Podcasting (and vlogging) without electricity or bandwidth in Cambodia: Notes from Conversation with Andy Carvin

In my earlier post about podcasting, I referenced Andy Carvin's podcasting in the third world posts.   I'm lucky enough to live the same state as Andy Carvin, so I called him to chat about this idea further.

I have been described as a "tech savvy foreigner" on a few Khmer blogs recently, so I wanted a reality check.   Am I being an insensitive blog/podcasting promoter?  Did I miss the important question .... "Given the barriers of equipment, access, and infrastructure, is podcasting even relevant for Cambodia?"

I like Andy's take.  "Even if the technology isn’t up to par, by US standards, we shouldn’t discourage people from experimenting."  Andy suggests that we shouldn't view limited infrastructure as a barrier, but an opportunity for creative problem-solving to find a low-cost, open source way to do it.  If a few people begin doing it, others will follow and it might increase demand.

The first option would be to have a podcasting tool kit available in telecentres and non-mobile podcasting.  The toolkit would include a tutorial, free audio editing software, and a cheap microphone.  The tutorial would include:

 

Why give a damn about podcasting?
What makes a podcast a podcast?
How can you do it for free?
Understanding Audio Files and Compression
How to make your first recording?
Record, Edit, Compress Skills
How to upload to your blog
How to distribute (RSS Feed)

He gave me some names of free audio editing software -- seems like the one used most often is audacity (it's open source), but it has a geeky interface.  Andy noted that it would take some research to look at some free alternatives to find one with a decent UI.

 

The second way is a via a cell phone and use services where you can call into a number, leave a voice mail, and it emails you the file.  The problem is that most of these services are in the US and keypad patterns differ internationally and not to mention the expensive.  Still, in Cambodia, cell phone carriers offer this service, but may prove to be too expensive.

Andy had another idea.  This one a bit more technically sophisicated.  It would be sort of a hack.  There would be a local dedicated voicemail server.  Once set up, anyone within the local call range could call into it, leave a voice mail, and have an email sent to them.  (I hope I got it right because it is a bit more technically sophisicated than I am). 

Anyway, Andy emailed me to let me know that he has set up a community of people interested in trying to make this happen.   The list is for people who are interested in low-cost, open mobile podcasting.   

Comments

[pr]

Hi Beth,
Andy is right and you are right too. I think vlog and podcasting could play major roles in empowering poeple (if used right) in the upcoming Cambodian election. Since large number of population don't understand English or now how to read/write Khmer, voices and pictures can substitute. However, complicated and expensive technical stuffs have to be overcomed. Thank you for the discussion.

[jinja]

Nothing wrong in experimenting.
Cambodia's got one of the lowest literacy rates in Asia. So video and audio are a great way to break the literacy barrier.

I think a tutorial would be a great thing for this portal site we've been talking about, if we get it in gear. The tricky thing for now is of course bandwidth.

I think there is a potential intersection here between Vlogging, podcasting and mobile phones. The first 'vanity purchase' any upwardly mobile Cambodian makes seems to be a swanky camera/video enabled phone.
I'm seeing loads of Khmers with Ericssons or Nokias that have pretty impressive capabilities.

Hmm, I'll have to look into this.

[andy carvin]

Hi Beth,

Great talking to you yesterday. One correction, though - the idea behind the voicemail server isn't to email you a copy of the voicemail. The idea is to call a number, leave a voicemail, and have it automatically posted as a podcast to your blog.

Here's an example of it in action, using the Audlink.com service:

http://www.andycarvin.com/archives/2005/07/how_to_make_a_t.html

They were voicemails I made from Ghana a few weeks ago. They weren't posted automatically, though. But they were recorded and uploaded to my site automatically.

Similarly, if you go to my mobcasting blog, you can find a series of voicemails automatically posted by audioblogger.com.

http://mobcasting.blogspot.com

So the technology exists; it's just not available outside the US, which is the whole point of making a more sophisticated open source version of it. It also doesn't let you listen to podcasts on your phone, so that aspect would be new.

take care,
andy

ac

[Beth]

Thanks for the correction Andy! Okay, I understand it better now.

Good point Jinja - one for the why give a damn about podcasting part.