Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

[Peter Hoyt]

Why do I seem to only see Instructional Design/Development job listings
that require experience with Captivate or Lectora? I haven't seen a job
listing asking for Toolbook experience in... well, since the last time I
was watching the job listings and that was in 2002!

Is the reason this list is so quiet is that there are so few of us left?
This list used to buzz with activity. No longer!

Do we still have any SumTotal Toolbook evangelists? Or has SumTotal given
up on Toolbook?

A few weeks ago I used Captivate to work through a Lynda.com tutorial on
version 6. I was very disappointed to learn that if you wanted to export to
HTML5 you couldn't use most of their canned interactions. I was also very
unimpressed with their question objects... or maybe I didn't give it enough
time... I even complained to one of their engineers during a webinar on
Captivate about the inability to use so many of their question types in
HTML5... his response was that "we are working on it"...


Comments? Opinions? Advice?

Peter H.

[Bignall, Bliss O III Civ USAF AETC 17 TRS/TSUO]

I'm afraid the ToolBook community is getting smaller. I know we "moved
away from ToolBook" several years ago now, but still have legacy stuff
around that needs maintenance. I still take great pleasure in pointing
out the things that can't be done easily using HTML/JavaScript/etc, but
ToolBook does natively. ToolBook is an awesome, but underappreciated
tool, and I miss using it every day.

Bliss

[Brent's CPaT]

Don't know, tbk has a lot of flexibility for js users but probably newer programs have more splash available to novices.

One of our clients is using articulate storyline now. Impressive but not as flexible.

I need some people at CPaT.com for and would be nice if they know tbk.

Houston or Denver

Sent from my iPad

[John R. Hall]

Same here. All our students have iPads and expect native experiences with apps. About as close as we've come is to do all using JS frameworks, JQuery and a bit of Adobe Edge and Tumult Hype. I still miss using Toolbook in native mode, though. I can't say that I miss it in HTML export mode.

John Hall

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] On Behalf Of Bignall, Bliss O III Civ USAF AETC 17 TRS/TSUO
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 8:15 AM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

I'm afraid the ToolBook community is getting smaller. I know we "moved away from ToolBook" several years ago now, but still have legacy stuff around that needs maintenance. I still take great pleasure in pointing out the things that can't be done easily using HTML/JavaScript/etc, but ToolBook does natively. ToolBook is an awesome, but underappreciated tool, and I miss using it every day.

Bliss=20

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List
[mailto:tool...@listserv.plattecanyon.com] On Behalf Of Peter Hoyt
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 9:00 AM
To: tool...@listserv.plattecanyon.com
Subject: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

[Peter Hoyt]

Have you ever looked up "Captivate" or "Lectora" on wikipedia? The search
results for both of them describe the program as an "Electronic Learning"
development tool.

Look up Toolbook and you get the idea it is so old that it has been left in
the dust years ago. It is listed as a "Microsoft Windows programming
environment, released in 1990"... *1990 is the stone age in this world!!*

Wikipedia has little more to say other than to list the version history...
how weak!!

Where is the SumTotal sales people who sell Toolbook? Why aren't they
updating Wikipedia? Why aren't they beating the drum and shouting about how
great Toolbook is??

I just visited the SumTotal web site. Toolbook isn't even listed on the top
level of their list of products. That's what happens when a bigger company
gobbles up a smaller company... great products are lost in the shuffle.
Adobe doesn't seem to have this problem... Captivate seems to be
everywhere. Why isn't Toolbook?

Can you all tell I'm in the mood to send someone at SumTotal an email?
Denny, can you offer an appropriate email address? I'd like to start a
small fire in someone's inbox this morning...

Peter H.

[cecil...@bluewin.ch]

I have not used Toolbook now for over 5 years. I still monitor the list though.



I think if you are going to make a noise in e-learning again, Toolbook has to be able to export to Apps and Android. Like back in the old days, Toolbook export to HTML when HTML was getting big and noisy. Now toolbook is falling way behind and no cares about it anymore.



Maybe someone can make it happen.



