Category: Uncategorized

Posted on

Questions of the Week

Adobe Captivate Question: What To Do When A Larger Capture Area is Needed?
 
I am learning Adobe Captivate using your Skills and Drills workbook.  I have started my first demonstration using a screen resolution of 1024×768 and a recording area of 800×600.  Unfortunately, when I preview my project not all of the text is visible on the screen.  Can you help?

 
Answer
If the 800×600 red recording area is not big enough, you will need to select a custom size that works for the software you are recording. I recommend recording sizes of either 640×480 or 800×600. However, there are times when neither of those sizes is appropriate. In that case, you can type in width and height values that work, or manually make the red recording area larger prior to recording the lesson.
 
***

 

Grammar Question: How Do You Label The Back of Pictures?

 
Dear Jennie Ruby,
 
I'm unsure of the correct way to label the back of pictures: "Andy and Me"  or "Andy and I."
 
I try to rationalize "Andy and Me" by thinking "This is Andy.
This is me" because when I think "This is Andy. This is I" it doesn't sound right. I know that it would be correct to say "This is Andy and me at the beach" but it wouldn't be correct to say "This is Andy and I at the beach."  If I just use a pronoun (me) and a name (Andy), which way is correct?  Please help.
Jennie's Answer
 
"This is I" is the correct grammar, and "This is Andy and I" is correct. However, most people do not use the proper grammar for the phrase This is I, so that makes it awkward to label your pictures correctly.
 
If you use the correct grammar, your grammar will distract readers, who will probably pause and ask themselves "Is that right? That sounds funny!"
 
To make the labels correct and not distracting, you might say something like "This is a picture of Andy and me."
 
***
 
RoboHelp Question: Why Isn't My CHM File Working Correctly?
 
I'm using RoboHelp HTML 7 and have published HTML Help ( a CHM file). When accessing the CHM, the right side of the Help System does not display a topic that I know is okay and within the generated project. What's up?
 
Answer:
 
Check and see if you are trying to access the CHM via a network server. You'll find plenty of problems displaying a CHM unless it is local to the user's hard drive. If you are looking to create a Help System that will display via a network drive or over the Web, consider generating WebHelp or FlashHelp.
 

Got a question you'd like answered? Email me.
Posted on

Questions of the Week

Adobe Communication Suite Program: Is There a Mac Version?
 
We are a small organization hoping to utilize many of the features (eLearning & conferencing) in Adobe Connect Pro.  After having been Windows-based for more than 15 years, we are waking up to the fact that user-by-user we have morphed into a Mac-based organization.

 
The Adobe Creative Suites have been our primary software so naturally we would go Adobe if it were available. Is there a program as robust as Adobe Captivate and the Communications Suite available for Adobe-spoiled Mac users?  Or is there something coming soon? Assuming there is not, what would you use in the interim?
 
Answer
Adobe has promised a Macintosh version of Captivate after the upcoming release of Captivate 4. Sorry to say, I cannot guarantee that that is still the plan, or if there is a timetable. My personal feeling is that Adobe will, at some point, create a Communications Suite for the Macintosh (the suite includes Acrobat, FrameMaker, Captivate and RoboHelp). When I predicted that very thing at last year's Writer's UA Conference (schedule for Seattle in 2009), my predication was met with much skepticism. Acrobat is already available for the Macintosh; FrameMaker used to be available for the Macintosh, and Captivate for the Mac is coming (maybe). That would leave just Robohelp as the missing component. Since RoboHelp has never existed for the Macintosh, that would appear to be the biggest hurdle to a TechCom Suite for the Mac. 
 
***

 

Adobe Captivate 3 Question: Can You Help With An Error Message?

 
I'm using Adobe Captivate and keep getting an error message(as follows):
 
Error Message
 
What is happening? Also, when I publish the course, it comes up blank.
Answer
 
I've never gotten this alert. It might be helpful to learn more about when it appears for you. Specifically, what are you doing that forces the message to appear?
 
