Assignment2

=Screen Capture Review= =Assignment 2 - AIL 600=

Group Members: Donna Guerra (dsguerra@crimson.ua.edu) Sarah Handwerker (shandwerker@gnd.edu) Holly Hollis-Williams (hollyhobby04@aol.com) Charlotte Kuss (kussc@nwfsc.edu) Kelly Michael (rkmichael@crimson.ua.edu)



Comparison Table

 * || **Camtasia**

Charlotte || **Captivate**

Kelly/Donna || **Screenr**

Holly/Sarah || Catagories** ||  ||   ||   || To Produce || * Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista
 * **Review
 * Cost || * Full version: $299 (Retail); $179(Education pricing for educators and students)
 * Upgrade: $89.50
 * Free 30-day download available || * Full version: $799
 * Upgrade: $299
 * Adobe Education Store (for educators and students) $249
 * Free 30 day download available || * Free ||
 * User Friendliness || * Record with audio, or record & add audio later (voice, music, or sound effects)
 * Edit easily using automatically-produced timeline
 * Has been described by reviewers as "powerful" but can be "overwhelming at first"
 * Clear step-by-step instructions with video tutorials (produced using Camtasia, of course!) for each function available on website
 * Website: [] || * "Easy to use" as reported on FAQs page
 * Useful to create simulations, software demonstrations, scenario-based training, and quizzes without programming or multimedia skills.
 * Integrate with other authoring tools:Acrobat Connect Pro, Flash Professional, and the Questionmark Perception
 * Can also be embedded in Adobe PDF files and delivered in the AVI format for streaming on the web, publishing to YouTube™, viewing on AVI-compatible devices, and more.
 * Based on the Adobe Flash Platform
 * All learning content can be generated in SWF format.
 * Adobe Help and support is availabe via website, as well as video tutorials.
 * [|http://www.adobe.com/products/captivate/education] || * Very simple/easy to use
 * Basically three button options to click and record
 * Also keyboard can control
 * Instructions clear and posted on website
 * Website: []
 * Easy to save and post to twitter account ||
 * Computer Requirements
 * Computer Requirements
 * Microsoft DirectX 9 or later version
 * 1.0 GHz processor minimum ~ Recommended: 2.0 GHz (for PowerPoint and camera recordings.)
 * 500 MB RAM minimum ~ Recommended: 2.0 GB
 * 115 MB of hard-disk space for program installation
 * MAC compatible || * Intel processor (Pentium 4, Centrino, Xenon, Core Duo or compatible)
 * Windows (XP, Vista Home Premium, Business, Ultimate or Enterprise)
 * 512MB of RAM (1GB recommended)
 * 1.5GB available hard-disk space (additional free space needed during installation)
 * Standard web browser with Flash Player 7 or later is required to view Adobe Captivate content. . Finally, you can import SWF, FLA, and FLV files into any Adobe Captivate 4 project to enhance the content.
 * DVD/ROM || **Operating system:**
 * MAC (OSX 10.4 or up) or Windows (XP, Vista or 07')

To View/Play Product || **Optional requirements:**
 * Browser:**
 * IE6, 7, and 8, Firefox 3+, Sarafri 3+, and Google Chrome
 * Need Java 1.5 runtime or later version for recording ||
 * Computer Requirements
 * To use the Camtasia Studio PowerPoint Add-in, Microsoft PowerPoint 2000 or later is required
 * Production to the Apple iPod format requires Apple QuickTime 7.1 or later
 * Audio recording requires Windows-compatible sound card (dedicated card recommended), microphone, and speakers
 * Camera video recording requires a USB Web camera. Digital video (DV) cameras are not supported. || * 800x600 screen resolution (1,024x768 recommended)
 * Runs on Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise (certified for 32-bit editions). It also runs on Microsoft Windows® XP with Service Pack 2 (Service Pack 3 recommended). Will run on MAC OS
 * Based on the industry-leading Adobe Flash® Platform-student must have Flash to view. || * Operating system requirements as above
 * Browser requirements as above
 * Flash Player 9 or 10 to view the screencast ||
 * File Format Options || * Flash player compatible (MP4/FLV/SWF)
 * iPod, iPhone, iTunes (M4V)
 * CD/DVD/lossless export AVI
 * Silverlight compatible (WMV)
 * Quick time (MOV)
 * Real media (RM)
 * Animated GIF
 * Audio only- MP3
 * Produce all file formats at one time
 * Compact file sizes for HD quality video || *** **Microsoft® Office**

