Update on email routing issues…

While I was out on vacation, several email carriers flagged @wdmcs.org emails and labeled us as a known spam source, which created issues for WDM staff members to use email to reach parents/community members using specific email carriers.

Short version is this:   After working on the issue for the past 4 days (most of the work/changes done to resolve the issue was done yesterday), we are down to having issues with @mchsi.com only.  As of this morning, we validated that the remaining carriers (aol and yahoo) were cleared up.

All the details… the story/status with each specific email carrier.

MediaCom @mchsi.com……………….
MediaCom received enough complaints from their users that they flagged us as a known spam source.  Tech support originally released the block on Tuesday, but we were added back on Thursday morning.  The current status is that none of our messages are getting through to @mchsi.com, but we do have another ticket open with them to see if we can resolve the issue again.

Aol.com……
Aol also received a large number of complaints from their users about our email, however, AOL was kind enough to share with me the exact emails that caused the problems.  Unfortunately, the emails were our Campus messenger blasts reminding families of upcoming registration, so it’s not really spam, but the families submitted to aol as spam.  I finished up working with AOL yesterday and the tests from this morning are showing that everything is cleared up with aol, however, we be monitoring it over the next few days.

Yahoo.com…..
Yahoo also labeled us a spam source based on the fact that other carriers did it as well.  They didn’t acknowledge any complaints from their users, it appears that they just followed suit since the other carriers did it.  Again, from testing this morning, the yahoo routing is testing out ok.

Will this be a problem again this year?
Potentially, yes, I believe it will.  It’s an issue of reputation.  Once your email domain (@wdmcs.org) has been flagged by major carriers as spam, they lower your email reputation (sort of like a credit rating). It’s likely that we’ll have to keep closer tabs on email routing, at least for the next several months.

 

Microphone options for your iPad

I love the quality of the video that my iPad takes… but I’m running into problems with the audio.  The built-in mic just isn’t enough to get quality audio.  What are some easy options for adding a better quality microphone to my iPad?

First… before you add any microphone, you must add a special cable to allow a microphone to connect.  Many times, we hear from staff that just plug a microphone into the headphone jack of the iPad and are expecting that to work.  Sorry, you’ll need the following connector (or something comparable), we recommend….

Sescom iPhone/iPod/iPad 3.mm TRRS to 3.5mm Mic
It’s available on Amazon.com for around $25.   One end plugs into the iPad headphone jack and then there are two other ends: one for the microphone of your choice, and the other jack is optional and is for headphones so that you can listen in or monitor the quality of the audio.

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Option #1:  Wired Mic
Again, you’ll need the connector cable listed above first, then add the Audio-Technica ATR-3550 Lavalier Mic.  It’s also easily found on Amazon.com, typically for around $19.   What I really like about this mic  – it comes with a really long cable, about 20 feet.   In most cases, if your subject is further than 20 feet away, your going to want to record with something other than an iPad anyway.  It’s also small lavalier mic that most folks wire up through  the inside of a jacket or clothing and the end result is that no one can tell its a wired mic.  It does require a small battery, but that’s included with the mic.

Here’s what the final product will look like when your iPad has the special connector and the lavalier wired mic…. total cost: $30 for connector, $19 for lavalier mic: total is around $49

Option #2:  Wireless Mic
Even when looking for wireless mic option – you still need the special connector listed above, so that’s your first item needed.  Then we recommend the Sony ECM-AW3 Wireless Mic, also available on Amazon.com, costs around $156.   The mic comes with two seperate components, the receiver (which plugs into the special connector/iPad) and the microphone, which is wireless and sends to receiver via bluetooth.  The mic has a range of 150 feet – which effectively means that its way outside the range that the iPad can actually take video.

Here’s what the final picture looks like with iPad, special connector, and the wireless mic setup.  Cost is:  $30 for connector + $156 for wireless mic = $186 total.