FEBRUARY QUESTIONS and ANSWERS:

1) From Leanne Johnson:
OK, you know what I'd like to see here? Easy answers to complicated technological problems. For example, when I queried on storytell about attaching a microphone to my computer to record stories, I got several fluffy "oh it's easy just go to Radio Shack" and one substantial answer detailing one superduper microphone. One or two mentioned in passing that Audacity program is a free one that is easy to use. HAH! It took me hours - OK, actually several days - to figure things out. The microphone only recorded sound effects, I had to download Audacity to record a story, but their menu is not user friendly for a newbie. (I won't tell you now long it took me to just figure out how to properly download because I didn't *see* the correct command on the screen.)

I finally got two stories recorded - I've posted them on myspace, if you want to listen to them. BUT they need some editing to remove the pops and such, and I dread the thought of drudging back through Audacity's bewildering menus to find instructions.

Another topic I'd like to see covered is downloading DVD clips to computer. I had somebody DVD a performance, I'd love to post clips online, or combine them into a demo. But I can't figure out how to edit the thing. There's probably something out there, but I don't know the right questions, or the right terminology. And I'd really like to edit the beginning of the harp story where I forgot the third line of the song and had to start over...oops...

THIS is where I wish I had a mentor!!! LOL

OK, those are my thoughts for now. I think I'll go do something simple - like a mail merge or maybe just cook a 10-course meal or, even worse, take care of a sick husband....argh

Leanne Johnson, Storyteller
815/979-9196
l.stories@leannetells.com
http://www.storytelling.org/Leanne
http://www.myspace.com/LeanneTells
http://blog.myspace.com/leannetells
445 Mill Ridge Drive, Byron, IL 61010
Bringing New Life to Old & Original Tales for Listeners of All Ages
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Response:
Leanne, I've gone through the maze like you did and believe I'm coming out the other end now although I have new cracks in my head from the stress. I have an Imic you can get for Mac or PC that records my voice well..(except I have to build something to shelter it from "p's"). After many headaches with Garage Band I called the Imic people (Griffin) and they said to abandon Garage Band ("you can get lost in there," they said.) and instead to download Final Vinyl from their site. Final Vinyl is sooooo simple by comparison. It only does one track though, so I plan to use Garage Band if I want to add effects.
Hope this is helpful.
Kathy Hunter 2/16/07
http://www.kathytales.com
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2) from Kathy Hunter 2/18/07
• I would like to know how one gets awards and recommendations from organizations of merit for storytelling CDs.
• Another good question:  how do you determine how many are listening to your radio show?
kathy@wallowa.us
http://www.kathytales.com
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(page created 2/11/07; updated 2/16/07; 2/18/07)