Presentation Transfer-mation Systems
User Guide

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Table of Contents:

• System Overview
  
  
• Using the Program:
  
  
  • Help Screen
    
  • Novice Users
    • Step 1: Start
    • Step 2: ZenPad Info
    • Step 3: PowerPoint File
    • Step 4: Lecture Info (Error: Lecture Already Exists)
    • Step 5: Progress Box
    
    
  • Advanced Users
    • Step 1: Start
    • Step 2: ZenPad Info
    • Step 3: PowerPoint File
    • Step 4: Lecture Info (Error: Lecture Already Exists)
    • Step 5: Advanced
    • Step 6: Finish
    • Step 7: Progress Box
  
  
• Revision History

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System Overview

The mission of the Classroom 2000 system, created by the Future Computing Environments group, is to "put computers in the classroom to do all of the mundane recording of the class thereby enabling students to spend more time actively listening to the lecture."* One portion of the system involves the creation of lecture slides that the instructor can show to the class, write on through a program called ZenPad, and have the end result published to the Internet. These slides are typically created in a presentation graphics program such as Microsoft PowerPoint 97 and then saved as a series of images. The instructor then moves the slides to a remote location and is now able to use these images in class with the ZenPad viewer. The process of converting these presentations and then moving them to a remote location is a time-consuming and tedious process. It can also be complicated for new users who are not familiar with file transfer protocols, presentation packages or computers in general. Currently only Computer Science classes are taking advantage of and testing this system but there is potential for less technologically inclined disciplines to use the Classroom 2000 project. If Classroom 2000 is to fulfill its aim of using technology to improve education, it should be prepared to deal with novice users. Since Classroom 2000 aims to eliminate the tedious tasks of the students, it should also attempt to do the same for the instructors using the system. To simplify this conversion and transferring process, it is easier to present the user with a familiar and quick way to complete the process. The Transfer-Mation system proposes to automate and simplify the current process after the user creates the presentation slides. The process that convert the slides to a preferred format and transfer them to the specified destination. The Transfer-Mation System will give the user options to allow flexibility in the saving process and where the final graphic images should reside. The current version of the Transfer-Mation System allows novice users to quickly and easily convert their presentations while still providing options for the advanced user to utilize. The novice user only needs to know basic "essential" information for a successful transfer because commonly used settings for the Classroom 2000 are set as the default settings. Users with knowledge of specific image file formats, resolution settings and file paths can enter this information into the Advanced Features dialog box and customize their slide presentation. * taken from the "Building Your Own Classroom 2000 webpage"

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Using the Program

After you have installed the Transfer-Mation wizard, you can start the program at any time by selecting 'Programs' under your Windows 'Start' menu. Transfer-Mation will appear as an icon on the pop up menu. Since the software supports novice and advanced users, the user's guide is broken into two separate parts. The Novice User section will consist of standard instruction for the novice user. The Advanced User section will deal with the full functionality of the program.

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Help Screen


Figure 1: Transfer-Mation Wizard: Help Screen

The Help screen appears whenever the help button is clicked in the lower left hand corner of Transfer-Mation Wizard. When the button is clicked the Help screen will take the user to this webpage inorder for the user to get help with the users question.

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Novice Users

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Step 1: Start


Figure 1: Transfer-Mation Wizard: Welcome Screen

The first screen to appear is the Transfer-Mation Wizard Welcome Screen (Figure 1). It states the purpose of the program and shows which steps you will be need to complete to successfully transfer your slides. To continue, click the 'Next' button.

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Step 2: ZenPad Info

In order for the ZenPad system to recognize the current user, you will need to enter some information into the Transfer-Mation Wizard ZenPad Info dialog box (Figure 2).

