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Wondershare PPT2Flash Professional

Reviewed by Geetesh Bajaj, professional Microsoft PowerPoint MVP, view more info of the writer at http://www.geetesh.com/

Introduction
About PPT2Flash Professional
Download & Installation
Using PPT2Flash Professional
How PPT2Flash Fared
Pricing and Support
Conclusion

Introduction

PPT2Flash Professional is a PowerPoint add-in which allows you to convert your PowerPoint presentations into Flash SWF movies with all the slide objects and movements recreated. It works with all PowerPoint for Windows versions from 2000 to 2007.

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About PPT2Flash Professional

PPT2Flash Professional is from Wondershare, a company based in Guangdong, China that creates custom applications for the enterprise market. Learn more about their products and download a free trial version of PPT2Flash Professional from their site…

My contact at Wondershare for this review was Sabrina Fu - thank you, Sabrina.

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Download & Installation

Download the installer from the link on Wondershare’s product page, run the setup routine and follow the instructions. If you are using PowerPoint 2007, you’ll end up with a PPT2Flash Professional tab on the Ribbon as you can see in Figure 1.

Figure 1: PPT2Flash Professional tab on the Ribbon

All the options on the PPT2Flash Professional tab are explained below:

1. Publish: This group of options allows you to publish presentations to Flash, and view them.
2. Settings: This brings up the Conversion Settings dialog box where you can tweak various output options.
3. Player: Here you can select a template for the Flash output.
4. Edit: This is where you can make changes, add Flash SWF movies on slides, insert quizzes, import audio, record narration, or do screen captures. Note that you insert quizzes with Quiz Creator — and that is a separate product.
5. About: This group allows you to register and update the program — in addition, there are direct links to the user guide and online forums.

Note: Users of earlier versions of PowerPoint will find a new PPT2Flash menu –

this menu provides the same options as described above.

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Using PPT2Flash Professional

We use an evaluation presentation as a benchmark to determine how any PowerPoint to Flash converter product works. Learn more about this benchmark presentation developed with our FlashPPT site here…

We’ll share results of this benchmark later on this page — first, let’s explore how you do the actual Flash conversion using PPT2Flash.

1. Open any existing presentation inside PowerPoint. With the presentation open, select the PPT2Flash Professional tab on the Ribbon, as shown in Figure 1 above.
2. Click the Publish button to bring up the dialog box that you can see in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Publish dialog box

You’ll find that you can publish the presentation to various outputs:

1. SWF / Web: Creates a Adobe Flash SWF with or without the HTML container
   LMS: Generates output with various Learning Management Systems such as SCORM and AICC
   EXE: Creates an executable file that will work on Microsoft Windows systems
   E-mail: Sends converted Flash output as an email attachment

1. Once you select the output option, click the Convert button — this will start the conversion process — the time taken for conversion will depend upon the size and complexity of your source presentation.

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How PPT2Flash Fared?

This benchmark presentation had 20 slides with content of various types: pictures, clip art, shapes, narration, music, Flash movies, videos, etc. Each slide was given between 0 to 5 points each for a total of 100 points, and 50 extra points were allotted to the program interface, support options, output, PowerPoint 2007 compatibility, and pricing.

PPT2Flash Professional gained in many areas, such as maintaining transparency of both inserted and native PowerPoint slide objects, PPT2Flash did an amazing job

Inserted video files converted well too — and text quality and positioning of shapes was very accurate.

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Pricing and Support

PPT2Flash Professional costs $199.95. Multi-user and academic pricing options are available.

Support is through email, an online FAQ, and user forum.

Conclusion

PPT2Flash Professional provides most features you may want in a PowerPoint to Flash converter product — and works best in situations where you want to create small output files in Flash SWF that you can put on your website, CD, or send as an email. Click here to view more info about this product.

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We are delighted to make known about our special Christmas giveaway. “Wondershare” is providing us 3 FREE licenses of PPT2Flash Professional (worth $199.95 each) to giveaway to 3 lucky it’s my Windows readers.
To be the victor of these licenses, you just need to do few things as:

• You must be subscribed to it’s my Windows Newsletter- If you aren’t subscribed, then subscribe now and it’s free.
• Write down a significant comment in this topic. While leaving your comment, use the same email ID which has been used to subscribed for it’s my Windows newsletter otherwise you won’t be eligible for this giveaway.

The winners will be announced on 31st December 2008. ALL THE BEST !!!

Giveaways, Reviews, Software

MSDN Library provides access to essential programming information, including technical reference documentations, white papers, software development kits and code samples necessary to develop web services and applications. This is an updated version of the MSDN Library for Visual Studio 2008 and this library contains Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1 documentation.