Take care

Cecil

----Ursprüngliche Nachricht----
Von: hoy...@GMAIL.COM
Datum: 30.01.2013 16:30
An: <tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM>
Betreff: Re: Why don&amp;#39;t we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

[Pavey, Sharon]

I used TBK for many years, and it's still one of my absolute favourite tools - but I have had no call for it in years. We use Articulate here, which is ok, I guess, but so limited! And I think it's more because the tool is simply unknown in many circles. Such a shame, if more people understood how versatile and robust a tool it is, there may be more interest...

Sharon Pavey
ESA - Governance & Standards
TD Bank Group
1875 Buckhorn Gate, Bldg 4, 1st floor
Mississauga, ON L4W 5P1
T: 905.293.5724

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] On Behalf Of Brent's CPaT
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 10:17 AM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM

Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

Don't know, tbk has a lot of flexibility for js users but probably newer pro= grams have more splash available to novices.

One of our clients is using articulate storyline now. Impressive but not as= flexible.

I need some people at CPaT.com for and would be nice if they know tbk.

Houston or Denver

Sent from my iPad

On Jan 30, 2013, at 8:00 AM, Peter Hoyt <hoy...@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> Why do I seem to only see Instructional Design/Development job
>listings that require experience with Captivate or Lectora? I haven't
>seen a job listing asking for Toolbook experience in... well, since
>the last time I was watching the job listings and that was in 2002!

>=20

> Is the reason this list is so quiet is that there are so few of us left?
> This list used to buzz with activity. No longer!

>=20

> Do we still have any SumTotal Toolbook evangelists? Or has SumTotal
>given up on Toolbook?

>=20

> A few weeks ago I used Captivate to work through a Lynda.com tutorial
>on version 6. I was very disappointed to learn that if you wanted to

>export t=

o
> HTML5 you couldn't use most of their canned interactions. I was also
> very unimpressed with their question objects... or maybe I didn't give

> it enoug=

h
> time... I even complained to one of their engineers during a webinar
>on Captivate about the inability to use so many of their question
>types in HTML5... his response was that "we are working on it"...

>=20
>=20
> Comments? Opinions? Advice?
>=20
> Peter H.
>=20


NOTICE: Confidential message which may be privileged. Unauthorized use/disclosure prohibited. If received in error, please go to www.td.com/legal for instructions.
AVIS : Message confidentiel dont le contenu peut être privilégié. Utilisation/divulgation interdites sans permission. Si reçu par erreur, prière d'aller au www.td.com/francais/avis_juridique pour des instructions.

[McCarron, Mike]

Peter,
I agree, the list is much quieter than a few years ago.
Our company is also moving away from Toolbook to Captivate. I don't agree with the decision but...
Thanks,
Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] On Behalf Of Peter Hoyt
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 9:00 AM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

Why do I seem to only see Instructional Design/Development job listings that require experience with Captivate or Lectora? I haven't seen a job listing asking for Toolbook experience in... well, since the last time I was watching the job listings and that was in 2002!

Is the reason this list is so quiet is that there are so few of us left?
This list used to buzz with activity. No longer!

Do we still have any SumTotal Toolbook evangelists? Or has SumTotal given up on Toolbook?

A few weeks ago I used Captivate to work through a Lynda.com tutorial on version 6. I was very disappointed to learn that if you wanted to export to
HTML5 you couldn't use most of their canned interactions. I was also very unimpressed with their question objects... or maybe I didn't give it enough time... I even complained to one of their engineers during a webinar on Captivate about the inability to use so many of their question types in HTML5... his response was that "we are working on it"...


Comments? Opinions? Advice?

Peter H.

All emails in this message string and any attachments are the confidential information of CSG Systems International, Inc. (CSG), or its affiliates and subsidiaries, and may contain privileged and/or confidential material. If you are not an intended recipient, please delete it immediately and notify the sender; unintended recipients are not authorized to read or otherwise use the information contained herein.

[cecil...@bluewin.ch]

I am just interested in how many people are still actively developing with toolbook right now.



Answer this email if you are.



