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Four easy steps to get a basic FlashVlog on the web:

1) Open and Login to the FlashVlog Editor - FlashVlog Now (you must be registered).

2) Click the 'New' button to request a new FlashVlog.

3) Click the 'Record' button to start and stop recording your FlashVlog.

4) Choose the 'publish' Tab and 'Lock' your FlashVlog (to make it available for viewing).

It's now available on the web!

Go to your 'personal' FlashVlog page, the URL can be found on your 'My Details' web page (the link is at the top of a FlashVlog web page after you have logged in), or on the Publish screen in the FlashVlog Editor, click the link there and you will see what you just recorded.

This is the quickest way to record a FlashVlog but there are many other features. You can create multiple segments for each FlashVlog. Re-order or delete individual segments. Associate individual FlashVlogs to 'categories' that can be sorted using RSS feeds. Choose different viewer 'skins' and choose to make your FlashVlog as public or private as you wish.

Open the FlashVlog Editor using a 'Vlog Now' link to record a new FlashVlog, or click on the on your 'My Events' web page to edit one of your existing FlashVlogs.

The FlashVlog Editor enables you to create new, or edit existing, FlashVlogs.

The FlashVlog Editor is divided into separate screens accessed using four tabs:

The Info Tab

This screen allows you to add or change the title and description for the FlashVlog. Both these appear on your personal FlashVlog web page.

If you have created 'Categories' you will be able to associate this FlashVlog with one of them using the 'Change Category' pop-up.

Click the 'Save Changes' button to save changes made on this page.

The Record Tab

This screen is where you record your FlashVlog. Your video image should be visible in the centre window and coloured bars should appear on the 'audio ladder' just to the right of the video image, when you use the microphone. If one or both of these do not appear, open the 'settings' tab and use the 'Hardware Settings' buttons ('v' and 'a') to open the control panel for video or audio and adjust the settings.

You will have to click the 'New' buton if you are creating a new FlashVlog, rather than editing an existing one, to book recording time on the server before you can record segments.

You can change the quality of the recorded video (note that it does not effect what you see in the Editor's window), by selecting Low (modem), Medium (dsl), or High (lan), from the pop-up list at the left of the 'settings' tab pop-up. The default is High quality.

If the time countdown at the top left of the screen shows that you have some recording time left, click the 'Record' button (or use the spacebar) to begin recording. A three second countdown precedes the actual start of recording (this can be turned off from within the settings tab). Click again (or use the spacebar) to stop.

You do not have to record all you want at once. Divide your recording into short sections, that you can later re-title in the 'Playback' window to provide a useful 'menu'. Also if you make a mistake you can delete the section and re-record it, without wasting too much time. You will also give viewers the opportunity to choose to 'jump' to sections of your video that they are interested in.

When you have less than three minutes of recording time left, a button appears, allowing you to request additional time. This is useful if you need a few more minutes to complete your FlashVlog. Also, if you have no recording time available, when you entered the Editor to edit an existing FlashVlog for instance, you can use this button to request new recording time. The server checks your request against the spare capacity available and if successful the timer will show the additional time.

Click the 'go' button at the bottom left of the screen if you want to open your personal FlashVlog 'administration' pages in a new window.

The Playback Tab

Recorded segments play back in the order they appear in the 'segments list' positioned at the top right of the playback screen. Click on a title from the list and the segment will appear in the box on the left. Click the play/pause button to start or stop playback to view your recording.

Segments are automatically given a title of 'segment' plus a number. If you wish to change a title, click the small round edit button to the right of it. Alter the title and click the 'Rename' button to save the change or press the 'Enter' key. The blue numbers are to help with ordering the segments and are not part of the title.

If you wish to re-order the segments, choose a segment and then click on the button with either the up or down arrow on it. The segment will move up or down the list.

To delete a segment choose it from the list and click the delete button. A confirmation box will appear giving you the option to cancel as you cannot get the segment back once it has been deleted.

The Publish Tab

At the top of this screen is a preview button that allows you to see your FlashVlog as it will appear in the default FlashVlog Viewer.

The 'padlock' button indicates whether the FlashVlog is 'unlocked' and therefore being edited and not available to be viewed by the 'outside world'; or 'locked' and can be watched normally in the FlashVlog Viewer by anyone who has the URL.

If the FlashVlog is 'unlocked' a check box on the 'links' tab is available to change. If it is 'ticked' an entry for the FlashVlog will appear on your personal FlashVlog web page but only when you have also 'locked' the FlashVlog.

