|
|
|
Take
Advantage of e-Volunteerism's Full Potential
By Kristin
Floyd, Webmaster
Listening to Audio
Our publishing editors, Susan Ellis and Steve McCurley, travel throughout
the world and talk to a diverse group of people. By bringing along their
cassette tape recorders and recording some of these conversations, they've
enabled e-Volunteerism's readers to be able to "sit in"
on some of these fascinating conversations.
Once the groundwork is completed, it's really quite simple to hear these
audio pieces --and the same software will enable you to listen to almost
any other audio file on any Website:
Getting Started
Early issues of e-Volunteerism required RealPlayer to hear
our audio clips. You will need RealPlayer to listen to these pieces.
Later issues also included an audio file that could be accessed
using Windows Media Player.
The optimum speed modem for listening to audio is 56.7K or greater.
Although the audio will certainly work at slower speeds, the download
time is extended considerably.
The audio you hear on e-Volunteerism usually has been taped "in
the field," rather than in a sound studio. Although we make every
effort to decrease background noises, it is impossible to cut it all
out. (Even a fluorescent light emits sound!) Although we feel the "on
the spot" benefits outweigh the problems with background noise,
we want you to be aware of the issue of audio quality.
Listening to the Window Media Player Version
-
Windows 98, 2002 and XP systems all have Windows
Media Player automatically installed. Check to see if you
already have Media Player on your computer by simply
clicking on the link to the audio presentation you want to access,
and see what happens (make sure your speakers are on!)
If Media Playeris already installed, after
a few minutes it should open up and begin playing. You will
see a set of buttons that are similar to those on your CD or tape
player. Simply use the buttons in a similar fashion to stop, rewind
and play as needed.
-
If Media Player isn't available on your computer or isn't working
properly, you can download the latest version for free by going to
the Microsoft site. The Wed address is shown below:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e0175119-9a5b-44c3-b1de-9b2a9aa6cff6&displaylang=en (There
are also versions available for sale but the free version will serve
your needs on the e-Volunteerism site.)
Click on the download
link and complete the download At one point, you will be asked
what kind of installation you want. For use on e-Volunteerism,
you can choose the "minimum" installation. (If downloading
is new to you, see the Downloading Programs.)
Listening to the RealPlayer Version
-
First, check to see if you already have RealPlayer on your computer.
You can do this by simply clicking on the link to the audio presentation
you want to access, and see what happens. If RealPlayer is already
installed, after a few minutes RealPlayer should open up and begin
playing. You will see a set of buttons that are similar to those
on your CD or tape player. Simply use the buttons in a similar
fashion to stop, rewind and play as needed.
-
If RealPlayer opens but you still have a problem playing the audio,
you probably need a newer version of RealPlayer (even if the message
says it is a "server problem.") Follow the directions
in #4 to download the latest version.
-
If RealPlayer doesn't automatically open, you will probably receive
instructions on how to download RealPlayer. If you don't receive
these instructions or if you need to download a newer version, do
the following:
a) Go to http://www.real.com/player/.
There will be a number of versions of RealPlayer. The programs you
have to pay for are most prominent -- no surprise! Look very carefully
for the free version. Last time I looked, it was a tiny link in
the lower left corner and was called "RealPlayer 8 Basic -
free."
b) Click on the download link and complete the download At one point,
you will be asked what kind of installation you want. For use on e-Volunteerism,
you can choose the "minimum" installation. (If downloading
is new to you, see the Downloading Programs.)
Back to: The Essentials
Share your questions or suggestions with the Webmaster!
|