Just a small survey



Take care



Cecil

[Brent A. Birdwell (CPAT President, CEO)]

We have made a LMS APP that downloads the TBK html to the ipad for of


We have made a LMS APP that downloads the TBK html to the ipad for offline use, tracks the records and uploads to the online LMS when connected.

Since it is on the ipad harddrive the program operates quickly and with no download slow effects you may get on the internet.

We are converting our native TBK to dhtml, and will have many programs deliverable through this APP.....so we effectively have an APP with TBK. Sure looks like an app for the users.

Now just to get some "app like" features in TBK dhtml....like swipe to turn pages, etc.

Brent Birdwell
CPAT, President and CEO
Houston Office 832-585-8601 (x101)
Denver Office 720-287-1744

-----Original Message-----
From: "cecil...@bluewin.ch" <cecil...@BLUEWIN.CH>
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 9:34am
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: AW: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?



I have not used Toolbook now for over 5 years. I still monitor the list tho=
ugh.

=20

I think if you are going to make a noise in e-learning again, Toolbook has =
to be able to export to Apps and Android. Like back in the old days, Toolbo=
ok export to HTML when HTML was getting big and noisy. Now toolbook is fall=

ing way behind and no cares about it anymore.

=20

Maybe someone can make it happen.

=20

Take care

Cecil

----Urspr=C3=BCngliche Nachricht----

Von: hoy...@GMAIL.COM
Datum: 30.01.2013 16:30
An: <tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM>

Betreff: Re: Why don&#39;t we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

[Richard, Randall]

Just wondering. We are still on Toolbook and have no reason to change at this time, but if I were to have to start looking/training on a different eLearning tool, any suggestions on what would be the most "standard" to go with? I've Played with most of the big ones.

Randall Richard
Education Product Specialist
Organizational Effectiveness
SSM Corporate Office at Westview - SSM University
(314) 523-8756
randall...@ssmhc.com

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] On Behalf Of McCarron, Mike
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 9:30 AM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

Peter,
I agree, the list is much quieter than a few years ago.

Our company is also moving away from Toolbook to Captivate. I don't agree w= ith the decision but...

Thanks,
Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] = On Behalf Of Peter Hoyt
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 9:00 AM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

Why do I seem to only see Instructional Design/Development job listings tha= t require experience with Captivate or Lectora? I haven't seen a job listin= g asking for Toolbook experience in... well, since the last time I was watc= hing the job listings and that was in 2002!

Is the reason this list is so quiet is that there are so few of us left?
This list used to buzz with activity. No longer!

Do we still have any SumTotal Toolbook evangelists? Or has SumTotal given u= p on Toolbook?

A few weeks ago I used Captivate to work through a Lynda.com tutorial on ve= rsion 6. I was very disappointed to learn that if you wanted to export to
HTML5 you couldn't use most of their canned interactions. I was also very u= nimpressed with their question objects... or maybe I didn't give it enough = time... I even complained to one of their engineers during a webinar on Cap= tivate about the inability to use so many of their question types in HTML5.= .. his response was that "we are working on it"...

Comments? Opinions? Advice?

Peter H.

All emails in this message string and any attachments are the confidential = information of CSG Systems International, Inc. (CSG), or its affiliates and= subsidiaries, and may contain privileged and/or confidential material. If = you are not an intended recipient, please delete it immediately and notify = the sender; unintended recipients are not authorized to read or otherwise u= se the information contained herein.


________________________________

Confidentiality Notice: This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

[McCarron, Mike]

Good luck Peter. With the exception of Denny, there is very little info or support shown from SumTotal. SumTotal doesn't support the ToolBook listserv, it never has. A big thanks goes to John Hall and Jeff Rhodes for that support. Also, a few years ago, when we had TookBook conferences, SumTotal didn't host them, Jeff at Platte Canyon did.

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] On Behalf Of Peter Hoyt
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 9:30 AM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

Have you ever looked up "Captivate" or "Lectora" on wikipedia? The search results for both of them describe the program as an "Electronic Learning"
development tool.

