Digital Workshop

Hi
I'm currently working on a 170 page CBT program, delivered in 4 chapter (4 CD's).
Although I find Opus great for what I'm doing, I am what is commonly called an SME (Subject Matter Expert), reasonably computer savy, but struggling with some aspects.
My queries are the following:
1.Can I change an object on all pages at the same time (say a different logo on each page of the publication)?

2. The CBT runs from disk only! and is delivered in an evaluation state. What I would like to do is to deliver the program in an "expired" state - wait for the unlock request and then send an unlock code to renew the evaluation for 1 year! Possible???

3. Each chapter (disk) finishes with a series of multi choice questions. I had the automatic e-mail results reporting set up to send an "attached" report- however, the results seem somewhat mixed, especially with computers on a network. What is most stable way of doing this??? Would it be easier to have a variable in the temp? - and how would you e-mail that?

Any help, pointers etc be appreciated.

For your first attempt at using OPUS, you are trying to accomplish some of its most advanced functions. You might consider trying some less ambitious goals to start with. Just a suggestion.

1) Yes, IF the replacement graphic is exactly the same width and height, then you can use the Resource Manager to change a graphic object.

2) If you are using OPUS XE, it has the ability to allow a viewer to use a Publication for only a specific period. You can custom build your own timer, but anything can be hacked given enough time and skill.

3) It's difficult enough trying to get a computer to automatically send test results, but when you are dealing with computers in a network, which may have very limited Admin rights -- it's doubtful that any software will be able to always send your results. It's more a function of the computer than an OPUS issue.

Hope this helps you. For your questions #2 & 3, there are no simple/easy answers.

Hi

Here is some assistance with the first of your three questions:

I have assumed, perhaps wrongly so, that you want to be able to change logos during runtime. If you are simply trying to change them all together in the editor, see Fred's solution above.

For a runtime change: I would set up a master page and use it for all pages that would include the logo. Attach the logo image file to a variable like <image1>, and then add a trigger (syncronization, for example, OnShow, possibly with if/else script) that would initiate a 'set variable value to' event (for example image1 = abc.jpg). The attached sample zip folder (includes .imp file and two image files) illustrates this, using an syncronization trigger, OnShow, and a system variable checking day of the week. If it's Mon, then one image displays, if it's Tue, then a second image displays, etc.

I am hopeful that the DW Support Team or other Forum colleagues can help with your second and third questions. I can figure out how to set up a first chapter with a first page that has the publication evaluation (system variable) set to 0 (expired), but I can't quite figure how to then undo this, if the evaluation is subsequently unlocked by the unlock key. I'm afraid that I have no experience with network computers upon which to base an opinion about the best way to e-mail results.

Kind Regards,

demofred, Stephen---you know it's people like you that make opus what it is.
demofred, you are right, it is a bit ambitious for a first attempt, but I think it says a lot for the capability of opus if people like me can do it. (Apart from that I'm kind of past the point of no return)

Anyway, demofred would you be able to elaborate with a little more detail how to deal with (the changing logo issue) in the resource manager.
I get the feeling the resource manager is a most valuable asset, especially for bigger publication, but I haven't quite got my head around that yet.

Opus XE seem to do a fine job setting up the demo timing; What I am trying to achieve is this: I would lke the program to be "expired" when first openend by a student, which will then require the student to send an unlock request - I'll send an unlock code which will then unlock the program for 1 year.

Cheers

Hi

One further thought:

If you set up the insert image for the logo on any page (or on a master page) and script it to point at an image file in the publication directory, then you can simply change the image file itself, when ever you wish: it will then be the new image for any page pointed at the variable equated in the script with an image. Take a look at my original sample.

Hope this helps.

Kind Regards,

Stephen mentioned he wasn't certain if you were trying to change an Image Object during your actual presentation, OR if you wanted to globally change the graphic within an Image Object while you are editing. The later is what I was suggesting you use the Resource Manager for. Since you asked about the Resource Manager, I'll give you details of how you'd use it in the case you described.

Let's say you need to update your company's logo on every Page in a Publication. Rather than going to each of 170 Pages, you can do it using Tools -> Resource Manager. This OPUS feature has many uses. I would find the first Page which has the Image Object you want to change.

Take a look at my attachment example. Notice I have highlighted all of the "Launch Action.jpg" graphics, then I did a right mouse click and selected "Set/Clear Resources" which opened the foreground window. I used the Browse button to find the replacement graphic image (Error IE server.jpg). Since I'm going to replace this everywhere, I could have selected "All Resources" but I'd prefer better control, so I ticked "Resources Selected in List". When I click OK, OPUS will go out and replace the selected old image with the new one on every Page.

If the size was different between these two images, then you'd have to go into each Page and make an adjustment. That's why I initially mentioned having the EXACT same height & width for the old and new images.

The Resource Manager will automatically open IF an image within a Object is missing. It will highlight what's missing, and give you the opportunity to locate where it went, and re-direct OPUS to the new location, otherwise, when you run a Publication with a missing resource, you will have "nothing" where an image/video/graphic should be.

You're on the right track Fred, same size pics, replaced in editing mode, so great help, thanks for all that.
Was hoping to get a little more info on query 2 and 3.
Are the boys at Opus celebrating x-mas already?
Anyway, we'll see what happens.

Rgds
Hel27Swi
XE5.5;WinXPPro-SP2;D-Core1.8;1GRam;512Vid

You could script a security system like the one you are after. You could use the script functions to access the publication unlock code and compare the returned value. The standard security options won't work as initially disabled, but you could achieve the required result by checking for a registry value, if it is not there expiring the publication and then setting the flag so it doesn't happen every time.

The one year condition wouldn't not be too hard to track (again with a registry value and the Date() functions, but if you wanted them to be able to re-register you would have to send an updated publication with a new publication security ID, since the existing one could be unlocked with the previous code.

Regarding e-mail, it may be that attaching the results as an attachment might cause difficulties on systems that block or strip them.. You could try putting the results into a variable and using that as the body of the email.

Hi Duncan, thanks for joining in! Remember the "SME" bit in the intro?? Me and Script and Script Functions don't go all that well together - however I do understand what you are talking about.
The program needs to be reviewed,amended and re-issued annually (due to possible procedural changes) - so it should "expire" after 1 year (in this case).
That step on it's own is easy!
Each new computer (student) needs to get "permission" to use the program when first opened.
That step on it's own is easy as well (1 day expiry) and then just unlock.
Is "marrying" those 2 steps is what I am after.

The e-mail bit (once again it's my sparse computer knowledge coming to the fore here) - I've had this set up on my own computer as a report in C:\ and it worked fine! -The problem is probably more a question of where to store the report -to allow for any unknowns with the host computer (different drive letters, no access to registry due to network etc.)
Correct me if I'm wrong but the options I see are: Report(text file) to the DeskTop(every user has a DeskTop), Variable to the 'TEMP' or variable to the Win\TEMP
Cheers