What is Vocalo.org? 

Vocalo.org is radio made by you. We take the material you submit (audio, text, video) and turn it into entertaining and informative broadcast material that plays on 89.5 FM in Northwest Indiana and soon Chicago and streams live on our website. Check out our What Is This section for more info.

Where can I hear you ( and me!) on the radio?

Right now you can hear us on 89.5 FM in Northwest Indiana and some parts of South Chicago. By late summer of 2008 we plan on having a tower that will expand our signal to Chicagoland. You can stream us live on the internet from anywhere in the world by clicking the Listen Live Button at the top of the page, or visiting the On Air section of the website.

Registering and Creating A Profile

How do I register?

Click on Sign-Up in the top left hand corner of the page, create a username, and add your email. You will have immediate access to the site. You'll receive a confirmation email with a password and login link.

What if I lose my registration email or don't click the link in time?

Send an email to Info@Vocalo.org from the address you used to sign up with LOST REGISTRATION as the subject and we will send you a new link.

Updating Your Profile

How do I update my profile?

Click on the You tab and then click Edit Profile (the smaller tab below the You tab, or the Edit Profile button inside your profile box on the right hand side). You can add text, a photo, and interests. You can also add your phone number so you will be able to post to the site with nothing more than your phone.

Adding Items (Images, Audio, Video and Text)

How do I add an item?

You can watch a video tutorial here (coming soon!), or follow the directions below. Please note that uploading items is a two step process of uploading to the library and then making a post.

1.     Click on the Create Page.

2.      Go to the corner of the library box and click the blue button that says  "Add An Item ".

4.     Add anything from your computer (see guidelines for sizing and file formats below).

5.     Choose a Licensing agreement. Share means you allow other people to download, use, and change your work. Don't Share means no one but you and Vocalo.org staff can download and edit it.

6.     Add Tags. Put words here that will help others find your posts.

7.     Choose a category. You can only choose one, so pick what fits best.

8.     YOUR POST ISN'T PUBLIC YET. If you chose Don't Share, whatever you uploaded now exists in your library, BUT NO ONE ELSE CAN SEE IT unless they are Vocalo.org staff. If you chose Share, other users can see it in the library view and use it in their pieces, but it is not yet part of the public website.

9.     If you want to make your content public, drag it over to the left hand side and create a post. You can add a mix of video, images, audio, and text. You can add from your own library or check the "See Shared Library Box" on the top of the library  to add other peoples stuff.

10.  Click "Publish".

11.  Now it is public and others can view it.

ABOUT FILE FORMATS:

About File Formats and Size:

Files can be no larger than 32 MB.

Adding an image: Images can be in any of the following formats: ai, bmp, cdr, cpt, dib, fi, gif, png, mng, jpg, jpeg, pcx, xbm, xpm. The Vocalo.org site will resize the image and reformat it as a JPEG.

Adding audio: Audio files can be in any of the following formats: wav, wma, au, mp3, aiff, ogg, vox, gsm, flac.  The Vocalo.org site will convert the file into an MP3 automatically.

Adding video: same as above. Vocalo.org accepts avi, mov, wmv, mpeg, mp4, mpeg2, dv, 3gp, 3g2, mpeg4, qt, mpg.  The Vocalo.org site will convert the file into an FLV file automatically.

Adding text: The rich text editor has a few styling functions including bold, italics, bullets, indents and linking. To create a hyperlink, highlight the text you want to link and choose the "chain" icon. You'll see a pop-up box to enter the URL for the link to site.

I'm having trouble uploading material. What should I do?

1. Check to make sure the file is the right size. See info above.

2. Make sure you are uploading the right file format. Check to make sure the file name ends with the name of the format (for example: .mov, .avi, .mp)

3.If you are still getting an error message you can email us at info@vocalo.org.

My Podcast or Video is above the size limit, what should I do?

We suggest breaking it up into segments. We very rarely play anything over 7 min on the broadcast, so we will probably have to break it up anyway. You can label it part 1, part 2, etc., so people on the website can listen to it in order.

What is the difference between uploading stuff to my library and making a post?

When you upload it to the library it's not viewable to the general public, it's like a private stash. If you chose a Share License then users who are signed in to Vocalo.org can see your stuff and include it in their posts, even though it's not public. If you chose a Don't Share License then only you and Vocalo.org hosts can see your library. You get material into your library using the blue Add Item button on the right hand side of the Create page. When you post the material, it becomes viewable to the general public--anyone surfing the Vocalo.org website. A post can contain image, text, video, and audio bundled together in one place. Making a post is the best way to get material on air and seen by the general public. You get material in a post by dragging it from your library and into the white posting box on the left hand side of the page.

I added stuff to the website, but I don't see it in the public areas. What's wrong?

Make sure that you not only uploaded it to your library, but also posted it to the site. See the above question for more details about uploading vs. posting. If you are sure you have made a post, contact info@vocalo.org for more help.

How do I use my phone to get my stuff on air? 

 1. Become a User and Make a Profile (instructions here) type what you see in the box (for security) and then click "CREATE NEW ACCOUNT".

2. This is your profile page.  So add your phone number in the phone section.

3. Choose your hotline setting:CHOOSE the first box if you want to review your hotline messages in your own online library before you post publicly (good for if you are online a lot).o CHOOSE the second box if you want your hotline audio to automatically post to the site (good for if you are rarely online but want to contribute audio).