Look up Toolbook and you get the idea it is so old that it has been left in the dust years ago. It is listed as a "Microsoft Windows programming environment, released in 1990"... *1990 is the stone age in this world!!*

Wikipedia has little more to say other than to list the version history...
how weak!!

Where is the SumTotal sales people who sell Toolbook? Why aren't they updating Wikipedia? Why aren't they beating the drum and shouting about how great Toolbook is??

I just visited the SumTotal web site. Toolbook isn't even listed on the top level of their list of products. That's what happens when a bigger company gobbles up a smaller company... great products are lost in the shuffle.
Adobe doesn't seem to have this problem... Captivate seems to be everywhere. Why isn't Toolbook?

Can you all tell I'm in the mood to send someone at SumTotal an email?
Denny, can you offer an appropriate email address? I'd like to start a small fire in someone's inbox this morning...

Peter H.

[Brent A. Birdwell (CPAT President, CEO)]

yes here. Actually with our APP or online it is really popular with


yes here. Actually with our APP or online it is really popular with clients again.

One file exports to all devices. Hard to get that ....

Brent Birdwell
CPAT, President and CEO
Houston Office 832-585-8601 (x101)
Denver Office 720-287-1744

-----Original Message-----
From: "cecil...@bluewin.ch" <cecil...@BLUEWIN.CH>

[Bignall, Bliss O III Civ USAF AETC 17 TRS/TSUO]

Get 'em!!

[frederick...@bell.ca]

I'm a ToolBook fan since 3 years ago, when I had to learned it by myself as I've been hired as a Design Specialist in ToolBook without even knowing what was ToolBook! :)

I have to say that I first, I've been very angry with it, but with time, I learned how to work with it and with the latest versions, ToolBook is an amazing software.

But, it seems like, in the end, my other colleagues (that really don't like it) won as we are currently moving to Articulate. Yes, Articulate is a good tool, but, my first impressions are that it's seems not as much flexible as ToolBook... Reading this email trail, I think my first impressions are good.

I'll probably be the latest Designer to move to Articulate, even if I've been part of the small 3-person team that tested it before picking it up.

I love ToolBook!! :)

Frédérick Bergeron
T: 514 420-7502 | M: 514 913-2795
Online Training Design Specialist | Spécialiste - Conception de cours de formation

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] On Behalf Of Richard, Randall
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 10:44 AM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

Just wondering. We are still on Toolbook and have no reason to change at t= his time, but if I were to have to start looking/training on a different eL= earning tool, any suggestions on what would be the most "standard" to go wi= th? I've Played with most of the big ones.

Randall Richard
Education Product Specialist
Organizational Effectiveness
SSM Corporate Office at Westview - SSM University
(314) 523-8756
randall...@ssmhc.com

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] = On Behalf Of McCarron, Mike
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 9:30 AM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

Peter,
I agree, the list is much quieter than a few years ago.

Our company is also moving away from Toolbook to Captivate. I don't agree w= =3D ith the decision but...
Thanks,
Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] = =3D On Behalf Of Peter Hoyt
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 9:00 AM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

Why do I seem to only see Instructional Design/Development job listings tha= =3D t require experience with Captivate or Lectora? I haven't seen a job li= stin=3D g asking for Toolbook experience in... well, since the last time I = was watc=3D hing the job listings and that was in 2002!

Is the reason this list is so quiet is that there are so few of us left?
This list used to buzz with activity. No longer!

Do we still have any SumTotal Toolbook evangelists? Or has SumTotal given u= =3D p on Toolbook?

A few weeks ago I used Captivate to work through a Lynda.com tutorial on ve= =3D rsion 6. I was very disappointed to learn that if you wanted to export = to
HTML5 you couldn't use most of their canned interactions. I was also very u= =3D nimpressed with their question objects... or maybe I didn't give it eno= ugh =3D time... I even complained to one of their engineers during a webina= r on Cap=3D tivate about the inability to use so many of their question typ= es in HTML5.=3D .. his response was that "we are working on it"...


Comments? Opinions? Advice?

Peter H.



