Webheads and the Digital Divide Network,

[Ross Gardler]

Taran Rampersad wrote:
I disagree still about mainly because 15 meg of MP3 is usually less than
64k of text. IT Conversations is a nice site, but it's also a way of
enforcing the unavailability of content to the community.
If IT Conversations, as an example, is such a brilliant site - why is
the bar so high for entry? 
Tell that to my colleague in Guyana that I refer in my original mail. He 
doesn't see a high barrier to entry. He has his US$25 MP3 payer and a CF 
disk I sent out to him. He is now listening to keynote speeches 
otherwise unavailable in the deepest parts of the Guyanese Rainforrest. 
He seems pretty damn happy!

Sure I could print it out and send it, but that would cost far more in 
the long run since paper has a very short lifespan in damp environments.

I could send the text files and he could read them off a PDA, but that 
is tiring on the eye and far less enjoyable. Not to mention a PDAs cost 
far more than a cheap and chearful MP3 player.

Furthermore, print and PDA cannot easily be shared with other members of 
the community (remember they have no computers), an MP3 can be passed 
easily from houshold to household, hell you could have four loaned out 
at once for the same cost of the cheapest PDA.

In addition there is *no* training required in using an MP3 (well beyond 
click this button to start and this one to stop). Conversely, using a 
PDA or a computer requires considerable training for people in the most 
technologically underdeveloped communities. I'm not sure this can be 
called a high barrier to entry.

Better yet, you can plug an MP3 into a truck stereo as a rudimentary PA 
system.

The only barrier to entry I see is the bandwidth required for getting 
the maerials in the first place. What we must remember, though, is that 
bandwidth does not have to be an Internet connection. A CF disk in the 
post is pretty high bandwidth and very cheap. A CD is even cheaper if 
there is a CD player available.

Of course, the materials I have sent him are not the kind of thing he 
would share with his community, they don't have the BSc in computer 
science that he has. However, I am sure podcasts could be made that are 
relevant to the wider community, perhaps something like the HIV/Aids 
awareness episodes of the BBC World Service West Way series would be a 
good example for Nigeria.

Perhaps we all need to remind ourselves not to write off a technolgoy 
simply because we do not yet see how it can be applied. Lets show it to 
those who may be able to make use of it and see if they come up with any 
ideas ( I blogged about this a good few weeks ago in relation to the 
Simputer http://www.digitaldivide.net/blog/rgardler )

Ross
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Re: [DDN] Webheads and the Digital Divide Network,

[Ross Gardler]

Taran Rampersad wrote:
Snipped some stuff...
John Hibbs wrote:

Here's my caveat. The one area that I think needs improvement is how
both groups can get more attention?
My guess is that podcasting, satellite radio, community radio and the
innovative spirits that are found in both groups are the main
ingredients for wide publicity - and more money, accelerated results.
Yet, both groups seem satisfied to reach a few hundred in their real
time events and a few thousand in their electronic circulations.

OK, I have only one problem with this, really: Podcasting. Note - that
is not to say that I disagree with *mobcasting*. Podcasting, by itself,
isn't something I deem very important as it is and as it is used. Aside
from marketing hype... podcasting has limited value to the vast majority
of users of the internet. 
Lets not lump all podcasting together and write it off. You say "as it 
is used", but that seems to assume that there are no good uses of 
podcasting.

I, like most people, find most blogs do not interest me. Similarly, the 
majority of podcasts don't interest me. However, just like blogs there 
are a few podcasts that I find extremely useful.

A great example would be http://www.itconversations.com (only useful to 
the techies out there but it is a good example). This site carries the 
audio from a wide range of sources, such as radio shows and, most 
importantly, conference presentations.

There are some wonderful presentations at various conferences that I 
cannot attend, these podcasts make the important key-notes and other 
presentations available to a wide range of people unable to be 
physically present at the conference.

> Audio blogging is for people who have bandwidth.
Remember that bandwidth need not be a live Internet connection. I 
recently passed a Compact Flash containing a number of key presentations 
from IT Conversations to a colleague in rural Guyana.

