2024 Adobe Express and the Free Gateway

It has been a while. How many changes since 2021?  Too many. And there are more to come. Now that everyone is a content creator and some of that population is cribbing from generative A.I.

I thought I didn't have anything more to say about media creation.

I was double checking some things and I came up on the blog again.  A lot of people still check out prior posts. Solidarity to those of us that have camcorders that export in the .MOD format.

If that critter still works, use it! 

Or be brave and record in Standard Definition. I think there is still a place for it.

Story for another time.

Now, back in the day the program I knew as Adobe Creative Express had a free version that was limited in what it could do. If you wanted more features you had to pony up some cash.

This was way before Canva. 

Canva put a hurting on Adobe. Changes had to be made.

And they were, somewhat.

If you have an Adobe account, you have access to the current freemium version of Adobe Express.

You can create content for almost any social media platform and you have access to new tools as well.

So let's say you need to make a Instagram square post or a Facebook post. You can do it using a template or create from scratch.

You can use a free template or if you see that crown in the lower right portion of the template, you need to pay for it.

You have access to some of the assets of Adobe Stock media, some of the elements and other doo-dads.

It does not take long to make a simple audiogram cover or Youtube thumbnail.  Especially if you can use one of the free templates, you can knock something out in less than five minutes.

And that is the thing. If you keep it simple, you can get a lot of work done at Adobe Express. There is a learning/tutorial section to help you out if you get stuck. I stress, keep it simple. The more you want to do the more frustrated you will get because of the reminders that will pop up when you access a premium feature.

Convert to Another Format

Well... I don't have every file format but let's work with what I've got

• AVI - Nope. There were dozens of variations of AVI so not too bummed about this.
• MOD - Nope. Couldn't even get it to show up as a file format.
• MOV the old school kind created for Windows - Yes but it might take a while, depending on the size of your video. Maximum file size is 1GB. 
• MPG - Yes, shockingly it did it. It is a one minute video and it took about 4 minutes or so.
• WMV - Nope

They have a bunch of doo-dad that if you have a use for them like converting an image or two into a .gif then go for it.

Not going into the A.I. features because I am still learning how to write an effective prompt. A necessary skill. 

So, What is the Catch?

Now as I am found of saying, free is not free. Adobe would very much like you to buy the premium subscription plan. You would have access to all templates, assets and storage for your projects.

If you like the interface and the access to Adobe Stock then the monthly subscription is $9.99 a month. You probably should do the free trial first to really confirm that this is the bees knees for you and your needs.

Transition Time - From Adobe Spark to Adobe Creative Cloud Express

February 02, 2022 Update:

I do have a correction; Adobe Spark is gone. History. As in it has gone to the vapor land of software. 

Things are a little goofy at the moment. What was publicly visible for a person to test out is now in the menu. You might have to click more to get to the tools. 

Adobe Creative Cloud Express

The product formerly known as Adobe Spark has a new name and some new features.  I found out about it via Twitter. Not from a corporate account, but via a friend's post. Been a long while since I was on the site.

I've messed around with Adobe Spark Video. I had to learn to work within the constrictions. And once you did it was...ok.

But then, as it happens the new stuff makes you forget about the old stuff. Because the new stuff is a whole lot easier to us.

And a serious reduction of constrictions. Even for free.

For the record, I don't have a problem paying for software. I do it. But I have to be able to get something out of it and not have to go to another program to finish it up. Like I did with Spark Video.

But this is a new day and a new user experience.

For your account and if you have an iPhone or Android device you now have access to:

• Premier Rush
• Photoshop Express

Those of us that are desktop users can have access to Premier Rush.

You will have access to some but not all of the features of these programs. If you want full access it will cost you $10 a month.  I tried Rush once but I don't remember it much. This might be a good opportunity to give it a second chance. 

This is just a head's up. 

Maybe during the holiday down time I can take a look at it and see if it is worth diving into. 

The Name Game - Vegas Edit

Sometimes you or a corporation hope that by changing a name it will make a difference. 

And sometimes it doesn't. 

In July, I wrote about how the consumer level of video editing software was being discontinued.

And, honestly things happen. Businesses make changes. It was no longer cost effective for them to continue to support a product that they acquired from Sony. 

What folks objected to was inferring that the proposed upgrade still called Movie Studio was to a similar product. It wasn't. 

They were not exactly clear or transparent out it. 

Time marches on. 

So I get an email.

