Digital Workshop

I am starting a new project at the end of March and it needs SCORM functionality.
I'm uncomfortable with XE v5.5's implementation of SCORM and, although I like working with Opus, will have to use another app if XE v6 has not made it a little more user friendly.
Can we have some idea of a release date for XE v6?

Paul

Paul,

I haven't found any progress integrating SCORM into Opus.
I also hoped it would be better, because there was a very long discussion on this bulletin board.

Until I can find an easier workaround for SCORM in Opus I'm also looking for another software package to use together with Opus.

Wow, that's unfortunate Oscar. I believe they will find others abandoning the software. You pretty much have to have SCORM output today if you want to be able to integrate the program into an LMS.

And DW, it has to be essentially one-click easy. I have at least 3 tools that I employ for various products now that have that kind of ability. Plus they can output in the various flavors of SCORM, have AICC output, etc.

Missing the boat. It's been a known issue and a known product enhancement for quite some time now.

I got interested in 'the state of affairs' with distance learning and what it means to have a learning module be compliant with SCORM. [interesting info if you search: Army + SCORM compliant + Acceptance criteria --- found mention of validating URL links in modules]

Anyway, wanted to post this nugget... cites a budget figure for updating SCORM features to an LMS suite... (do not know if that will correlate) "...extending work done already" http://wiki.atutor.ca/display/atutorwiki/SCORM+2004

I wonder what I would pay extra for easy easy SCORM feature set.

That's very disappointing. Simple SCORM implementation is a must have today.

I have done three projects with other tools the last year only because opus' lack of SCORM features.

If opus 6 does not improve SCORM then I don't think that I am going to buy the update. There are other tools on the market that do this SCORM thing very well.

T.

Just for the record, the v6 upgrade is not finalised yet and should not have been discussed outside the evolution lounge. Furthermore it is primarily an upgrade for Opus Pro not XE.

We have provided SCORM compatibility templates and OpusScript has all the functions to create SCORM compliant publications. Opus does not generate SCORM at the touch of a button like some template-based software because it allows you much more control and includes things which do not fit readily into SCORM.

You have to remember Opus was primarily intended as a quick and easy multimedia development tool. We have added SCORM and Flash to facilitate transfer of projects to other formats not as the prime focus of the application. There are limitations to what we can achieve effectively with the existing product. I believe if we try to add too much of the additional Flash and SCORM functionality at this point we will end up with a chunky and clunky program which is neither one thing nor another and not much good for anything.

It may surprise you that the majority of our customers do not need or want SCORM for at least two years (if then) and in many cases want a variation on SCORM which fits neatly into their slightly bespoke systems.

So, much as I would like v6 to be all things to all people, a decent solution to your requests is not as straightforward as it seems.

Instead we are then looking at a dedicated spin off or dedicated extension solution for SCORM and/or for Flash which will enable us to extend the functionality in these areas with greater efficiency and without an unacceptable internal complexity and feature bloat.

I am confident that any existing Opus user will find v6 a productive upgrade even if they ONLY do Flash or ONLY do SCORM. And if you don't find the new features increase your productivity in all areas, I hope you'll be able to hang on to see what we might have in the pipeline. Certainly I would suggest you reserve judgement on v6 until its officially released.

Regards,

Paul Harris

Hi Paul,

I think we all appreciate the straight answer.
I will definitely be purchasing the next version of Opus when it is released.
Nothing is close to Opus for most multimedia work and ease of use -- that's why some of us get a bit impatient when we are forced out of our comfort zone

cheers
Paul

Evolution customers have been given an opportunity to preview a beta version of OPUS v6 with the agreement to NOT discuss any new features outside the Evolution Lounge. This is to prevent competition from trying to duplicate those features.

I will tell you there are many new productivity features in v6. They make building interactive, multimedia presentation much faster (and easier). I am amazed at the number of people/organizations who still haven't upgraded from Illuminatus 2.81 or 4.5 to OPUS v5.5, even when those that have, rave about how much better 5.5 is for productivity and stability. But then, some people are still using DOS and Windows 3.1. So I am not sure what will motivate the majority of OPUS users to upgrade to v6.

I can tell you, when OPUS v6 is released, it will have been thoroughly tested by many users. If you are a professional (you make your living) multimedia developer, OPUS v6 will definitely be worth whatever DW decides will be the upgrade cost.

How does the saying go, "you can't please all the people, all the time?" Well OPUS v6 is going to do a great job with pleasing "most of the people, most of the time."

I would like to see Opus v7 move away from the old Windows and focus on Windows XP & Vista ONLY! From my understanding these OS offer greater flexibility for developers with .net 3 framework enabling DW to develop more ground breaking applications.

I understand that some users want Win95/98 and 2000 compatibility but the majority of computer users worldwide now are on the XP platform so that should be the target platform and at the very least Win95/98 support should be dropped.

What is happening with Flash export, many of us still see this as a major component of Opus and is vital for future online projects.


Joe