All emails in this message string and any attachments are the confidential = =3D information of CSG Systems International, Inc. (CSG), or its affiliates= and=3D subsidiaries, and may contain privileged and/or confidential mater= ial. If =3D you are not an intended recipient, please delete it immediately= and notify =3D the sender; unintended recipients are not authorized to rea= d or otherwise u=3D se the information contained herein.


________________________________

Confidentiality Notice: This email message, including any attachments, is f= or the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential a= nd privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or dist= ribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please conta= ct the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message= .

[frederick...@bell.ca]

I do... for now... until I'm forced to use Articulate.
I'll let everyone else in my team doing the transition before me :)

Frédérick Bergeron
T: 514 420-7502 | M: 514 913-2795
Online Training Design Specialist | Spécialiste - Conception de cours de formation

[Richard, Randall]

Count me a 1. In St. Louis, MO.

Randall Richard
Education Product Specialist
Organizational Effectiveness
SSM Corporate Office at Westview - SSM University
(314) 523-8756
randall...@ssmhc.com

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] On Behalf Of cecil...@bluewin.ch
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 9:42 AM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: TBkUser Count

I am just interested in how many people are still actively developing with toolbook right now.



Answer this email if you are.



Just a small survey



Take care



Cecil

________________________________

Confidentiality Notice: This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

[Peter Hoyt]

What I am reading in your replies is just about what I expected to hear.
Those of us with the experience to know better, know what we can do with
Toolbook.

Everything I've done for the past 6 months has been delivered on all of the
major browsers and on the iPad and Android tablet. I have to be able to
support those browsers and devices or I just can't compete.

Yet, I am doing it with Toolbook 11.5. I'll admit that I couldn't do it
without using a third party add-on like the Javascript PowerPac.

I can't publish to a native app as Cecil suggested but I don't know that my
clients really want me to when I'm developing eLearning content that will
need to be routinely updated... which is easy when it is one Web server.

The biggest problem I see with this issue is with SumTotal... they just
don't seem to be trying to get the word out like they used to. Not that I
ever recall a huge advertising effort but when Asymetrix owned Toolbook and
even Click2Learn, it seems Toolbook was a bigger deal to the company than
it is now with SumTotal.

I try to avoid discussing what tool I'll use any more. I just say I'll
deliver content that works on all the major browsers and on the iPad or
Android tablet. The end user shouldn't care what was used to produce the
content, they only care that it works.

It is also true I've not been to any of the eLearning conferences in years
so I don't really know what involvement SumTotal might have with the
conferences. Can anyone please tell me if they still support the
conferences like they used to?

Since my favorite conference in Colorado Springs shut down, I've haven't
been in the same room with more than 3 developers at the same time. Guess I
need to get out more...

Peter H.

[Peter Hoyt]

I guess you can tell I'm still using Toolbook. :-)

Peter H.

[Kirk Arnold]

Hi Cecil (et.al)

For what's it worth...

We are still using ToolBook, but it's not the primary development tool it
once was for us. We have expanded the tools in our toolbox and have begun
to discuss IF/WHEN we make a jump to another tool, what that tool should
be. We have Captivate CS6 and are already using it quite a bit. We also
use Articulate QuizMaker and Engage and are considering adding Articuate
Presenter. Other options we are considering are Lectora, Storyline, and
Allen Interactions new "Zebra." At this point we're definitely leaning
toward StoryLine.

Thanks!
Kirk

Kirk Arnold, AIS, API, AINS, CPCU
E-Learning Developer
Corporate Training Department
Shelter Insurance Companies
1817 W Broadway
Columbia MO 65218
Voice (573) 214-4345
Fax: (573) 446-6900

[ronw]

I have to tell you guys that since we have started using Clifton's product for development a couple of months ago the quality for MAC's, iPad's, iPhones, and Android browser based training has been amazing. No more QT issues! My thoughts are if STS would cut the price in half, incorporate Clifton's tools, get rid of the UMP (which Clifton's tool does), and have one export that rules them all Toolbook could rise back to the top of the list.

