TPA sponsors free online training for member newspapers

Q&A
Now TPA member newspapers can get free software training without even leaving their desks.

Texas Press Association is sponsoring a new member service for newspapers through a unique partnership with Digiversity.tv and computer guru Russell Viers.

Many members already know Viers through his statewide training that TPA has sponsored over that last two years as well as his visits to Texas’ regional press conventions and the TPA Summer Convention in June in El Paso.

Viers, an Adobe-certified trainer, is launching his software training online and TPA is one of the first of several state press associations to join the year-long training program.

The first class begins Jan. 15, 2002.

The programs, lasting up to 90 minutes and released twice a month, will provide in-depth training in the latest Adobe production programs such as Photoshop, as well as training in other production programs.

The Digiversity programming is best viewed on a fast Internet connection (DSL/cable modem) as a streaming-video medium, but Viers knows that not all newspapers have the facilities or fast access to accommodate such a feed.

For those with slower Internet connections, he will provide video stills and audio downloads. The programs are cross-platform and are viewed using QuickTime 5.0. (A free version or upgrade is available from www.apple.com.)

For the past few years, TPA has set computer software training as one of its priorities to keep members current and proficient in the latest newspaper production technology.

This new phase of online training will not replace TPA’s regional training offered to members through the Mobile Lab, which first rolled out two years ago.

The lab, which also provides free hands-on software training, will come back to Austin in February and then travel to Dallas in April.

Newspapers also still can request a visit from the Mobile Lab by agreeing to organize the date and guarantee attendance by at least three newspapers. For more information, log onto www.texaspress.com/TPAclasses.html.

TPA expects the new online training to complement existing curriculum and reach even more member newspapers. Even though the TPA Mobile Lab has traveled across Texas, attendance has not exceeded capacity and many dates have included open seats.

The online training should be more convenient and allow greater access to members who find it difficult to spend time away from their newspaper.

The online training can be viewed at any time once it has been downloaded. Newspapers must register and get a password login to access the monthly programs.

The ideal training scenario includes a group of staffers, each with a computer setup, all watching the program on a separate screen.

Participants would be able to access specific files as referenced by Viers during the show and work on them with the program being taught.

Each lesson will include a downloadable workbook, so students do not have to do a hands-on lesson; they can just watch the show and refer to the workbook later.

TPA is joined in the online venture by Arkansas Press Association, California Newspaper Publishers Association, Idaho Newspaper Association, Montana Newspaper Association, Nevada Press Association and Washington Newspaper Association.

A Q&A with Russell Viers, producer and host of the online training program DIGIVersity.tv. The show will provide lessons in the use of newspaper production programs such as Photoshop, InDesign, Quark and Illustrator. Classes begin Jan. 15, 2002.

How will users access the show?

We will have our site set up so members can go there and access the program, and we also can provide a direct link from your association’s site to the program.

Each state has a registration code and members log on at www.digiversity.tv, click on the Admissions button, select the WebVision button and register.

As people sign-up, they will be screened to make sure they are a TPA member.

Will access be controlled by password?

This is going to be very controlled by username and passwords. These are logistics that I plan to work out with the press associations in the next month, but in essence, each member newspaper will be allowed to sign up as many of their employees (or students) as they wish.

Each viewer will fill out an online application, (contact Mike Hodges or Pauline Word for registration code) and each will be issued their own user name and password. Each user name and password will be good for one viewing of each episode. This keeps people from giving the info to their non-member friends.

What will be minimum requirements for hardware and software?

The program will be viewable on QuickTime, which is free and available for Mac and PCs. This is streaming video, available 24/7 during the life of that episode.

After an episode goes off the air, it is available from our archives at an additional cost.

Have you considered selling videos of the show? Or burning it on a CD?

Videos and DVDs will be available at some point. Maybe not right out of the chute.

How long will each episode last?

The duration of the shows varies from topic to topic. Some may last as long as two hours while others are only 60 to 90 minutes.

How often will episodes be released?

Starting Jan. 15, a new episode will be uploaded the 1st and 15th of each month.

Can it be accessed from work and home?

You can watch this from wherever you wish.

Will you limit the number of people accessing the show at once?

We are not planning on limiting it if we can help it. There might be bottlenecks at times as this thing grows, but we plan to have enough servers and a large enough bandwidth to handle it.

Can this replace the onsite seminar with its face-to-face aspect?

It can’t replace the live show entirely, but it can sure fill in the gaps. Whereas now I fly to a state to do a one-day Photoshop class for 30 people, the web show will offer maybe 12 episodes on Photoshop next year.

That’s approximately 24 hours of training vs. six hours for about the same price. And instead of 30 people getting the message, it’s 3,000 or more.

I love the live audience and joking with them. I see my role as a live speaker changing to focus on conventions. A lot of state associations like to have me at their conventions, and that is a different audience from the workshops or the online training.

I will continue to do live seminars, even after this show takes off.

I will add, though, that travel in the past few weeks has been much more difficult, and it’s going to get more expensive. That will have an impact on my live training, as well.

Contains info from the California Newspaper Publishers Association

2002 curriculum

 January 15