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Over the last couple of weeks, @libregkd has been hard at work on these neat new BB Codes for y'all, according to user demand. We're happy to now deploy them on the site!

Dynamic Usernames
Back in April, @Ars Nova requested a BB Code to display a user's current username that would react to username changes. The first of our BB Codes today does just that. Here's how it works, using me as an example. My User ID is 6 -- you can tell from the link to my profile kh-vids.net/members/misty.6/.

Code:

Hi, my name is [USERID=6][/userid]!

Outputs...
Hi, my name is Misty!

If I were to change my name to Cassie, it would update accordingly.

Hidden
We've had the hide/hidden tag for a long time now, but previous implementations had their issues, and it was split between two different tags (one that would just use a black highlight, and another that could be specified by the user). It's been completely re-written to work as just one tag.

We have a standard spoiler tag for larger blocks of text, that works as such:

Code:

[spoiler]I'm a spoiler![/spoiler]

Spoiler

I'm a spoiler!

However, some users prefer to use an inline option, like so...

Code:

I can't believe that Darth Vader is [hidden]Luke's father[/hidden]!

I can't believe that Darth Vader is Luke's father!

The spoiler will be revealed when you click the blacked out text, and it will hide again when you click a second time.

The code is very flexible, allowing you to specify your own colors in a number of formats.

Using hex codes.
And HTML color names.

Code:

Using [hidden=#A61DEC]hex codes[/hidden].
And [hidden=crimson]HTML color names[/hidden].

Please note that previously usage of the hide tag will now be broken -- we're running a big find & replace to update them to the new format. It should be completed shortly, but for now, be on the lookout for spoilers!

​

In lieu of an episode of the podcast this week, we’re happy to bring back the Summer Mini Series! We usually begin earlier in the year, so we hope you all will forgive our tardiness, but better late than never, right?

What is the Summer Mini Series?
The Summer Mini Series is an opportunity for members to be further involved in the KH-Vids Podcast. In groups, members will make their own podcast episode with a topic of their choosing. The completed episode will be posted on KH-Vids like any other episode of the podcast for all to hear!

The Mini Series will not affect the official podcast nor act as a supplement for them, but is just another opportunity to have your voice (literally) heard on KH-Vids!

Sounds great! How can I participate?
The first step is to gather a group for your episode. Groups must have at least three but no more than six participants; each group member must be a registered member of KH-Vids (so if some of your friends aren’t members yet, direct them to our registration page). Each participant should have a clear, working microphone and a set of headphones. Feel free to use this thread to post up your topic and look for people interested in participating!

Next, you’ll need to decide upon a topic for discussion. You have (almost) complete freedom here, but remember that you’re recording an episode for the masses – it shouldn’t be something that no one will understand or take interest in. Here are a few of our previous Mini Series topics…

• Doctor Who
• Mass Effect
  
• Project Magic Kingdom Hearts
• General entertainment news / discussion (manga, games, books, movies, etc)

Once you’ve sorted all of that, one member must message me (@Misty) with a list of your group members and your planned topic prior to recording! I’ll reply back with approval of your topic and send you on your way.

Recording, editing, and exporting
The KH-Vids Podcast records their episodes over Skype, but any VOIP application (e.g. TeamSpeak, Mumble, etc.) will work. There are a number of solutions out there to record a Skype call, but here are a few free options. We recommend doing a few test calls with your recording program of choice prior to beginning your episode and having more than one group member recording – you wouldn’t want to lose your conversation!

• MP3 Skype Recorder (Windows)
• Skype Auto Recorder (Windows)
• Skype Call Recorder (Linux; experimental Windows version available)
• iFree Skype Recorder (Windows)
• Most options for Macintosh computers are limited, but you can try this tutorial out if you’re feeling daring!

After you’ve recorded your podcast, you’ll need to edit it. Programs like Audacity, Garageband, or Reaper will work fine for this. Episodes should be, roughly, between 45 and 90 minutes. If your episode exceeds this limit, we may ask you to cut it down more! You should try to edit out any off-topic discussion and remove/censor any swear words.

Here’s a guide I wrote up last year on using MP3 Skype Recorder as well as editing your episode. The program has since updated updated, but the process should be pretty much the same!

Spoiler

MP3 Skype Recorder
(Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8)

Step #1: Download & install
Head over to this page and click “Download latest version 3.1 - [BMP3SkypeRecorderSetup.exe[/B] (2.4 MB) (recommended).” Run the installer and open the program once it finishes.