If you are seeing the message when accessing a published project via a standard Web server (not an LMS), I'm guessing that you have enabled eLearning and the browser isn't liking that too much. In Captivate, choose Quiz > Quiz Preferences. Ensure eLearning is disabled, republish, repost and retest.
 
If anyone has seen this message, please let me know.
 

Got a question you'd like answered? Email me.
Posted on

Growing your Product Line…

By Quinn McDonald

 
There is a gallery in my area that once fascinated me. The displays were interesting, the work inventive, the artists fresh. I brought all my out-of-town visitors to see this treasure of a gallery. By the time spring faded to summer and fall came, I was so familiar with the gallery's inventory, that I could give visitors a detailed tour.
 
Nothing changed… the same artists showed the same items in the same display. I got bored. Finally, I stopped going.
 
When I told friends about the gallery, they mentioned the same thing happened to them at seminars: "you see the same instructors with the same topics."
 
I began to wonder how many people have quit exploring a business because they see the same people with the same products time after time?
 
Best-Sellers Come with a Shelf-life
 
Your best-selling line is a temporary thing. After your clients have purchased it once for themselves and again as a gift, interest begins to drop. If you want to stick with one product, you will have to constantly depend on new customers. Business research says that 80% of your sales come from 20% of your customers.
 
If you want to keep your current customers, you'll need to offer them something new. Adding products to your line can mean enhancing something you currently have or making something new with the materials already at hand. This is true in any business, from art to instruction.

Make Loyal Clients Repeat Purchasers
 
Susan Loy and Ron Ayers, partners in Literary Calligraphy, create prints that incorporate flowers and biblical or literary quotes in detailed calligraphy. They offer a choice of frames to please their clients. Their clients purchased the prints for housewarming, wedding and anniversary gifts.
 
When Susan wanted to reach a larger audience, adding a line of note cards fit the bill. It created a lower-priced item that allowed a larger audience to become clients. Then Ron added a calendar, which extended the line to new and existing customers. Recently, the partners added a self-published book of their illustrations. "In addition to extending our product line, the book brings us to new venues-book signings-that we didn't reach before," Ron says.
 
"Clients who bought the calendars love knowing that the book includes even more pictures. And the book is a great way to show our line of prints to people who aren't familiar with our work." 
 
These artists gave a lot of thought to each new product, planning items that would attract both a new audience and satisfy existing clients. While each venture brought its own challenges and problems, the benefit of using the existing work in new ways is paying off.

Adding line extensions–more products in the same theme as the work you already do–can significantly bring you more customers. Using materials you already have can save you money. Both combined can make a significant contribution to the health of your business.
 

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

Link of the Week

Storyboarding For Reusable Content

Storyboards are an important first step to creating eLearning.

In her article about creating storyboards, Megan Beyer poses the question: "Where would a contractor be without a blue print or a conductor without sheet music?"

Beyer's response: "They most likely would be a bit lost, just as an instructional designer (ID) and developer would be without storyboards."

Click here to read Beyer's complete article.

Posted on

Questions of the Week

Adobe Captivate 3 Question: Why Won't My WAV Import into Captivate?
 
I've got a WAV file. When I go to import it into Captivate, I get an error message. Any ideas as to how I can get the audio to import?
 
Answer
Not all WAV files are created equally. I wrote an article some time back (it is now on my BLOG) that might help. Click here to read that article.
 
***

 

Adobe Captivate 3 Question: How Can I Add Right-Click Functionality?

 
Is there a way to have a right-click trigger a button (using a transparent button) on a slide?

Answer
 

There is no elegant way to add right-click functionality in Captivate 3 (Captivate 4 will fully support your efforts).

If want to move forward, review this link (fair-warning, getting it to work is not as cut and dry as presented).

 
***
 
 
Adobe RoboHelp Question: HTML Help Browser Error?
 
I'm using Adobe RoboHelp HTML 7 and generating HTML Help. I keep having the error show up "cannot find the HTML help browser installed on your system." What should I install to make the error go away?
 
Answer:
 
I'm betting that the required HHActiveX.dll is missing from your machine. This link should prove useful.
 

