Month: January 2008

Question: How Do I Associate a Windows File with an Application?

I installed the Adobe CS3 suite. Now when I double-click Microsoft Word documents, they try to open in InDesign. I’ve learned to right-click and then choose "Open" to avoid that, but it’s a hassle. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Answer

You can associate files with any application on your computer.

1. Right-click the file and choose Open with
2. Select Choose Program
3. Browse for the application you would like to associate with the file (in this case, MS Word)
4. Select Always use the selected program to open this kind of file
5. Click OK.

Does FrameMaker Have a Reveal Codes Feature? 

Is there a way FrameMaker can show/reveal previous edits within a paragraph. I would like to be able to track changes made by other users.

Answer

There isn’t a "reveal codes" feature in FrameMaker like you would see in WordPerfect. However, FrameMaker 8 does sport a track changes features similar to Word. The feature is turned off by default. You can enable track change via the Special menu.

If you don’t have FrameMaker 8, you can use FrameMaker’s Compare Documents feature (via the Utilities menu) where you can compare one version with another. (You’ll need two versions of the document to compare and they both need to be open at the same time.)

Question: Can I Copy-Protect Captivate SWFs?

Is there a way to copy-protect the eLearning generated by Captivate?

We have some eLearning that users must log into our Web site to view. I’d like to prevent users from directly downloading the SWF files. In FireFox, for example, users can right-click and choose View Page Info > Media > Save As to download any media from the page. Users could also get the direct link to the SWF file from the source code of the page.

The file or the link to the file could be shared and could allow users to view the eLearning without logging in to our site.

Do you know of any ways to protect the published Captivate files?

Answer

There is no way to copy-protect published Captivate projects from within Captivate. However, you can Password protect a Captivate project.

1. In Captivate 3, choose Edit > Preferences
2. Select the Start and End category
3. Select Password protect project
4. Type a password and click OK

Anyone attempting to view your protected published project will need the password prior to viewing the lesson. While this technique is simple enough, it is not the same thing as copy-protecting the SWF. While a password-protected SWF cannot be viewed without the password, it can still be copied. For information about securing a SWF, you might want to review the article Creating more secure SWF web applications.

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Got a Question You’d Like Answered? Email me.

Microsoft Deep Sixing "Click to Activate"

The following is an excerpt from a recent Microsoft press release:

"In April 2006, Microsoft changed the way Internet Explorer activates ActiveX controls loaded from web pages. Users were required to manually activate controls, by clicking the control or confirming a "click to activate" message, before interacting with controls loaded by websites.

As a result of recent technology licenses acquired by Microsoft, these restrictions are no longer mandatory. Microsoft plans to remove the activation behavior from Internet Explorer in April 2008."

This move will be of particular interest if you develop SWFs using programs such as Adobe’s Captivate or Flash. Click here to read the entire article.

by Quinn McDonald

Editor’s Note: Thanks to advancements in technology and the ever-improving speed of internet access, vidcasting (the online delivery of video) is quickly becoming as popular as Blogging. While much of this article mentions TV as the delivery medium, the concepts presented below can be applied to vidcasting as well.

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Appearing on TV is no longer the realm of celebrities; with the rapid growth of cable stations, appearing on a TV, a video or a Webcast is a marketing tool within the reach of almost all of us. Whether you are being interviewed, running a training program, demonstrating a technique, or doing a ‘how-to’ video, you can make a difference between a memorable experience or one you hope your clients and friends will never see.

The 360-degree look

When you are on TV, looks matter. People who don’t know you or what you do will see how you look as a first impression. Almost no one is perfectly happy with the way they look, but  looks alone should not stop you from accepting an offer to appear in front of a camera.

Most of us have a "mirror idea" of what we look like-a full-front image of ourselves we see in the mirror, holding still and smiling. But that image isn’t how others see us; we move, smile, talk, gesture-giving a much more lively picture than the mirror-check look.

So be prepared for the 360-look: make sure to check your hair from the rear view. And in that view, check for escaped labels, stray hairs or threads, loose buttons, gaps or a jacket that doesn’t hang right. Don’t wear anything fussy, or something that requires constant adjusting and tugging to stay in place. You want to look calm and in control.