4. While you're here, why not UPLOAD a profile photo and type a little about yourself?

5. When you're done updating your profile, scroll to the bottom and click SAVE.

6. Call 888.635.1112 and listen to the menu options (or press #) to skip, then RECORD your audio.  Press 1 = do your own thing Press 2 = listen to an idea for something you can record           

7.  If you chose for your audio to go public - check out the Explore Tab (there's your audio!)  It also is in your library for downloading.

8. If you chose to review first, go to the Create Tab and look in your library (there it is!) Ready to post it? Drag it over to the Create space and give your post a title, then click PUBLISH THIS POST.

How do I download material (my own or others) to share and edit?

Go to the Create Tab. Make sure the "See Shared Library" box is clicked. Search for the item you want. Click the blue Download button.  You can download any of your own material. However, you can only download material from other people if they have chosen the Share License.

How will I know when my stuff is on air?

You will receive a notification on your You Dashboard. At this point, it does not notify your email address, so be sure to check back on the site.  Stuff is sometimes added while the show is on air. However, you should be able to catch your piece in rebroadcast.

How do I increase my chances for getting on air?

Two big things: Everything we broadcast is less than seven minutes long. If your stuff is longer, split it into multiple parts (or we can do it). Second, sending us audio with music is okay, but it makes it more difficult to collaborate with you to get it ready for broadcast. The best way around this is to submit your audio without music, and if you think it should have some music, either upload the music you want us to use, or suggest a music track when you submit the content.

Other Tips:

-E-mail friends and family to let them know your stuff is up on the site. The more attention your pieces get via page views, comments, and votes, the more likely it is to get on air.

-Be sure you understand how mature content and language may shape the way your audio is played on air by reading the Community Guidelines.

-Improve your audio skills by exploring Resources and Tips.

What we're looking for: anything! Your jokes, parodies, performances, interviews, music, personal diary, shout-outs, recommendations, rants, whatever you want to add.

A note about copyrighted material: all submissions must be original content that you have made or have permission to include.

I don't have audio equipment, what should I do?

You can buy a simple kit in the Vocalo.org store or if your projects are simple you can use your phone to record audio. You can download free editing software at Audacity. For more info about how to record audio or more detailed equipment suggestions check out our Resources and Tips section. 

Licensing, Ownership Issues, and Sharing

How do I report a copyright or licensing violation?

If someone has violated the copyright or licensing agreement please contact Info@Vocalo.org or 312-893-2956.

Navigating the Website

I'm trying to find material by a certain user, how can I do that?

Go to the Explore tab. Click the Search button below the Explore tab. Filter it to Users. Type in the user name. Click on their page and you can see all their content.

I missed a broadcast when my stuff or a friend's stuff was on air, how do I find that broadcast?

Click on the On Air Tab. Click on the Archive Tab. Use the blue buttons to move back and forth by month or week. Click the orange link to the broadcast you wish to hear.

I heard there was a story about such-n-such on Vocalo.org-How do I find it? You can use the search tab underneath the explore tab and try typing key words to find the story.

I'd just like to cruise around and find some cool content: Where do I start?

Start by searching Categories or Tags that interest you under the Explore tab. Or listen to the live broadcast to hear a mix of material our host already picked out.

How do I participate live on air?

1.     Call the live in-studio number 312-893-2993.

2.     Go to the Live Playlist and add a comment in the bottom section. You can use this section to make suggestions for what you would like to hear on air, or make a comment that you would like read on air.

3.     Reply to the Say What Box. The host will type a question or topic they are discussing and then read responses on air.

4.     Write an email to Onair@Vocalo.org

I have an event, cause, or Public Service Announcement, I would like to be on Vocalo.org. What should I do?

The best option? Cover it yourself! Its so easy, you can just call 888-635-1112 and leave a message announcing what you want to announce.  If you want do something more extensive use this FAQ section and the Resources and Tips section to learn how to record your own audio and get it on the air. You can also try contacting a Vocalo.org contributor whose work you like and ask them to cover your story. If you are having trouble finding someone, email Info@Vocalo.org or private message Shannon via the site. We will try to get one of our hosts, or a member of the Vocalo.org community to cover your topic.

My stuff is up on Vocalo.org and I want to promote it. How can I do that?

1.    Let all your friends and family know when your stuff is on the site. The more hits it gets, the more likely it is to come up on searches and get attention on the site itself.

2.    Use the little buttons below your piece that say "stumble, delicious, etc.," to get attention on other websites.

3.    If you have your own blog you can get "Hear Me On Vocalo.org" buttons that will lead back to your content. Email Shannon to get the buttons.

4.    Find blogs, articles, websites that are covering the same topics as you. Post comments on those sites and link back to your own work on Vocalo.org.  

I want to connect my organization, classroom, business, or project with Vocalo.org. Who should I contact?

Contact: Info@Vocalo.org.

I want to attend a Vocalo.org training. When is the next one?

You can sign up for upcoming trainings in the Vocalo.org store. They don't cost a dime, but doing them through the store helps us keep track of numbers. If a training is full, you can wait on standby or sign up for the next month. If you have an idea of where you would like to have a training email us at Info@Vocalo.org.

Reporting Problems or Making Suggestions

We're still working on the site and greatly appreciate your feedback. Let us know what's working and what's not.  Tell us features or tweaks we could make to improve usability. You are our co-creators. We mean that. Send your suggestions to Info@Vocalo.org or private message our online community manager Shannon via the site.