Marcovelo

(Out of topic): Actually, Cerro Aconcagua is located in Argentina, not in Chile (near the border, yes, but in Argentina). Altought the altitude of its sumit is often discussed (22,835 ft, 22,840 ? etc...), the mountain is fully inside Argentina territory. This is true that weather conditions can be especially extreme (wind, cold...) on this mountain, mostly because of wind. I know the discussion concerns "long term storage" more than "extreme weather condition", but I'm interested in Greg's experience with Hi-Tech equipement. It's very interesting in my opinion, and it would be great if you can report to us, Brian, if possible. Thanks. (Also with details on battery models used and real weather conditions.) Personnally, I experienced up to -47°C on Aconcagua (Febrary, 1997), and I used only an old and classic camera with no battery at all ! . I whish Greg a very nice climbing and good luck about weather (and nice photos !). Marco

Dear Moderators, I saw you have edited and modified my posts in this thread. That's your right of course, if you think it was offending. But I think the minimum would be to let the mention "Edited (or modified) by Moderator..." in my posts. I ask you to add this mention in the posts you have modified. Best regards Marco

Hi jgayman ! As Haddock wrote, of course it's possible with Sy(p): From LightTable or Spreadsheet view: left click on first slide (slide 150 in your case), then hold SHIFT key and RIGHT click on slide 200. A pop up menu appears, choose "Modify # pictures..." and a Dialog box will appear (Parameters editor). In teh "effect area", simply change duration and click on "Apply" button. Then, menu File/Save PTE project. That's all. Tell us how it goes. Marco

I would like to mention that I have no interest at all to "protect" Sy(P) in anyway, but just share informations and tips with others users of PTE. For example, we can read in Igor's thread Suggestions for the next version that several members requested the ability to move/adjust/shift/modify blocks of slides at once along the timeline. I really hope Igor will add this feature inside PTE (and in an easy way) in future versions, and it will be very great and usefull ! In the meantime, one can already enjoy this feature using Sy(P). I think this is especially interesting when working on long shows (more than 100 slides). From Light Table or Spreadsheet view, left-click on first slide then Shift + right-click on last slide of your block, choose "Modify block" in the pop-up menu, and adjust parameters the way you want. Save. That's all. In this example, it is not really necessary to read the Help file (just read the Dialog box options), and just playing few minutes with it was enough for me to have full control on blocks of slides. Personnally, I use this feature only to "fine tune" my show, usually on a final step. Marco

Thank you so much Jean-Claude ! and congratulation for this great work ! Sy(P) is a wonderful utility for me, and it helps me very much ! I really appreciate the "Synopsis view", the ability to configure it and print it ! Very nice ! (and I also consider this feature as a real "safe backup" of my work, because nobody knows if my PTE shows (.exe) will work in 10 years: with the print of the synopsis on paper, I know I can even rebuild my show in one hour on future computers plateform and software! ). Very good ! Also, I like the possibility to visualize in list: Picture time, effect duration , comments, and most of all, the slides containing objects ! The most important feature for me is the ability to change all paramaters ON A MULTIPLE SELECTION of slides (including non consecutive ) ! That's very helpful ! And almost in "one-click" !!! As my friend Granot said : "A MUST for all PTE users !!!" (but may be Sy(p) is more usefull for "advanced" users or, at least, "positive" users ... ) I'm very surprised about negative posts on this thread... It seems some members don't understand it is an external utility, and nobody is forced to use it (especially those who don't need it !!!). IF YOU DON'T LIKE SY(P), JUST DON'T USE IT ! This is as simple !!!! (but please don't suggest Sy(p) would be detrimental to PTE: that's false and not respectful regarding Jean-Claude and its ONE YEAR of programming for PTE users ! A GIFT, remember...) Thank you Jean-Claude, and keep improving your great utility ! Congratulations, Man ! Marco

Yes, I also interpret the same way. Well, can be interesting for testing long shows (from executable , without source project), from the middle of the show for example (outside PTE environment). On my opinion, I think it is a nice possibility, usefull for me. Marco

Den, As Haddock said, SY(P) will probably fit your need. All information and links to download it will be published in a separate thread in a few days. Marco