Step #2: Configure MP3 Skype Recorder
In the window that opens, you’ll have a relatively simple user interface. If you want to change where your recordings are saved, you can click the folder button and choose a different one (default is the Desktop).

I’d recommend setting your Recording Mode to Stereo and your Recording Bit Rate to 128.

Close out of the program completely, for now. Check your system tray to make sure it’s not open in there.

Step #3: Allow access to Skype
Open up Skype and then open MP3 Skype Recorder. Skype should have a small notification towards the top asking if you’d like to allow MP3 Skype Recorder access to record. Allow it.

In MP3 Skype Recorder, it should now say Connected to Skype at the bottom. Keep it open.

Step #4: Start a Skype call & record it
You can call a friend or make a Skype test call—either will work fine. Once the call has started, open up MP3 Skype Recorder and hit the Record button (red circle, furthest to the left). A window should appear telling you that a recording is in progress. Have a test call with you and the other person talking back and forth a bit. Once you’ve got an adequate test, you can either end the call via Skype, or hit the Stop button in MP3 Skype Recorder. The file will appear in whichever folder you chose to save to, and you should get a confirmation in the window that appeared earlier.

Having trouble recording?
No worries! Feel free to contact me with questions and I’ll do my best. There’s plenty of software out there that can do the same thing and even function similarly if you really can’t get it working. Here’s a few option—I haven’t personally tested all of them, but I can offer whatever help within my power.

Messenger Plus (Windows & Mac)
Download link: //shop.skype.com/apps/Call-recording-audio-video/Messenger-Plus-for-Skype.html

Callgraph (Windows)
Download link: //scribie.com/free-skype-recorder
Warning: I’ve had trouble getting this program to work. Use at your own risk.

Garageband, Soundflower, & LineIn (Mac)
Downloads & tutorial: //www.wikihow.com/Record-Skype-Into-Garageband-With-SoundFlower-and-LineIn (Supports Mac only)
Warning: this is an advanced method and is not recommended if you don’t know what you’re doing!

SkypeCallRecorder (Linux)
Tutorial: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SkypeRecordingHowto

Got another program that works for you? Feel free to post and share it with others!

Can’t get it working? Simply ask for help. If you really can’t get it working, though, contact me (Misty) and I can record for you.

Editing your podcast
You have your recording all done, but it needs some editing! Maybe you want to add an intro or cut out some chatter. It’s not hard!

There are a lot of audio editing programs out there. Because you’ll probably just be doing simple edits, you won’t need anything fancy. Mac users will probably find GarageBand sufficient. Audacity is a fantastic program that’s available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. If you need help using it, check out their beginner’s tutorial.

I personally use REAPER, and Jayn wrote up a great tutorial on using it. It’s more so for the Chorus than editing podcasts, but it’s worth a look if you’re really lost.

As with recording, if you need help, feel free to ask!

Tips

• Do test records before the actual recording! The worst thing out there is having a great conversation only to find that the recording didn’t work or you forgot to hit the button.
• Make sure everyone in the call is using a decent microphone. The recording will only be as high quality as the inputs—built-in microphones usually aren’t very good. There are a lot of cheap options out there.
• Make sure everyone uses headphones during the call. This is the only way to avoid echo!
• Edit the podcast naturally. Cutting out chatter is a good thing, but be forgiving—if the chatter is interesting or funny, leave it in, even if it’s not completely on topic.

Once you’ve finished editing your episode, export it as an MP3 and send it to @Misty. She’ll guide you from there!

A few other rules and guidelines

• No two Mini Series episodes may have the same topic. For example, two groups may not do an episode about Doctor Who – whoever submits a proposal to me first for Doctor Who will get it!
• You are responsible for recording and editing your episode according to the rules in this post (time limit and censors). These responsibilities can be delegated through your group members, or you can ask for help outside of your group, but anyone who helped you must be credited for their work.
• In addition to our limitations on swearing, sexual content and otherwise offensive language (racist or sexist terms/comments, etc.) are also forbidden.
• Avoid inside jokes! Remember, you have a broad audience here.
• You must include a warning for any spoilers included in your episode.
• Episodes can be submitted up until August 31st!
  
• Have fun!

How to contact me

• Start a conversation
  
• Send an email to podcast@kh-vids.net

Feel free to ask any questions you may have in this thread!