Activ Inspire User Guide

[hbrown76]

Hello,
I first would like to say how great and easy it is to have the Activ Expression and Activ Studio software all in one tool bar! [clap] Thank you very much for consolidating. Plus, all Activ Studio flipcharts are easily imported into Activ Inspire. In Activ Expression, they were saved as two separate file types. Again, thank you for this [clap]

My question is, I took the free online class to learn how the Activ Inspire is laid out but I still find myself having some questions with where everything is and how it works. Instead of posting a lengthy post looking fo everything, is there a user guide or something similar like Actvi Studio has or will there be?

Thank you,
Heather

[LisaD]

Have you tried the built-in help files? I found they are pretty well-done.

Lisa

[hbrown76]

Hi Lisa,
Are you referring to Help ---> Contents or F1? If so, when I click on it, I get an error message asking if I want to terminate the program or debug. Not sure what is wrong.

Thanks for your help!

Heather

[Louise Chew]

are you using a pc or mac?

[hbrown76]

I am on a PC.

[davek]

Have you tried the built-in help files? I found they are pretty well-done.

Lisa

Sorry, but I find help files not much use to really get into a piece of software. You can only find something if you know it's there. As for reading on screen, let's not go there.

I think there are quite a few people who are looking for some sort of proper documentation. Face it you can't read a help file while you are sat in the smallest room :):).

Can I ask if we are ever going to get a real set of documentation that we could print out, or are we left with just the help files.


Thanks
Dave Kearns

[Danny Nicholson]

I'm nowhere near writing a longer userguide just yet, but a short "what do the toolbar buttons do" sheet to print off and put on the wall next to your board can be found on my blog here

http://www.whiteboardblog.co.uk/2009/03/activinspire-toolbars/

[davidlloyd]

The tutorial is for the Introduction course in Activlearning can be printed off. The course is free.

[Laura OHalloran]

It is always possible to print from the Help files which come with ActivInspire - they are really good btw!

Danny I like your simple sheets detailing the main toolbars.

I'm also impressed with your article about ActivInspire for all IWB users on your whiteboard blog: http://www.whiteboardblog.co.uk/2009/03/activinspire-for-all-iwb-users/

Some really great points!

Cheers

Laura +wave+

[LisaD]

Wow. He makes some excellent points in the blog.

However, he did mention that the dice tool is not available. I could be wrong... BUT I THINK that IF someone creates a flipchart with an action object that calls one of the "hidden" tools, it (the Dice tool, for example) will work. Other tools might include Page Notes, Page Reset, Protractor...

Does anyone else know about that? I think that is critical news for anyone wanting to create flipcharts for all to use whether they have Personal or Professional (and students at home!)

Lisa

[Danny Nicholson]

thanks - glad you enjoyed the post

I was just going from the Comparison chart that Mark R linked to elsewhere. I'm running the full Professional version, I haven't yet installed the cut down version anywhere.

I would assume that any of the flash toys that you add to a page will be available to anyone - so if someone creates it in Professional, it will work in Personal...

And as I said, I think a version like this is a very good move. it will open up a lot of teachers to a whole new way of using their non-promethean (and smart) boards - and maybe then they'll see how they should be used.

:)

[LisaD]

Danny, I like the way you think! :D

Lisa

[Danny Nicholson]

Danny, I like the way you think! :D


thanks :)

Just made another guide - A quick overview of the Desktop Tools

http://www.whiteboardblog.co.uk/2009/03/activinspire-desktop-tools/

[htemske]

Thanks for sharing! I just spent time browsing around through your blog (and links) as well as downloading the files. I found lots of great stuff. I also bookmarked several for closer review later. I appreciate your contributions.

[hbrown76]

thanks :)

Just made another guide - A quick overview of the Desktop Tools

http://www.whiteboardblog.co.uk/2009/03/activinspire-desktop-tools/

Danny,
These are very helpful and exactly what I was looking for! I LOVE the toggle button and couldn't find it anywhere. Thank you for sharing and keep them coming !!!!! :D:D

Heather

[ccoda]

However, he did mention that the dice tool is not available. I could be wrong... BUT I THINK that IF someone creates a flipchart with an action object that calls one of the "hidden" tools, it (the Dice tool, for example) will work. Other tools might include Page Notes, Page Reset, Protractor...

Does anyone else know about that? I think that is critical news for anyone wanting to create flipcharts for all to use whether they have Personal or Professional (and students at home!)

Lisa

Lisa is absolutely correct on this. Action objects authored in professional mode will continue to work correctly in personal mode

There are only 3 minor exceptions - the actions to toggle dual mode, toggle design mode and show action browser are all disabled in personal mode.

[Danny Nicholson]

that's interesting to know. Thanks for clearing that up

[pdboyer]

Hi Lisa,
Are you referring to Help ---> Contents or F1? If so, when I click on it, I get an error message asking if I want to terminate the program or debug.

I'm having a similar problem and I've exchanged email with tech support at least 3 times now, never getting a workable fix. Each time I download and install after an uninstall, I end up with the following in response to help contents command: "Inspire help placeholder..."
Furthermore, the help folder has only two files in it: help_en_GB.htm and help_en_GB.ctm. I'm in the USA and was told to download the americas version. I swear I follow directions precisely and continue to get this worthless help installed.
I've asked for a direct link to download from but in response was told how to download ActivStudio 3!! Ask me if I'm frustrated yet! :mad:

Thanks.
Paul

[alydon]

I've made a general get started manual for our staff, shared on my blog...
http://technowellies.wordpress.com/
its only the studio version so far, I'll need to do the primary next. It is by no means comprehensive as there are so many features... but it is enough to get our staff using the new software with the boards interactively, and those who are confident will use the help files to do more complex things.

[htemske]

You did a fantastic job on this. Thanks soooo much for sharing!!! This will be a great resource in convincing others to make the switch, many really need a visual reference. I really enjoyed the activlearning stuff but some others at my school don't really like that format.

[alydon]

thanks, I'm in the middle of the primary version, will post here when completed.

[pdboyer]

Have you tried the built-in help files? I found they are pretty well-done.

Lisa
I used the new Mac installer for those with crashing problems and it failed to install help files, full stop.

[alydon]

Primary version there too now. Hoping to add some 'how to' mini-guides next.