On the topic of jobs, many companies have been sold a bill of goods that with the current crop of tools you don't need to be a programmer to develop e-learning. Yet our experience with our clients shows you better think like one and also be a good systems analyst. If you can be a great business analyst as well its like putting the cherry on top.


Great thread Peter!

Ron Wincek, CEO &amp; FounderInteractive Advantage Corporation
www.interactiveadvantage.com
w (770) 945-9466
c (770) 330-3213
"A Strategic Learning and Performance Solutions Company"


---- On Wed, 30 Jan 2013 10:29:29 -0500 John R. Hall &lt;jh...@BIOCOM.ARIZONA.EDU&gt; wrote ----


Same here. All our students have iPads and expect native experiences with a=
pps. About as close as we've come is to do all using JS frameworks, JQuery =
and a bit of Adobe Edge and Tumult Hype. I still miss using Toolbook in nat=

ive mode, though. I can't say that I miss it in HTML export mode.

John Hall

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] =
On Behalf Of Bignall, Bliss O III Civ USAF AETC 17 TRS/TSUO

Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 8:15 AM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

I'm afraid the ToolBook community is getting smaller. I know we "moved awa=
y from ToolBook" several years ago now, but still have legacy stuff around =
that needs maintenance. I still take great pleasure in pointing out the th=
ings that can't be done easily using HTML/JavaScript/etc, but ToolBook does=
natively. ToolBook is an awesome, but underappreciated tool, and I miss u=
sing it every day.

Bliss=3D20

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List

[mailto:tool...@listserv.plattecanyon.com] On Behalf Of Peter Hoyt
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 9:00 AM
To: tool...@listserv.plattecanyon.com
Subject: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

Why do I seem to only see Instructional Design/Development job listings tha=

t require experience with Captivate or Lectora? I haven't seen a job listin=
g asking for Toolbook experience in... well, since the last time I was watc=

hing the job listings and that was in 2002!

Is the reason this list is so quiet is that there are so few of us left?
This list used to buzz with activity. No longer!

Do we still have any SumTotal Toolbook evangelists? Or has SumTotal given u=

p on Toolbook?

A few weeks ago I used Captivate to work through a Lynda.com tutorial on ve=

rsion 6. I was very disappointed to learn that if you wanted to export to

HTML5 you couldn't use most of their canned interactions. I was also very u=

nimpressed with their question objects... or maybe I didn't give it enough =
time... I even complained to one of their engineers during a webinar on Cap=
tivate about the inability to use so many of their question types in HTML5.=

[Laurie K Clarin]

Count me and 2 coworkers in!

On Wed, Jan 30, 2013 at 9:41 AM, cecil...@bluewin.ch <
cecil...@bluewin.ch> wrote:

> I am just interested in how many people are still actively developing with
> toolbook right now.
>
>
>
> Answer this email if you are.
>
>
>
> Just a small survey
>
>
>
> Take care
>
>
>
> Cecil
>
>

--
Laurie Clarin
Seagate Technology, NRM, MN
Global Learning Management and Operations
Project Manager
952-402-8875

[Knapek Miroslav]

Hello,

I use ToolBook for 2 - 5 native application a year.
STS did nothing for native developing in last years.

I am very sad to see ToolBook goes to history.
I cannot find good alternative.

Miroslav

Miroslav Knápek
MultiMedia SoftWare
www.MultiMedia-SoftWare.cz
kna...@mmsw.cz

-----Původní zpráva-----
From: cecil...@bluewin.ch
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 4:41 PM

To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: TBkUser Count

[Richard Foster]

Over the years, I have used Toolbook to create educational tutorials for
my students. For a good while, I used to distribute them to the students
by floppies and then by CD. With the way that the world has gone, I have
moved into using the lastest versions of Toolbook to allow me to more
easily get them up and running online.

Although I have been using the latest versions of Toolbook to update the
older tutorials to allow them to be accessed online, I still use it to
create new things. I have too much time invested in developing material
to not continue with using the software. It does allow me to design
tutorials in the manner that I want them to be viewed. I do use a lot of
other programs as well to create instructional aids.