***

Adobe Captivate 3 Question: Are PowerPoint Animations Imported?
 
I currently do not use Adobe Captivate, but I have used it in the past. I'm analyzing eLearning tools currently and wondered if you can import PPT slides in a Captivate .cp file with the animation working properly?  If this does work, are the animation pieces imported as separate objects on the Timeline and can you sync audio with those objects?
 
Answer:

 
The animations will come in, but the timing is beyond your control in this version of Captivate. The upcoming Adobe Captivate 4 has some major PowerPoint import improvements that will likely make your buying decision an easy one.
 
***
 
Adobe Captivate 3 Question: Do You Have a Capture Area Workaround?
 
I am currently creating an eLearning package for a piece of software. The software is a floating bar and therefore does not appear via Captivate's "select a window you would like to record" option.

If I move Captivate's red selection area over the the application, I can't add any text captions or images outside the selection area.

I found a way around it by selecting some of my desktop and the application bar (800×600), but now I'm seeing the captured desktop. Would you be able to suggest a way to record my application bar and interface, but exclude the desktop?

 
Answer:
 
You might try running NotePad and using NotePad's window as the "stage" behind your application. Since NotePad's background is always white, it might help down the road.

***

 
QuarkXPress 8 Question: Mac or PC?
 
I currently support a graphics department that is using an older version of QuarkXPress. They would prefer to use the Mac version, but our CIO insists that we are a Windows environment, and does not want to support a MAC. The user has stated many times that the MAC version works better. Can you guide me, in which would be the preferred way to go? Is there any justification in using Quark version 8 for Mac over Quark version 8 for Windows? If there is truly a benefit I will speak with the CIO.
 
Answer:
 
QuarkXPress 8 works equally well on a PC or Mac (I own both). The only limitation would be the power of the computer. If both systems have plenty of memory and a large drive, there shouldn't be a problem either way.
 

Got a question you'd like answered? Email me.
Posted on

Link of the Week

Captivating Podcasts

 
Rick Zanotti has created some interesting podcasts covering such Captivate issues as the differences between Demonstration and the Training Simulation modes, Captivate's multi-recording capability, and microphones (how to get great sound using Adobe Captivate).
 
Click here to watch Rick's podcasts.
Posted on

Questions of the Week

LMS Question: Which LMS Do You Use? 

We are ready to purchase a Learning Management System (LMS). I was wondering if you used an LMS. If so, would you mind sharing your thoughts?

Answer: 
 
I looked into several systems prior to going with one called Inquisiq by the ICS Learning Group. Simply put, Inquisiq's price-point (it's very, very affordable), features and the fact that Inquisiq is Captivate-friendly made it an easy decision.
 
Over the years, I have not regretted making the choice. And here's something that might help you make a decision: ICS offers a discount to anyone referred to them by IconLogic. Send me an email in advance of contacting ICS so that I can lay the necessary groundwork.

 
In addition, let's put out an all call for reader opinions on their own LMS systems. Whether it be compatibility, ease of use, or price, just send me the name of your LMS and a quick snapshot of your likes and dislikes.
 
***

 
Adobe Captivate 3 Question: Where Can I Find Widgets for Adobe Captivate?

 
Good day. What is the name of the website with the Adobe Captivate tools/add-ins?  It is named after someone's daughter I believe.
 
Answer
 
Paul Dewhurst maintains the best Web resource for Adobe Captivate widgets anywhere in the world… period. Click here to visit his site and browse the available widgets.  
 
***

 

Adobe Captivate 3 Question: How Can I Create a Newsletter Like This?

 
As always, appreciating the heck outta your weekly newsletter. In fact…. is creating something like this difficult to do? If not, can I talk you into sharing your template with me? I'd like to create a monthly newsletter for clients that use the software that I train and your format is quite easy to follow.

Answer
 
I use Constant Contact where you'll find tons of templates. The design isn't the problem–that's the easy part. The trouble you'll have is finding the time to put the newsletter out. When people heard I was going to produce a weekly newsletter, they said I was nuts. Quarterly? Perfect. Monthly? OK. Bi-weekly, maybe, but that's tough. Weekly? You're going to go crazy and you won't last a month.
 