Igor, Great ! Thank you very very much Igor ! You can't even imagine how this new feature will help me ! (parameters allowed for use with external utilities). Not only for Notepad or Setvol, but also for specific AV's usage (dedicated slideshows' utilities). And I'm sure Granot will be happy too ! I can now think in other way (and if I achieve some interesting stuff (utilities), I will share it on this forum, I have some ideas...) I'm not sure to understand this clearly: where this command (e.g: "MySlideshow.exe" 7) is supposed to be set ? (Project Options/Advanced ? : because it is already possible from "Customize Slide #x/Run External Application") So I'm a little bit confused on this point... Could you explain more ? ('cause sounds interesting !) Again, thank you ! Marco

Den, As Granot wrote, you can download "HideTaskBar" utility fron his web site. It is only a 32 ko program, launch from PTE "Customize slide", and it seems to feet your needs. It works with "ScrollImage", but also with all external utility launch from PTE (and especially all very good Granot's production !!! ) Feel free to use it. Marco

Igor, I forgot to submit one important sugestion (and often suggested in the past: I'm sure Granot will agree with me !) to my "whish list": the ability to run external program WITH PARAMETER(S). (same suggestion than Think(box): I also think this would be very usefull (in my opinion) in current options: 1) Customized slide/Advanced option/Run external application 2) Object Editor/"object"/Properties/Action/Run Application..* 3) Project Options/Advanced/Run Application after last slide Marco

Guido wrote: I also push to suggest one of these 2 ideas. Point 4 (two separated image timelines) would be fantastic (and would fundamentally change synchro and transition approach in PTE), but I'm afraid about technical issues (and load of work) compare to actual PTE architecture (at programmation level). But may be I'm wrong... I think this is an idea to be thinked about and discussed. Of course multi-track image projectors would be a dream (like in professional AV software) , but is it possible to integrate in PTE ? Point 5 (one new soundtrack): YES ! would be great ! (and may be easier to add to PTE in current architecture). This can be a secondary Timeline (slave) working the same way than main one, but instead of adding image, we could add sounds clips (voice comments, sound effects...). The master timeline could keep master soundtrack (as time reference) for global synchro. Audio fade would be great on this secondary audio timeline ! To summurize my suggestions: 1. secondary soundtrack 2. better control of fade effect: fade-in/fade-out with independent duration 3. Pan, Zoom and Move (Ken Burns effect): on this point, I wouldn't be schocked if these new features require "specific minimum hardware requirement", as it seems difficult to obtain such effects to run smoothly on "out of date" configuration. But even if it's not totaly smooth on "all configurations" (impossible), I think it would be valuable to start openning PTE in this way, if there is a possibility to ensure audio-sync during these effects (even with "missed-frames" on old configuartions). 4. Effect preview in light table (ability to select 2 images and to preview default project's effect or specific effect selected in the list). 5. automatic rescale of objects according to screen resolution Marco

Congratulation Igor (and all the team), this is a very very good work ! All these new usefull features... and still a tiny .exe code ! Very good implementation of thumbnails view and light table. Thank you very much. Marco

[ quick translation in (bad) english about the previous post (on Gaphe request)] As Circuit manager, we cannot decide on our own to put the slideshows on the Internet without authors authorizations. Only the author is able to decide to share his show on a public forum, or internet site. Moreover, the main interest in the Circuit is to help in meeting other authors, which are happy to share opinions during meetings. Also, compare to Internet, these events allow to enjoy slideshows in a friendly atmosphere, on big screen, and high quality audio... At any level, the Diaporama Circuit is a very good opportunity to learn and progress...

