We've tried to make collaborating around media as simple as we could so that the broadest possible audience could participate. Behind the simple slideshow-like controls of a VoiceThread is a pretty full featured collaborative environment. If you have any ideas about what features or changes would make collaborating around media simpler and more human, please give us your ideas using the contact link above.

Here are a couple of tips about getting better participation and collaboration within a Thread.

If you want people to contribute, tell them on the first page 'Participate!' and then tell them how. VoiceThread is a new type of online space, and so people often confuse it for a slide show where they passively listen and absorb. So if you do want feedback or participation, let people know. You can do this at the beginning of a Thread, giving instructions for the whole Thread, or you can add a comment on the Credits page specifically requesting feedback on that page.

The collaborative ethos of a Thread is yours to define.
A VoiceThread is a place, and you the author define its character and culture. People tend to adapt themselves to the environments they enter and that is how a community and an ethic grows. There are a million great examples but one favorite is Susan Rose's polymerclaynotes where she has built an online community. A place where artists can show what they've been working on and discuss techniques, feeding and inspiring each others creativity. It all began with her, the community merely coalesced around her ethos. So if you want to create a truly rich collaborative environment make sure to support and encourage new participants, they'll sense what kind of place they've entered and respond accordingly.

Hi David,

Right now the only way to do this is to make the other people co-editors, which gives them all the creative and editorial powers you do. This works great for groups, but is probably not appropriate for people you don't know. Here a link to a tutorial on http://voicethread.com/share/8889/">sharing and adding co-editors. We are working on a feature that would allow(if desired) the public to upload media to a Thread but without granting them editorial power.

Thanks,

-Steve