MEDIA TOOLKIT
Yo!

YOU my friend, are about to make some excellent media to put up on the web, share with your friends, stream/post to your myspace/xanga account, or do with as you please...

Right now, you are  viewing a cd of all sorts of creative toys, gadgets, software, and websites which can be used to speak your mind, and express yourself.  Of course, this cd is ONLY for those brave, creative and interested enough to venture further...


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Image editing

Included on this cd are 3 free image editing programs:

Picasa
This is for the 'newbie' or someone still learning about computer image editing.  It is a 'lightweight' editor which can be used to create photo albums and manipulate large batches of images.

The GIMP  or Graphic Image Manipulation Program is a more robust application for the advanced or adventurous user.  It can produce and manipulate professional quality images that go above and beyond the capabilities of your computer's 'default' programs.

ASCII Generator
This is a fun 'toy' application that was included to turn your images into 'old school' ASCII text art.  It basically converts any image into artwork created from text characters!


Look under the 'MEDIA TOOLKIT' section of this page to install any of these programs on your respective operating system.


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Video editing

Most all computers nowadays come with INCREDIBLY easy-to-use preinstalled programs.  iMovie is for the Macintosh and Windows Movie Maker is for Windows XP computers.  

***NOTE: While iMovie comes preinstalled on all Macintosh computers, Windows Movie Maker can only work on Windows XP machines with Service Pack 2 installed! For more info on this go here.

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Audio editing

Audacity
For recording your voice  (or any other sounds for that matter) you'll need a decent microphone* and the appropriate software for recording and editing. Audacity is included on this cd for precisely that.  It also supports 'multi-track' recording which will allow you to have multiple 'tracks' of audio (i.e. spoken word + sound effects + music).

*Headphones plugged in to the mic input of your computer will also suffice in some cases.  It sounds counterintuitive i know, but it does work.

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Publishing your Creations!

Once you're done creating your works, how about publishing them?! Included on this cd is the software you'll need to publish your creative works.  

Flickr Uploader
This software allows you to instantly upload images from your desktop to the Flickr website.  Be sure to get a Flickr account first though...    

To install the Flickr Uploadr on your Mac, click here.  Windows users should  click here.


CC Publisher
For your other content creations (audio and video) try using Creative Commons' CC Publisher.  This can also be installed from this cd on to your Mac or PC. Tutorials for using it are found under the 'Tutorials on the Net' section of this page.

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**BONUS**
Web design software!


Included on this cd as an added bonus, is the user-friendly web design software called Nvu.  It boasts an incredibly easy user interface which requires NO TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE OF HTML. If you're familiar with working and writing in Microsoft Word/Wordpad than you will have no problem using Nvu.  However, a handy tutorial can be found here.

To install Nvu on your Mac, click here.  To install on your PC, click here.




 Just what is digital
storytelling?
Software available on this cd... (click on your computer type to install)

Image programs
Video programs
Audio programs
Web programs
Publishing programs
Digital storytelling is the combination of voice, music and images compiled in electronic format to help in the telling of a story.  Throughout history, story has been used as a medium to teach, to entertain, to heal, to express, to advocate and to organize.  It is through the sharing of stories that communities build their identities, pass on traditions, and construct meaning.  Community building efforts use story to remember the past, understand the present and imagine the future.

Some examples of digital stories can be found at:
 TUTORIALS on the net  RESOURCES on the net

Publishing & hosting sites for...
 
  Looking for...


For more information or assistance contact:

Morgan Sully
Digital Media/Community Technology Coordinator
(619) 497.2920 ext 106
msully@thecentersd.org
Workshop manual