I can say that I am the only user of Tookbook on campus- I am not even
sure if anyone even knows about it. I have only come across one
additional instructor that has used it to crete instructional material,
but I don't think that she is still using it.

[ronw]

We have six developers that can develop in Toolbook although we may only have on or two developers on a TB project at any given time. TB use to be 90% of our business but now its down to 15 - 20%. I think we are the only TB training center left in the US. If anyone is interested we offer virtual classes and have a class coming up in two weeks.

[Irby Randal J , Randy]

All, I used ToolBook for probably 5 or 6 years. At the time, I was doing most of the cbt development. Then, many in my corporation began developing but not with ToolBook but with Articulate. Now the standard pretty much is Articulate StoryLine. Though I like ToolBook, I reluctantly make the transition. With that said, if you must make the change to Articulate I wouldn't recommend using Presenter, QuizMaker, Engage, etc. Go right to StoryLine. It has more flexibility than the other versions. But if you want full flexibility, stay with ToolBook.

Randy

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] On Behalf Of Kirk Arnold
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 8:49 AM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM

Subject: Re: TBkUser Count

Hi Cecil (et.al)

For what's it worth...

We are still using ToolBook, but it's not the primary development tool it once was for us. We have expanded the tools in our toolbox and have begun to discuss IF/WHEN we make a jump to another tool, what that tool should be. We have Captivate CS6 and are already using it quite a bit. We also use Articulate QuizMaker and Engage and are considering adding Articuate Presenter. Other options we are considering are Lectora, Storyline, and Allen Interactions new "Zebra." At this point we're definitely leaning toward StoryLine.

Thanks!
Kirk

Kirk Arnold, AIS, API, AINS, CPCU
E-Learning Developer
Corporate Training Department
Shelter Insurance Companies
1817 W Broadway
Columbia MO 65218
Voice (573) 214-4345
Fax: (573) 446-6900





From: "cecil...@bluewin.ch" <cecil...@BLUEWIN.CH>
To: <tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM>
Date: 01/30/2013 09:42 AM
Subject: TBkUser Count
Sent by: ToolBook Discussion List
<tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM>

[Kirk Arnold]

Hi Peter,

I definitely agree with your concern that SumTotal is 'suspiciously
missing' from the conversation. I've been using TB for about 8 years.
Jeff Rhoades introduced me to it at a conference I attended Fall, 05. My
boss and I talked to Jeff for a long time and then I walked straight from
his booth over to the SumTotal booth and talked to one of the ToolBook
guys.

I try to attend one major conference a year. Over the past 3 or 4 years,
I've only seen SumTotal at 1 conference (ASTD ICE conference, May 2012 ,
Denver Colorado). For 'kicks,' I visited the SumTotal booth (which was
marketing the LMS product, which we also use here by the way...) and asked
about ToolBook. The rep told me there was only 1 person at the conference
who could talk to me about ToolBook and he unfortunately wasn't there at
the moment.

As I said, we've been using ToolBook since 8.2 and SumTotal's LMS since
7.6. We are happy with both products, for the most part. BUT for the
very reasons folks on the discussion board have started talking about
today, we believe we "see the writing on the wall" so to speak and are
preparing for a future elearning landscape sans ToolBook.

Thanks!
Kirk

Kirk Arnold, AIS, API, AINS, CPCU
E-Learning Developer
Corporate Training Department
Shelter Insurance Companies
1817 W Broadway
Columbia MO 65218
Voice (573) 214-4345
Fax: (573) 446-6900





From: Peter Hoyt <hoy...@GMAIL.COM>
To: <tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM>

Date: 01/30/2013 09:53 AM
Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

Sent by: ToolBook Discussion List
<tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM>

[Dorsett, Cindy]

Tristin Walker and I are actively using Toolbook to develop our online courses for Texas Tech University.

Thanks,
Cindy

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] On Behalf Of Peter Hoyt
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 9:54 AM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: Re: TBkUser Count

I guess you can tell I'm still using Toolbook. :-)

Peter H.

