Version 8.0 > After my first look
9/5/2013 9:22:10 PM
Control Panel:
- Floating panels are very cool!
- Using words instead of icons on the database tabs is probably a good idea, but I would appreciate some visual cue, like colored tabs.
- Like in V7, items add below the selected item, but usually paste above the item. Seems like pasting below would be more consistent.
- Is there any functional difference between service sections and service items?
- Package to Go interface looks better.
Slide Show Builder:
- The alert when SSB opens is kind of annoying, at least on this computer.
- Thanks for putting in more text types! This will really help with liturgies.
- If I put in a text box, but don't enter text, it shows as empty now, instead of displaying "Title" or "Song Lyrics". Good change.
- What are themes? How do I change to a new theme?
Display Properties: Uffdah!
- I think they may be great. Maybe. Once I learn how to use them. A training video on this is critical for us.
- Hooray for defined colors! And a color picker!
- It seems that Slide Properties for all Media affects everything except slide shows. What am I missing?
- Does there need to be a Slide Properties for Slide Shows program item? I want most of my slide show backgrounds to be the same as song lyrics.
- Windows for adjusting margins and especially layout are much too small. We need more control here, not less.
I will keep following the updates. Thanks for the peek.
Sara
9/9/2013 10:09:26 PM
Sara, thanks for the feedback. Questions and comments:
Control Panel, 1: Glad to hear it!
Control Panel, 2: Are you suggesting a different color for each tab?
Control Panel, 3: I understand. Industry convention is that paste either replaces a selected item, or inserts the new item before the selected item. So while the two actions seem inconsistent, to have paste insert below a selected item would also invite criticism.
Control Panel, 4: These items are essentially non-functional anyway, they are just annotations in a program. A Service Section is intended to identify a phase of the service, such as Pre-Service, Worship Set, Sermon, Post-Service, etc. Service Items are intended to designate a specific event within the service, such as Offertory, Baptism, etc. However, in some cases, services items may act more like service sections so the user can use them in what ever way best suits him. This feature was actually changed to better accommodate importing programs from Planning Center Online.
Control Panel, 5: Glad to hear it! It also directly integrates with cloud services like Dropbox which should be a benefit to many users.
Slide Show Builder, 1: I think I know what you're referring to. That will be fixed.
Slide Show Builder, 2: You're welcome. I have already found these additional text types useful in the new demo slide shows.
Slide Show Builder, 3: Okay, I wasn't sure if it was a good change or not, and it may revert back to the old way, but I'll note that you like the new way better.
Slide Show Builder, 4: Read here for my blog post about that feature. Let me know if you have further questions.
Display Properties, 1: I assume you are referring to what is now called Slide Properties (formerly Display Properties). While there have been several enhancements Slide Properties, they are essentially the same as they were in version 7 so I don't think you need much training for them (unless I am unclear about what you are referring to).
Display Properties, 2: This was highly requested.
Display Properties, 3: I did give it some thought, and perhaps it makes sense to include Slide Shows as well. There's a big difference, however, between slide shows and songs, scriptures, videos, etc. The differences is the former is already in a slide show format whereas the later is not. Slide shows typically already have all of their slide properties set so to have a default set of properties specifically for slide shows is not as useful as it seems, and may even become a source of confusion. In any case, the matter isn't settled and I'll be giving it further consideration.
Display Properties, 4: ditto
Display Properties, 5: I assume you are referring to the new Position tab found in slide and object properties. The drag-n-drop box is smaller, so in that sense there is less control. But with version 8 you can now specify a specific location and size numerically to a tenth of a decimal for all of these elements which is more control than you had in version 7.
Let me know if I need to clarify anything.
Control Panel, 1: Glad to hear it!
Control Panel, 2: Are you suggesting a different color for each tab?
Control Panel, 3: I understand. Industry convention is that paste either replaces a selected item, or inserts the new item before the selected item. So while the two actions seem inconsistent, to have paste insert below a selected item would also invite criticism.
Control Panel, 4: These items are essentially non-functional anyway, they are just annotations in a program. A Service Section is intended to identify a phase of the service, such as Pre-Service, Worship Set, Sermon, Post-Service, etc. Service Items are intended to designate a specific event within the service, such as Offertory, Baptism, etc. However, in some cases, services items may act more like service sections so the user can use them in what ever way best suits him. This feature was actually changed to better accommodate importing programs from Planning Center Online.
Control Panel, 5: Glad to hear it! It also directly integrates with cloud services like Dropbox which should be a benefit to many users.
