An electronic lecture consists of an audio file and a set of slides. Here you will find information about file formats and suggested software to prepare the lectures. Should you have any questions, please contact Dr. Robles-De-La-Torre. You questions will be added to a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

THE FORMAT FOR THE AUDIO FILE

The RealAudio/RealMedia format (subsequently denoted in this documents as "RM") from RealNetworks, Inc. is the most convenient for the lectures. It was found that, for other popular formats such as MPEG-3, the free programs available to record were too cumbersome to use, or restricted to only certain operating systems.

In contrast, RealAudio/RealMedia has simple, free programs for recording (Helix Producer )and playing (RealPlayer 8, RealOne player) audio files. These programs are also available for Linux, Mac (up to OS 9)and Windows. I have tested the Windows 98 version of the programs. In the usage instructions given below for these programs, there may be some minor differences in the user interfaces for the versions that run in other operating systems. 

The suggested, free program to record RM files, Helix Producer, has the following limitation: it does not allow to pause/edit a recording. A careful preparation of the lecture should minimize the need for pauses/edition. Also, a major objective of the lectures is to resemble a regular university seminar. As you know, such seminars are never sound-perfect. Unless you have the time and resources, it is not essential to aim for a studio-quality recording. Society members are interested in what you have to say. Concentrate on the content of your lecture. 

It is fine if you prefer to use other software to prepare the lectures. If you do so, please save the final version of the lecture in RM format. If your software does not have this output option, you can save the lecture in the WAV format and then use the free recording program from RealNetworks (Helix Producer ) to convert the file to RM. 

The RM format and the Helix Producer make it possible, in principle, to include video into a lecture. This is a possibility to have in mind for the future. 

Finally, as happens during all worthwhile projects, minor tecnical problems are to be expected. We will solve them as they appear. 

THE FORMAT OF THE SLIDES

Given its wide availability, the slides should be prepared in Acrobat PDF format. In this way you can use your favorite software to prepare the slides, and then render them into a PDF file. It is recommended that the slides be prepared so that minimum scrolling is needed to view them in full screen mode. For example, slides could be placed close to the upper left corner of each page. 

The PDF reader can be downloaded for free. 

Besides Adobe's Acrobat program, there is a very nice, free program, FreePDF, to generate PDF output that works in Windows.It requires Ghostscript and RedMon. The site gives full installation instructions. 

Or, you can use Ghostcript in Linux/Unix.

1. RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE TO PREPARE AN ELECTRONIC LECTURE

a) Prepare lecture notes and print them.
b) Prepare the slides. Number slides sequentially to help keep synchrony with the recorded lecture. 
c) Render the slides in PDF format and print them. 
d) Rehearse the lecture.
e) Record the lecture. Use the printed slides/notes to pace the lecture. When changing slides, speak the next slide's number. 
f) Upload the lecture audio and PDF slides into the lecture server. 

2. GENERAL PROCEDURE TO LISTEN TO AN ELECTRONIC LECTURE

a) Download the lecture file and slides into your computer. 
b) Close all applications.
c) Open the slides using the Acrobat Reader, or print them, whatever is best for you. 
d) Play the lecture in the background while reading the slides. 

3. DOWNLOADING/INSTALLING THE SUGGESTED SOFTWARE TO RECORD AND PLAY THE LECTURES

3.1 THE RECORDING SOFTWARE (Helix Real Producer).

Download the Helix Producer version that runs in the operating system of the computer you plan to use (Windows, Mac, Linux, Solaris). It is important to download the software into a computer that has a fast Internet connection and the following system resources: 

For Windows and Linux. 

For Mac and Solaris.

Download the Helix Producer here. 

In this download page you will find complete download/installation instructions. There are two versions of the Helix Producer. Download the free Helix Producer Basic (the link is at the bottom of the download page). Once the download is complete, please install the software. 

3.2 THE PLAYER 

There are two versions of the player:

a) RealPlayer version 8. It runs on Windows 98 or late, Linux/UNIX and Mac OS up to version 9. This is an older, simpler, but fully functional version of the player. I would recommend using this version. 

b) RealOne player. It runs on Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP. Mac OS X is not supported. It is not clear whether there is a version for Linux/UNIX, as the download links for these systems lead to the same pages that are reached when downloading the RealPlayer 8. In any case, these links are given below. RealOne is the latest version of the RealNetworks player. It works fine, but it is more complex to use than the Real Player 8. For example, it includes a web browser and other programs. 

3.2.1 REALPLAYER 8 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 

For Mac (up to OS 9) and all Windows versions. Look for the version of your operating system in this page. Then, access the link for the Real Player 8 system requirements. 

For Linux/UNIX, go to the bottom of this page and click in Requirements. 

3.2.2 REALOne PLAYER SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

For all Windows versions. 

For UNIX/Linux,go to the bottom of this page and click in Requirements. 

3.2.3 DOWNLOADING THE REALPLAYER 8

For Windows NT4.0 / 98 / ME / XP / 2000. 

For Mac OS8 or 9.

For Linux/UNIX. 

Once the download is complete, please install the software. 

3.2.4 DOWNLOADING THE REALONE PLAYER

For all Windows versions. 

The download will start automatically once you access the page. The installation starts automatically once the download finishes.

For Linux/Unix. 

Once the download is complete, please install the software.

4. TESTING THE PLAYER SOFTWARE 

Download the following audio file from the Society's website: 

Your browser should prompt you to download the audio file into your computer. Download the file, open it from the File menu in the player and then listen to it. The file may also be automatically loaded and played. It is important that the file downloads into your machine, otherwise you will suffer audio lapses due to network traffic if the player opens the file remotely.

5. BASIC GUIDE TO USE THE HELIX PRODUCER TO RECORD A LECTURE.

This guide was prepared for the Windows 98 version of the program. The buttons and menu options may differ slightly for other operating systems.

a) Connect and configure a microphone and speakers for use with your computer. You will also need a sound card. Most computers have one installed.

b) Close all programs. Start the Helix Producer. 

c) In the main window click in "Devices" then select an input device from the list available. The options shown in this list correspond to the audio hardware installed on your computer. 

d) There are two graphic, input sound level indicators in the main window of the program. The values shown in the indicators will follow the input sounds. If you speak at the microphone and the indicators do not change, check the operating system volume controls for your microphone. It may be disabled.

e) If the audio level indicators saturate, adjust the volume or gain in your microphone controls.

f) Set the quality of the recording. On the main window, click in the "Audiences" button. Another window will be opened. Here, there is a list of options in the box titled "Audiences in job". Select and delete all options, except the one named "28K Dial Up". If no options are listed under "Audiences in job", then select "28K Dial Up" from the list given in the box titled "Templates", and add it to the box "Audiences in job". Close the window and return to the main window.

g) Name the output file. Under the "File" option in the main menu bar, select "Add File Destination". Type the filename and press OK. The filename will be listed under "Destination" at the main window.

h) You are ready to start the recording. Press the button "Encode" to start.

i) Unfortunately, the Helix Producer does not allow to pause/edit a recording session. If you need to pause the recording, then you should change the name of the output file. To do this, double click in the filename listed under "Destination". Input the new filename. You are ready to start a new recording.