In his village he doesn't even have a computer, let alone an Internet 
connection. Yet that lack of bandwidth does not limit him with 
podcasting, he'll be using an MP3 player to listen to the podcasts and 
will be using what he learns from them to convince the village community 
that they need an IT Centre.

I therefore agree with John, podcasting has the *potential* to reach 
many more than it currently does.

Ross
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Re: [DDN] Webheads and the Digital Divide Network,

[Dave Pentecost]

Let me play devil's advocate for a moment on this thread.

> John Hibbs wrote:
> 
> > Here's my caveat. The one area that I think needs improvement is how
> > both groups can get more attention?
> >
(snip)
> >
> > I wish they would give more thought on how to reach millions.
> 

Taran Rampersad wrote:
> 
> Catering to the lowest common denominator is what this is really about.


I also would like to see these issues get wider attention. But as a
refugee from the television networks I know too well how the search
for wider audiences warps your message. And the phrase "lowest common
denominator" leads to an easy condescension to your readers.

Beyond that, there is the concept of the "trimtab" - a small unit that
exerts great influence on the course of a large vessel. I think we can
function in that way, and benefit the "lowest common denominator"
without wasting effort in audience development.

This list has an amazing reach and members who span a broad range of
activities. Take care in your efforts to expand it. And if you do
change course, I hope it will be in the direction of increased
practical advice and tips on appropriate funding, hardware and
software. In my opinion, that's what your greater audience needs, not
more theoretical discussions.

Best
Dave Pentecost

The Daily Glyph http://www.gomaya.com/glyph
Usumacinta http://www.gomaya.com/dams
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Re: [DDN] Webheads and the Digital Divide Network

[Pamela McLean]

Ross Gardler wrote:
Remember that bandwidth need not be a live Internet connection. I 
recently passed a Compact Flash containing a number of key 
presentations from IT Conversations to a colleague in rural Guyana.

In his village he doesn't even have a computer, let alone an Internet 
connection. Yet that lack of bandwidth does not limit him with 
podcasting, he'll be using an MP3 player to listen to the podcasts and 
will be using what he learns from them to convince the village 
community that they need an IT Centre.

Ross
Would this information be appropriate to share with the community in 
Ago-Are - to give them a clearer vision of the potential of their 
InfoCentre?
They do have computers (not very high spec but some do include sound).
Could the info go to them on a CD?.
What are the accents like?  How fast do the contributors speak? i.e. How 
well must my Ago-Are people understand English to make sense of it? (The 
people I have in mind to listen can understand my English - but not if I 
speak too fast - i.e my usual rate...).

By the way does this renewed activity mean that the floods have gone 
down and life is getting a little easier there in Guyana now - I hope 
so..

Pam
Pamela McLean
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Re: [DDN] Webheads and the Digital Divide Network,

[Andy Carvin]

Taran Rampersad wrote:
My position is strong on this, I know. But podcasting by itself probably
is only useful for the visually impaired, and I don't know that anyone
does podcasting for that purpose yet. They should. But mobcasting is the
superior thing to do in this scenario as well.
Actually, I've just been beta-testing a new service called talkr.com. 
The site just went public today. Talkr is an RSS newsreader with a twist 
- it literally reads out your favorite blogs as a computerized voice. 
When you add an RSS feed to its database, it generates an mp3 file of 
the computer voice reading out each blog entry contained within the RSS 
feed. For example, here's the mp3 of my recent blog entry about the 
attack on the Kabul cybercafe:

http://talkr.com/audio/a/n/d/y/38039.mp3
You need to have a login to manage your own set of RSS feeds, but the 
mp3 files are publicly accessible, which means you could create a 
parallel podcast of your text blog, using the mp3 files created by 
talkr. That way, your audience could either read your blog or listen to 
it. But Talkr will be fee-based, so this free experimental account I 
have at the moment won't last long. From what the developer's told me, 
the site wasn't initially designed with the disabled community in mind, 
but they're now exploring ways of making this a service for people with 
visual impairments.