Look the part

You might not have an on-camera wardrobe, but you can make the most of your look by playing to the camera with simple clothes. It’s tempting to wear something memorable and interesting, and with some luck, it might work for you. But don’t count on being able to stand a certain way, or sit on a chair that’s the right height. On TV there is a thin line between looking interesting and distracting. You want people to pay attention to you and your presentation, not your fake-fur tie. 

Tips for women…

Solid colors flatter most women; patterns tend to make you look larger and heavier on camera. Avoid thin stripes, as they ‘flare’-seem to move or blur on camera. The same is true of vivid colors-bright reds, yellows, hot pinks, acid greens and white take on a life of their own under TV lights. Basic black sounds safe, but it works best in pants or skirts. Too much black is not flattering to every skin tone, and if you wear a contrasting top you can look cut off. Listen to the guidelines of the producers.

Colors that flatter most skin tones on TV include dark blue (but not a midnight navy), charcoal, teal, plum, and a forest green.

Three-quarter length sleeves are flattering if you’ve been skipping gym workouts, V-necked tops makes your face appear slimmer, and a scoop neck can show off a piece of jewelry, but try on the outfit before you appear on camera. No matter how young or attractive you are, you want to make sure the neckline doesn’t expose too much cleavage or pull awkwardly when you move. TV studios are kept very cold, and you’ll want to take that into consideration when you choose your outfit. Most women hosts or news anchors wear jackets, vests, or loose tops for that reason.

… and tips for men

You don’t have to wear a suit to appear on television, particularly if you are demonstrating your art, but let the producer give you suggestions. If you are going to appear on a panel, you’ll want to blend in with the other panelists. A suit is a visual cue that your are to be taken seriously in a business discussion.

If you are wearing a suit, wear a long sleeve shirt, and have your cuffs show one-quarter inch below the suit sleeves. Wear an off-white shirt in blue, grey, or cream, with no stripes. Ties should coordinate, and to be on the safe side, shouldn’t have small patterns, like club or rep ties. They flare and jitter and no one will watch your face.

If you don’t have to wear a suit, dress neatly and comfortably. Shirts should be plain, solid colors. If you are wearing an old favorite, make sure it isn’t faded or worn. Jeans can look great with a T-shirt and jacket, but the jeans shouldn’t have rips or tears in them.

What about makeup?

Men and women wear makeup on camera. Most TV lights are bright (and hot) and can make anyone look washed out. Ask the producer if you should apply your own makeup. Most shows will put powder on you to reduce the shine on your face, and some studios will apply TV makeup, which feels heavy and awkward even to women who wear  makeup every day. Once the makeup is on, don’t touch your face, or you will transfer the makeup to your hands, clothes, and props.

Demonstrating your work

If you are doing a demonstration of your work, talk to the producer to see how close the camera will be. Tell the producer what sort of tools you use, and what happens when you use them.  The producer needs to know if there will be noise, flying debris or times when you (or the host) can’t be heard.

If there will be lots of close ups, you’ll want to practice your demonstration, as you won’t be able to move your hands much, or they’ll get out of camera range.

If your demonstration consists of several steps, you will be asked to bring your project in stages, maybe even multiple pieces. Ask the producer exactly what you need to bring, because once you start to film, things move fast.

Interviews need practice, too

If you are being interviewed, you want to have the best possible outcome. Make sure you are clear on who your audience will be, and what the objective of the show is. If your audience is high-school students who want to know about your field as a career, you will want to talk about your education, experience, and the satisfaction of the choices you made to reach your level of expertise.  If the object of the show is to help those in your field choose the right tools, you’ll want to think about the three most important tools to your work. Ask the producer what questions the host or interviewer might ask. You won’t be grilled by an investigative reporter, but you don’t get second chances and you can’t take things back or demand that they be edited out.  Don’t jump to another topic in mid-sentence. That’s fine in a classroom, but is distracting on video.

Practice answers to keep them short. Most people who are asked a question give too much information and take too much time. Time is an important commodity on TV, so plan to get your point across quickly.  The rule of thumb is "don’t tell the host everything you know about the topic, just tell them enough to get to the next question."

Prepare a few sound bites that take just seconds and will not be edited out. If someone asks a writing instructor, "Who are your clients?" "Everyone," might get edited out, but "People who have something worth remembering, looking for the best way to say it," will stay in.

