SCO0140 - ScreenSteps
Screensteps is cross platform application for both the Mac and Windows, which allows you to create libraries of "lessons", each lesson being a step by step process covering whatever tasks you want to document. Available in both a free version and a pay for version, the application has comprehensive tools built right in for screen capture and image annotation to easily and quickly build up step based documentation. Once you've created your lessons, ScreenSteps also has some powerful export functions that allow you export your lessons in either customised PDF or HTML format (in the pay for version) or even directly to a hosted ScreenSteps Live web service (included in the free version as well as the paid for version).
As well as exporting individual lessons, ScreenSteps allows you to organise your lessons into topics and sections, allowing you to create individual PDF files or HTML output containing an entire Library of lessons complete with a table of contents and easy navigation. The PDF version collates all your lessons into a multi page PDF whilst the HTML output provides all the code you need to upload to your website for online documentation.
If you're not sure about uploading HTML files to your website (or if you don't have a website) be sure to check out Part 2 of this ScreenSteps show where I'll be taking a look at ScreenSteps Live, a free service to host your ScreenSteps lessons. ScreenSteps Free and ScreenSteps Live are tightly integrated and it's really easy to export your lessons directly and automatically to ScreenSteps Live from within ScreenSteps.
As well as the free options, there are Standard and Pro versions of ScreenSteps which allow you to export locally to PDF and HTML so once you've tried the package, you can upgrade to get the full features. There's a ScreenCastsOnline discount code available for both the Standard and Pro versions of ScreenSteps giving you a massive 25% discount off the normal online price. The discount code is:
SCO25
and is valid up until the 1st May 2008 - NB, ScreenCastsOnline will also get some commission for every copy sold via this special promotion!
Discussions: Forum
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SCO0138 - HoudaSpot v2 and HoudaGeo
As well as allowing you to "Geotag" your photos, HoudahGeo also allows you to share you photos with its built in uploading integration with Google Earth and Flickr. Once Geotagged, just a click of a button and your photos will be uploaded and placed in the correct position on global maps with Google Earth or Flickr - it's really that easy!
Once you've exported to Google Earth, the show will demonstrate how you can create a virtual slideshow in Google Earth, flying from loction to location and displaying your photos at each location! Not only that, but you can email the slideshow to friends or family and they can watch it in Google Earth on their own computer (without needing a copy of HoudahGeo) - how cool is that!
As mentioned in the show, there's a special discount on both HoudahSpot and HoudaGeo for ScreenCastsOnline viewers and is 20% off the usual retail price for all versions and licences (except for the already discounted student versions). This 20% discount is good until the 31st March 2008.
Just use the coupon code SCO0138 when ordering your copy of either HoudaSpot or HoudahGeo. Please note that that is SC (the letter O) then zero 138.
Discussions: Forum
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SCO0137 - Bento - Database Application - Part 2 [Extra Only]
As mentioned in the previous show, Bento is a very powerful application that harnesses the power of database creation and sophisticated data manipulation in a very stylish and easy to use package - the epitome of a mac application!
As well as allowing you to create your own databases (or libraries in Bento terminology) from scratch or via imported data, Bento also gives you direct access to your Address book data, along with your iCal tasks and events to design your own forms to view and manipulate your data. Eye candy is plentiful with the use of pre designed themes and the ability to create your own special views of your data via easily customisable forms. Even if you don't feel the need to dabble with a database, Bento allows you to access, view and amend your Address Book and iCal data with a great new interface, straight out of the box.
In this final show I take you through some of the more advanced aspects of using Bento to manage your personal data including:
- iCal Event and Task Integration
- How you might use iCal integration
- Additional Bento Fields
- Printing Tables and Forms
- Creating Mailing Labels
- How to import Data into Bento
- Backing up Your Data
Discussions: Forum
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SCO0135 - Bento - Database Application - Part 1 [Extra Only]
It's a very powerful application that harnesses the power of database creation and sophisticated data manipulation in a very stylish and easy to use package - the epitome of a mac application!