ac
--
---
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EDC Center for Media & Community
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http://www.tsunami-info.org
Blog: http://www.andycarvin.com
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Re: [DDN] Webheads and the Digital Divide Network,

[Taran Rampersad]

Dave Pentecost wrote:

> And the phrase "lowest common
>denominator" leads to an easy condescension to your readers.
>  
>
Good point. Perhaps lowest common accessibility denominator would be
better. I was trying (and maybe failing!) to make the point that most
people on the internet don't have as much bandwidth as we might take for
granted. I'll try to think of a better way to write it. Math and English
are always a funny mix. :-(

>Beyond that, there is the concept of the "trimtab" - a small unit that
>exerts great influence on the course of a large vessel. I think we can
>function in that way, and benefit the "lowest common denominator"
>without wasting effort in audience development.
>  
>
Err. Well, 'audience development' is sort of a weird phrase. But working
on decreasing the Digital Divide could be construed as 'audience
development', in that we are trying to increase the size of our
audience. Are we working against ourselves?

>This list has an amazing reach and members who span a broad range of
>activities. Take care in your efforts to expand it. And if you do
>change course, I hope it will be in the direction of increased
>practical advice and tips on appropriate funding, hardware and
>software. In my opinion, that's what your greater audience needs, not
>more theoretical discussions.
>  
>
I agree... but I'll also offer that theoretical discussion has a place
in the list as well. Funding issues, as an example, are theoretical
(until someone gets it). Practical discussions on implementation are
actually theoretical to the receiver until they implement them. And
broader social and policy topics have a definitive effect on the future
of the Digital Divide. So yes, it's a matter of balance.

-- 
Taran Rampersad
Presently in: Panama City, Panama
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

http://www.knowprose.com
http://www.easylum.net
http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/Taran

"Criticize by creating." — Michelangelo

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Re: [DDN] Webheads and the Digital Divide Network,

[Taran Rampersad]

I disagree still about mainly because 15 meg of MP3 is usually less than
64k of text. IT Conversations is a nice site, but it's also a way of
enforcing the unavailability of content to the community.

If IT Conversations, as an example, is such a brilliant site - why is
the bar so high for entry? Sorry. I will lump podcasting into this. It's
for high bandwidth people to talk to high bandwidth people, it doesn't
permit discussion as much as mobcasting does, and it's also labeled
after a piece of hardware that Apple is all too happy to handicap for
the ability *to* podcast.

My position is strong on this, I know. But podcasting by itself probably
is only useful for the visually impaired, and I don't know that anyone
does podcasting for that purpose yet. They should. But mobcasting is the
superior thing to do in this scenario as well.

Ross Gardler wrote:

> Taran Rampersad wrote:
>
>> Snipped some stuff...
>>
>> John Hibbs wrote:
>
>
> Lets not lump all podcasting together and write it off. You say "as it
> is used", but that seems to assume that there are no good uses of
> podcasting.
>
> I, like most people, find most blogs do not interest me. Similarly,
> the majority of podcasts don't interest me. However, just like blogs
> there are a few podcasts that I find extremely useful.
>
> A great example would be http://www.itconversations.com (only useful
> to the techies out there but it is a good example). This site carries
> the audio from a wide range of sources, such as radio shows and, most
> importantly, conference presentations.
>
> There are some wonderful presentations at various conferences that I
> cannot attend, these podcasts make the important key-notes and other
> presentations available to a wide range of people unable to be
> physically present at the conference.
>
> > Audio blogging is for people who have bandwidth.
>
> Remember that bandwidth need not be a live Internet connection. I
> recently passed a Compact Flash containing a number of key
> presentations from IT Conversations to a colleague in rural Guyana.
>
> In his village he doesn't even have a computer, let alone an Internet
> connection. Yet that lack of bandwidth does not limit him with
> podcasting, he'll be using an MP3 player to listen to the podcasts and
> will be using what he learns from them to convince the village
> community that they need an IT Centre.
>
> I therefore agree with John, podcasting has the *potential* to reach
> many more than it currently does.
>
> Ross
>


