Podcast

A Podcast (or Vodcast) can only be created by sma2web2 members. Podcast content cannot be created by Authenticated users.

Use the Podcast content type to create a podcast or a vodcast. All Podcast content will be listed in the soundhouse.org.au podcast section which can be filtered by user/publisher. Please note that all podcast audio must be in mp3 format and all vodcast video must be in flv format.

Note: Many of the steps for creating different types of content are similar so this information may appear in some parts to be the same as for other types of content creation.

To use the Podcast content creation tool:

• You must be logged in as a sma2web2 member.
• Once logged in you should be able to see your user menu in the left sidebar. Click on Create content and note that there is summary information about each of the content types that you can create.
• Select Podcast - the "Create Podcast" form should load. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the different sections of the form. Note that some sections are collapsed and will need to be expanded to reveal their fields.
• When creating content using the "Create Podcast" form there are 5 sections that I would encourage all users to get into the habit of always filling in. These 4 sections appear in most content creation forms:
  • Title^* - Entering a title for your Podcast is mandatory. Titles are one of the main methods of sorting and searching for content, so it important to use a title that has meaning for the entry.
  • Tags - Tags are optional, but are a fantastic way to help categorise your content and allow users to filter and search through content and posts. When entering tags use "keywords" or "keyphrases" that help define the content of your post, and seperate each tag with a comma. In thinking of what tags to use, ask yourself what subject or topic words would you use if you wanted to search for the post.
  • Body - This is where you write the main content and information about your Podcast - series and episode information; usage and purpose; etc. Notice that there is a toolbar section at the top of this area that will allow you to do various things with your content as you enter it. The range of editing tools available to sma2web2 members is far more extensive than those available to Authenticated users. If you are a sma2web2 member some of the additional editing tools you have available include the ability to upload and browse images, insert Flash content and format fonts and paragraphs.
  • Podcast/Vodcast File - Use this field to browse your computer for the actual audio podcast or video vodcast file. Audio files should be in *.mp3 format and video files should be in *.flv format. These are the only two formats that are accepted by the soundhouse.org.au Podcast section.
  • URL path settings - You will find this section further down the "Create Podcast" form. You will need to click on its title to expand this section. Generally, Drupal uses an address format that includes the term "node" and a reference number for the node's content. A typical Drupal URL might read as http://soundhouse.org.au/node/154 , making it an "unfriendly" URL. By entering a "friendly" name in the URL path settings, addresses become easier to remember and track and make more sense when viewed by other users. For example, I have entered HowToPodcast into the URL path settings field for this node of information so, instead of the web address showing up as http://soundhouse.org.au/node/154 it shows up as http://soundhouse.org.au/HowToPodcast. Note that both URLs will lead you to the same page, but the second one is easier to understand and is friendlier.

Other sections of the Create Podcast form are:

• Input format - This is to determine the type of input formats the user is allowed to use when the Body field of the Podcast entry is submitted to the database. In most cases this will be Full html and should not be changed from the default setting unless you are an experienced user and know what you are doing.
• Location - By filling in this section you can provide a location reference for your Podcast. The information filled in is embedded within the Podcast post as well as a link to Google Maps (where available) showing where the location is.
• Notifications - are messages sent to users who have set up their accounts to receive notifications of new posts in general or users who have subscribed to any of your posts. If you specifically don't want anyone to be notified of your new Podcast you may tick the Do not send notifications for this update box, otherwise you can leave it unticked. The Podcast content type also has a seperate Feeds section that users can use to subscribe to Podcast/Vodcast content which is not effected by the Notifications field setting.
• Creative Commons licenses - You may select the level of Creative Commons licensing (if any) that you would like associated with your Podcast. You can go to the Creative Commons web site to find out more about the various types of Creative Commons licensing.

Finishing Up - All Registered Users

Once you have filled in all the sections of the Create Podcast form that you wish to, you can use either of the Preview or Save buttons found at the bottom of the form to continue. Preview will show a preview of the Podcast in a yellow coloured section at the top of a preview page with the option to make further editing changes beneath the preview section. Save will publish your Podcast for viewing, as well as listing it in the Latest Podcast panel (in the right sidebar). Podcasts can be listed, sorted and filtered via the Podcasts list.

If you are the creator/owner of a published Podcast you will be able to Edit or even delete it at a later stage via the Edit option which can be found in the title area of any of your published content.