Word (.doc), PowerPoint (.ppt), Excel (.xls) Note: Create Adobe PDF Online converts documents which Microsoft Office 2000 is able to successfully open and print. Publisher (.pub) Note: Create Adobe PDF Online converts documents which Microsoft Publisher 2002 is able to successfully open and print. Note: Files from Illustrator version 9 or later are already stored as PDF files and do not require conversion. InDesign files later than version 2.0 are not supported for conversion. Note: Create Adobe PDF Online only supports AutoCAD files saved as versions Release 2.5 through AutoCAD 2002. Enable learners to easily navigate through content and track their progress with a multilevel Table of Contents. Also, use the new Aggregator to combine multiple content modules to create a complete eLearning course || * Non-existing of this Program || * SmartFocus technology Information || * TechSmith = =
 * Other Microsoft Formats
 * Adobe FormatsIllustrator® (.ai), InDesign™ (.indd), FrameMaker® (.fm, .mif), PageMaker® (.pm, .pm6, .p65, .pmd, .pmt), Photoshop® (.psd)
 * AutoCADAutoCAD (.dwg)
 * Corel WordPerfect Office FormatsWordPerfect (.wpd)
 * Adobe PostScript® FormatsPostScript (.ps, .prn), Encapsulated PostScript (.eps)
 * Text FormatsRich Text Format (.rtf), Text (.txt)
 * Image FormatsWindows bitmap (.bmp), GIF (.gif), JPEG (.jpg), PCX (.pcx), PICT (.pct, .pict), PNG (.png), RLE (.rle), TIFF (.tif) || * Limited
 * Will only save in .f4v format to be viewed through Flash Player ||
 * Editing Capability || * Video or audio may be added, cut, spliced, joined, or moved quickly using hot keys
 * Audio and video tracks can be decoupled to edit independent of each other
 * Each track can be edited with frame-by-frame precision using timeline to maintain syncronization
 * Live preview of final result can be viewed during editing || * Add or delete slides(including those from another project)
 * Adjust slide timing
 * Add caption, title, or heading to slides
 * Add images to slides (from formats: SWF, JPG, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, ICO, EMF, POT, or WMF)
 * Import Photoshop files
 * Insert images as new slides
 * Spell check
 * Three modes available for recording:
 * Automatic recording
 * Full motion recording
 * Manual recording || * Non-existing
 * You would have to redo the entire screen cast to change ||
 * Length or Time Limit || * No limit || * No limit || * Limited to five minutes of recording ||
 * Caption Tool || * Closed captioning can be added on or below video
 * Caption can be displayed or closed with a click of a button || * FLVPlaybackCaptioning supports caption display in full-screen video mode also, so users can enjoy large video with enlarged captions for easier reading. || * Does allow caption after recording (at bottom) ||
 * Table of Content Tool || * Based on timeline markers
 * Easily create more chapters by adding a division on the timeline
 * Chapter titles easily edited || * Table of Contents and Aggregator
 * Software only allows for recording and viewing entire file ||
 * Storage of Product || * Publish to screencast.com
 * Free video sharing service by TechSmith
 * Preserves HD quality
 * Producer has complete control over viewer audience
 * Built-in RSS and iTunes functionality || * Creates a backup file for your project when saved, re-saved files are saved in the backup file as well
 * May save in various files || * Captures are stored on the twitter network for free ||
 * Other Special Aspects
 * Record whole screen
 * Follows action on the screen automatically with zooms & pans
 * Fully editable
 * Add transition effects between chapters
 * Display presenter within or beside presentation or not at all
 * Callouts and Flash interactivity
 * Add arrows, speech bubbles, or virtual spotlight to add emphasis
 * Create clickable hot spots
 * Jump to an external webpage or video
 * Embed a quiz or survey || * SWF commenting - enables reviewers to add comments
 * Text-to-speech function
 * You can also export content directly to Macromedia® Flash 8 or Adobe Flash CS3 or CS4 Professional software for advanced editing or scripting
 * Integrate with Adobe Acrobat® Connect™ and Adobe Presenter
 * Runs on Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise (certified for 32-bit editions). It also runs on Microsoft Windows® XP with Service Pack 2 (Service Pack 3 recommended).
 * Professional project templates
 * Customizable widgets
 * Roundtrip PowerPoint workflow
 * Table of Contents and Aggregator
 * Adobe Photoshop® layer support
 * Useful to create simulations, software demonstrations, scenario-based training, and quizzes without programming or multimedia skills. || * Can share anywhere on web, to include twitter, you tube and iphone
 * You do not have to install/download software to make screencasts
 * You must have a twitter account **however**
 * Publishes in high definition flash format
 * Screenr community called "Get Satisfaction" for help (answers to questions)
 * All screencasts are public ||
 * Vendor/Publisher
 * [] || * Adobe Systems, Inc.
 * [] || * Made by Articulate ||
 * Advantages || * Powerful and versatile
 * Professional-looking presentations
 * Multiple editing options
 * Robust Learning Center and Support Center
 * Produce in multiple formats; automatically adjusts for screen size
 * Share in multiple formats at once, giving viewers playback options
 * Embed in websites, blogs, or presentations
 * Limit access to presentation when uploaded to screencast.com
 * PC or Mac || * Adobe Captivate 4 can automatically generate interactive Flash Player compatible content without requiring users to learn the Flash authoring tool.
 * Based on the industry-leading Adobe Flash® Platform,
 * May create various projects without programming or multimedia skills
 * Available in multiple languages
 * Can be viewed on Windows and MacOS
 * Streamlined workflows and enhanced usability || * Free
 * Ease of use
 * No downloading software
 * Help site where you can pose questions, and get answers
 * Minimal computer requirements to produce and view
 * Up to date with social networking of students
 * Faculty could use a powerful communication tool and free site for demo casts
 * Possible use from department based educators as well (free) for demo casts ||
 * Disadvantages || * Moderately expensive
 * Learning curve required
 * Relatively robust computer requirements to produce || * Expensive
 * Learning curve required
 * Standard web browser with Flash Player 7 or later is required to view Adobe Captivate content-students without this software cannot view content
 * Has to be produced on Windows || * Only 5 minutes of recording allowed
 * Only record in flash format
 * User must have a twitter account
 * No editing
 * Only allows for screen capture - no other funtions of this program ||

