Audio/Video NGO-in-a-box
Submitted by and on Thu, 2006-04-13 23:48.
http://audiovideo.ngoinabox.org/node/28

The Audio and Video edition of NGO-in-a-box is a toolkit of Free and
Open Source Software (FOSS), documentation and tutorials for NGOs,
non-profits and media activists.

Traditionally audio and video production and distribution have been
cost prohibitive for most people, particularly for those in
transition or developing countries. New technologies are changing
that. We've put together a kit that lowers the entry level for NGOs
and individuals wanting to use audio and video, introduces you to the
world of FOSS as well as low-cost technology and its possibilities
for transforming the balance of forces in the realm of media
production.

Audio and Video are both extremely powerful communication tools that
can be used extensively for documenting and monitoring, campaigning,
lobbying, education, awareness raising and outreach. The A/V edition
of NGO-in-a-box is aimed at activist and advocacy organisations in
which audio and video is a significant aspect of their work or those
groups or individuals interested to explore further how these tools
might assist them. The box is not aimed at experts but hopes instead
to make these often complex tools accessible to a broader user base.

We envision the Audio and Video edition of NGO-in-a-box within a
trajectory of citizen journalism and advocacy work, a toolkit for DIY
media makers to find their voice and effect change.

The A/V NGO-in-a-box is a selection of what we believe are the best
FOSS audio/video tools currently available covering editing,
streaming, encoding, distribution and more. We have also provided
documentation on how to use these tools and a range of tutorials on
various aspects of audio and video production. We've also included
the multimedia Linux distribution Dyne:bolic which you can run on
your PC without even having to install it, and the TheOpenCD, a
collective of open source programmes for day to day activities.

There is still however much room to grow and improvements to be made
in this area of FOSS audio and video. We're interested in your
feedback to develop the tool-kit into the future so please contact us
if you have any suggestions.