A while ago I had mentioned that I would be starting a video podcast that functions as technical classes for homeschool students. I had also mentioned that I would go all in if I did it. Well, I went all in. My office has been converted to a video podcaster's paradise. Last weekend I was able to get the mixer, compressor, gate, Audio interface, green screen, dynamic mics, cameras, lighting and sound dispersion panels installed in my studio. My hosts (Tanner and Stori) both have a JD now and are learning about them by going through the LMS curriculum that was developed. We will start some "test" shows on Thursday evenings which will help the hosts to be more comfortable in front of the camera and allow them to get really comfortable with the robots and the technology behind the video podcast. The podcasts will be live so you will get to see all of the fun if you want to
On another project, I have been working with a group in the middle of nowhere Texas that is setting up a ranch for people who have aged out of the foster care system in Texas. Next week I will be setting up their firewall, NAS, domain server, some workstations, network and such. They will be using the class mentioned above for their students to teach them about robotics on the EZ-Robot platform. I want to do a show from the ranch but the logistics could make that difficult.
I will post the links to the video podcast streams later. We will be streaming on Youtube and Twitch. We also will have the RTMP feed available to be viewed directly. We have a mumble room and IRC channel that I will publish also. These allow participation in the discussion that is happening and in the show. Along with that, 662-4ROBOT1 is a direct phone number into the show, and Skype is also available. If you want to check out our early tests, I will post the links later. The official start is on May 6th 2017. We will be broadcasting from our booth at a Homeschool show in Oklahoma City.
I want to also do a show on Saturdays on more generic topics but all relating to technology. Nicholas (my son) will be teaching an Intro to Programming class. The next semester we will move up to intermediate programming and robotics classes.
SM@RT Club is the Patreon support page for the classes. I still have some work to do on it, but it is there at least.
I guess I still need to clean up some cables...
The 3 show intros. Still working on them, but I like 'em. Waiting on some music from my music guy and some graphics from my graphics guy.
Not far from being finished with these intros. We will be on again on Thursday night at 7 CST approximately. We are trying to find the time that works best with everyone's schedules and all.
Ooooooooooh! I like the clip with the TV trees! And the clip at the end. The TV tree effect is great - super impressed with your video work
Thanks DJ. Those two are templates, so I cant take credit for them. I figured it was well worth the money to have something nice without me having to focus on them much. I had other important things to focus on, so...
I am definately not a music or graphics guy. I have a young man that I mentor who did the music for these. He is a high school junior. His sister will be our on-screen student for our robotics class. She is a sophmore and is on the robotics team for school. They just competed at the state robotics competition so their season is over. This is one of the key pieces that just freed up for us to start some recording.
Web site have been completely redone. The student page is open right now so that people can see the early testing shows live.
Gear Up For Robotics site
for music, we use http://www.epidemicsound.com/ which has both music and sound for very affordable monthly subscription.
Been working on the store all day today. Waiting on my SSL cert to get finalized for the domain. Yesterday I got the last piece of audio equipment in and installed. I also setup an postfix emal server so I could setup email for the shows, show hosts, store, general info and others. I didnt feel like paying $45 per email account so now I pay $10 for DigitalOcean droplet. I also use them for the webserver and the media server. I am thinking about putting up another media server in San Francisco to load balance with the one in New York. I may wait on that one though.
I got permission from Ronald Jenkees today to use his music in the show. If you havent seen his stuff, it is pretty good. He is on youtube if you want to check his music out.
Wow...just saw your intro video and was wondering if you don't mind (private would be ok) telling me where you got the templates? This is really cool and you have done an awesome job so far. Its also kinda funny as my wife and I have had a dream of buying a small ranch and teaching those with high function Asperger's/Autism horse back riding, robotics (just playing around) and such. My son got his first Dev. kit (ez-robot) for Christmas so we've been playing a bit with it. So following what you are doing and hoping see some of the recordings would be awesome as my son is also home schooled. Good job so far. It's really coming together well.