Slide Show Builder, 1: I think I know what you're referring to. That will be fixed.
Slide Show Builder, 2: You're welcome. I have already found these additional text types useful in the new demo slide shows.
Slide Show Builder, 3: Okay, I wasn't sure if it was a good change or not, and it may revert back to the old way, but I'll note that you like the new way better.
Slide Show Builder, 4: Read here for my blog post about that feature. Let me know if you have further questions.
Display Properties, 1: I assume you are referring to what is now called Slide Properties (formerly Display Properties). While there have been several enhancements Slide Properties, they are essentially the same as they were in version 7 so I don't think you need much training for them (unless I am unclear about what you are referring to).
Display Properties, 2: This was highly requested.
Display Properties, 3: I did give it some thought, and perhaps it makes sense to include Slide Shows as well. There's a big difference, however, between slide shows and songs, scriptures, videos, etc. The differences is the former is already in a slide show format whereas the later is not. Slide shows typically already have all of their slide properties set so to have a default set of properties specifically for slide shows is not as useful as it seems, and may even become a source of confusion. In any case, the matter isn't settled and I'll be giving it further consideration.
Display Properties, 4: ditto
Display Properties, 5: I assume you are referring to the new Position tab found in slide and object properties. The drag-n-drop box is smaller, so in that sense there is less control. But with version 8 you can now specify a specific location and size numerically to a tenth of a decimal for all of these elements which is more control than you had in version 7.
Let me know if I need to clarify anything.
9/10/2013 4:04:52 PM
I have now updated to the 9/5/21013 SSP8 build.
I am going straight to my biggest concern, the Slide Properties.
For our three services, I change all the backgrounds each week. Each bulletin item (Welcome, Sermon Title, Offering, etc.) is a one slide slideshow with a big fancy title graphic. Songs, liturgies, and other text-intensive slide shows have a coordinated background. I currently set up the Program-level Display Properties for the text-intensive slides, and paste the Title graphic display properties on each bulletin item slide show.
SSP8 requires that I also paste different "Slide Properties" on each text-intensive slide show as well. This makes my job harder than before. We use a lot of text slides, especially in the liturgical service.
I am going straight to my biggest concern, the Slide Properties.
For our three services, I change all the backgrounds each week. Each bulletin item (Welcome, Sermon Title, Offering, etc.) is a one slide slideshow with a big fancy title graphic. Songs, liturgies, and other text-intensive slide shows have a coordinated background. I currently set up the Program-level Display Properties for the text-intensive slides, and paste the Title graphic display properties on each bulletin item slide show.
SSP8 requires that I also paste different "Slide Properties" on each text-intensive slide show as well. This makes my job harder than before. We use a lot of text slides, especially in the liturgical service.
I hope that future builds will allow slide show backgrounds to take on the program-level properties. This would let me set the properties once for all the text slides, both songs and slide shows. I can then copy those properties to multiple programs for that week. This is what I do now in SSP7.
I would be very pleased if an individual slide show could be set such that, for instance, Theme 1 could take on the program-level Slide Properties for All Media, and Theme 2 could take on the program-level Slide Properties for Songs. (I have finally found how to set the themes.) Then I could set acts of worship to Theme 2, and sermon titles and other title-type slides could be set to Theme 1.
This way, I would only have to change 2 program-level properties items to set up a whole service, and could copy and paste these items into other services. I would love this, but if it can't be done, please let program-level display properties go back to controlling slideshow backgrounds, as they now control text and layout.
I will do another post about the other items. Thanks for listening.
9/10/2013 8:23:00 PM
Doug, in answer to your other questions:
Yes, a different pastel color on each database tab would serve as a visual cue when I'm working fast. Of course, your designer might throw something at you, but you asked.
OK, add goes after, paste goes before. I'll live with it.
I have realized that the annoying noise on SSB startup is actually an error notice. You are probably aware of it.
I found the button to change the theme, and figured out how to use it.
As to the Slide Properties, I am getting used to them. There were two things confusing me. One was the previously mentioned problem with slide backgrounds. I kept trying to find the way to control them at the program level, and there isn't one. The other problem embarrasses me. At the program level, I kept looking for the way to get into Slide Properties to edit them. I found Margins..., Background..., Shadow..., but not just "Slide Properties", the way "Display Properties" used to send me to the editing window. Eventually I figured out that Margins..., Background..., Shadow..., all took me to the same place, the elusive editing window. [script removed] Having a position tab for each text type is excellent. I didn't understand that earlier. And yes, we can use the sliders for precision adjustments. I still find it hard to see. My laptop screen is pretty small, and some of our text boxes are narrow.