This dialog box contains three input fields that must be completed:

Figure 2: Transfer-Mation Wizard: ZenPad Info dialog box

ZenServer: Enter the net address of the ZenServer. ZenPad User ID: Enter the User ID assigned to you by the ZenServer administrator. If you do not have or know your User ID, please contact your ZenServer Administrator. ZenPad Password: Enter the user password assigned to you by the ZenServer administrator. If you have lost or do not have a password, please contact your ZenServer Administrator.

After entering the information, the 'Next' button will activate. Click 'Next' to continue. A Connection Notification Block will appear (Figure 3). If the connection is unsuccessful, a pop-up window will appear and alert the user of the error. Verify all information was entered accurately. If errors persist, please contact your ZenServer Administrator.

Figure 3: Transfer-Mation Wizard: ZenPad Connection Notification Block

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Step 3: PowerPoint File

Following a successful connection to the ZenServer, you will be asked to locate the PowerPoint 97 presentation you wish to convert (Figure 4). Choose the drive and browse the folders until you locate the specific file. Select this file and click 'Next' to continue.

Figure 4: Transfer-Mation Wizard: PowerPoint Presentation Locator

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Step 4: Lecture Info

The next menu will ask you for some information about the class in which this presentation will be used (Figure 5).

There are four input fields that will need to be completed before you can continue:

Figure 5: Transfer-Mation: Wizard Lecture Info

Term: Using the drop-down box, the user can filter the classes listed in the classes drop down box based on the term, to apply no filter select "All terms" Year: Using the drop-down box, the user can filter the classes listed in the classes drop down box based on the year, to apply no filter select "All years" Classes: Using the drop-down box, choose the class receiving this lecture Lecture Title: Enter a brief description to identify the lecture at a later date Lecture Date: Using the drop-down boxes, enter the date you plan on giving the lecture. NOTE: Invalid dates (i.e. Feb. 30, 1999) will be accepted. Session Number: Enter a session number. This feature is useful if you are giving more than one lecture on a given day. "Session 1" would be the first lecture and "Session 2" would be the second lecture.

Once all this information has been correctly entered, you are ready to begin the Transfer-Mation process. Click the 'Finish' button to convert the presentation.

Lecture Already Exists

This dialog box (Figure 6) will appear if there is an attempt to create more than one lecture on a given day for a given class, date or session. After making the appropriate selection, click 'Done' to continue.

Figure 6: Transfer-Mation Wizard: Lecture Already Exists

The user will be prompted to: Change the lecture date: Returns you to the Lecture Info window so the date can be corrected. Create new session: Creates a new lecture for the same day. This lecture will be in the next available session. Append slides to existing lecture: Appends the entire lecture or a selected portion to the end of an existing lecture. Abort Transfer-Mation,: Aborts current conversion process and quits the Transfer-Mation program.

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Step 5: Progress Box

While the lecture is being created, a progress box will appear (Figure 7). It will show which task the Transfer-Mation system is currently in the process of completing.

Figure 7: Transfer-Mation Wizard: Progress box

Upon completion of converting and transferring of the presentation, you are ready to go and access the slides via ZenPad. Happy lecturing!

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Advanced Users

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Step 1: Start


Figure 1: Transfer-Mation Wizard: Welcome Screen

The first screen to appear is the Transfer-Mation Wizard Welcome Screen (Figure 1). It states the purpose of the program and shows which steps you will be need to complete to successfully transfer your slides. To continue, click the 'Next' button.

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Step 2: ZenPad Info

In order for the ZenPad system to recognize the current user, you will need to enter some information into the Transfer-Mation Wizard ZenPad Info dialog box (Figure 2).

This dialog box contains three input fields that must be completed:

Figure 2: Transfer-Mation Wizard: ZenPad Info dialog box

ZenServer: Enter the net address of the ZenServer. ZenPad User ID: Enter the User ID assigned to you by the ZenServer administrator. If you do not have or know your User ID, please contact your ZenServer Administrator. ZenPad Password: Enter the user password assigned to you by the ZenServer administrator. If you have lost or do not have a password, please contact your ZenServer Administrator.