As well as allowing you to create your own databases (or libraries in Bento terminology) from scratch or via imported data, Bento also gives you direct access to your Address book data, along with your iCal tasks and events to design your own forms to view and manipulate your data. Eye candy is plentiful with the use of pre designed themes and the ability to create your own special views of your data via easily customisable forms.
This weeks show takes you through the basics of Bento and even if you've no database experience, should give you enough information to start creating your own databases with ease. The show is an Extra members show and covers:
- Introduction to Bento
- The Bento Interface
- Core Concepts - Libraries and Collections
- Address Book Integration
- Records & Table View
- Form Views
- Creating a Library
- Adding Fields
- Form Customisation
- Themes
- Advanced Find
- Smart Collections
More than enough to get you started! This is the first of a two part show on Bento and we'll look at some of the more advanced features in part two.
Discussions: Forum
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SCO0134 - PDFPen - PDF Editor
Add in the ability to create and insert text, images, signatures and scribbles into a PDF and even create your own libraries of often used material, no longer do you have to spend hundreds of dollars on Adobe Acrobat!
This show is sponsored by Smile On My Mac, the publishers of PDFPen and covers:
- Introduction to PDFPen
- Manipulating PDF pages
- Working with Text
- Editing original PDF text
- Working with Columns
- Copying Text
- Searching for Text, Notes and Comments
- Working with Images
- Editing original PDF images
- Adding your own Images
- Filling in PDF Forms
- Adding Your Signature
- Making Transparent Images
- Applescript Support
On top of all that, this weeks show also contains a special ScreenCastsOnline discount code to save 20% off the usual price of PDFPen - The code is SCOPDFPEN - This code has been extended to 5th March 2008
Discussions: Forum
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SCO0133 - Setting Up Your Mac - Part 2 [Extra Only]
Thought I'd break myself back in gently by putting together Part 2 of the mini series - Setting up your Mac.
In this weeks show, I make a couple of slight alterations from Part 1 as suggested by pman and wastern, then it's straight into a section on configuring your new shiny aluminium keyboard to get the most out of it.
Then onto a list of some of the top freeware and donationware applications to install on your brand new Mac (or existing Mac if needs be!)
A few suggestions on commercial software I can't live without, topped off with an announcement on the new ScreenCastsOnline 2007 DVD now available (members only - sorry!).
Finished off with news of a groovy prize draw for all those people who buy a DVD before the end of February.
You know what, I didn't break myself in gently at all!
Some links for products mentioned in the show:
iStat Menus - Website
VLC - Website
Adium - Website
Onyx - Website
AppTrap - Website
AppZapper - Website
Hazel - Website - ScreenCastsOnline Episode
1Password (Affiliate Link - 17% Off!!) - Website - ScreenCastsOnline Episode
Launchbar - Website - ScreenCastsOnline Episode
Rapidweaver - Website - ScreenCastsOnline Episode
SpeedDownload - Website - ScreenCastsOnline Episode
SpamSieve - Website - ScreenCastsOnline Episode
Discussions: Forum
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SCO0131 - Setting Up Your Mac - Part 1
For the first show of the new year, I thought I'd offer a helping hand to all those new Mac owners fortunate enough to get a new Mac for Christmas. The theme of this show was suggested by a viewer and I enlisted the help of the guys and gals over at the ScreenCastsOnline forum to assemble a list of best practices and essential software for the new Mac user.
The resultant list is just too much for a single show so I'll make it into an occasional mini series of shows for the new Mac user.
This first show looks at several different aspects of setting up a brand new mac from the view point of a new Mac user. I look at:
- Basic Dock Customisation
- Converting to a Standard Account
- Using Parental Controls
- Switching on the FireWall
- Setting a Screensaver Password
- Pointers to Using Time Machine
- Firefox - Web Browser (although I do recommend at least trying Safari for a short while)
- TextWrangler - A Fully Featured Text Editor
- Paintbrush - A simple bitmap graphics tool based on MS Paint
- Perian - Some essential video codecs to allow you play many different types of video
- Flip4Mac - Windows Media Playback
- The Unarchiver - Free unarchive utility for many formats
Discussions: Forum
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SCO0129 - 1Password Update
This is one of the must have applications for the Mac and makes managing and using passwords and web identities a breeze. Since the last screencast ( SCO0078 ) , the product has been re-launched as 1Password and has had a significant re-write with lots of new features and is now even better!