Three different screencapturing software programs were reviewed: Camtasia by TechSmith, Captivate by Adobe, and Screenr by Articulate. These programs provide the user with a variety of options to give presentations a professional edge. While presentations can be created by using any of these products, they do have many distinct similarities and differences that have both positive and negative features. The consumer must decide which product would be most useful based on computer requirements, budget for cost of software, type of presentations to be created, file format considerations, and desired capabilities to achieve the desired outcome.
 * Similarities and Differences: Kelly/Donna **

Creating a presentation using cutting edge technology can prove to be expensive. The review of these three programs finds varying price points among them. Captivate is by far the most expensive at $799 for the full version and Camtasia retails for $299. Both have a discounted price for educational consumers and offer free 30 day trials. In contrast, Screenr is offered free to all users. Software is purchased for Captivate and Camtasia, but there is no software to download or install for Screenr.

Computer requirements for these products are reasonable. All are compatible with Windows XP or Vista operating system. Camtasia and Screenr are available to MAC users, while Captivate is able to run via MAC OS. Browser choices to operate Screenr include IE6, 7, and 8, Firefox 3+, Sarafri 3+, and Google Chrome. Java 1.5 runtime or a later version is needed for recording. A standard web browser with Flash Player 7 or later is required to view Captivate content. Camtasia and Captivate offer optional computer specifications to use more sophisticated operations. File format options are more generous with Camtasia and Captivate, whereas Screenr is limited to only one file format. All of these programs use flash technology.

Each program boasts ease of use and makes them beneficial to all levels of computer proficiency. All three programs have clear instructions for new users, with video tutorials providing step by step instructions to walk the user through the functions of the programs, as well as help screens and support available via the website. Multiple editing options are available with Camtasia and Captivate. Screenr offers no editing options. Video and audio timing are limited to five minutes using Screenr versus unlimited recording time with the alternative products. Captioning tools are included in all three programs; however, the Screenr caption features are more restrictive. Creation of a table of contents is possible using Camtasia and Captivate, but not with Screenr. Storage with these programs varies. Multiple file formats are allowed for storage with Camtasia and Captivate. Storage on Screenr is free on the Twitter network.

When looking at the similarities, differences, features and costs of each of the programs, a recommendation should be made based upon the needs of the consumer. For this report, we have chosen to recommend a product for nursing educators in the academic setting. For this type of setting, we would recommend Camtasia Studio, when choosing between the three above products. Camtasia has most all of the features of Captivate and a multitude more than Screenr. It is also much more cost efficient as compared to Captivate. High ratings of user friendliness are reported with Camtasia. This combination of available options and cost efficiency makes it a wise choice for educators.
 * Recommendations based on above research: Holly/Sarah **

This group worked very well together, utilizing email and telephone to communicate about each product. Charlotte looked at Camtasia, Kelly and Donna reviewed Captivate, and Holly and Sarah looked at Screenr. Once all of the products were reviewed, Kelly and Donna wrote the similarites and differences for the products, while Holly and Sarah wrote recommendations. Every group member actively participated in editing and proof reading all of the sections of the assignment. The actual WIKI page was created by Sarah, and enabled all group members to communicate and add pertinent information about the products. We feel that all of us played equal and important roles in creating and modifying all parts of this assignment. We have enjoyed working together.
 * Teamwork/Group Effort:**