Ronniebootwest

But without broadband, you will find things a little slow I reckon. A big show will probably need to be split into upwards of 10 to 15 segments and then each of these will have to be sent via an email attachment and with just a 56 dial up modem connection, I wonder how long it will take. Has anyone carried out a test yet? Ron West

When I first became a forum member the order of the day was to keep file sizes down in order to gain the maximum quality. In those days people were mainly using a monitor set to a resolution of 800x600 pixels and the image size recommended for PTE slide shows was then 1024x768. So what has happened now then? With screen resolutions of anything between 800x600 up to 2048x1536 what is now the recommended size? This matter has been discussed so many times now, but I agree with Garris because I too am unclear of the way to proceed. Come on you experts, give us a clue here! Ron West

Hi Ken! For the second time today, my computer is refusing to accept some links and your latest (the one for Skins Download) is not working. Not sure what is causing this - any ideas? Ron

Ken, I have just seen your new 'skin' the one with the leather look! Can I be cheeky and ask you for a copy of this please? Ron West

Hi Granot, The link (Direct download of version 2.0.0.5) that you provided in your previous post, does not seem to work on my computer (maybe AOL). I cannot download the latest version therefore. Ron

Ronwill, I am glad that you have also found a solution to your cataloging problem. I would be interested in knowing what method you use to cataolg your images, particularly the filenaming. Do you, for example, have just one catalog or do you create many different ones? In my case, I first of all create main sections in my catalog, e.g. People, Places, Family, Holidays, Portraits, Landscapes, Seascapes etc. Then I allocate this category to each image. Ron West

Hello Jeanie, My goodness, you really have your work cut out with this project of yours - business plans, building websites and on top of that learning about flash as well! I really do not envy you. I am glad that you enjoy using the PTE software because it really is destined to become the major program for creating audio visual slide shows. I have dabbled with adding flash files (swf) as the opening titles and closing credits to a PTE show. I use software called 'Swishmax' and have had reasonable success. To actually add a swf file to a PTE slide show you will need a utility called 'FlashMe4' made by Granot. You can download it HERE Building webpages is well beyond my ability. I think that you are right to stay with PTE because the quality of the finished product is superb. As far as converting an exe to swf is concerned, I think that the degradation of the images makes this unsuitable. Ron West

Hello JEvans, interesting concept of using Studio 8 and then transferring to PTE. I would be interested in knowing more about this technique. Do you have any slide shows to share. that will demonstrate what you do? Ron West

Where is this new uploaded test file? I csnnot find it, can you provide the link please. Ron

Cornflow I could not find the utility you refer to either! Ron

No need to wait for the full release; you can use the beta version - it works very well indeed. As a matter of fact, there are more updates to this now anyway.

Hello Jeanie, welcome! Just what is it that you are trying to do? There are many good folk on this forum who are very willing to help you but we must have more details about what you are going to do. Ron West

OOPS! I don't think that the link to Extensis worked in my last post. Try this:- Click Here

Ronwil, Thanks for your contributions to this thread, they have all been very useful. I have tried the software that you mentioned in your last post, but do not find them as useful as the package that I am now using. It is called Portfolio 7 and is sold by a firm called Extensis. It is fully featured and quite easy to use (compared to, for example Cumulus) One of the features I like is that it allows you to 'archive' and 'backup' your images to a CD or DVd (which allows you to remove them from your hard drive). Later, when you search for these images, the program will tell you which CD or DVD the image is on - you simply insert that media into your drive and the image is retrieved. The software also keeps all of the imaged on your hard drive 'in synch' with the images in the catalog. It certainy fulfills all of my needs. I won't bore you with the full specification because you can read about it Click Here ]HERE If you are interested, then please do take a look.

Lumenlux. Yes I agree that you will probably have to put some time in to get your image collection up to date. However, when this is done, it should be a simple matter to keep new images up to date. Ps. I notice mention of a Barry Beckham slide show called 'The way things used to be' is this still available for download anywhere? I would like to see it. Ron West

Hello Ken, thanks for the step by step guide - it solved a few of my problems. Following your suggestion to create a sub-folder called 'Shows' makes the whole thing easier to follow. I now am not even going to use the Multi Tool that is available. I have managed to create a simple folder that contains just 3 shows and it seems to work fine (though I have not yet tried burning this to a CD yet). Please explain how you create and add the text file for each show. I reckon that I will be using this utility from now on because I am impressed so far. Ron

Some interesting observation there Barry, but I do think that efficient cataloging of images is important (even for amateurs like me). I do agree though, that sometimes it is a bit of a task to keep things in order. However, I have now purchased software from Extensis (called Portfolio) and I am finding this very easy to use. The initial cataloging will take me a while but it is affording me the oppertunity of dumping a load of my 'crap' photo's. This software also handles music files and this serves me well in my other passtime of 'Radio DJ'ing. My only remaining problem is to decide on a file-naming system that will suit me. Ron

I agree entirely with you Alan, if people are able to meet the cost of travelling to these events. I am going to make the effort to attend one in Swindon early next month. (I think it is Swindon anyway) It is being hosted by Maureen I think and if you read this Maureen, please confirm date and venue for me. p.s I was feeling a little down on the day that I posted that last thread I really didn't mean to upset anyone, so please do forgive me for sounding like a 'grumpy old man' Ron West

I am a fan of everything that Granot produces but I must confess that I have never looked at this utility, until now that is. I downloaded the 'multishow' program and also the 'mutlishow Tool' and had a go. Alas, I was unable to make much sense of it though - very confusing to a simpleton like me. Can you give a brief 'how to do it' so that I may evaluate the utility a little more. I am finding it pretty difficult to understand the steps required to actually get my exe files listed. Please explain the relationship between the 'Utility' and the 'tool' Thanks! Ron

If, like me, you have loads of images piling up on your computer hard drive(s), you will know the wisdom of having an efficient method of storing and retrieving them. I would be interested to learn what systems you are all using to manage your immage collections. 1. Do you have a file naming procedure that will easily identify your images for retrieval? 2. What file structure do you use in Explorer? 3. What software do you use to assist you? I have tried a few metghods now but am still on the lookout for the ultimate system. Any suggestions

All of us 'oldies' on the forum are well aware of what Granot has done for all PTE users over the years. His utilities are always very good (we are spoilt for choice at times). There is no need to go searching the internet for utilities such as an mp3 player - or a WAV player or a video player, because they are all available from Granot. I have found the guy to be most helpful and always willing to amend his utilities if you find that you would like a simple tweak to make them work better for you. Support him, he deserves it! Visit his web site and see what he has to offer. CLICK HERE:

What is the matter with you all? Why is it that, whenever a topic about the standard of a slide show comes up, all the experts give us their opinion yet I seldom see a slide show posted by these 'experts'. The one exception is Barry Beckham who constantly proves his point by producing superb slide shows for us to see. Take a look at the 'Black Country' to see the very best use of transitions and superb images to see what I mean. People like me will only learn from being given 'contructive critisism' on their work whether this be for protography or PTE technique. Ron West

I always find it easier to simply ask my viewers to 'Change the resolution of the screen' to match the size of the screen on which I made the show. i.e. I make at screen reolution of 1024 X 768 and ask them to adjust theirs accordingly.

Hello Swise, If your version of PTE is an old one, why don't you download the latest version? There is so much more that has been added now.

PTE is still under development and most of what you would like to see incorporated has probably been noted by Igor (the originator or the program) even so, why not take a look at the thread on 'suggestions for the next release'