edutech4schools Posted October 21, 2014 Posted October 21, 2014 (edited) One of my primary schools is on the free (non licensed) version of smart but someone has deleted the installer files. On the smart downloads page they have versions 14, 2014, 11.4, ....etc https://www.smarttech.com/downloads Does anyone remember which is the last free version? Edited October 21, 2014 by edutech4schools
computer_expert Posted October 21, 2014 Posted October 21, 2014 I'm fairly sure it was 11.4 as I've deployed V11.4 to a few machines recently. 1
Steve21 Posted October 21, 2014 Posted October 21, 2014 From my understanding it's never been "free" as such unless it changed recently, Normally you just have a product (e.g. one whiteboard) that comes with the site license, and you can use it on as many devices you want "as long as" it's not connected to an interactive display. If you connect to "non-smart" interactive displays you need different licenses etc. Been that way as long as I can remember. Or dont you have any smart boards at all? Steve
Cache Posted October 21, 2014 Posted October 21, 2014 Went through the site recently and I decided it must be 11.4, any after 11.4 have the following underneath: In order to activate and use SMART Notebook 2014 you must have a valid SMART Notebook Advantage subscription.
ZeroNeg Posted October 21, 2014 Posted October 21, 2014 Yep 11.4 here also. Is anyone else having startup issues with 11.4. It takes ages to load. Thought they might have slowed it to force you to upgrade !!!
Zourous Posted October 21, 2014 Posted October 21, 2014 Sorry to barge in on this thread. We have numerous smart boards throughout the school, does that allow the students to use the notebook software (free version) on any number of client pc's that are not connected to any board? To my knowledge we never purchased a separate notebook site license, but I didn't know whether it was automatically a site license for notebook if you have purchased one or more whiteboards?
witch Posted October 21, 2014 Posted October 21, 2014 Yep 11.4 here also. Is anyone else having startup issues with 11.4. It takes ages to load. Thought they might have slowed it to force you to upgrade !!! I must admit that I tend to stick with 11.2 as it has never given me much trouble
ninjashadow Posted October 22, 2014 Posted October 22, 2014 Only problem with that is that Smart refuse to troubleshoot a problem on a board unless it is running the current version of notebook.... Can anyone say YAY :|
Steve21 Posted October 22, 2014 Posted October 22, 2014 Sorry to barge in on this thread. We have numerous smart boards throughout the school, does that allow the students to use the notebook software (free version) on any number of client pc's that are not connected to any board? To my knowledge we never purchased a separate notebook site license, but I didn't know whether it was automatically a site license for notebook if you have purchased one or more whiteboards? See 1+3: Steve
jmak Posted October 22, 2014 Posted October 22, 2014 AFAIK 11.4 is the latest "included with a Smartboard" version. I backed out to a version of 10 (will have to check exactly which one) as I found all variants of 11 horribly slow on all of the Win 7 machines I installed it on.
localzuk Posted October 22, 2014 Posted October 22, 2014 Sorry to barge in on this thread. We have numerous smart boards throughout the school, does that allow the students to use the notebook software (free version) on any number of client pc's that are not connected to any board? To my knowledge we never purchased a separate notebook site license, but I didn't know whether it was automatically a site license for notebook if you have purchased one or more whiteboards? The way it works now is you can continue to use up to version 11.4 on your non-interactive PCs, and on any PC used to operate an actual SMART board. If you want to use it on any non-SMART interactive device (eg. a Clevertouch monitor or an Epson interactive projector etc...) then you have to have a SMART Notebook license to cover that device. If you buy a new SMART board, you get a license for the current latest version of Notebook, and a 1 year Advantage subscription (so you can keep up to date for that year). If you want to get all your older boards up to date, you'll have to buy an Advantage subscription for all of them. The advantage subscription is a renewable thing, so it does run out after however long you've paid for. When you buy the license, you get a license code which you use to install with. They say "reasonable number of computers", but this appears to be 3 (along with the 1 license for the interactive machine). It doesn't appear to be licensed for you to use it on all the suite PCs (but then, it was never intended for that purpose anyway). Example: We bought 34 Notebook licenses, and a 3 year Notebook Advantage subscription to go with them. In the activation centre, we have 137 activations available, which seems to be 4x34 and 1 extra. The activations are used up by different machine IDs - so you can't just move the license to other machines either.
