Editor’s Note: So far response to the online training TPA is sponsoring for member newspapers has been great! Newspapers are gearing up for the first class with Russell Viers, which begins at a later date now Jan. 21 (see sidebar). Many have asked for more details on viewing the show so here is a step-by-step process to get connected and view DIGIVersity.TV.

For more on how to register for the show read last month's Q&A

Step 1: Get a computer
Step 2: Turn on the computer
Step 3: Get Internet access
Step 4: You’ll need QuickTime 5.0
Step 5: Log onto www.digiversity.tv
Step 6: Tune in the show
Step 7: Apply what you’ve learned

Step 1: Get a computer

This may seem elementary to some, but there are those who need a little more hand-holding. The computer you use doesn’t necessarily have to be yours, in fact, you can log on a view from any computer that meets the following requirements.

Step 2: Turn on the computer

Step 3: Get Internet access

To view the DIGIVersity.TV, you need to be able to log onto the World Wide Web and access our Internet site. You get Internet access from several sources and those vary by location so check or local phone book for more information.

It is best if the Internet access is broadband (connection speed faster than a 56K modem). If you have DSL or cable modem available in your area, subscribing to one of them would be best. If not available, other routes you can take would be ISDN or T’s, which can be expensive, or some of the many wireless products on the market.

DirectTV and DishNetwork both offer wireless broadband using a satellite dish. DirectTV’s product, DirectPC is available through many outlets including Earthlink (1-800-EARTHLINK or www.earthlink.net). There may be a local provider for wireless broadband, also, as many are popping up in rural areas throughout the United States.

There is a version of the show for 56K modem users, but it is a limited version and we recommend you try to view the complete show with broadband.

Step 4: You’ll need QuickTime 5.0

If you have QuickTime 5.0 loaded properly, and your computer and Internet access is fast enough, you should have no problems viewing DIGIVersity.TV.

To get the free version of QuickTime 5.0, go to www.apple.com/quicktime/ and in the upper left corner you’ll see the icon for downloading the free player. Click there and the next page you see will try to sucker you into buying QuickTime 5.0 Pro. Although the Pro version offers some great stuff, you don’t need it to view the show. Look in the bottom left corner and you’ll see the info for the free player. It wants to know platform, e-mail, etc. Fill it out and click download.

Don’t stop there, you have to install it, too. So many people download the software, but don’t install it, and software doesn’t work very well until it is installed properly.

A note on installation: If you are only installing the free player, you’ll want to use Minimal installation and if it asks for a registration number, just ignore it and continue to the next window.

Step 5: Log onto www.digiversity.tv

Before the show begins, you’ll want to download the workbook for the current episode. The book is a PDF file that can be downloaded and printed out in either color or black and white.

If you are going to follow along with the show on a different computer, you might want to download the sample files that go along with it. Then, as we tell you to do something to a file, you can do so on your own computer and this becomes a hands-on seminar.

Step 6: Tune in to the show

A new episode will be uploaded on the first and 15th of each month and will be available for viewing 24/7 (it’s called video on demand). Once a new episode is uploaded, the past show will go into the archive, which you can view at any time on a pay-per-view basis.

If you are not a subscriber to the show, you will not be able to view it. Each viewer will need a username and password, and there is a limit to one viewing per show.

The show is broken into chapters, so you don’t have to view the entire thing at one sitting. You can view one chapter a day, if you want, which is a great way to start your production day. Once you have viewed a chapter, you will not be able to view it again for free.

Viewing is best when the Internet is not congested. The Internet is like an interstate highway. The more cars there are, the harder it is to drive 120 mph without hitting a Hyundai.

If you share your DSL with others in the office, and they all choose to check e-mail at the same time while you’re watching the show, you may experience some stoppage. Find a time when others aren’t using the Internet and view it then.

Step 7: Apply what you’ve learned

Our goal at DIGIVersity.TV is to fill our shows with real information you can use immediately, not a bunch of whistles and bells you’ll never use. If we accomplish that goal, then you should be able to apply much of what you’ve learned immediately.

Feel free to email DIGIVersity.TV at any time with feedback, questions and recipes you like to share with friends. We like to keep in contact with our viewers, so drop us a line at feedback@digiversity.tv.

Premiere delayed

DIGIVersity.TV will delay the premier episode until Monday, January 21.

All future shows will air as originally scheduled.

Subscribers should keep in mind that they don't have to watch the show January 21. They have until the next show is loaded February 1 to view it as the current episode.

Each episode is available for viewing 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

When the February 1 episode becomes available, our premier episode will move to the archive, but we will not be charging registered viewers for access to the archive until April 1, so you have plenty of time to see this show.

If you have any problems, questions or comments, feel free to email me directly at russell@digiversity.tv.

Thanks for your understanding.

Russell Viers
Digiversity.tv instructor