If the FlashVlog has been 'locked', you must enter your correct FlashVlog login and password and click the padlock button to 'unlock' it before you can edit the FlashVlog again.

Click the 'links' tab at the bottom right to view a check box and two buttons that link to your personal FlashVlog web page and the direct link to the FlashVlog.

To quit FlashVlog Editor, use the 'Quit' button on this screen, or simply close the browser window.

Some General Points

The 'recording time left' countdown at the top left of the screen, only effects the time you have for recording new segments. You can continue editing your FlashVlog before or after this time at your leisure.

If you have the auto save box at the bottom left of the 'info' and 'playback' screens 'ticked' your changes will be automatically saved when you change between tabs.

When you make a change that involves communicating with the FlashVlog server you will see an 'hourglass' appear briefly (depending on the 'speed' of your internet connection and server load at the time) at the bottom of the screen. This indicates the communication has begun. If it remains on, or is replaced by a short error report, a problem has occurred and the change might not have been saved.

Open FMEmbed by clicking on the on your 'My Events' or 'My RSS' web pages.

This applet allows you to create custom 'object' code (or a 'snippet'), which includes size, colour and border details. Paste this snippet into your own html code to have the FlashVlog appear 'embedded' in your own web page. This is an alternative to using the 'standard' link on your page, provided by the FlashVlog Editor.

Option 1 - Choose the skin type from the list. You will get a choice of either 'standard' viewer types or 'rss' viewer types depending on which link you use to open the applet. A preview should appear at the top right of the screen. An orange arrow points to the chosen skin.

Option 2 - If you wish to change the default size enter a new number for width or height. The other dimension will change in proportion. Click the 'Fill Window' button to have the viewer expand to the size of the browser window. Click 'Reset' to return to the default dimensions.

Option 3 - If required choose a colour for both the background and (if applicable depending on the skin type) parts of the viewer that can be 'coloured'. You can drag the colour sliders, or enter either Hexadecimal or Decimal numbers to achieve this.

The 'snippet' code appears in the text box to the right. Click the 'COPY' button to automatically copy the code to your computer's 'Clipboard', so that you can paste it into your own html.

A choice of 'skins' is available for each FlashVlog to best meet individual requirements. Half size screen shots shown below.

Viewer
This is the default skin. It has rounded corners and a 'streamlined' interface. Its background can be set to any colour, to match individual web sites. Additional 'Border Skins' can also be applied to it.
		Start the FlashVlog by clicking on the image. FlashVlog segments then play sequentially until the end. Click the image again to pause the playback. To jump to a different segment, click on the 'Logo' button to open the list of segments. Click on the title of the segment you wish to watch and it will begin playing. If you click on the image at any point in any segment whilst also holding down the 'Alt' key, a URL will be copied to your computer's 'clipboard'. This is a direct URL link to the point in the FlashVlog that you clicked the image. If you use this link in your web page the FlashVlog will automatically begin playing from this point. Additional 'Border Skins' and enhancements can be selected from the FMEmbed applet for this skin. View a list of them here.

RSS Viewer
This skin has a similar look to the 'Viewer' but with the addition of a list of FlashVlogs associated to an RSS feed. The most recent FlashVlog is displayed by default. This is a useful skin to include, for instance, in the 'sidebar' of your 'home' page as each time the page is viewed, it will display an up-to-date 'listing' of your FlashVlog creations.
		Start the selected FlashVlog by clicking on the image. The selected FlashVlog's segments then play sequentially until the end. Click the image again to pause the playback. Click on the small round 'Logo' button to open the list of segments. To jump to a different segment of the selected FlashVlog, click on the title of the segment you wish to watch and it will begin playing. To open the 'RSS feed' in a new window, click the RSS button also on this screen. Browse the list of FlashVlogs below the main image and then click an item to select another FlashVlog to watch.

Making an Instant Booking

If you use a Vlog Now link, a 'blank' FlashVlog Editor will load into a new browser window. Type your login and password into the input boxes on the front screen and click the 'Enter' button. The 'Record' screen will appear. Click the 'NEW' button to request a new FlashVlog session. If server load permits you will be given up to 30 minutes of recording time.

Booking Ahead of Time - to reserve a time period convenient for you

Click on the 'book' link at the top of a FlashVlog web page and login using your FlashVlog login and password, to see the FlashVlog booking form.