-- 
Taran Rampersad
Presently in: Panama City, Panama
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

http://www.knowprose.com
http://www.easylum.net
http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/Taran

"Criticize by creating." — Michelangelo

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Re: [DDN] Webheads and the Digital Divide Network,

[John Hibbs]

At 10:25 AM -0400 5/9/05, Andy Carvin wrote:
That's why I'm glad Chris Lydon and his team are doing Open Source 
Radio - they're using mobcasting (in this context, public 
contributions via telephone) and are unabashedly happy to mix in 
content that's low-quality from a technical/broadcasting point of 
view. Even though the sound quality will leave a lot to be desired, 
it puts the power of podcasting back into the hands of the people
My suspicion, for our purposes, is that terrific two or three minute 
thoughtful pieces recorded over the telephone will find a lot more 
ears than will a lesser piece with all bells and whistles attached.

What I visualize is a serious, year-long undertaking which I call 
"Connecting the Dots". As I visualize it, there would be a continuous 
call for 2-3 minute "Paul Harvey" type audio messages. (Phil Shapiro 
came up with one yesterday about Apple's Tiger and the City of 
Philadelphia. I will let him tell you about that.) (Andy's mobcasting 
is wide open for a dozen Connect the Dots pieces)

Move-On.org showed the way for this kind of development in the 
presidential campaign last year. What they did was ask their 
subscribers to create short videos for possible use on television. 
The response was overwhelming something like 1,700 submissions in 
a very short time period.

Submissions could come by phone (and/or upload); voting by DDN 
subscribers could take place with use of all that sophisticated 
(free) polling stuff. The winning pieces could be announced by emails 
that were also sent to radio stations interested in intriguing pieces 
for insertions when times were dull. Winning stuff could also be put 
in text, and submitted to the print media.

In many ways this is really fun stuff for people with the cast of 
mind who read the Digital Divide posts. I see the the goal of 
reaching larger audiences --- and with that cash contributions,as per 
the success of www.move-on.org.

John Hibbs
http://www.bfranklin.edu
P.S. My favorite Çonnect the Dots involves the role of English 
language instructors, ICT, radio and how their work can reduce the 
Divide. (Blind copies are sent to the leaders of Webheads. They may 
wish to post?)

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Re: [DDN] Webheads and the Digital Divide Network,

[Dan Bassill]

A few weeks ago Andy reported that enrollment had reached over 6,000 in the
DDN list.  However, in subsequent conversations we all agreed that far fewer
than that were actually active in using the DDN and similar sites to learn,
collaborate and bring solution to some of the problems that we write about
on a regular basis.

John mentioned the Web Heads in his 5/7 message.  I was part of a 4-hour web
heads meeting yesterday (Sunday, 5/8) where 39 people from  from countries
like Australia, China, Japan, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Portugal, Canada,
Belarus, and the USA did workshops and shared ideas that were intended to
help kids be more successful in school and in jobs/careers.

You can view the archive of these workshops at www.alado.net/econference and
see the schedule of workshops planned for the rest of this week.  You can
also see that there is a face to face Tutor/Mentor Leadership Conference on
Friday May 12 and 13, then another eConference, hosted by IUPUI on May 23.

These conferences are intended to draw people together to learn, network,
and collaborate on building better systems to help kids born in poverty be
in jobs/careers by age 25.

I congratulate the Web Heads and the Digital Workforce Society at City
Colleges of Chicago for taking the lead to create and host this eConference
in collaboration with the Tutor/Mentor Connection and encourage others on
the DDN list to move from reading the messages, to participating in the
workshop and collaborating where that makes sense.

A friend of mine in Chicago, TV newsperson Merri Dee, gave me this quote
many years ago.  "If it is to be, it is up to me."

