Promethean and Smart software

[witch]

I know there have been some answers about this but they all seem pretty old and things change so fast..

We are about to get a Smartboard to replace a very old Promethean and the boss wants to know, definitively, if the teachers can use their ActivPrimary 2 and 3 prepared lessons on it - if so, how? Does it need a conversion tool or a licence or what?

It seems a bit cheeky to ask Promethean themselves!

[FN-GM]

Actually i would like to know this.

 

I am not sure but i think smartboard software can view promethean files but not edit. As i say i am not sure. We have the latest version here i will have a look.

[carvjo]

Why not download the free Smart Board Notebook Interactive Viewer and see if it can handle your files - this is a cut-down version of Smart Notebook so if it works with this?

 

SMART Notebook Interactive Viewer for Windows - SMART Technologies

[witch]

Why not download the free Smart Board Notebook Interactive Viewer and see if it can handle your files - this is a cut-down version of Smart Notebook so if it works with this?

 

I havent got the Smartboard yet and buying it depends entirely on whether we can use it with the Promethean software and saved files!

[carvjo]

you don't need a smartboard to run the viewer software..

[sparkeh]

Although I am not sure about the EULA for V3 (and can't seem to find any info in it), one solution would be to upgrade to ActiveInspire and apply for the "Teacher Consent Licence" which allows you to use ActiveInspire with non Promethean boards.

English : ActivInspire : Software : Promethean Planet

[FN-GM]

you don't need a smartboard to run the viewer software..

 

You have got the wrong end of the stick.

 

She is getting a smartboard and its replacing a Promethean board. Not the other way around

 

 

As a side note, you could get a free flipchart viewer. Not seen it in ages but it is free and will allow you to view flipchart files on any computer. You could instal that.

[witch]

Sorry carvjo, didnt realise!

 

sparkeh - I've had a look and it seems as if each teacher would need one of these licences, and it asks for specific flipcharts - if that's right then that isn't really a goer - but maybe I read it wrongly?

[carvjo]

Here's a clearer answer:

 

Smart Notebook 10 can import .flp files but not .flipchart.

 

The new notebook file will be reformatted and so may lose it's interactiveness. But it is a starting point..

 

You may be able to test how this will work by using the free Smart Notebook Viewer I mentioned above..

 

Alternatively - buy the licence for ActiveInspire and use it on the Smart Board - but then not all of the Smart functions may work with that software..

 

Hope that helps..

[sparkeh]

sparkeh - I've had a look and it seems as if each teacher would need one of these licences, and it asks for specific flipcharts - if that's right then that isn't really a goer - but maybe I read it wrongly?

 

My apologies witch, the licence is significantly more restrictive than I had remembered (it does say the conditions have recently changed).

The other option is to purchase the professional licence which does allow what you want to do (just checked the EULA) but I have no idea about cost.

[witch]

Thanks for that, sparkeh.

I have had a look now that you have pointed me in the right direction -the licence is £575.

Which is a lot of money

We might be getting a promethean after all

[FN-GM]

£575!!!

 

Im sure there is software to convert it.

 

Would the filpcrart viewer not do?

[jdcochran]

We have both Smartboards and Promethean boards and our Smartboards seem to run without any real issues using the Promethean software...just my 2cents.

[witch]

Yes, but can the Smartboard software open previously created Promethean stuff - THAT is the head's issue

[FN-GM]

Yes, but can the Smartboard software open previously created Promethean stuff - THAT is the head's issue

 

Yes with the free flipcart viewer

[carvjo]

Yes, but can the Smartboard software open previously created Promethean stuff - THAT is the head's issue

 

my understanding is - that it can import .flp files - but they then need to be re-formatted as a lot of this is lost in the import process.. so probably best stick to promethean (or smart boards with promethean software) if you really want to open .flp or flipchart files..

[DavidScott]

Relating to the hardware switch and the cost of the licence upgrade - my understanding is that if you are completely new to ActivInspire then Promethean will upgrade you to ActivInspire Professional for *free* with your ActivBoard serial number.

 

English : ActivInspire : Software : Promethean Planet

 

So to me in this case, it means it is possible to take the upgrade to Professional software (which lets you use your Activ software on other Boards) and then switch over to SMART - which will add touch and (in my opinion) the better software product, Notebook.

 

By taking Professional, you will meet the terms of the Promethean EULA and will be free to switch.

[witch]

thats very interesting, thanks David, Edited December 8, 2010 by witch

[witch]

Right - so it seems that you can view Promethean flipcharts on a Smartboard but you will lose the interactivity.

On that basis, unless someone can tell me differently, we will be replacing the Promethean with a Promethean.

[SelenaWoodward]

Yes! Smart Notebook 10 has the ability to convert the older .flp files into Smart files If you convert them all then you can use the software that came with the board and avoid tricky licensing issues.

http://www.teachertechnologies.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/smartconvert.gif

 

The fomatting looks fine (I've just done it on my machine to see) and they are fully editable.

 

You will never lose interactivity and the smart files will work just as they did on their original board. The board is just a big mouse after all

Edited December 10, 2010 by SelenaWoodward
added info in relation to other responses