In addition to the new features built in to 1Password, the guys have come up with a unique feature to enable to securely copy all your 1Password information in encrypted form to your iPhone or iPod touch. So now you can have all your data with you on the go!
This weeks show covers:
- 1Password Basics
- Using 1Password for Authentication
- New 1Password GUI
- New 1Password Identities
- New 1Password Wallet Items
- Sync to iPhone and iPod Touch
Discussions: Forum
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SCO0127 - DiscLabel 5
As well as a whole library of templates and clip art, DiscLabel is fully integrated with iPhoto, iTunes, iDVD and other digital content packages to provide both artwork and automated track listings easily and quickly.
The show covers:
- Introduction to DiscLabel 5
- Creating Your Own Designs
- Inserting Tracks and Images from iPhoto
- Editing
- Applying Effects
- Installing and Using Clip Art
- Printing
Discussions: Forum
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SCO0125 - OmniWeb Web Browser
OmniWeb is unusual in that it's one of the few browsers that you have to buy, it's not free! Consequently, it has to be something special to compete against exceptionally strong competition, but you'll be glad to know that it delivers a brilliant browsing experience.
The shows covers all of the advanced features of OmniWeb including:
- Using Tabs & Thumbnails
- OmniWeb Workspaces
- Web & Search Shortcuts
- Bookmarks
- Site Preferences
- RSS Support
Discussions: Forum
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SCO0113 - Housekeeping with Hazel
This week's show is sponsored by NoodleSoft and features their recently upgraded application - Hazel.
Hazel is a utility that resides in your preference pane (and optionally your Menu bar) and constantly monitors the folders that you instruct it to. By applying rules, you can make Hazel move, sort, colour, re-arrange, file... well pretty much anything with your files and folders. The really cool thing is it does it all automatically once you've created your rules.
For example, simply create a a rule for Hazel to monitor your desktop and automatically move completed downloads from your desktop to a sorted folder structure. Hazel does it for you automatically.
Add in some neat features to manage your Trash effectively and finish off with App Sweep to help you cleanly un-install applications.
App Sweep is built into Hazel and cleans your mac by sweeping up the miscellaneous files that a standard uninstall leaves behind, and you've got a pretty fully featured package that makes keeping your mac in tip top shape a pleasure.
Also this week, we have a special ScreenCastsOnline Discount code to get 10% off the usual price of Hazel. Just use the code:
SCO2007
when making a purchase from the online store.
Discussions: Forum
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The free show (or trailer) is at a much lower
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SCO0112 - iWork'08 - Numbers [Extra! Only]
This weeks show covers all the bases including:
- Introduction to Numbers
- Data Entry and Formatting
- Charts, Text and Shapes
- Images, Masking & Instant Alpha
- Printing
- Exporting to iWeb
I'm really pleased how this weeks show turned out and judging by some of the comments on the ScreenCastsOnline forum, I'm not the only one....
"I just
don't know how you do this; it is brilliant.
I probably got my iLife a day earlier than
yours (I have a son who is a director in Apple!!)
and I have spent a couple of hours with it but
your skill in absorbing a brand new product and
communicating its essence is really something
special. You have just saved me 'hours' of
work!! .....
Again Don, just a wonderful show and an abolute
eye-opener in Numbers.....
Great app, great show!! many thanks."
Ron - A ScreenCastsOnline
Extra! Member
This weeks show is an Extra Members show
and is available in Apple TV HD format
(1280x720), Enhanced Desktop ED Format (960x540)
and iPhone/iPod resolution (640x360). For full
details on how easy it is to become an Extra!
member and get this show along with the next six
months worth of weekly shows PLUS access to over
110+ Mac based tutorials, just follow this
link.
Discussions:
Forum
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The free show (or trailer) is at a much lower
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SCO0103 - Comic Life
If you've recently bought a new mac, chances are you've already got this super application already installed on your hard disk!