The Internet gives that term much more power.  I hope that many of you will
join us on line, or this weekend at the Chicago conference, which will be
held at the Northwestern University Law School. The web site is
www.tutormentorconference.bigstep.com.  Registration is still open and
scholarships and group rates are still available.

Daniel F. Bassill
Tutor/Mentor Connection
800 W. Huron
Chicago, Il. 60622


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Re: [DDN] Webheads and the Digital Divide Network,

[Brian Russell]

I found this bit of info on "trimtab".

So what's a trimtab?

A trim tab is a tiny flap that controls the rudder on a ship or airplane.
When the rudder needs to be moved, this tiny trimtab is adjusted which
creates a low pressure area on one side and turns the rudder. Buckminster
Fuller used the word to illustrate what an individual can do to turn the
great ship of human society. Bucky's gravestone says simply, "Call me
Trimtab."



Thanks for sharing this concept with us Dave!

-Brian R.
audioactivism.org


> Let me play devil's advocate for a moment on this thread.
>
>> John Hibbs wrote:
>>
>> > Here's my caveat. The one area that I think needs improvement is how
>> > both groups can get more attention?
>> >
> (snip)
>> >
>> > I wish they would give more thought on how to reach millions.
>>
>
> Taran Rampersad wrote:
>>
>> Catering to the lowest common denominator is what this is really about.
>
>
> I also would like to see these issues get wider attention. But as a
> refugee from the television networks I know too well how the search
> for wider audiences warps your message. And the phrase "lowest common
> denominator" leads to an easy condescension to your readers.
>
> Beyond that, there is the concept of the "trimtab" - a small unit that
> exerts great influence on the course of a large vessel. I think we can
> function in that way, and benefit the "lowest common denominator"
> without wasting effort in audience development.
>
> This list has an amazing reach and members who span a broad range of
> activities. Take care in your efforts to expand it. And if you do
> change course, I hope it will be in the direction of increased
> practical advice and tips on appropriate funding, hardware and
> software. In my opinion, that's what your greater audience needs, not
> more theoretical discussions.
>
> Best
> Dave Pentecost
>
> The Daily Glyph http://www.gomaya.com/glyph
> Usumacinta http://www.gomaya.com/dams
> Cell  917 312 9733
>
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Re: [DDN] Webheads and the Digital Divide Network,

[John Hibbs]

At 10:25 AM -0400 5/9/05, Andy Carvin wrote:
That's why I'm glad Chris Lydon and his team are doing Open Source 
Radio - they're using mobcasting (in this context, public 
contributions via telephone) and are unabashedly happy to mix in 
content that's low-quality from a technical/broadcasting point of 
view.
Try
http://www.radioopensource.org/
With thanks to Andy Carvin
--
John W. Hibbs
http://www.bfranklin.edu/johnhibbs
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Re: [DDN] Webheads and the Digital Divide Network,

[Andy Carvin]

One of the things I find interesting about the history of podcasting is 
that it was developed, in part, as a way for people with limited 
bandwidth to download audio. Audio blogging isn't new by any means; lots 
of us have been doing it for years. The thing that made podcasting kick 
into high gear was software that could be set to automatically download 
audio blogs. That way, you could leave on your computer, go about your 
business, and have it download new audio content, perhaps over the 
course of the night. Of course, podcasting has become the hip phenom it 
is because of its association with iPods, but in reality, you could just 
think of it as a simple way to download big files in the middle of the 
night for use on your desktop.

So in theory, podcasting _software_ could be a great tool for helping 
folks with limited bandwidth access large files when they're not 
actively using the computer. One of the problems is that many podcasts 
are becoming huge files, tens of megs in size, which are prohibitively 
large for low-bandwidth users.