I'm happy to report that this is our second full year. It has been a challenge–but one that I really do look forward to each week. As you'll learn with your own newsletter, reader enthusiasm, including postings on BLOGS or social networks and forwarding of the newsletter to others, keeps the information flowing and invites conversation and sharing. It would be much harder for me to publish every week without that stimulation.
 
***
 
 
Adobe Captivate 3 Question: Why Won't My Animations Stop?
 
I was wondering if you can help me on this. I created a project in Adobe Captivate and I inserted animations in the slides. When I rewind, click forward or back, the animations don't stop. Do you have any suggestions?
 
Answer:
 
 
I'm assuming you are referring to the animations that ship with Adobe Captivate. Most of those animations are designed to loop continuously when played–something you cannot prevent without opening the FLA files in Adobe Flash and altering their behavior.
 

***

Adobe Captivate 3 Question: Can I Control the Appearance of Published Print Files Before the Fact?
 
I have a quick question for you about publishing to a Microsoft Word document. Can I make any changes in Captivate to update the amount of lines for the slide notes or the size of the screen shots of each slide before I publish?
 
Answer:

 
Here is a link with information on the subject. There is a section in the article on editing the templates. I haven't tried it so you'll have to let me know how it goes.
 
***
 
Adobe Captivate 3 Question: Headset Advice Please?
 
There are a ton of headsets out there I can buy for recording narrations in Captivate. I'm guessing you won't go as far as to recommend one over the other. How about letting us know which one you use? I'm not looking for a recommendation mind you, I just want to know the make and model of the one in your office. 🙂
 
Answer:
 
I purchased the Sennheiser PC 166 USB from amazon.com and have been very happy with the resulting audio quality.
 
Posted on

Questions of the Week

Adobe Captivate 3 Question: Is There an Easy Way to Capture Quiz Data?
 
Is there an EASY way to store Captivate 3 score data to a csv/txt file to my local drive?
 
Answer
 
Sorry to say, but without an LMS there simply is no elegant way to capture the quiz results other than email attachments (which, if you read the Captivate user forums, can be unreliable). If you are able to get the quiz results as an attachment, our CaptivateMyData utility does make it simple to parse the emailed quiz results into Access, Excel or a text file.   
 
***

 

Adobe Captivate 3 Question: Is There an Auto Run for the Mac?

 
My company works mainly on Mac computers. How can I make a CD work without having to explain which file to choose from to view the lesson?  Is there any other way to make an autorun for Mac? 
Answer
 
I know that Adobe will be creating a Macintosh version of Captivate at some point after version 4 for the PC is released. I would expect an auto run feature to be included in the Macintosh version. For now, a Google search returned a few promising results such as this. 
 
***
 
 
Adobe Captivate 3 Question: Can I Add a Mouse "After the Fact?"
 
Is there any way to add a mouse cursor with movement after I bring JPEG images into Captivate for use as slide backgrounds? 
 
Answer:
 
 
Yes. You can right-click any slide and choose Mouse > Show Mouse to add a slide onto any imported background.
 

***

Adobe Captivate 3 Question: Captivate and Linux?
 
I'm currently working on a project in which we need to create demos and interactive tutorials on a workstation that runs Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS4 (64-bit). Captivate does not appear to work on Linux. Are you aware of any other software that runs on Linux that would do the same kinds of things as Captivate?
 
Answer:

 
I'm afraid I don't use Linux. However, a quick Google search found a few hits including this one.

Got a question you'd like answered? Email me.
Posted on

Adobe Captivate 3: 508 Compliant Image Buttons Are Possible…

If you have been tasked with creating 508 compliant eLearning lessons using Adobe Captivate, you already know that the process is easier said than done.
 
In addition to adding Accessibility Text to all of your slides, you'll have to add keyboard shortcuts to your interactive objects and add Closed Captions to those slides containing narration.
 
