PreserveThisPodcast_Zine_Online

An example of what a 3-2-1 backup looks like

[illustration] Hey it’s me, Mary, here’s how I back up my files at home. It’s not a “perfect” system but works in terms of my budget and available time.

[illustration 1] So this is my desktop computer where the bulk of my files live in folders. I keep scans, music files, backups of my phone, and all sorts of other things on here

[illustration 2] This is my little 2 Terabyte portable hard drive I keep in a metal box on a shelf. I run monthly backups onto it.

[illustration 3] Fragile To: Mom I have been known to mail/travel with a clone of my hard drive! My mom and brother live in Oregon so if anything were to happen in NY, my bi-coastal files would stand a chance.

[illustration 4] Technically I follow a 4-3-2-1 rule since I subscribe to an annual Dropbox cloud storage service.

Can you think of a 3-2-1 backup plan that could work for you? What would that look like?

[illustration] Page 11

Exercise 3: Metadata Archaeology

This exercise helps us understand what metadata is and why it’s helpful for preserving podcasts.

Tools/steps* needed to complete this exercise: -a computer with internet/WiFi connection -Navigate to this URL to play Metadata Archaeology: bit.ly/2NsJkhs

*If you don’t have a computer or internet connection handy, that’s perfectly okay. Read on!

[illustration 1] So I’m mousing around my laptop...and, hm, weird.

[illustration 2] Name unknown -click-click-

[illustration 3] Name unknown.mp3 maybe_final.wav idunno.jpeg

[illustration 4] Crap…

[illustration] I come across a folder on my computer called unknown...containing unknown files

[illustration] What are some steps Mary can take to figure out what this mysterious folder’s contents holds? Write some ideas below:

[illustration] Ideas: -play back the files

[illustration] Hint: she is not doomed! [illustration] Page 12

Metadata is important!

Metadata is data about files. Metadata helps humans and computers distinguish between, sort and locate files. How? Metadata front-loads information about a file’s contents, and other information about it (like its creator, or the year it was made, or what season it belongs to). That way, you, or your listeners, computers, software, or streaming platforms can know what is on your file immediately, without having to open and play it back.

There are many different flavors of metadata. Keywords you add to a show you upload to a distribution platform are one example: they allow current and future listeners to find your show by title, topic, etc. Audio transcripts are another kind of metadata that allow people to search words said during a podcast at certain times. You could also consider file and folder names to be a kind of metadata, as well. Can you think of other types of metadata?

[illustration] Unknown properties General Sharing Security Previous versions Customize Unknown Type: file folder Location: C:\Users\PODCASTS\ Size: 314 MB (329, 430, 081 bytes) Size on disk: 314 MB (329, 433, 088 bytes) Contains: 3 files, 0 folders Created: Sunday, July 22, 2018, 6:29:26: PM Attributes: Read-only (Only applies to files in folder) Hidden Advanced Ok Cancel Apply Operating systems auto-create and update metadata fields to do with size, location, creation date, and other file attributes. Pictured above is the Windows “Properties” window, showing various metadata fields to do with a single file.

[illustration] What is a file without metadata? A ghost ship floating in a digital sea unknown mp3

[illustration] RSV Unknown.mp3

[illustration] Page 13

More on Metadata

Did you know in every MP3 file, there is a tiny little bit of space reserved just for metadata fields called ID3 tags?

You can think of ID3 tags as a bunch of tiny shelves, each which can hold certain information about your podcast.

You can add or edit ID3 tags using popular media software like iTunes, ProTools, and VLC. If you search for “ID3” in your web browser, you can find a complete list of all available ID3 tags, which includes things you should be pretty familiar with like “Title” and “Track”.

Why should we care about editing ID3 tags? Let’s think about the answer to this in terms of a metaphor. ID3 tags are like address labels on a package you are shipping to the future. The more information on the label, the better your podcast will make it safely to its destination, wherever that may be.

[illustration] Title Artist Year Genre Track Comment

[illustration] Page 14

Take Action!

Reality check: preservation is not easy. It takes resources (namely: your time, money, brain power). However, it can be manageable, and not only that, has many long-term benefits. Below are some suggested actions you might take in the next month, year, or over the long-term.

[illustration 1] Listen to the Preserve this Podcast! Podcast

[illustration 2 (clockwise)] Messages Imessage today 11:11 AM What’s your 3-2-1 plan? Ask your friends/colleagues who make podcasts what they are doing to ensure their podcasts can be listened to in the future

[illustration 3] My podcasts Think of a folder--naming convention and put it to action: apply it to last year’s podcast files

[illustration 4] Establish a “no coffee without a lid” rule for your workstation.

[illustration 5] Work through the exercises in this zine

[illustration 6] What else?

[illustration 7] Mail a copy of your podcast files to a trusted friend or family member

[illustration 8] Purchase a storage device, and schedule regular backups to it.

[illustration 9] #preservethispodcast Leave questions or comments on social media using this hashtag or email podcast@metro.org!

[illustration 10] Explore some cloud storage options, especially Internet Archive. Read about the Internet Archive, a place where you can upload your audio files for free. Consider working this into a 3-2-1 plan for backing up your files

[illustration 11] Download a free ID3 metadata editor and try editing/updating your MP3 metadata [illustration] Page 15