Additionally, there's a strong push to _professionalize_ podcasting. In 
other words, rather than having any Joe or Jane Shmo record a short 
audio blog with free, easy to use tools, more people are trying to 
imitate the Adam Currys of the world by investing in pre-amps, studio 
mics, sound absorption blankets, etc. While all of these bells and 
whistles make your podcasts sounds more professional, it also raises the 
bar qualitatively, as well as raising expections of the public at large 
that podcasts should sound like broadcast radio. It's an audio quality 
arms race in which only the best-sounding podcasters survive and the 
rest of us using our computer's internal mic get left behind, and that's 
de-democratizing the whole medium.

That's why I'm glad Chris Lydon and his team are doing Open Source Radio 
- they're using mobcasting (in this context, public contributions via 
telephone) and are unabashedly happy to mix in content that's 
low-quality from a technical/broadcasting point of view. Even though the 
sound quality will leave a lot to be desired, it puts the power of 
podcasting back into the hands of the people

ac
Taran Rampersad wrote:
Snipped some stuff...
John Hibbs wrote:

Here's my caveat. The one area that I think needs improvement is how
both groups can get more attention?
My guess is that podcasting, satellite radio, community radio and the
innovative spirits that are found in both groups are the main
ingredients for wide publicity - and more money, accelerated results.
Yet, both groups seem satisfied to reach a few hundred in their real
time events and a few thousand in their electronic circulations.

OK, I have only one problem with this, really: Podcasting. Note - that
is not to say that I disagree with *mobcasting*. Podcasting, by itself,
isn't something I deem very important as it is and as it is used. Aside
from marketing hype... podcasting has limited value to the vast majority
of users of the internet. Audio blogging is for people who have bandwidth.
--
---
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http://www.tsunami-info.org
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Re: [DDN] Webheads and the Digital Divide Network,

[Taran Rampersad]

Snipped some stuff...

John Hibbs wrote:

> Here's my caveat. The one area that I think needs improvement is how
> both groups can get more attention?
>
> My guess is that podcasting, satellite radio, community radio and the
> innovative spirits that are found in both groups are the main
> ingredients for wide publicity - and more money, accelerated results.
> Yet, both groups seem satisfied to reach a few hundred in their real
> time events and a few thousand in their electronic circulations.

OK, I have only one problem with this, really: Podcasting. Note - that
is not to say that I disagree with *mobcasting*. Podcasting, by itself,
isn't something I deem very important as it is and as it is used. Aside
from marketing hype... podcasting has limited value to the vast majority
of users of the internet. Audio blogging is for people who have bandwidth.

Now - *mobcasting*, which our own Andy Carvin came up with, is something
I see quite useful in the context of many things. The mobcasting idea
has suffered, I think, because of the hubris of *podcasting*. Mobcasting
allows real time event *discussion*, and I know that Andy is thinking of
ways to make it more useful in these regards.

Satellite radio and community radio - definitely. I'd also like to toss
in HAM radio, and that's something I'd like to see added into
'mobcasting' mainly because it fits inline with the poorly documented
(my fault) concept of the Alert Retrieval Cache's next level; ARCTX.
Once I get settled somewhere on the planet, I plan to get a HAM license
to work on such things in a sensible manner.

>
> I wish they would give more thought on how to reach millions.

The way to reach millions is actually already happening through the
modern oracles: Search engines. Because of the great design of the DDN
site, as well as the rapid evolution of it, DDN has become a model for
reaching millions because it caters to the lowest common denominator on
the internet. The user of search engines.

>
> Unfortunately, the recipe that will generate same has yet to be
> formulated -- much less baked. Ideas welcome.

Many people are busy looking for 'higher tech' solutions. I've seen it
in ideas for electronic meetings for WSIS, I see it in doing things that
pay the bills (commercially related stuff), and I've seen it in
resistant communities. In the Nuclear Propulsion program, we used to
call it 'Nuking a problem' - where instead of finding the best solution,
people found the most acronym-filled, largest amount of equations, and
so on.

Catering to the lowest common denominator is what this is really about.

-- 
Taran Rampersad
Presently in: Panama City, Panama
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

http://www.knowprose.com
http://www.easylum.net
http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/Taran

"Criticize by creating." — Michelangelo

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