If the hosts interrupts you, it’s a sign you’ve made the point. Don’t keep talking over the host to finish your sentence. If you are asked a question and need a second to gather your thoughts, use a stall phrase like, "I get asked that a lot" and smile.

If the hosts tells a joke at your expense, smile or laugh. Most hosts don’t want to insult you or demean your work, so be ready with a smile.

The best way to be prepared is to ask the producer everything you want to know and to practice. Stay flexible, and bring something to pass the time. It’s not unusual to have to wait a long time before your segment is taped, and it’s best not to spend the time being anxious.

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About the Author: Quinn McDonald is a writer and nationally-known speaker who has achieved the "Professional" designation from the National Speakers Association. Contact her through her website, QuinnCreative.com.

Question About Editing Captivate’s Full Motion Recordings

Occasionally I would like to edit full motion captures in Captivate 2. When I export my project into Flash the movie comes through but my Flash application tools are not available. What am I missing?

Answer

I typically don’t use Captivate’s Full Motion Recording (FMR) feature in my projects since they can be difficult to edit afterwards. I would recommend that you look into Adobe’s free FMR Editor if you need to edit the FMRs (instead of trying to use Flash). If any "skills and drills" readers pass along success stories about editing FMR’s, I’m happy to post them here.

Question About Reusing Failure Captions

I’ve got a click box with a failure caption. I am trying to use the same failure caption on all of my slides. I’ve tried double-clicking the failure caption and clicking the Apply to All button. However, the failure caption isn’t applied to all of my slides. What am I missing?

Answer

Copy the click box to the clipboard (Edit > Copy). Once the click box is on the clipboard, paste it onto as many slides as you like. Since the failure caption is actually attached to the click box, when you paste the click box on the slide(s), the failure caption goes along for the ride.

Question About Memory

I’ve just started using Captivate. Do you recommend a certain amount of RAM in my laptop?

Answer

When it comes to memory, you cannot have too much! I’d recommend maxing out your system. If your laptop can take 4 GB, go for it. At a minimum, you should have at least 1 GB of RAM… 2 would be better. If you find yourself low on system resources while working in a program like Captivate, close non-essential software such as MS Outlook while you’re doing your development work.

Question About Removing the Captivate Playbar

Is it possible to disable the navigation in the skin when you don’t want people to advance the slide without trying to click on the click boxes?

Answer You can remove the playbar from a skin by choosing Project > Skin and removing the check mark from Show playback control. Without a playbar, users will be forced to interact with your simulation. FYI: You’ll need clear instructions on the slide telling them what to do or else they will be stuck.

Got a Question You’d Like Answered? Email me.

by Quinn McDonald

My father was always studying, taking notes, learning. So much so, that my predominant memory is of the back of his head, bent over a book. He spent each evening reading, writing, working on projects he brought home. His office was also our dining room, so we knew to clear the table quickly after dinner, slide the table back into the slot in the wall, and leave my father to his work. He was neither a tyrant nor a pal. He was, in fact, a rocket scientist.

Occasionally, he would become briefly involved in his children’s lives. One afternoon, I was destroying a slice of bread, trying to get cold peanut butter on the freshly-baked slice. He surveyed the scene, took in my frustration, and said, "Take care of the edges, the middle will take care of itself." He was right.

The sturdy crust helped the edges hold onto the cold peanut butter, and as I carefully applied it up to the edges, the spread warmed and made it easy to hit the soft middle.

Turns out that this advice works well in the rest of life as well. Fitted sheets attached by the corners, pull the wrinkles out across the middle of the bed. An email that starts "I need your help," instead of "Get this done by noon," is going to encourage more people to help.  Starting a feature story at the edges-with research, character development, a plot line, and the middle of the story won’t be a problem.

And while we are on the topic of problems, they, too are best solved from the edge in. When we jump in without thinking of the cause, trying to fix the heart of the issue, we allow it to creep out along the edges and into the rest of our lives.  We face more work, instead of less. Squelching a rumor with a loud assertion doesn’t have nearly the effect as living a credible life.

Who knew that a peanut butter sandwich, observed by a rocket scientist, could echo so well over time?