h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, I just spark things, really. The Researchers' Group didn't have a lot to do with me; it was the way people responded to it that has made it a success so far. I'm just in the right place with the right words at the right time on occasion.

It's really obvious that being involved with the Post makes you happy, though, and I'm really glad of that. It makes it much easier to ask you to do more when you not only can, but want to. Your enthusiasm really does rub off on others as well, you know

Believe me, Rich, your enthusiasm for the things you do does rub off on a lot of people, you can see that in the responses your journals and Post articles get.
My enthusiasm may be a good and encouraging feedback for the people who are involved anyway, but doesn't have any impact otherwise. Never mind, though, if those who are concerned, care, then that's enough.

Really, all I want to do is open peoples' eyes to the possibilities. Part of the idea of the Beeblecast, for example, is to show how easy it is to make clips and get people to have a go - 60 seconds is less daunting than a full clip! I know I've said it before, but these ideas wouldn't work at all without having your help and support, and I'm sure others listen to what you say as well

Yes, but if it hadn't been for you, I'm not sure I'd ever have tried it in the first place.
But you're right, I do try to get others involved as well, because I think it's a great opportunity. I've asked lil to write a beeblecast poem, told her I'd try to make a clip, and sent her mine to give her an idea.
She immediately set out to write something.
I know a few more people I'd like to get involved, but I know some of them just don't have the time, only having a chnace to get online from work.
I must try the , though.

Ok, we'll start a mutual appreciation society!

I can't sleep because of the flu, so I'm trying to put together the trail now. I'm missing the last clip, but it might look ok. If not, I'll finish it tomorrow, I really want to get this seen now!

And well done with the poems, that's a terrific start!

I was really disappointed with the lack of feedback in the group, so I thought I'd better get active, and maybe a few others would follow suit.

I'll send the audio tomorrow (or today, actually). If you'll add it seperately anyway, I could do a few more recordings, to give you a choice.

I'm off to sleep now.
Get well soon, and try to rest if possible.

Yeah, I was quite disappointed. I've been thinking very hard about how to take the group forward, and this fortnightly plan seems pretty good to me. I guess you and I will just have to plough our lone farrow once more Sleep well, and please do send me the other audio tomorrow! I've had a play and I need to do the other clip really, so I'll try to get that done tomorrow.

Morning Rich.

I've just sent the files, doing them helped me to get sober.

How are you today, any better?

Yes, I got them - thank you

I'm feeling a little better today, thanks. I'm still full of slime, but I've lost the hot-and-colds. I'm going to have a cup of tea and a shower, then try to finish the Beeblecast trial.

with that. I've just listened to the audio as mp3, and I really had to put the volume up. That's weird, when I listen to it in audacity directly after recording, it's all clear and loud enough, you can even hear me rattle the tin - but nothing in the finished files. I must be doing something wrong, I guess.
Ha, and there was me worrying about the budgie.

What you need to do in Audacity is to 'Normalise' it. This sets the volume bars to a standard - in theory, if everyone did this to all their audio clips, I wouldn't have to tweak any of the volume settings in the final mix. The version you sent me had very low peaks, but if I normalise it it looks like a normal audio clip would. It's as simple as that!

I haven't a clue how to do that, but I'll find out. I set the input and output to maximum - should they be in the centre? That's the only thing I can see that I can change.

You do it after you've recorded it. You select the whole clip, then go to 'Effects' and then 'Normalise. It magically sets all the levels to the right places. If you want to, you can then pick out any sections that still sound quiet and normalise them individually. I've done that to Promo1, and it sounds great!

Now I really must have that shower

Ahh, OK. I'll bear that in mind for future recordings.

Maybe I'll go for a walk, the sun is out.

I feel too groggy for a walk today! Right. When you get back, it will be complete. How's that for a deal?

Sounds great! Thanks for all the work you put into that.

Oh, and I just tried what you suggested, then thought it might be a good idea to remove the noise - Ouch! That sounded very funny.

That's a tricky one! If there isn't a lot of noise, it's hardly worth it. With the audio clips that you sent me, you're removing so little noise (moving the slider far to the left) that it doesn't really clean it up much at all. It's quite good for very dodgy microphones, but not if it sounds fairly clean anyway.

I'm back from my walk. Made it just before sundown, too.
Met my m-i-l on my way back home, so went with her for a bit instead of going straight home.

Well, you can't expect to show me the 'effects' option and then think I won't try thing out.

After all, it was safe to do so, because a) you can always 'undo' your latest action, and b) the soundclip is saved anyway.

Yes, why not? I said have a play with it

I'm struggling to get the clips I recorded sorted out into a usable format at the moment The file from my camcorder is massive, as it has loads of other stuff on as well, so separating it into clips is becoming a laborious process

I say that just as it starts working properly