Smart Notebook Free Version

[petben]

Hello, does anyone know the current situation with a free version of Smart. We dont have any boards, we dont want to pay any money, but we need to cater for new staff coming in with Smart content from other school that they would like to use.

 

I can only find a Smart21 download which talks about free trials. We dont want a trial, nor any nagging....Is that even possible?

 

What are the limits of this free version.

 

Thanks

[atcoates]

You can install the software and when it opens you get the option to "Always open in basic mode" that's what you want. That might be configurable in their deployment tool.

[petben]

Ive install v22 and it looks fine. I seem to be able to create/read notebook files. am i in some sort of trial? there are options to purchase subscription so its obvs the free version. why would anyone want to pay for that if you can create new files with the free version?

[Rob_D]

I got this table off Smart last year when we stopped our site license. (although the page it was on either doesn't exist or has moved, so take with a pinch of salt)

[TABLE=class: cke_show_border simpleTableStyleTheme, width: 605]

[TR=bgcolor: transparent]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]Feature

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]With the basic version of SMART Notebook

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: transparent]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]Activities[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]If the file has existing activities, the content is maintained but cannot be edited. New activities cannot be created.

Existing activities can be played as a class at the SMART Board.[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: transparent]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]Formative assessments

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]If the file has existing assessments, the content is maintained but cannot be edited. New assessments cannot be created.

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: transparent]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]Video Search add-on

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]If the file has existing videos, you can play them, but you cannot search for or add new videos.

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: transparent]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]Image Web Search add-on

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]If the file has existing images, they still appear, but you cannot search for and add new images using this add-on.

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: transparent]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]Concept Mapping add-on

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]If the file has existing concept maps, these are maintained. New concept maps cannot be created.

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: transparent]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]Lesson Recorder add-on

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]Any existing recordings will play, but you cannot create new recordings.

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: transparent]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]SMART Blocks add-on

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]If the file has existing SMART Blocks, you can run them.

You cannot add new SMART Blocks.

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: transparent]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]kapp add-on

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]Won’t open.

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: transparent]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]Maestro

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]Won’t open.

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: transparent]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]Screen View

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]Dual page and transparent background options are not available.

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: transparent]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]Watermark

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]A SMART watermark appears on each page when the computer is not connected to a SMART Board.

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

 

[CHiLL]

We're on v21 and while it is free, it requires staff need to log in/create an account with SMART in order to use the features.

[petben]

do you manage these staff smart logins via some kind of admin interface or just let them get on with it?

[CHiLL]

do you manage these staff smart logins via some kind of admin interface or just let them get on with it?

Just let them get on with it. They just register themselves using their school email address. I believe it also has M365 SSO too, though I'm not on site atm, so can't confirm.

[DrBeaker]

Tell staff they need to convert their files to work on your system.

[BenQ_Chris]

Hi,

 

If you're looking to save money but still be able to access to BenQ EZWrite 6. It's free to download, install and use. Currently requires an email address activation; but this will be changing in the next few weeks. We have a big update due at the end of the month, you can already open .iwb & .notebook files. If you'd like to know more, let me know.

 

 

Thanks, Chris.

[LukeMoss]

We're currently using Lynx Cloud software after moving away from SMART, you can convert your Notebook files if signed in and work from any device... Pretty good and it's free, it's a learning curve for some but definitely better than error messages and silly amounts of money!

 

https://www.lynxcloud.app

[thimon]

We're currently using Lynx Cloud software after moving away from SMART, you can convert your Notebook files if signed in and work from any device... Pretty good and it's free, it's a learning curve for some but definitely better than error messages and silly amounts of money!

 

https://www.lynxcloud.app

 

Is Lynx free free? We had a years worth of the App when we purchased some Clevertouch screens, after that we had to purchase the software / subscribe. Definitely worth a look again if it’s totally free and can open Smart Notebook files.

[tmoon-mint]

Smart 22 is now free with an optional subscription to Smart Notebook Plus.

[LukeMoss]

Is Lynx free free? We had a years worth of the App when we purchased some Clevertouch screens, after that we had to purchase the software / subscribe. Definitely worth a look again if it’s totally free and can open Smart Notebook files.

 

Yep! Free free indeed... I was going to start using CleverLynx 4 which was as you a 'freebie' when purchasing the screens, but most staff were happy with SMART and it was cumbersome... You have to sign in for it to convert Smart Notebook files, but easy enough with SSO and it keeps you logged in...

Edited July 20, 2022 by LukeMoss