Ronniebootwest

SORRY guys! It seems that there are multiple post for my 'Back up' topic. I really don't know what I did to cause this. Is there a way to delete them????? Ron

I am a very unhappy chappy! I lost a complete hard drive recently and with it went most of my music and photo's. I had meant to get around to making a back up, but you know how it is with the time available and all that stuff. Now I have made this back up thingy my priority, but what is the best and quickest method. I tried the Windows XP backup utility but it is so slow - there must be a better way of doing things! Any ideas? Also, what about the file sizes - is it better to backup the original picture/sound file, i.e. tiff and wav or be content with jpeg/mp3 to reduce file size? What do you all do? I would be interested in your views. Ron West

I am a very unhappy chappy! I lost a complete hard drive recently and with it went most of my music and photo's. I had meant to get around to making a back up, but you know how it is with the time available and all that stuff. Now I have made this back up thingy my priority, but what is the best and quickest method. I tried the Windows XP backup utility but it is so slow - there must be a better way of doing things! Any ideas? Also, what about the file sizes - is it better to backup the original picture/sound file, i.e. tiff and wav or be content with jpeg/mp3 to reduce file size? What do you all do? I would be interested in your views. Ron West

Considering th small cost of the full PTE licence, I reckon it is worth your while to buy it. I am quite sure that you will enjoy the program and so the '10 slide limit' will soon frustrate you. I agree with Ken - you should save everything connected with PTE just in case! Ron West

There is no real problem here! I have changed computers on 3 occasions and each time I emailed the help section at Wnsoft (Igor) and they sent me a copy of the Regkey straight away. Very helpful people. Ron

I am in sympathy with Contaxman on this one. It seems that our attempts to help have fallen on stony ground. Perhaps if the original post was a little more clear, then we could have been of more use. You win some, you lose some! Ron West

You will get a much more professional look to your show if you make a CD of the .exe file and then add some comments on a separate pdf file ro the CD. Sending via email is just not practical. These days the good old fashioned Post Office will deliver a CD within 24 hours. Now that 'aint bad is it. Ron West

Hi Alex. Sorry to hear of your plight - we have all been there at some time or another. There is no real solution I am afraid. Don't get caught out again though and make sure you keep your images backed up . I also safeguard my PTE shows by saving a 'Template' of the show and I backup acopy of the 'project file to a separate disc. Ron West

This subject is an old chestnut! Do a search and you will find many topics on this issue. The bottom line is that you just cannot protect your images, nor is there any software available that will do it for you. I agree with Contaxman - if people want to 'steal' a picture of very low resolution, then let them have it because they will never get a good print from it. Ron West

You don't need to watermark the source image (if you mean the original image that is) In photoshop, it is good practice to create a new folder into which you transfer all images that you intend using in your slide show. These images will have all been manipulated, resized etc. At this point you can add a watermark. Therefore your original image is never touched. Ron West

Can anyone read the last post?

Surely you have noticed that you get a message that your .exe file already exists and do you want to overwrite it! It is also a good idea to always save your show as a 'project' and in case you want to go back later (months or even years) why not make use of the option to 'create a template' This will preserve all your pictures, the project file and also any music used in the show - all in one convenient folder. Ron West

You can also save a small version of any photo (used in the slide show perhaps) using Photoshop. You will need to download the 'ico file' before you can save in photoshop though. The small plugin is availailable on this web site - Here: Ron West

It is good to hear that people are starting to form clubs that will specialise in Pictures to Exe. It is a brilliant program (and getting better all the time). I am often amazed at the folk who compare PTE to other programs such as Proshow Gold and seem able to find fault with our much loved PTE software. Usually this is because they haven't found the time to learn the software properly. A club like yours should do very well and I wish you the very best of luck. Ron West

Hi Anne, You have raised a question that so many people have problems with, i.e. not being able to fine the reistration key. Is it not about time that Igor realised this problem and thought of a better way to educate us all. Ron West

Hello Patrick, I assume that when you use the word 'repertory' you mean the 'Directory' path. Ron

Hello Anne, Read back on my last post and you will see that Ken has supplied a list of web links where you can find some music. You rarely get anything for nothing though, so can I suggest that you take a look at the music CD's made by Medwyn Goodall. They are available at the following site: Here

Where are all those good sound effects and sound loops? We all use common sound effects at some time or another and most are obtained from the 'freebie' downloads; but where can I get good quality sound effects - thunder storms, fireworks, seashore, rain, etc. I would like to get some effects that last for varying times up to a minute or even more. Don't mind paying for the good ones, so can anyone suggest some web sites please? Ron West

Jamie, Some titles are just basic and some are very sophisticated! I make CD tutorials and have one for making a 'title sequence' using Photoshop. You might be interested. email me at the following:- ronniebootwest@ntlworld.com

I hate to admit it but I have forgotten how to upload a show to Beechbrool! Must be getting old I guess. Can someone please refresh me and bring me up to date on what I need to do. Thanks! Ron West

Hi Tim, Ken Burns has a lot to answer for! The pan & zoom effect is just another technique and can often be over-used (just like any other transition effect) There is a lot to be said for the plain old 'gentle fade'. In my opinion, a good audio visual program should be judged on its ability to produce excellent picture clarity and PTE certainly manages to achieve that. Remember also, that once you have purchased your PTE licence - all future upgrades are free (forever). What other software can boast that? Igor and his team of programmers are always working to improve this program and seem to listen to what we, the users, would like. Another bonus I think. Ron West

Hi there! You clearly have an interest in macro photography and your pictures are excellent. Your show works fine on my computer (Windows XP and Audigy 2 ZS sound card). Certainly looks as if this little gremlin you have, is lurking somewhere in your computer. BTW, is the music on your show composed by you? I love it - how about some copywrite free stuff then??? Ron West

Time is a great healer! Keep on going forward - it is worth it in the end. Ron West

TimZ. Hi! I feel for you, I know how frustrating it all can be when things don't go quite as you expect them to. A pity uou appear to have given up on PTE - I think that you might be missing out on the best Audio Visual package currently available. I have tried ProShow Gold and found that it just did not compare to PTE in spite of its gimmicks. I agree with Ken, they are very unhelpful when things go wrong. Maybe you just had a bad download with Wnsoft - did you try re-installing from scratch? Anyway, not to worry, you seem to have made up you mind. Good luck with Proshow, but remember that you are always welcome back here if you so decide. Ron West

Brian. I have forwarded your latest question on to Creative and will let you know what they say. I am almost certain that it is a 'STEREO' connection though. We will wait ans see p.s. I tried to email you at conflow@iol.ie - it was rejected by the server. Ron