Help

Signing Up

• How do I join?
• Under the User Log In section on the right side of the page, click "Create New Account"
• All information marked with a red asterisk * is required for registration.
• You must read the Terms and Conditions and click "Accept" before continuing.
• Click "Create new account" to proceed with your registration.
• You will receive a confirmation email that requires you to log into Digital Drum to confirm that you requested this registration.
• Log onto Digital Drum using the URL included in the confirmation email.
• If you do not respond to the confirmation email by logging onto the site, your registration will expire.
• How do I change my password?
• You can do this in one of two ways:
• In the User login box on the right of the homepage, click on "Request New Password"
• You can enter either your Username OR your email address.
• The system will then email you a new password for the site.
• You can login to the site, go to your profile page, and click “edit” to change your own password to something you will remember.

Closing Accounts

• How do I close my account?
• You must email us at help@digitaldrum.ca with your request to close your account.
• Please provide either your Username or the email address you used when you registered on the site.

What kind of gear do I need to participate in Digital Drum?

Computer Requirements
• In order to view and create content make sure you have the latest version of Adobe Macromedia Flash Player installed. You might also want to download other players such as QuickTime.
• To record your own video via the Video Talking Stick, you need to have a few simple tools set up.
• Audio Recording:
• Access to a computer with a high-speed internet connection (sorry we don't do dial-ups)
• Microphone (laptop computers usually have them built-in)
• Your music or stories to record. Don’t worry if you’re trying this for the first time, or want to tell stories for a living, Digital Drum is the place to go.
• Video Recording:
• You follow the same steps for Audio Recording, but add a web camera.

Recommended Hardware
• Macintosh
• 512 MB of RAM
• OS X (10.3x)
• Latest version of Firefox or Apple Safari (v2.0x)
• Adobe Macromedia Flash (should already be in your browser, if not click here, or for Intel Macs click here)
• Apple iSight webcam http://www.apple.com/isight/
• Windows
• 1.5 Ghz or higher processor
• 512 MB RAM
• Windows XP (Home or Professional)
• Latest version of Firefox or Internet Explorer
• Adobe Macromedia Flash (should already be in your browser, if not click here)
• Webcam.

What If My Webcam won’t start?

• Windows users: check the web camera and audio settings on your computer. Check the software that came with your camera and/or the Sound & Audio Devices settings in your Control Panel. It will most likely be connected through your USB port.
• Mac Users: if you have an iSight camera it probably works, so check your Flash settings by Ctl-clicking anywhere in a Digital Drum video window and select Settings. Then click the webcam icon and make sure the correct camera was selected (if you're using a built-in iSight camera, it will normally be the USB port, and not the DV or Firewire port).
• If you’re still stuck, then send us email with all the details: help@digitaldrum.ca

OK, I have all of the required hardware ready. How do I start recording my own video?

• Log into your profile
• Click the “create video” link under the User Profile, or the “Record A Video” or “Get Started Now” link on the Video Talking Stick on the homepage.
• Choose “Allow” when your Web browser asks if Digital Drum.ca may access your camera and microphone. Your video feed should now appear on the web page now.
• Next, you’ll need to enter a Title and a Description.
• As soon as you’re ready, click "Record". This will give you a 5 second countdown before the recording actually begins.
• Once the countdown reaches zero, start telling your story or singing your song.
• When you’re finished, click "Stop Recording".
• Review your recording by clicking the Preview button.
• If you don’t like it, click Re-record and do another recording.
• If you like it this time, click the "Publish" button and you’re done!
• You can also watch the video tutorial on How to record a Video.

Sending Media and Performances To Friends

Just click EMAIL THIS [media type] wherever you see it on Digital Drum, fill out the form and hit send.

Adding Digital Drum Media on external blogs

To embed a piece of Digital Drum media on an external website, copy and paste the text located in the URL in your browser window.

What is Tagging?

Tagging is a way for you to describe your media so other people who visit the site can find it easily. So if your video, story, song, or lesson plan is about politics, about your family, about you, or your friends, put those words down as tags.

What is a Favourite?

A Favourite is a way for you to keep a list of Digital Drum media that stands out. It could be something you relate to, it could be someone you know, or it could just be different.

What are All My Relations?

All My Relations are site members who have linked together as a network in the Digital Drum community.

What's with the age limit and parental warning notice?

Digital Drum wants to make sure we have an open, diverse and authentic Aboriginal Youth community, that’s safe for people of all ages to be a part of. Because some people may choose to use explicit imagery or language as a part of their creative expression, we may ask particular users to help keep the web safe for youth by choosing other imagery or language for this site. Profanity is not condoned on the site. Because awareness and respect start at home, we ask parents to OK new user registrations if the new member is not an adult.

Who owns these performances?

All video and audio recordings made on Digital Drum.ca are non-exclusively owned by Aboriginal Peoples Television Network as part of our ability to provide this service to you, free of charge.

What can I do on the site?