Updated content sets in MSDN Library for Visual Studio 2008 SP1 include:

• Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1 documentation
• Visual Studio 2008 general documentation updates
• Windows Developer documentation updates
• Microsoft Knowledge Base
• And More…

Notes:

• MSDN Library is integrated with Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Help by default and is integrated into the F1 Help function. However, the MSDN Library can also be installed and viewed as a stand-alone reference, and does not require Visual Studio 2008.
• Concurrent installations of the Visual Studio Express Library and the MSDN Library for Visual Studio 2008 SP1 on the same computer will cause content redundancy, including duplicate search hits. If the Visual Studio Express Library has already been installed on your computer, please uninstall it before beginning installation of the MSDN Library for Visual Studio 2008 SP1.

MSDN Library for Visual Studio 2008 SP1 Readme

Software, Visual Studio

Ultimate Windows Tweaker is a Tweak UI Utility for tweaking and optimizing Windows Vista, 32-bit & 64-bit. It can simply be downloaded and used as a portable application to customize your Windows Vista to meet your requirements. With judicious tweaking, It can make your system faster, more stable, and more secure with just a few mouse clicks. The tweaker detects whether you have IE 7 or IE 8 installed and accordingly offers you the relevant tweaks only.

The utility has a simple easy-to-use user interface, with the tweaks being classified in separate heads based of their functionality. Most tweaks are hidden inside Vista, and what this tweaker does is to try and put the useful one’s in one place. It has over 130 tweaks, but is yet, just a 370 KB .exe file, which does not require an install.

The tweaks are classified under seven categories and can be accessed through a common interface, just like your Windows Vista Control Panel.

1) Personalization,
2) User Accounts & UAC,
3) System & Performance,
4) Security,
5) Internet Explorer (IE7 / IE8)
6) Network Optimization
7) Additional Options

For details, click here.

System Requirements:
Ultimate Windows Tweaker is developed for Windows Vista and supported in all available editions under 32 and 64 Bit. Earlier version of Windows - Windows 95, 98, ME, NT and XP are not supported.

Minimum system configuration:

• Microsoft Windows Vista
• 800×600 screen resolution with 256 colors
• 5 MB free disk space
• Internet Explorer 7 or higher

Recommended system configuration:

• Microsoft Windows Vista
• 1024×768 screen resolution with 32-bit colors
• 10 MB free disk space
• Internet Explorer 7 or higher

 

Products, Software, Windows Vista

At the recently concluded South Asia MVP Meet 2008 held at Goa, between 14-18th November 2008, Ultimate Windows Tweaker, a Tweak UI for Windows Vista was released by Howard Lo, Microsoft’s Regional Team Manager (APAC), in the presence of Abhishek Kant, South Asia – MVP Lead and Abhishek Baxi, MVP Program Specialist. Earlier during the Meet, Pradeep Parappil - Program Manager Lead (Windows) gave an excellent presentation on Windows 7. 

Most Vista users were missing the Tweak UI application, which Microsoft had released for XP, and this one promises to be the best thing for Windows Vista users. 

This freeware tweaker, christened as Ultimate Windows Tweaker has over 130 registry tweaks, but is yet, just a 370 KB .exe file which does not require an install. It can even be used as a portable application.

The application has been released by WinVistaClub, a Microsoft Featured Community, and has been written by Me.

Software, Windows Vista

Microsoft has released Windows Embedded Standard available for download for free. Microsoft is offering the gold bits of the next iteration of its Windows embedded platform via the Download Center. Windows Embedded Standard 2009 was packaged as WES2009Eval.iso, an offering aimed exclusively for test driving. The evaluation edition of Windows Embedded Standard 2009 is designed to offer a taste of what the embedded version of the Windows platform has to offer for a total of 120 days.

Windows Embedded Standard 2009 Features

Connectivity
>> Remote Desktop Protocol
Windows Embedded Standard provides the latest version of Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP 6.1) to help enable Windows Embedded Standard-based thin clients, point of service devices, and multifunction printers to connect using the latest version of Windows Server remote computing technologies. RDP helps you use the new Terminal Services (TS) features and updates introduced in Windows Vista such as Network Level Authentication, Server authentication, resource redirection, TS gateway servers, monitor spanning, and other visual improvements.
>> Security & Management
Standard includes security and management technologies to help embedded devices to easily connect to take advantage of new features in Windows Server 2008 like Network Access Protections (NAP). NAP is a policy enforcement platform built into Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 to better protect network assets by enforcing compliance with system health requirements. Using NAP, device makers or enterprises can create custom policies to validate embedded device health before allowing access or communication with the enterprise network.
>> Wi-Fi Protected Access 2
Windows Embedded Standard provides support for Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2), the latest wireless security solution derived from the IEEE 802.11i standards. WPA2 delivers support for the new Wi-Fi Alliance certification for wireless security, making it easier to connect to secure public spaces that are equipped with wireless Internet access—locations known as “Wi-Fi hotspots.”
 