Thanks again. I will start a new thread about Slide Show Builder, as soon as I try some of the new features. Bet you can't wait. [script removed]
Yes, a different pastel color on each database tab would serve as a visual cue when I'm working fast. Of course, your designer might throw something at you, but you asked.
OK, add goes after, paste goes before. I'll live with it.
I have realized that the annoying noise on SSB startup is actually an error notice. You are probably aware of it.
I found the button to change the theme, and figured out how to use it.
As to the Slide Properties, I am getting used to them. There were two things confusing me. One was the previously mentioned problem with slide backgrounds. I kept trying to find the way to control them at the program level, and there isn't one. The other problem embarrasses me. At the program level, I kept looking for the way to get into Slide Properties to edit them. I found Margins..., Background..., Shadow..., but not just "Slide Properties", the way "Display Properties" used to send me to the editing window. Eventually I figured out that Margins..., Background..., Shadow..., all took me to the same place, the elusive editing window. [script removed] Having a position tab for each text type is excellent. I didn't understand that earlier. And yes, we can use the sliders for precision adjustments. I still find it hard to see. My laptop screen is pretty small, and some of our text boxes are narrow.
Thanks again. I will start a new thread about Slide Show Builder, as soon as I try some of the new features. Bet you can't wait. [script removed]
9/10/2013 11:15:01 PM
Sara,
I think you had a misunderstanding about how Slide Properties work for slide shows in a program, and then realized it later in your second post. But to clarify, what you are doing with slide shows and program in SSP 7 is essentially the same in SSP 8, it isn't harder. Regarding the control of the background at the program level -- that hasn't changed, at least there isn't less control than there was in SSP 7.
Your request that a Themes within a slide show be set so that some slides for songs, some for sermon titles, etc, is exactly what the slide themes are for. I sounds like you will find them useful. Also, it is easier now to load slide properties from other existing properties -- they act more like a media files now.
I think you had a misunderstanding about how Slide Properties work for slide shows in a program, and then realized it later in your second post. But to clarify, what you are doing with slide shows and program in SSP 7 is essentially the same in SSP 8, it isn't harder. Regarding the control of the background at the program level -- that hasn't changed, at least there isn't less control than there was in SSP 7.
Your request that a Themes within a slide show be set so that some slides for songs, some for sermon titles, etc, is exactly what the slide themes are for. I sounds like you will find them useful. Also, it is easier now to load slide properties from other existing properties -- they act more like a media files now.
9/11/2013 7:32:19 AM
OK, I got a slide show to take on the program level slide properties. In the slide properties window, I don't yet see an option to turn all overrides off, which we used to have, but unchecking all the overrides does let the Slide Properties for All Media control the slide show background. So that's sorted, and I can continue to work as I did before.
I'm still messing about with Themes. What I want is to have one or two Slide Properties items at the top of the program, which will control both my songs and two types of slideshows. I can now set Slide Properties for all Media to the title graphic background, and Slide Properties for Songs to the coordinating text-friendly background. This takes care of title slides and songs. I am left to deal with text-heavy slide shows. I am looking for a way to set title slides to Theme 1, which would load from the program-level Slide Properties for All Media item, and to set text slides to Theme 2, which would load from the Slide Properties for Songs item.
I think you are trying to add the feature I need to SSP8. I'm just not sure that Themes will do what I need. I think it could, but I haven't figured out how.
I'm still messing about with Themes. What I want is to have one or two Slide Properties items at the top of the program, which will control both my songs and two types of slideshows. I can now set Slide Properties for all Media to the title graphic background, and Slide Properties for Songs to the coordinating text-friendly background. This takes care of title slides and songs. I am left to deal with text-heavy slide shows. I am looking for a way to set title slides to Theme 1, which would load from the program-level Slide Properties for All Media item, and to set text slides to Theme 2, which would load from the Slide Properties for Songs item.
I think you are trying to add the feature I need to SSP8. I'm just not sure that Themes will do what I need. I think it could, but I haven't figured out how.
9/11/2013 11:39:55 AM
It sounds like you want themes in programs. Themes are only in slide shows for version 8.0. However, in version 8.0, you can, in a program, add a set of slide properties that will be used for all songs, another set of slide properties that will be used by all scriptures, videos, images, etc. Slide shows will use the settings of All Media items which is the default for all media types.
9/11/2013 12:55:13 PM
OK, I don't lose any capabilities, and there are a lot of great new features. Someday, maybe themes will be able to reference program level properties, and I will have the perfect use for them.
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