After entering the information, the 'Next' button will activate. Click 'Next' to continue. A Connection Notification Block will appear (Figure 3). If the connection is unsuccessful, a pop-up window will appear and alert the user of the error. Verify all information was entered accurately. If errors persist, please contact your ZenServer Administrator.

Figure 3: Transfer-Mation Wizard: ZenPad Connection Notification Block

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Step 3: PowerPoint File

Following a successful connection to the ZenServer, you will be asked to locate the PowerPoint 97 presentation you wish to convert (Figure 4). Choose the drive and browse the folders until you locate the specific file. Select this file and click 'Next' to continue.

Figure 4: Transfer-Mation Wizard: PowerPoint Presentation Locator

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Step 4: Lecture Info

The next menu will ask you for some information about the class in which this presentation will be used (Figure 5).

There are four input fields that will need to be completed before you can continue:

Figure 5: Transfer-Mation: Wizard Lecture Info

Term: Using the drop-down box, the user can filter the classes listed in the classes drop down box based on the term, to apply no filter select "All terms" Year: Using the drop-down box, the user can filter the classes listed in the classes drop down box based on the year, to apply no filter select "All years" Classes: Using the drop-down box, choose the class receiving this lecture Lecture Title: Enter a brief description to identify the lecture at a later date Lecture Date: Using the drop-down boxes, enter the date you plan on giving the lecture. NOTE: Invalid dates (i.e. Feb. 30, 1999) will be accepted. Session Number: Enter a session number. This feature is useful if you are giving more than one lecture on a given day. "Session 1" would be the first lecture and "Session 2" would be the second lecture.

Once all this information has been correctly entered, click the 'Next' button to enter the Advanced options.

Lecture Already Exists

This dialog box (Figure 6) will appear if there is an attempt to create more than one lecture on a given day for a given class, date or session. After making the appropriate selection, click 'Done' to continue.

Figure 6: Transfer-Mation Wizard: Lecture Already Exists

The user will be prompted to: Change the lecture date: Returns you to the Lecture Info window so the date can be corrected. Create new session: Creates a new lecture for the same day. This lecture will be in the next available session. Append slides to existing lecture: Appends the entire lecture or a selected portion to the end of an existing lecture. Abort Transfer-Mation,: Aborts current conversion process and quits the Transfer-Mation program.

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Step 5: Advanced

This menu (Figure 7) will allow you set the more advanced options for your presentation conversion session.

Advanced users can customize any or all of the following four fields:

Figure 7: Transfer-Mation Wizard: Advanced

Temporary File Path: Enter the location of the folder that will hold temporary files during the conversion process. All files are removed after conversion and transfer of the presentation is complete. (Default: C:\TEMP) Image Format: Select another image format that is currently supported by the Classroom 2000 system. Currently, only two choices are available. (Default: GIF) Slide Range: Enter a range to send only a portion of the presentation. For example, if the lecture is too long you can send only the first half of the presentation by entering a range here. (Default: Full range) ZenPad Resolution: Select a different resolution for the image conversion. The resolution should be the same as the machine that you plan to use to give your lecture. (Default: XGA)

After setting the advanced options, click 'Next' to advance to the final window or 'Finish' to begin the file conversion.

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Step 6: Finish

This is the final dialog box (Figure 8). Click 'Finish' to create the lecture.

Figure 8: Transfer-Mation Wizard: Finish

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Step 7: Progress Box

While the lecture is being created, a progress box will appear (Figure 9). It will show which task the Transfer-Mation system is currently in the process of completing.

Figure 9: Transfer-Mation Wizard: Progress box

Upon completion of converting and transferring of the presentation, you are ready to go and access the slides via ZenPad. Happy lecturing!

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Revision History

Revision 1.0
Date: April 4, 1999
Name: Matt Eckl
Description: Web page created.

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Last modified: April 8, 1999 by Matt Eckl