Using Multimedia in Directra

You can use Directra to upload and view any type of file. Directra offers special handling for photo and video files as specific media types and also allows you to upload and use any other type of file. All multimedia/file options are available, appropriately enough, on the Media tab and on the Options menu for each media file.

By default this feature is enabled. You can turn it on or off by selecting Configure Features from the Settings tab, then checking or unchecking the Album box.

Uploading Files

On the Media tab select Upload <media type>, where you have the choice of uploading videos, photos or other files. Note the upload icon upload , which makes it easy to find the upload operations.

The Upload <media type> page opens, where you can specify these options:

Multiple File Upload: Click the Select & Upload button, then select the files to upload. Directra displays the status of each file being uploaded and gives a summary when done. This feature requires that you have the latest version of Adobe Flash installed on your computer.
Single File Upload: Click the button, then specify the file you want to uploade. This option is availble if you don't have Flash installed. (Don't worry about this. Directra will tell you.)
Assign To: For both the above options you can tell Directra to assign the uploaded file(s) to an album, person or calendar entry. If you don't specify this now, you can always do the assignment later. Details are in the next section.

Before you upload a file make sure that you own the file or have permission to upload it. Also make sure that the file contains no material that is inappropriate for or offensive to members of the Group.

Organizing your Media Files

Use the commands on the Media tab to organize your files on one (or more) of these ways.

Albums: Group media files together that have a common theme. Example: You take photos at a team party and want to group these photos together in a team party album.
Members: Assign media files to an Group member, making the file available from the member's Member Page. Example: You take a game video and, of course, your video features your child. Upload the video, then assign it to your child. It will be available on your child's Member Page for others to view.
Calendar Entries: Assign media files to a game, practice or event. Example: As in the example for albums, you can assign a set of photos to the calendar event for the party. Then just find the event on your calendar and click the photo icon .

You have great flexibility in how to assign media files. An album can consist of videos, photos and also other types of files. Or for an upcoming game you may assign a PDF file with requirements for the game, then after the game is over you assign photos and videos to that game. And you can assign the same media file in more than one way. For example, some photos assigned to an event can also be assigned to members.

Viewing your Media Files

View your media in any of these ways:

By Type: Watch videos, view photos as thumbnails or as a slide show, or view any other type of file uploaded into Directra by selecting the appropriate command on the Media tab. Display each type of media on your Group home page using the appropriate home page gadget.
By Album: Add the Albums home page gadget, or select View Albums on the Media tab.
By Member: Visit the members Member Page.
By Calendar Entry: Click the video icon , photo icon or file icon on any calendar entry - event, game or practice.
Download: Download any media file to your computer. Look for the download icon .