Foundation/Program/Net Effects/Participation Guide

Quick Start

Here are instructions to help the beta testers get a running start on recording their videos:

1. Watch some of the sample videos
2. Brainstorm your own answers to the question of, "What is one way that the Internet has changed my life?" Your answers should be:
   • personal - true statements about how the Net changed you and your life
   • short - one or two sentences taking between 3 and 12 seconds of video total
   • simple - focus on one idea or change per video. Statements like, "I learned to program and got a great job" should be split into two statements of, "I learned to program" and "I got a great job"
   • native - use any language you are fluent in
3. Choose the best answers.
4. Make a few test recordings to get warmed up. If you don't have a video recording setup in place, try one of the online tools mentioned below.
5. Try recording 5 or 6 (or as many as you like) videos.
6. See the tips below for ideas on improving your videos.

Tools

Video Recording Tools

Web / X-Platform

• 12 Seconds has a browser-based Flash video recording app.
• YouTube has a browser-based Flash video recording app.

Mac OS X

• Photobooth.app - A built-in application on Mac OS X Leopard. Simple interface. Consistently crashes when attempting to view just-recorded videos (however, video are not lost during crash.)

Audio Editing Tools

X-Platform

• Audacity - A Free Software/Open Source audio editor for Linux, Mac OS X and Windows. Recommended.

Mac OS X

• GarageBand

Video Distribution Sites

• 12 Seconds - New service. Allows video downloads. Has Flash-based web video recorder app.
• Flickr - Supports CC licensing tags.
• Vimeo - Allows video downloads.
• YouTube- Has Flash-based web video recorder app.

Tips

• Record as many statements as you like.
• Please include a written version of your statements. If a statement is in another language, please include an English translation.
• If you are feeling unsure about the videos, feel free to bounce some off of me.
• Record near a sunlit window to get good light.
• Go for passion and style. These early videos will help set the tone for the later videos.

If you have any questions, please drop Zak a line.