Course Orientation for Mike Strong

Online Course Orientation

For online classes with Mike Strong at ArtfulDancer.Com

  1. How to take these lessons and these quizzes
    Click here for: "About these lesson pages" - information about logging in to this site,


    Example of a quiz with exercise mode and test mode

  2. Lab Time Appointments: I am in the PACE lab from 1pm to 2pm on Mondays.
    For other times I will drive in to campus for appointments (I don't have an on-campus office, not since 2000).

  3. Class Files Resource Disk
    1. Free Data-DVD disk as a resource for classes - at the PACE office (104 Scofield) - ask at the desk
      1. Media source files for editing exercises
      2. Video Files for digital editing
      3. Streaming Class Files for Streaming Links
      4. Multi-Media Bonus Star Wars Fan Film - Revelations
      5. Free and Trial Software
        1. HTML editors (WYSIWIG and Text) (such as Trellian: http://www.trellian.com/webpage)
        2. Trial software for Vegas Movie Studio, Sound Forge and ACID
        3. Free FTP software
      6. Various Kansas City area files
      7. Programs You Can Run from Your USB stick (on disk or here: http://portableapps.com)
      8. More items as well

  4. Web Page Requirements

    Creating Web Pages - For assignments in most courses (not 400D)

    You should already have taken a course in web page creation (that is a prerequisite because these classes assume you already know how to make a web page and how to make it operational on the web.

    If you really are in a class and don't have the prerequisite or are just confused about the web page creation and posting, look at the 310P class and view the exercises and explanations in that course.

  5. Locate Your Files

    For those courses requiring a web page you need to know where your file space is at UMKC for the web page and how to get there.

    Go To: FileLocations.asp for examples on locating your website area at UMKC from UMKC campus and from home or business.

  6. Video Tutorial for file transfer (via FTP) and for HTML editing (via Windows Explorer)
    • Use the Play link if you are on campus at UMKC.
          The download link may fill up your file-space allotment.
    • For Download links Right Click the link and choose "Save Target As" or "Save Link As" to save as file which you can play from your hard drive (or memory stick).
      1. FTP setup using Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer and Notepad (Play, Download 4.3mb)
      2. FTP file transfers to the web and HTML creation (Play, 17 min, Download 10mb)
      3. FTP using FTP Commander (Play, Download - 1mb)
      4. FTP using FileZilla (page)

Assignment DUE DATES are Soft Dates: They are NOT do-or-die dates.
Dates were requested by students as a guide and are intended as an aid to help you pace yourself and get done on time. You can do assignments in any order, any time, as long as they are all in by the end of the semester. Remember, this is on the web, not a classroom so hand-in dates make less sense.

A data DVD with exercise files for Video (423P) (same disk for 421)is available in the PACE office (104 Scofield) or email or phone me and I will be glad to snail-mail you one. There is no charge, this is yours to keep. (note "data dvds" have files on a dvd and do not play as a video dvd, although the files can include video files.)

The video editing software is loaded onto the machines in Royall 314 and in Royall 303/304. In the Windows menu system go to "Start/Programs/Special Software." Look for Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 9.0.

Working with storage at UMKC while editing your media files

The labs won't allow you to use files the size of your media files for long. If you store the files in your own space you are liable to run out of alloted space.You have basically two kinds of work space.

1) There is a temporary work space available in C:\Temp.
2) You can use external storage (your own) in the form of a flash drive (jump drive) from the USB port in front or USB Hard Drive.

To use the temporary storage copy your work files from your CD to C:\temp to work on. Then edit and render as web-versions (small, WMV at 256kb) to your UMKC web site. Remember, C:\temp gets wiped (erased) each night automatically.

The other, and maybe easier, way to handle this is to copy the CD files to a 1gb or 2gb flash drive (for the USB port, a.k.a. jump drive) and use the jump drive as your work drive at UMKC. That way you can keep the files to work on over a period of time and not worry about files being wiped out overnight.

You may also want to use a USB-powered Hard Drive if you are doing video, just for more speed and more storage area.

Download Portable Applications for Use From Your USB stick

FileZilla FTP program (application) - This is a terrific small FTP program which handles UMKC sites very well. FileZilla allow you to move (copy) files between your own machine (local) and the web server (remote). FileZilla is especially nice in that it can be installed on a thumb drive and used on any machine you are at where you can install a thumb drive.

Download Page: http://portableapps.com/news/2009-02-21_-_filezilla_portable_3.2.2
Documentation: http://filezilla.sourceforge.net/documentation

Basic Instructions for using FileZilla with UMKC user sites (opens in new window)