What We Do

The interesting tasks we do​

By way of an introduction to tasks, here is a timeline of the interview process:
  • We interview a person and record the audio of the interview
  • The audio is edited to remove pauses and noises
  • The audio is transcribed and a synopsis made
  • A magazine may be made if there are photographs
  • Artwork for the CD and cover are edited
  • The CDs for that interview are made

Interviewing

We have notes from experienced oral historians we use to self-train and we can always use people who can interview.

There are also many good radio programs that feature excellent interviewing to model from. To cite one example: Listen to ‘Conversations’ on Radio National, 1269 on the AM band, 810 when listening in Perth. Radio National have a website from which you may listen to or download past programs in mp3 format: visit site.

Interviewing is a skilled art which you can attain with good notes, modelling, practice and good feedback, all of which we can assist you with as requested.

Transcribing

People who transcribe may download the free program ‘Pot Player’ and set-up a series of macros that allow the program to easily stop, start, rewind, slow-down etc. Transcribers listen to the audio and then type what they hear.

Some may wish also to download the free program Libre Office and use its excellent word processor.

We have written notes on grammar, punctuation etc to help transcribers.

Audio Editing

Our group can certainly use people who wish to edit audio. People with a desire to edit the audio download the free program ‘Audacity’ which they use to shorten pauses, remove distracting sounds, adjust the volume etc to create pleasing audio.

We have written notes on various processes in Audacity with which you may self-train.

Magazines

When we have sufficient photographs for an interview, we may make a condensation of the transcription and publish this interspersed with photographs.

Libre Office ‘Draw’ may be used for magazines as may be the free program ‘Scribus’ which may be downloaded and either used to create a pdf magazine to be placed on the CD of the interview.
We can assist with these tasks.

CDs

We have templates for the artwork for the CD and the CD cover which may be edited by downloading the free program ‘Libre Office’. We fill-in the details on these and print them to create professional CDs.

CDs are then burned on our computer.

Others

Being part of a group will also allow you to train in meeting procedure and dealing with the public in an ambassadorial role.

From members you may learn skills such as those mentioned above and also includes writing books based on history which may be fact or fiction.