Thanks Igor for your reply. Can you tell me what is "Order ID ? Is it a number given from RegNow ? Thanks Marco

I have the same problem than brenwestfall. No answer from support@wnsoft.com. My question is: how to buy several PTE licenses in order to offer it to remote final users ? (as a gift). I'm not sure it is possible using RegNow online service... Any idea ? Thanks Marco

Special thanks for Bill ! I would like to thank you Bill, for your great (super) Beechbrook Cottage site, and wish you the best for 2004. I hope you will continue in offering to everybody this wonderfull and unique space dedicated in sharing PTE slideshows. Also, after I uploaded a PTE presentation on Beechbrook Cottage and recieved many many emails, I was surprised (and happy) to see your site was visited by many anonymous users not (yet !) members on this forum, from Taiwan, Japan, Malaisia, Lebanon, Marocco, Brazil, Australia, Germany, Suizerland, Argentina, Norway, Spain ... and many other countries... For many of us (not speaking very good english), it is not easy to write messages in english , but be sure many read it, use your site, and enjoy it ! You're doing a lot for PTE, for digital slideshows, and simply for our pleasure ! Best wishes for 2004 ! For you, and Beechbrook Cottage ! Thank you. Marco (Grenoble, France, -5°C)

Christmas Greetings from Grenoble, France, in the french Alps (white of new fresh snow). Place of Winter Olympics Games in 1968. Best wishes to all ! Marco

Igor, Would it be possible in future versions to have another text parameter to "Run external application" in order to send an argument to the external app ? Ex: MyUtility "MyFile.xyz" It will help a lot when using external apps and utilities from PTE. Thanks. Marco

Stu, Be sure I understand your opinion. Therefore, some comments: Only one file is required: Flash.ocx or swFlash.ocx. Copy it in your system directory, and register it by: regsvr32 "swflash.ocx". Not too difficult... and can be to automated easily. Yes, so I force my Flash editor to produce Flash 4, because it's enough for my needs. I can also provide swFlash.ocx v7 with my presentation if required, with a small batch file to install it. So just don't use Flash, or provide the activeX component on CD (free licence agreement). It depends what you want to do. Personnally, I don't deal with compagnies, just personnal use and for my family and friends, they all have Flash installed (but no DVD player on their TV !). I agree with you, I understand your thinking, but I personnally think priorities is more likely decisions to be taken by the programmer itself ! For example, many of us are not very interested in "automatic watermarking", (I personnally think it is a totally unusefull "gadget" because it can be easily done externally), but this feature is considered by Igor, and I don't see how I would say: this is not a priority. May be it is very important for others and can be commercially interesting for Igor ? One way to let users enjoy Flash with PTE (only if they want !) will be to have the possibility to enter an "argument" to current "Run external application" feature. In this case, we will be able to use external utility like: MyPlayer "MyMovie.swf". This would permit to improve the use of external utilities (not only Flash), without bothering Igor. Igor ? Me too. My main PC is P2 350 Mhz (so it's easy! ), and my FlashPTE demo works perfectly on it ! Stu, since I have uploaded my demo with Flash on Beechbrook, I have recieved dozens of emails, and answered to more than 40 differents PTE users (most of them are not members on this forum !) on using Flash in PTE (with FlashMe). Many of them are building PTE shows with Flash (I just received a very nice show today). Just to say there is not only one way (the "good" way or "your" way) to use PTE, and also it's obvious some people are interested in using Flash with PTE. I would be pleased to see animated Gif in PTE too, but I'm not sure to be able to reproduce the effects demonstrated in my demo...For example, what about a panorama effect on a 1600x600 photo in Gif with 270 images ? Do you think it will fit in 120 KB ? Same problem for a 20 seconds fullscreen animated intro in Gif... But I'm not a Gif expert... Marco

