Where are "Shape tools" ?

[lverdier]

I've installed the personnal ubuntu version (8.04) and I don't find the "shape tools". I'used them during the beta version test.

[markroberts]

Hello,

Shape tools are unavailable in personal mode, i'm afraid.

[LisaD]

I don't think that the Shapes tools are available in the Personal Version but in the Professional Version.

If you go to this page and click on the tab "Choose your version," I think there is a pdf that lists the differences.

Lisa

[AndyJD]

Why is the shapes tool not available in the personal edition? I cannot understand why that would be omitted?

It also looks like resources aren't available to :( I thought the personal edition was going to be so students can create their own flipcharts?

[Laura OHalloran]

I downloaded the Personal edition to start with to see if I could spot what I could or couldn't do. I had access to resources with no problems.

Not sure why you can't find them but I'm sure someone with more knowledge will be able to answer your query.

Laura

[lverdier]

I'm a Physic teacher and Shape tools are essential. I can't work without circle, square or line. This restriction is absurd.

[htemske]

If you have Promethean hardware (board, slate, votes, etc.) you can have the upgraded professional version for free (even on your home computer). If not you only have to pay $98 to have access to it all. That seems very generous to me.[clap]

[srwight]

If you have Promethean hardware (board, slate, votes, etc.) you can have the upgraded professional version for free (even on your home computer). If not you only have to pay $98 to have access to it all. That seems very generous to me.[clap]

It's very frustrating is what it is. Look, I'm all about making certain features that only work with your hardware, I get that. Multi-touch is an awesome idea. I would love to see how it will work with an ActivBoard. And while my Wii Mashup is capable of recognizing up to four dots, I would not expect Promethean to open that capability up to third party hardware. There's got to be some reason to buy their products! (Aside from the fact that it is quite a bit superior to my Frankenstein version.)

But don't claim to be offering something for free and hamstring a VITAL portion of the work. Then it's not a free version, it's a DEMO version, and it should be marketed as such.

$98 is a good deal, I agree. Next year, when I have my classroom money again, I will gladly pay for it. And I will still use the demo version for now. I just wish I had known going in that that was how it was going to be.

[scaulfield]

As Laura pointed out, you have access to the Resource Library with the Personal Edition.
Why not create a resource pack that has some of the shapes that you want your students to use. This way, they can pull those shapes out of the resource pack. It won't have the same functionality as the Shapes tool, but it would be a great work-around.

[davidlloyd]

The Personal Editions is not intended for teachers to use at a board. NOr is it intended as a demo version. It replaces the Flipchart Viewer and Student Edition of version 3. The latter had very cut down versions of all the tools as it was intended that the Student Edition would be for basic editing.

If you aren't a Promethean hardware customer you can buy the full version of the software. We can't give away full versions of our software.

[sswhitlo]

My district has started using Activ Inspire on MacBooks running 10.5.x. We have lots of shapes from the toolbar, and apple Q does indeed quit the program. The only key that doesn't work is the delete key. I love he new software!!!!

[LisaD]

But the Personal Edition does allow anyone to download and use any of the flipchart lessons AND the resource packs. I think that is great for those who don't have the time to create their own lessons.

I'm actually surprised at all of the tools is DOES have for free. And if the lesson already has built in action objects that call on restricted tools (like page notes or the protractor, these tools will still work! So I'm told.)

And if they already have another brand board and just want to invest the the Promethean Learner Response devices (Activotes or Activexpression), I think the upgrade to the Professional Version of ActivInspire comes FREE with those.

Correct me if I'm wrong on these!

Lisa

[deanna.harrison]

I don't have my Mac with me at the moment, but I think the delete key will delete a selected object if you hold down another key with it. I think it's either Ctrl, Fn, Alt or the Apple key. Sorry I don't remember which one and can't test at the moment. Anyone else know off-hand,or have a Mac handy to test?

Deanna

[LisaD]

Yes, the delete key does not delete an object if it is selected. Hopefully that will get fixed. But since I do show the ActivInspire trashcan/bin, I just click on that instead.

Lisa

[rboyts]

Command-X works to delete a selected object on the mac..

If you have a full sized mac keyboard, it has a "delete" key near the fn, home, and end keys (between the alpha keys and the numeric keys). That delete key works on selected objects..

Rob Boyts
FirstTech
Minnesota's Promethean Partner

[atruger]

My district has started using Activ Inspire on MacBooks running 10.5.x. We have lots of shapes from the toolbar, and apple Q does indeed quit the program. The only key that doesn't work is the delete key. I love he new software!!!!

If you hold down the function key and delete it works! [clap]

~Anne