Comic life is a really easy way to turn your boring old digital photos into mini works of art. It's great for turning your holiday or family snaps into funny comic books that you can print, email or publish to the web using iWeb or .Mac. As well as its entertainment value, Comic Life can have a serious purpose in creating informative, easy to follow how to guides as well as being a great desktop publishing package. You'll find kids will love its flexibility and because it's so easy to use, Comic Life has carved out a special niche in the education market as a super educational tool for all ages.
In this week's show, I'll take you through the basics of Comic Life including:
◦ The User Interface
◦ Creating a Simple Comic
◦ Styles and Attributes
◦ Publishing and Exporting
◦ Some Sample Uses of Comic Life
Thanks to Cris over at Plasq for supporting ScreenCastsOnline by sponsoring this weeks episode.
Some links mentioned in this weeks show:
Comic Life Website
Educational Resources
Don't forget to also check out the Education Forum
Discussions: Forum
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SCO0094 - OmniGraffle Overview
Focusing on OmniGraffle 4, the show takes you through the basic operation of OmniGraffle including the various tools and their usage. I also take a look at outlining and stencils.
As this weeks show is sponsored by The Omni Group, we have a special ScreenCastsOnline discount code for 10% off the usual price until May 15th. The code you need is:
SCREENCASTGRAFFLE
Discussions: Forum
SCO0090 - Spotless & HoudahSpot - Enhance Spotlight
Well this weeks show addresses some of the failings in Spotlight by introducing you to two applications to help you get the most out of Spotlight.
Extra! members can get this and other shows in High Definition. Membership also brings you such benefits as the next 6 months worth of shows in HD, access to Members only content plus immediate access to over 90+ screencasts from the ScreenCastsOnline archive. All for a ridiculously low one-off payment. Checkout this link for more details.
Discussions: Forum
SCO0088 - Freeway 4 Express - Web Creation Tool
As an alternative to template based web creation tools, this weeks show takes your through the basics of Freeway 4 Express, the web creation tool by Softpress.
Freeway 4 Express allows you to build your website from scratch using your own designs and layouts to create a unique and spectacular website, all without coding. Once you've finished your design, Freeway 4 Express will generate all the HTML code required and upload your website to either .Mac or your standard hosting account.
ScreenCastsOnline recommends Siteground for a cheap and ultra reliable hosting account!
Not only can you create a web site from scratch, but you can also use the supplied, pre-defined templates to use as the basis for your own design, or for inspiration.
The show covers all you need to know to get started and runs through a "Getting Started with Freeway" tutorial available for download from this link. The zip file contains a PDF and all the media files used in the screencast so you can follow along at home!
As this weeks show is a sponsored screencast, you can get 10% off Freeway 4 Express directly from the Freeway Site, just use this link to the special offer page. There's also a 25% discount to upgrade to Freeway 4 Pro so check out the page for further details.
If you'd like more details on the differences between Express vs Pro, Softpress have put together a page with more details - Express vs Pro
Discussions: Forum
SCO0086 - Speed Download - Part 2 - Uploading, Connections & Sharing
As well as the performance boosting download engine and the super resilient auto-resume features, Speed Download also has:
Full personal and public iDisk integration
A fully featured FTP client built right in
Support for integrating with WebDav servers
plus
A really smart built in capability to share files with other Speed Download users over a secure, resilient connection.
What's even better is that all these different types of connections are managed using the same application with a common interface and that's Speed Download. You can even automate the connection to your commonly used servers and services with a single click so all your common connections are auto mounted once Speed Download launches.
This weeks show takes you through these additional features and shows you how easy it is to configure and manage multiple connections.
Also this week is a special ScreenCastsOnline offer which is BOGOF!
That's buy one, get one free!
Yes, buy a licence for Speed Download and you'll get a second one completely free! By a 5 licence pack and get another 5 free!
So if you're feeling generous, you can buy one for yourself and give one to friend. This is especially useful when you see next weeks show where I cover setting up and using the peer to peer capabilities of Speed Download. It's even great if you have multiple machines on your LAN and you want an easy way to transfer files.
Just enter SCOSD07 in the comments field at the time of purchase to get your free licences. This offer is available up to the 24th March 2007.
Discussions: Forum
Click here to access Part 1 of the Speed Download Tutorial
SCO0085 - Speed Download - Part 1