Choose a date and time you would like to start recording and the duration you think you will need. Remember that you can ask to extend the recording time from within FlashVlog Editor. The blue bar chart at the top of the page will show you if there is server time available for your preferred time.

Give your FlashVlog a title and if you want to a description. If you wish you may associate it with a category. If you want to have it appear on your FlashVlog web page tick the 'Publicly available' check box. You can alter or adjust any of the text and settings later.

If you are booking outside of the server's 'time zone' you will have to pay special attention to the difference between it's time and your time.

Click the submit button. A note just below the bar chart should appear after a few moments, informing you whether the server accepted your booking. If unsuccessful you will see a reason for the rejection. If successful, you will see your 'booking URL' to the FlashVlog Editor. You can click this immediately or copy and save it. You will be sent an e-mail confirming your booking and which also contains the booking URL.

You can use the FlashVlog Editor before or after your booking period but you can only record FlashVlog segments during this period.

When you use the login link to 'login' to FlashVlog, additional links appear giving you access to web pages that will allow you to administer aspects of your FlashVlog account:

My Details

You can use this form to check and change your account details and password. Click the update button if you make any changes. You will also see the link to your personal FlashVlog web page.

Your personal FlashVlog web page

This contains links to all of your FlashVlogs you want to be made public. Pass its URL on to whoever you wish to see your FlashVlogs.

The URL can be found on your 'My Details' web page (the link is at the top of a FlashVlog web page after you have logged in), or on the Publish screen in the FlashVlog Editor.

There is also an RSS link at the top of the page that contains all of your 'public' FlashVlogs.

You cannot directly alter this page but a FlashVlog will only appear here if you have both 'locked' it using the 'padlock' button and also the 'public' check box is 'ticked'. These are located on the Publish screen within the FlashVlog Editor.

My Events

All your FlashVlogs appear on this page, with various details and options for each one. Click the icon associated with the particular FlashVlog you wish to alter as detailed below.

• You can set it to appear or not on your public web page.
• View it in the FlashVlog Viewer.
• Open it in the FlashVlog Editor.
• Lock or Unlock it.
• Open it in the FlashVlog skinChoice applet.
• Delete it.

My Categories

This page allows you to create, delete or edit your categories.

Categories allow you to sort your 'public' FlashVlogs into separate RSS links. You can also create your own RSS links that contain combinations of categories.

When you delete a category, any FlashVlogs associated with it, will be automatically updated to have the association removed.

RSS feeds for a given category only contain FlashVlogs that have had their 'status' set to 'Public'.

My RSS

Create and manage your own RSS feeds from this page. Use your categories to specify which FlashVlogs are included in each of your separate RSS feeds. Each feed can contain FlashVlogs associated with one or more of your predefined categories.

Click the 'new RSS feed' button to create a new feed, or click to edit an existing feed (see RSS Details below).

Click the to open the feed in the FlashVlog skinChoice applet. Choose a skin and copy the code 'snippet' into your web page html code.

Click the to delete a feed.

The is a direct link to the feed.

The is a link to the web page for the RSS feed. You can use this as a way to 'automatically' create web pages that include only the FlashVlogs you select.

Note that the first RSS feed listed is the default and cannot be deleted. It includes all FlashVlogs published as 'public' and corresponds to the events listed on your public page. Editing the title of this RSS feed also alters the title of your public web page.

RSS Details

Either create a new, or edit an existing individual RSS feed on this page.

You can edit both the title and description of the feed. A title is required, the description is optional.

Select the categories you wish to include in the feed by clicking on a line in the panel. Select multiple lines by using the 'Shift' or 'Control' (Mac - Command) key.

Tick the 'Public FlashVlogs only' check box to include only the FlashVlogs that you have marked as 'public' (and have also 'locked'). If you do not have this box 'ticked' the RSS feed will include all 'locked' FlashVlogs from the selected categories.

Tick the 'Include Category' check box to include the 'category title' associated with each FlashVlog in the RSS feed. Leave un-checked if you don't want people to see your category titles.

Set the 'RSS item limit' to display only the most recent FlashVlogs in the feed up to the number limit you set. The default is to display all of the FlashVlogs in the selected categories.

Click the 'update' button to save the changes or the 'add' button to save your new RSS feed.

If you use the lower text 'back' button provided on this page you will be returned to the list page containing the RSS feed you clicked to get to the details page. Clicking the 'My RSS' link will return you to the start of your RSS feed list.