jmak Posted October 22, 2014 Posted October 22, 2014 The way it works now is you can continue to use up to version 11.4 on your non-interactive PCs, and on any PC used to operate an actual SMART board. If you want to use it on any non-SMART interactive device (eg. a Clevertouch monitor or an Epson interactive projector etc...) then you have to have a SMART Notebook license to cover that device. If you buy a new SMART board, you get a license for the current latest version of Notebook, and a 1 year Advantage subscription (so you can keep up to date for that year). If you want to get all your older boards up to date, you'll have to buy an Advantage subscription for all of them. The advantage subscription is a renewable thing, so it does run out after however long you've paid for. When you buy the license, you get a license code which you use to install with. They say "reasonable number of computers", but this appears to be 3 (along with the 1 license for the interactive machine). It doesn't appear to be licensed for you to use it on all the suite PCs (but then, it was never intended for that purpose anyway). Example: We bought 34 Notebook licenses, and a 3 year Notebook Advantage subscription to go with them. In the activation centre, we have 137 activations available, which seems to be 4x34 and 1 extra. The activations are used up by different machine IDs - so you can't just move the license to other machines either. Well that wouldn't work for us. We have notebook installed on all kids' netbooks. Teachers model work on the smartboards and set up templates. They're never connected to a smartboard or any other interactive devices. It will probably be the final nail in the coffin for smart technology in this school... Companies can get away with the compulsory upgrades/subscriptions if they've got a truly unique product. I would have considered it if the price was for a site licence.
DeseertRat203 Posted August 27, 2015 Posted August 27, 2015 The versions of Smart Notebook software varies depending on what OS you are using as well. Quick answer - Win 7 PC or above latest release of free software is 11.4. To find notebook version 11.4 you will have to go to the notebook downloads page https://education.smarttech.com/en/products/notebook/download click on "I know what software I need" right below where they want you to enter your product key. If you are going to use this version you will want to also install the updated product drivers and ink found here SMART Product Drivers 12.2 and Ink 22.3 for Windows - SMART Technologies This will also allow you to use NB 11.4 on the newer devices (SBM, new interactive display devices, etc). NOTE: Previous versions of Notebook 11/10 will not accept the product driver update. This version comes pre-activated and you will not need a product code to use/continue to use this version until you need assistance from Smart Tech (after they turn off support for this version (estimated to be about 2019)). This version is not monitored in that you can install on an infinite number of machines; however, their licensing does say a reasonable amount of installations per single smartboard. It was made this way so that teachers could install the program on their home computers to create content to be used in their classrooms. Once you go to the 2014 or newer versions of software, each individual installation is monitored for a specific license (that is included in the price you pay for the board upon initial purchase). For MAC users - Your MAC OS version will most likely be the dictator on which version you can use. http://downloads01.smarttech.com/media/sitecore/en/support/product/esi/esi2013win/compatibilitymatrixesi2013v13vmar13.pdf - This is a dated document and only goes up to Notebook ver 11.1 - you will have to look at each of the available versions that you are trying to install and double check compatibility. If you intend to use the Smart Notebook software with non-smart products then there is a separate license that you do have to purchase. There are many caveats to their Advantage agreements. There isn't enough space on this page to explain them all. I would recommend contacting the Smart reseller/distributor you purchased your boards from to try to get a better picture. The one most likely to have the answer would be the service department, as they've probably dealt with these same questions on a regular basis. If the answers they give you make it clear as mud, then contact Smart Tech directly. That's not to say the answers you get from them will be any clearer. 1
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