And then there's the issue of image buttons not containing alternative text…
 
Here's the deal… when inserting a button onto a Captivate slide, developers typically choose between two button types: image and text.
 
Text buttons are ideal if you need to be 508 compliant because the text you type for the button is what is read by a screen reader. Nice! Of course, the problem with a text button is, well, they're not exactly the best looking things. In fact, most people will agree that those simple gray buttons are down-right ugly.
 
As an alternative to a text button, many Captivate developers elect to use image buttons because just about any image can be used for the button.
 
The problem with an image button is that screen readers won't relay any useful information to the visually impaired student, rendering image buttons non-compliant. What's a developer to do? Read on…
 
  1. Insert a text button (via Insert > Button)
  2. Select Text button as the button type
  3. Type the text you would like to be read by a screen reader into the Button text area

    Text button

  4. Click Apply (don't click OK, leave the dialog box open)
  5. Select Image button from the Type drop-down menu and select your image button

    Image button

  6. Click OK

    There will be no obvious changes to your presentation. However, the text you typed into the text area will be read aloud by a screen reader, even though you switched to an image button.

Do you have a Captivate production problem that's making you pull your hair out? Email your problem and let others learn solutions from your experience.
 
 
Want to learn more about Adobe Captivate 3? Click here.
Posted on

Breaking News: Adobe Unveils Captivate Version 4

I just wrapped up a very informative day at Adobe's Learning Summit in San Jose, CA. The highlight of the day was a presentation by R.J. Jacquez, Senior Product Evangelist at Adobe Systems, where RJ pulled the cover off of the much anticipated Adobe Captivate 4.
 
During the next several weeks, I'll be spotlighting many of the new features in what I believe is the greatest upgrade in Captivate/RoboDemo history.

 
Please Note: While Adobe is now showing the new version 4 features to excited audiences, the new version is not yet finished, has not yet been released, and no release date has been announced. My personal feeling is that you won't see the new version until sometime in 2009, possibly before the end of the first quarter. Of course, that's just a guess.

 
So here goes… among my favorite new Captivate 4 features:
 
SWF Commenting: In Adobe Captivate 4, you will be able to collaborate effectively with your team members (the SMEs and other reviewers) who do not own Captivate by publishing your project for comments. The published project will play in the Adobe Captivate Reviewer, an Adobe AIR application. As a result, the reviewers won't need to have Adobe Captivate 4 installed on their machines to add comments. Once the comments are added, you will see those comments in your project. You can accept the comments, reject them and add your own (which will appear back on the reviewer's screen without the need to republish the project)  

 
Improved PowerPoint Imports: Imported PowerPoint 2007 projects can now be imported into Captivate 4 via a new linked mode. For the first time, updates to the PowerPoint presentation instantly appear in the Captivate project. Cool! In addition, you can now bring in audio from the PowerPoint presentation and other PowerPoint slide interactivity.
 
TOC and TOC Aggregator: This is a timely new feature… I spoke with several people at the summit who complained that they couldn't get a table of contents to work with MenuBuilder. And then along comes RJ who demos a wonderfully slick TOC feature that will allow your users to navigate through your lesson, and keep track of their progress via green check marks. And there's the new Aggregator feature that will allow you to combine multiple Captivate projects under one umbrella (your users will be able to navigate through all the modules of the course, rendering MenuBuilder obsolete).
 
Drawing Tools: Now you can add simple shapes to slides including rectangles, ovals, polygons, lines and arrows.
 
Slide notes to Closed Captions: If you have to deliver 508 complaint eLearning that includes closed captions, this is huge. For the first time you can use your slide notes to quickly create the closed captions.
 
There's more of course… but I just got the "thumbs up" from the Adobe folks to blab about what I saw to you guys. So while everyone else took off for the reception at Adobe headquarters for some spirits and world-class munchies, I raced back to the hotel to get this information out to you. Never let it be said that I haven't made my sacrifices in life…
 
Need training on Adobe Captivate 3? We offer live virtual training and killer workbooks!