Hi, About "Flash discussion", I agree with Al's point of view, and I think the suggestion of Fromatoz about Flash is far from asking PTE to compete with "Oracle" ! (please... !) I'm not a "Flash maniac", I just think it can open a door to animations for people interested in it, with a very interesting SWF format: very small, you can produce nice anims of only 2 KB (for those who like small files that fit on a floppy !!!). Not necessarily. A program to play a Flash movie can be done in less than 100KB. I think Igor was talking about the size of the Flash player component here. But the Flash player can be also view (and used) as a registered Active X component, part of the system, like an optional Dll. At a programation level, this can be seen like a system "driver" (an independant "layer" between the application and the system). Stu, adding a "Flash Object" in the Object Editor will not force people to use it ! Yes, it requires Flash component to be installed (but no need of "certain version of IE"), but: 1- 98 % of PCs with Internet connexion are already "Flash enabled" 2- in case Flash is not installed, it is easy to propose to either install it (from CD), or download it, with "yes/no" button. And this, only the very first time, in rare cases. I suggest an "Animation Object", like the "image object" or "button object" in the Object Editor. - select "Animation Object" in the toolbar - the "open file" dialog appears allowing to select your animation file (*.swf here) - position it with the mouse where you want on the slide - right-click to set properties: adjust (eventually) size, loop mode, transparent background, and action on mouse click If Flash is not installed on client computer, PTE can simply ignores the object, or we can also imagine a new checkbox in Project Option: "Display a warning message if Flash component is missing", with the choice to install or download it. In my opinion, PTE is already a Multimedia software, with images, sounds, AVI, buttons, clickable images, hyperlinks... To be used seriously (and to show its advantages), it requires already a PC with 500-900 Mhz minimum, a sound card with not too bad speakers, a graphic card with on-board memory, in order to get nice dissolves effects. I know WnSoft still writes in Faq.txt (probably out of date) :"Minimum Spec: Pentium-100 (or similar AMD/Cyrix), 16 Mb RAM, 1 Mb Video card". But just try to play a show with above configuration (if you still have one like this !) and tell me !!!! All computers you can buy today are already Flash enabled, as part of the system itself. Today, PTE can produce AVI (as an option) and then you can burn a DVD using external software (and I don't think "Minimum Spec" and even "Recommended Spec" are enough !!!!), but not all people have a DVD player connected to their TV (I don't have one, none of my family members have one...). And I don't speak about DVD burners... Can we say: "AVI output is not good because not 100% of final users have a DVD player ?". And may be some have a DVD- or DVD+ or something that does not support SVCD and they will be very frustrated to not be able to read their Chrismas present ? Unfortunately, you even cannot tell them to click on a "download" button to upgrade their DVD player... As far as I'm concerned, I'm happy some PTE users enjoy new AVI feature, I think it's a good option, even if I'm not using it for the moment, because I haven't "all the required components" installed (hardware and software), and it's far more complex and expensive to get these components than to click on a free internet link if Flash is not yet installed... That's only my opinion. Marco

Thank you Igor ! Marco

Just an idea: May be it would be nice next time to be informed BEFORE the server will be shutdowned ? When there is a forum of more than 1000 members (and some "addicts"...)... This would avoid many many questions in many places in the world... No hard feelings ! Marco

Very good job Granot ! Your catalogue is nice and usefull ! Thank you for all your utilities and contribution. Marco

Hi Ron, External utilities are totally independants from PTE, so you can use it only when producing .EXE output files. In the other hand, Flash movies can be converted to AVI (or exported to) from your Flash editor (like Swish ot others). Then, you will have to burn both AVIs on your DVD (your animated intro first, then your show). I never tried it, as I'm not using AVI output in PTE. Marco

Robert, Without any doubt ! (and I suggest you to keep your current working configuration until you buy a new PC/motherboard/CPU). W98 is 7 years old now (SE and Me are just "patches"), based on former W95 architecture (10 years old !). It was the "prehistoric" era of graphical multitasking OS for Microsoft... After that we had Windows NT, and 2000 and XP (based on NT technology), with totaly new architecture, 32 and 64 bits applications support, more powerfull and efficient file system (NTFS), real mutlitasking, advanced networking, etc... Nothing compared to W98 ! (Microsoft put a very bigger effort in developping NTand 2000 than 95/98/Me ! even if many more of these 3 have been sold in the world for home usage...) But because "nothing is free", latest OS (2000/XP) require always more physical memory (I would say 256 MB is a minimum, and 512KB is Ok for intensive audio/video usage)... In my opinion, the OS installed should be adapted to the hardware (memory, CPU, disks...): -> for "old" PCs (low CPU speed and memory), it's better to stay with W98SE (which is efficient on "small" configuration) -> for "up to date" machines (or "big" configuration), you're better to go in newer OS (like W2K or XP). There is no need to upgrade your OS on your PC, which has been sold and tested with original OS delivered... (unless you are very skilled in all this stuff, or "brave"...). At the end, this is not so complex... Marco