Locking objects

[Ros J Walker]

Could the facility to 'lock' an object be in the properties choices (instead of a right click > edit)? To me, it just seems more logical that locking an object is defined as a 'property' of that object. (It is already like that in Primary),

Cheers

Ros

[daverosthorn]

I concur. Would be a far better idea.

[Jon' Allen]

Yep - property box seems the logical place

[criswelld]

I can't figure out how to lock an object using a Mac and ActivStudio (not primary) - any ideas out there?

[jtw521]

Sorry but I find instructions in Activ Studio interminable and would find transfer of this from a right click function a retrograde step. I use lock on most files and to slow this down by making it part of properties makes absolutely no sense.

Let's push towards a Microsoft interface and it will be far better.

[Peter Lambert]

I can't figure out how to lock an object using a Mac and ActivStudio (not primary) - any ideas out there?

On your MAC, CTRL Click (Barrel button click with the pen) over the object to be locked. Choose Edit and then Lock appears.
HTH

[Peter Lambert]

Sorry but I find instructions in Activ Studio interminable and would find transfer of this from a right click function a retrograde step. I use lock on most files and to slow this down by making it part of properties makes absolutely no sense.

Let's push towards a Microsoft interface and it will be far better.

It makes sense if you were setting other properties at the same time. The properties box stays open until you have applied all the properties you wish.
The right click journey to Lock is 3 clicks and relatively painless whilst working at the board with a pen, a Microsoft interface would be at least 2, but the menu would be at the top of the board and hard to reach. However a Microsoft type interface would be good for flipchart preparation using a mouse only, so we could look into having an optional preparation interface. What do you think?

[davidlloyd]

Sorry but I find instructions in Activ Studio interminable and would find transfer of this from a right click function a retrograde step. I use lock on most files and to slow this down by making it part of properties makes absolutely no sense.

Let's push towards a Microsoft interface and it will be far better.

Who would want a Microsoft interface - interminable menus where it's not easy to find things. No way thanks.

[jtw521]

Personal preference I suppose but I'd rather have a set of icons along the top or down the side which, with a single click allowed me to;


Lock, Group, Copy , flip, layer, paste etc.

I'd also like the option of different toolbars allowing me to format objects, change line thickness or style easily, something that I currently cannot do.

Sorry but I find the Activ Studio interface incredibly frustrating to use and on face value it seems to be the result of many upgrades and work rounds making things difficult to find.

[Peter Lambert]

Some of us like the way Studio works and others prefer a traditional windows style. All a matter of preference. Trust me, we're working on it.

[tmcelroy]

I think you are confusing a development interface preference with a presentation interface. Although the development of a flipcahrt can be a little cumbersome the cleaness of the floating toolbar is a fabulous interface tool for working with kids of all size and ages. I move and teach from both sides of my board so I love that I can have it anywhere I want when I teach.

My two cents,
Tim

[Peter Lambert]

Agree wholeheartedly Tim, the interface was designed with "on-board" use in the forefront of our minds. However, a lot of time with Activstudio and Activprimary is spent in flipchart preparation, where the mouse and computer screen are being used. As I said before, we are looking at this. (:eek: Can't say any more ...ssshh!)

[jtw521]

I think you are confusing a development interface preference with a presentation interface. Although the development of a flipcahrt can be a little cumbersome the cleaness of the floating toolbar is a fabulous interface tool for working with kids of all size and ages. I move and teach from both sides of my board so I love that I can have it anywhere I want when I teach.

My two cents,
Tim

Again, personal preference but I would rather learn one way of using ActivStudio than two. I am not a fan of the floating toolbars for a number of reasons that would take some time to itemise and exemplify. I have stated in the past that I would like the option to have my toolbar docked off screen rather than floating.

One example though; I'm not too keen on the limited options offered by the floating toolbar, for example, if I wish to colour a shape I can choose one of up to 24 colours depending on how I (or the previous teacher in the room) have the toolbar set. Yet if I choose to go through properties I can choose one of 48 colours. Why not just a pop up icon that allows me full choice in the first place (even from the toolbar)? Why have two different places in the system that change the same thing but slightly differently? I have seen this kind of thing in a bespoke ERP system and the cause was many add-ons that customers had asked for over the years which then got incorporated into the whole package. They worked but subsequently caused complications years down the line, I can only assume that some things such as the colour are the product of similar add-ons (and it's good that there are add-ons, the ability to do so and the willingness of promethean to do it) BUT without a subsequent rationalisation at the next major upgrade (which this firm seemingly never did) the chances of a complication are increased. I am sure that this has been recognised at Promethean and it's probably all sorted at the next upgrade but my fear is that developing parallel interfaces would only confuse many teachers.

Sorry to witter on but that's my two penneth.

[Peter Lambert]

Interesting that the phrase remains the same but the currency differs. I wonder if someone will put in their two dinars, pesos or roubles worth to this discusssion ;)