Questions of the Week

Two Questions: How Can I Lower My Captivate Published EXE Size and Can I Include the F-Keys in a Simulation?

We have a client that has some unique needs (including the need to have an active F11 key in the simulation, but wanting the learner to use their keyboard only for all entries).

We published the simulation as an EXE. This resolved the key stroke (F11) issue, but has created another issue. This same client as a maximum 500KB file size requirement due to bandwidth issues.  We typically meet this by breaking our simulations up and linking them together (this keeps the individual file size down enough to meet the requirement).

However, when we publish EXEs, our files grow incredibly large. Our developer tested publishing a simulation with just a few slides–the final file size was just over 1MB–which exceeds the size requirements. Any ideas? 

Answer

When you publish an EXE file, the Flash Player (required for your users to view the SWFs you publish) is included in the EXE. The player occupies around 800KB, which is why your EXEs are large, even if you only have one slide in the project. As far as I know, there is no way to prevent the Flash Player from being bundled when you publish an EXE, and therefore no way to reduce the size of an EXE to 500KB or less.

Given your size limation 500KB (which I feel is unreasonably low… even users with slow, 56K modems can work with a download smaller than a few megabytes), you’ll end up having to publish SWFs instead of EXEs. Understanding the problems you are having with the F-keys, I can only say that the F-keys have long been a source of frustration for many Captivate developers. Since browsers (such as Internet Explorer) reserve the F-keys, you shouldn’t include them as object shortcuts in your Captivate projects if you can avoid it.

If you must include the F-keys, it is possible to create a JavaScript in the HTML files that accompany your published SWFs. The JavaScript would, in theory, override the browser’s use of the F-keys (I have not tested the results so cannot make any warranties).

Here are some links with discussions about the subject:

• Link 1
• Link 2
• Link 3

Question: What’s the Best Microphone for Audio Recordings?

What specific advice can you give about the kind of microphone to purchase for making good quality audio narrations to accompany my Captivate training sessions, minimizing echo and other audio problems? It needs to connect to my Dell laptop PC.

I would prefer the versatility of a standalone microphone on a stand that could sit on my desk, rather than a microphone built into a headset. I had in mind trying to limit the cost to around $100, but if that isn’t reasonable please tell me.

The two main questions that come to mind are:

1. Which connection to my PC is going to provide the best audio quality (or at least minimize any reduction in audio quality) — USB; the microphone jack; 802.11 wireless; Bluetooth?
2. Is there a specific microphone technology, or some common microphone buzzwords, I should look for? Or something specific I should avoid?

Answer

Excellent question! I prefer boom microphones build into the headset since I think the boom keeps your mouth a consistent distance from the microphone. However, audio and the related hardware and software is not my expertise. When it comes to audio, I rely on a team of professionals to create audio files that my clients will love.

I’m going to open your question up to your fellow readers. If anyone has some advice on microphones, please send me your comments. I’ll be happy to post any comments here in a future edition of the newsletter.