>> Enterprise Serviceability and Manageability
Support for Windows Server Update Services, System Center Configuration Manager, and Microsoft Operations Manager helps ensure that Windows Embedded Standard supports enterprise-class manageability of both operating system and application-level updates, helping enterprises to protect, manage, and monitor devices within existing IT infrastructures.
 

Rich Interactive Media Experience 

>> Microsoft Silverlight
Microsoft Silverlight is a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in for delivering the next generation of media experiences and rich interactive applications (RIAs) for the Web that incorporate video, animation, interactivity, and stunning user interfaces.
>> Windows Internet Explorer 7
Windows Internet Explorer 7 comes with improved navigation and search, improved printing, and access to RSS feeds. Dynamic security protection provided by a robust new architecture helps defend against malware and phishing. Windows Internet Explorer 7 also provides an improved platform for Web development and manageability through support for CSS, RSS, and enterprise deployment and management.
>> Windows Media Player 11
Windows Media Player 11 includes new media features designed to help manage libraries of digital music, photos, and videos. Windows Media Player 11 automatically converts media files—even protected audio and video files—to optimal quality for smart, connected devices.
>> Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 is the new managed-code programming model for Windows, featuring new technologies for building applications that have a visually compelling user experience, seamless communication across technology boundaries, and support for a wide range of business processes. Some of these new technologies include: Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) and Windows Communication Foundation (WCF).

Download: Windows Embedded

Software, Windows XP

 

Today, Inhouse reports says- WinRAR 3.80 English released. WinRAR is a powerful archive manager. It can backup your data and reduce the size of email attachments, decompress RAR, ZIP and other files downloaded from Internet and create new archives in RAR and ZIP file format.

WinRAR - What’s new in the latest version

   Version 3.80

1. Added support for ZIP archives containing Unicode file names in UTF-8 format. When creating ZIP archive, WinRAR stores names in Unicode only if they cannot be stored correctly using the current single byte character set.

2. Added decompression support for WinZip AES encrypted ZIP archives.

3. Improved Unicode support for RAR and ZIP archive names.

4. “Ask before overwrite” and “Skip existing files” update modes are now available in archiving dialog. They allow to specify WinRAR behavior when updating already existing files in archive.

Unlike already available “Fresh existing files only” and ”Add and update files”, these new modes ignore file date and compare only file names.

Command line equivalents of these modes are:

      a) switch -o enables “Ask before overwrite” archiving mode;

      b) switch -o- enables “Skip existing files” archiving mode;

      c) switch -o+ enables “Overwrite all” mode (default for archiving).

5. New “Add to context menu” option in “Profile parameters” dialog.

If this option is on, the profile name will be displayed in Explorer  context menus allowing to activate a profile from context menu. 

6. New -cp switch allows to select a compression profile in command line mode. It is supported only by GUI WinRAR.exe, not by rar.exe.

7. New “Options” page of archiving dialog contains the group of settings modifying the behavior of “Delete files after archiving” option from “General” page:

      a) Delete files. Delete files normally like in previous WinRAR versions.

      b) Move files to Recycle Bin. Deleted files are placed to Recycle Bin.

          Command line equivalent of this option is -dr switch.

      c) Wipe files. Before deleting file data are overwritten by zero bytes to prevent recovery of deleted files.

         Command line equivalent of this option is -dw switch.

      All these options have an effect only if “Delete files  after archiving” is on. You can enable any of these options in the default compression profile to change the default behavior of “Delete files after archiving”.

8. WinRAR “Extraction path and options” dialog is now resizable. You can use the mouse to drag its border to the desired size and provide more space for folder tree pane. WinRAR will store new dimensions of this dialog.

9. New “Update” SFX script command and “Update mode” group of options in “Update” page of “Advanced SFX options” dialog.

These command and options allow to check time and implement file time based updating;

10. SFX script “Shortcut” command and “Add shortcut…” command in “Advanced SFX options” dialog now allow to specify  an icon file containing an icon associated with shortcut.

11. New “Wipe temporary files” option in “Settings/Security” dialog provides more secure, though slower, way to delete temporary WinRAR files.

12. WinRAR and RAR display the total progress bar when unpacking a multivolume RAR archive if all volumes are present in the same folder.

13. WinRAR and RAR automatically expand names of environment variables in list files. For example, a list file can contain lines like:

        %windir%\*.exe

        %USERPROFILE%\Desktop

       This feature is available only in Windows RAR version.

14. Added support of TAR archives with non-zero “extra field” data.

15. Added support of TAR archives, which does not contain the end of archive entry consisting of 512 zero bytes.

16. Improved Unicode support when dragging files from WinRAR window.

17. Shift+Tab key combination can be used in main WinRAR window to switch the input focus between interface elements (files, comment, tree, address) in reverse order. In previous versions Shift+Tab used the same order as Tab.

18. Corrected a possible WinRAR crash when opening truncated UDF ISO files.

Download: WinRAR from CNet

Software