For a product called Vegas Edit. Never heard of it before.

I go take a look.

Vegas Edit is actually Vegas Pro 19.

Ok, kinda being transparent. 

Better than not at all being transparent.

Is it 2021 consumer friendly? Meaning it can help you make vertical, TickTok, YouTube shorts type videos?  One of the questions that I would have is how much of a learning curve is involved?

Don't know. 

When I get a chance, and it might take a while, I'll check out some of the video reviews of the software.

Tip a Glass to Vegas Movie Studio - RIP

One of the long time greats of video editing is being retired. The consumer level Vegas Movie Studio line of video editing products is cancelled. 

That product line is history.

For those that have Vegas Movie Studio and Vegas Movie Studio Platinum there are options.

• Continue to use what you have. The program still works and will for a while longer.
• Move up to Vegas Pro, which is being continued at the moment.
• Move over to the Magix line of video editing products.
• Find another video editing software.

Doctor Zen gives a complete breakdown of the change of what is going on.

What the heck happened?

Most this this is unconfirmed. Talk about being in the weeds looking for a ball.

Tech Dive also has a video about the situation.

The company that works on updating the Vegas line of products decided to stop supporting Vegas Movie Studio software. They want to concentrate on Vegas Pro. That software is going to be continuing and will be supported.

The parent company is Magix. They have a line of video editing software known in Europe as Movie Maker Pro or Video Deluxe.

Magix or the Vegas programmers should have been straight up honest and told folks that Vegas Movie Studio and Studio Premium are being discontinued. 

And, 

If you would like to check out our other line of video editing software we have an entry level product called Movie Edit Pro.

If they would have done that, few people would have kicked up a fuss about it.

But that isn't what they did...

They re-named their European consumer friendly editing software as Movie Studio 18.

If a user paid for the upgrade and discovered that it was another product, Magix won't give a refund.

Unless the user lives in the European Union.

I don't know what they call it in the EU, but around these parts that is known as a bait and switch. Not good business practice and illegal as hell.

The way it is being done is the skank part.

I'm a current customer of Magix. I use some of their other software. Honestly, I think this is a marketing plan that went so bad, so fast.

If they make a change or correction, I'll post about it.

You can still get support. You can visit the Vegas Creatives Support Group.

Again, you don't have to do anything at the moment. Your software will work. You can also upgrade to Vegas Pro, it has similar features and interface. 

Otherwise, it is Taps for an oldie but a good piece of software.

Jumprope App - Creating How-To Guides

October 2021 Update: Toot the horn folks - Jumprope is no more. Kicked the bucket a few months ago. I really like the focus on making it super easy to create a tutorial. Ah well, they come and they go.

Historical Page of the Deceased App

There are some of us that honestly just like to share what we know. But there is a gowning media market regarding selling via education type products. Nothing wrong with that. People have been doing it for centuries.

The tech has changed but the desire to share what we know is in our blood. One of the companies that make it easy to create education products is called Jumprope. Users can create educational guides that can be shared on social media or on a blog or website. 

The How-To guides can be:

• Photos with captions
• Photos with audio
• Photos and video
• Video with captions

How it Works

This is an example video from the company explaining how to create a guide.

What You Will Need

For creating a Jumprope guide, mobile users will need to download the app via Apple App Store or Google Play.

Devices

Android phones and tablets running Android 6.0 or higher.

Apple phones and tablets running iOS 11.0 or higher.

Desktop Browsers: you can view Jumprope guides via any browser but you cannot create them.

What Can You Do With a Jumprope Guide:

• Quickly create how guides and videos.
• Use it to demonstrate skills and expertise.
• Use it as a means to generate income with affiliate links to the products used in the guide.
• Repurpose prior content.

It is one of the quickest ways to create educational type content. 

It is bone easy to do and it cost you nothing to check it out.

Brief Description of Audio and Video Hosting Services

So you want to make money doing a podcast or via YouTube. And you notice that you are supposed to do something but you are not quite sure what to do.

For those that just like to skim, here you go...

Long winded version...

You go to a podcast forum or watch videos to find the answer to question 1 - what do I need to do?

Then you ask question 2 - what is a good audio or video hosting company? 

Not a bad question. It is legit respectable one.

What often happens is that people give the answer according to their personal experience.

Sometimes with actual knowledge of other services. More often just repeating what others have said.