For that please refer to our terms of use.

How do I upload an image?

• Log into your profile.
• Select "upload image", then hit the 'browse' button. This will allow you to select a suitable picture (in jpg or gif form) from your computer.
• Give your image a title , some tags (keywords) and a description in the ‘Body’ of the online form.
• You can preview your upload by hitting ‘Preview’.
• If you are satisfied with the preview state, hit ‘Submit’. Wait - please be patient at this point, as the size and number of uploads may affect how long it takes before you see your image online.

How do I upload video?

• Log into your profile.
• Select "upload videos" on your profile page.
• Click the ‘Browse’ button and select the video.
• Give your video a title, tags and a description in the body of the form.
• Please ensure your video complies with our video submission guidelines.
• You can preview your upload by hitting ‘Preview’.
• If you are satisfied with the preview state, hit ‘Submit’.

How do I upload audio?

• Log into your profile.
• Select "upload audio" on your profile page.
• Click the ‘Browse’ button and select the audio.
• Give your audio a title, tags and a description in the body of the form.
• Please ensure your audio complies with our video submission guidelines.
• You can preview your upload by hitting ‘Preview’.
• If you are satisfied with the preview state, hit ‘Submit’.

How do I write and publish a story on my Profile Page?

• Log into your profile.
• Click on ‘write blog entry’.
• You can add images by clicking on the “Attached Images”, and clicking “Browse” to select an image.
• You can attach files such as PDF documents and QuickTime movies to your blog by clicking on “File Attachments”.
• Click “Preview” to view your blog entry.
• If you are satisfied with the preview, hit “Submit”.

Guidelines for uploading and creating content: How long/large can my media be?

• The maximum size for your uploaded audio or video is 20 MB.
• The maximum size for the video you record through the Digital Drum Video Talking Stick is 10 minutes.
• The maximum size for your images is 1 MB.
• The maximum amount of content you can upload, taking into account your video, audio and other files, is 100 MB.

More Guidelines and Inspiration …

Need some inspiration about what to put on Digital Drum? Here are some ideas:

• Using the Video Talking Stick, tell us who you are, and what you and your family like to do.
  

• Is there something that makes your neighbourhood or community interesting to you? It’s interesting to us too … so take us on a tour of your town!
  

• Does your community have a singing group or a dance group? If it’s all right with them, how about showing some of singing or the fancy dance moves? Because this is on the web, a mix of closeup shots with fewer distance shots work best.
  

• Upload a video of you talking with your Gran or Gramps about how it was like for her growing up, where she came from, what she used to do every day, special moments. Have a tea with her or him and chat!
  

• Have you and your friends been learning your own language? Let’s hear about it!
  

• Do you have a friend you admire? Show us what your friend does and tell us why it’s important to you.
  

• Have you been making artwork, writing some poems or music, something you want to share with us? Here’s your chance!
  

• When you upload your video, audio, images and stories to Digital Drum, people will also be able to view it worldwide via our website and your uploads may make it onto APTN’s TV broadcasts and services.
  
• Your submission must be your own work and free from third party copyrights so please don't use other people's music, footage, writing, etc. (for example don’t use commercial sound recordings or movie footage).
  

• You are only licensing your video to us and you will still own your own work.
  
• If you are signed to a record label or music publisher you must not upload yourself or your band performing. If you are not signed now, but subsequently get signed to a record label, publishing company or collecting society then you need to tell us immediately.
  
• We can't accept obscene, offensive, libelous material or anything that breaches our best practice guidelines.
  
• You need consent from anyone who features in your work and you can't feature anyone under 16.
  

General Error Messages

If you encounter a server error, please contact help@digitaldrum.ca for assistance.

How do I remove media that I have contributed to the site?

Send an email request to help@digitaldrum.ca. In your request, please copy and paste the URL of your media, along with any necessary information such as the title of the piece you wish to remove from the site.

How do I report a user?

If you've found something inappropriate, offensive or stolen on a user's profile or blog, or someone has been abusive toward you, you can easily report them.
• Go to the offending user's profile, or to the inappropriate piece of media.
• Select the ‘flag as offensive’ link located in the cluster below the media in question.
• You can also email the Digital Drum team through the 'contact' link at the bottom of the webpage.
• One thing - if you misuse the ‘flag as offensive’ feature, you might be the one who has to deal with the consequences!

How can I contact the administrator?

At the bottom of each page you'll find a 'contact' button, if you're logged in we'll receive your details automatically, so all you have to do is:
• Select 'contact'.
• Write your message.
• Submit it to the Digital Drum team.

How do I enter the Show Us Your Beat Video Contest?

1. Register at www.digitaldrum.ca and create a profile.
2. Upload the video that you would like to enter into the contest.
3. Once video is uploaded view your video in your profile. Click the button
4. Fill out the contest entry form with correct information; name, address, phone number, etc. Make sure to agree to the terms and conditions.
5. Click the "Enter Contest!" button.