hEARd is looking to cover the entire planet with localised areas in each country. As a non-profit organisation, it is impossible to divert resources to do this from one central location.

Thanks to the efforts of volunteers already working in a number of areas, localised versions will soon be appearing to provide information such as gig guides, interviews & profiles of local artists, venue information & other stuff generally pertaining to that area. This information will provide coverage of each area in a way that conventional media doesn't & will also give better exposure to those artists & the music scene in each area.

While a small number of volunteers are already working to cover their local scene, hEARd is looking for volunteers who would like to provide coverage of their local area. As such, a number of minor guidelines are set out below to provide you with an idea of what would be required from you if you decide you'd like to become a hEARd contributor.

Equipment:-

• Obviously, you'll need a computer with Internet access, which you probably already have if you're reading this
• Software for creating HTML web pages (or knowledge to create HTML using a text editor)
• FTP software for uploading your files once created
• Access to or ownership of a colour capable scanner
• Your own web space is desirable (many ISP's provide their users with free web space), though this can be arranged if the need arises.
• Your own email address (or one set up to receive email relating to your local hEARd site)

Content:-

• It is your responsibility to keep a copy of your entire site updated & archived in case of loss
• You will largely be responsible for the content of your site.
• Information relating to the size of your area (e.g. approximate population, number of venues, is your music scene active etc...)
• Interviews with local bands, live gig reviews etc...
• Swearing must be self-censored in all articles (e.g. F$#@ or S$#@) as hEARd is also available to many educational & underage users

Advertising:-

• You will be responsible for attracting advertising to place on your site. Although hEARd's main site only allows advertising on the products page, you may wish to have advertising on each page.
• 10% of the cost of each ad placement must be paid by international money order (for advertisers outside Australia) or by money order or cheque (for advertisers within Australia) or to 'hEARd Magazine', the remaining 90% of advertising funds you are free to keep for buying additional equipment, helping to sponsor your local scene by holding hEARd sponsored gigs, donations to community radio, funding local band recordings etc... The use of the 10% of advertising funds enables hEARd to continue to expand & create projects such as this regional area project
• No pornographic images or sites relating to pornography are allowed in the use of advertising as hEARd is also available to many educational & underage users

HTML Layout:-

To keep the look & feel of hEARd consistent, it is desirable that your web pages have the following points within each page. This basically means that you maintain the look & feel of the hEARd site for continuity across the hEARd sites.

• Absolutely no frames within each site as these have been known to create browser & OS crashes. Tables within your pages are fine & even encouraged where layout & design becomes difficult.
• White background on each page (no background images to be used)
• The title bar (at top of each window) must contain the words in the following format ---- hEARd - (your page name here)
• The frontpage of your site must contain your contact email link for your area & an email link to hmag@ozemail.com.au for correspondence relating to other areas of hEARd
• The bottom of each page must contain a standard horizontal ruler (HTML <HR> ) & the mini hEARd logo, linked back to the main hEARd site
• Use of the hEARd logo is allowed for matters relating to your local area site, but other uses must be referred to hmag@ozemail.com.au
• The use of copyrighted images is disallowed unless you have obtained expressed permission from the owner of the image or it has been donated for use by the owner

Frequency:-

• Your localised hEARd site may be updated as frequently or as little as you like, though it is preferable to update your site weekly or monthly as daily updates mean many users miss out on information & you want as many people to know about your area as you like.

Language:-

• All pages within your local area site must be presented in English, though you are free to provide mirror pages in other languages if the native language in your country is other than English

Use of logo & hEARd name:-

• By creating a localised hEARd site, you agree to seek permission from hEARd itself for use of the logo or hEARd name in promotional material. You must also seek permission before agreeing to any professional association of your site with another organisation, providing full details to hEARd on such agreements where the hEARd name or logo might be used by the other organisation for it's own purposes. hEARd is a registered trading name & is protected by international copyright laws.

Aside from the above conditions, you may create your own local hEARd site as per your own design etc... It is advisable that you gain help from friends or likeminded people in your own area to help out with the coverage of your scene as it is a lot of work to create something like this.

Additionally, some help may be obtained by promoting hEARd as a non-profit organisation to your local papers, TV & radio stations, asking for editorial or airtime to indicate what you are doing for your local area.

Well, do you fit the bill after reading the above guidelines of this page? If so, firstly, email hEARd to get something set up then get started on your site. Once you have something ready to go online, email again & we'll see what we can organise.

Good luck!