Then there are those with incentives - the helpful person provides an affiliate link to the services. This is known as a kickback. If they don't disclose it, it is an un-ethical kickback.

I think that long before the hosting questions folks should ask:

• Who are you and why do you want to do this? 
• What do you want to do?
• What is your skill or tech level?
• What is your budget?
• What are your expectations and hope to get out of this?

Very few people want to think about that kind of stuff. They get a little bit of info and just asked the question about hosting.

But if you know the above answers, it could help you choose your media hosting company. 

I'll try to be a simple as possible.  I think it is important to know what the process is before you make a decision about choosing a hosting service. 

Because there is some high tone flimflam mischief going on. 

Some by opportunists. Some by major corporations. 

Free isn't always free and there are people who want to convince you to rob yourself for their benefit.

I think you should avoid that. One way to do that is understanding the media hosting process. 

Step 1 - You make a recording. 

You want other people  to view or listen to your recording. You will need a service to host your media file. Is this an absolute statement?

No.

There are people that trust no person or any business with their content. These folks host their media files on their own servers that they maintain and protect. They write their own RSS feeds. 

There are other people that figure out how to game the system. Doing things they should not be doing. And are smart enough not to brag about it.

You are not them. You need a media hosting company. Your web or blog hosting company probably will insist upon it. They don't want to host your media files. Or charge you extra and that is only to host your media files. 

Keep reading.

Step 2 - RSS and Distribution

You've uploaded the media file to the hosting service. You have also provided essential information about the file, like the name, type of show, cover art and descriptions of the content.

An RSS feed is generated by your hosting company. Think of it as a roadmap of the route identifying where your media file can be located. The RSS feed will be sent to podcast and media distribution companies.

These companies will make a space at their site to display your media file on a specific page with the cover art, description and all of your prior and future episodes.

Step 3 - Information if you please...

The other services most reputable services provide you as the creator is information about who is consuming your content, when are they listening or watching or even when they are bugging out. If you have a 30 minute show and they are tuning out by minute five, that can be very helpful to know.

Other distribution services allow their users to make comments about what they like and don't like about the show. They can rate it. They can gush over it. 

Or in the case of YouTube comments, things can head south very quickly.

Step 4 - Additional Services

For the consumer the distribution company can provide other shows that are similar that the consumer would enjoy. Or make it easier to find and play the content.

For creators, some distribution companies can provide their own statists on usage. You hosting company would be able to draw information from all of the companies that are using the RSS feed. 

If you want more of the technical or want to know more about RSS feeds then you can't go wrong by checking out the 2016 version on Transom.org

Reverb for Just in Time Audio Recording

Seems like this is the time of the march of the Chrome based recording options. This is a good thing because recording options for Chrome were non-existent or wonky. 

Reverb allows you to record from your Chrome browser and share it with social media, your blog or website or as a way to send a private audio message or memo.

Reverb is a browser based recording app.

What You Will Need

Chrome browser. Unknown if it will work on Chromium derivatives type browsers.

Devices

Chrome laptops and similar devices. Mac and Windows. Maybe Linux.

And that is it. No sign in or sign up required to make a basic recording.

But there is an option to create an account.  More about that in a bit.

How it Works

There are two ways.

You can record directly into the browser at the website.

Or you can record via a Google browser extension. This is a video that has more info. 

You might want to mute or turn down your volume. There is no narration but the music is loud.

Sharing Options

You can:

• Embed the recording in a blog or website
• Post the recording to social media services like Twitter and Instagram
• Sending voice memos via email. You email the link to your recording to another person. They click the link and will be sent to your recording.
• If you use a teams app or service you can also plunk your audio recordings into a messages or conversation.

If you do sign up for an account, you get added options on renaming the audio, sending it to different locations or deleting the recording.

Wait, what about...?

Able to download the audio? Nope. 

Audio quality? Don't know, but I wouldn't expect CD level quality.

The cost? Zippo. Nada. Currently, not one copper penny. For now. 

So, What is it Good For?

You have an idea that you don't want to forget. Record it and save it for later.

A topic comes up that you really want to respond to but don't want to bust out a bunch of equipment. You open up the Reverb page, record your message and then post it on your blog or website.

Easy Peasy.

You want to respond to an email message and don't want to type it or have it misunderstood. Send a recording. 

Now, look. You still need a decent microphone. You probably should have something coherent to say. Unless you are making sleep audio for insomniacs. 

Basically, consider it an additional tool or option for recording quick audio.