[Huestis, Sara]

8 active at our organization!

Sara Huestis | Program Manager, Workforce Development
People's United Bank

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] On Behalf Of cecil...@bluewin.ch
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 10:42 AM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: TBkUser Count

I am just interested in how many people are still actively developing with toolbook right now.



Answer this email if you are.



Just a small survey



Take care



Cecil

The security, delivery, and timeliness of delivery of electronic mail sent over the Internet is not guaranteed. Most electronic mail is not secured. Do not send us confidential information like social security numbers, account numbers, or driver's license numbers by electronic mail.

The information transmitted is intended solely for the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential, proprietary, and/or privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, dissemination, or other use of or taking action in reliance upon this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from the computer.

[McCarron, Mike]

I and my co-worker have TBK 11.5 but unfortunately are using it very little.

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] On Behalf Of cecil...@bluewin.ch
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 9:42 AM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: TBkUser Count

I am just interested in how many people are still actively developing with toolbook right now.



Answer this email if you are.



Just a small survey



Take care



Cecil

[Peter Hoyt]

Yes the street price of Toolbook is on the high side but I continue to pay
my yearly SumTotal subscription fee... SumTotal doesn't advertise a price
on their web site. Last I heard it was up around $2500 and possibly more
now.

Captivate costs what? Only $899... been years since Toolbook cost only $899.

I can't even tell what Lectora costs... just went to their site and can't
tell at a glance what tool I'd need to buy... a bit confusing at first
glance. Perhaps not as bad as the SumTotal site. I had to use their search
tool to find Toolbook's page.

With the price of our software tools lately, I don't see how a company can
justify the software budget unless they have a huge list of clients to
support. Oh to be in such a position!!

So, anyone know the current street price of which ever Lectora tool I'd
need? How about the current street price of Toolbook?

Peter H.

[Linda Kelly]

I am still using Toolbook for educational software development. We have only updated to 9.5.

Linda Kelly
MathMedia Educational Software, Inc.

[Joxean Rojas]

Hello!

One of our main products is still a ToolBook native application.

I haven't found any good enough alternative either.

I expected to see at least syntax highlighting when they made the
transition from 16 to 32 bits, but native was left to fall into
oblivion. And it crashes so easily!

Joxean





30/01/2013 17:01(e)an, Knapek Miroslav(e)k idatzi zuen:

> Hello,
>
> I use ToolBook for 2 - 5 native application a year.
> STS did nothing for native developing in last years.
>
> I am very sad to see ToolBook goes to history.
> I cannot find good alternative.
>
> Miroslav
>
> Miroslav Knápek
> MultiMedia SoftWare
> www.MultiMedia-SoftWare.cz
> kna...@mmsw.cz
>
> -----Původní zpráva-----

> From: cecil...@bluewin.ch
> Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 4:41 PM

> To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
> Subject: TBkUser Count
>

[Kirk Arnold]

There's a guy who hangs around the corner of 5th and Broadway... he's a
bit skitish, so be sure to use the code phrase "TBCON lives forever!" He
can hook you up!

ha ha ha ha

Thanks!
Kirk

Kirk Arnold, AIS, API, AINS, CPCU
E-Learning Developer
Corporate Training Department
Shelter Insurance Companies
1817 W Broadway
Columbia MO 65218
Voice (573) 214-4345
Fax: (573) 446-6900





From: Peter Hoyt <hoy...@GMAIL.COM>
To: <tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM>
Date: 01/30/2013 10:25 AM
Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?
Sent by: ToolBook Discussion List
<tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM>

[Denny Dedmore]

Peter:

An appropriate email address would be Todd Porter (
tpo...@sumtotalsystems.com) who is the North American Sales Rep.

Denny

[Clifton Sleger]

I'll throw in my two cents.

I had a phone conference with the engineers from Lectora last month. We
had a client who wanted to move to Lectora mostly because they thought
it was more advanced and the wave of future eLearning. However, their
one requirement was that the course had to have all the functionality we
built into them using ToolBook and the PowerPac. The engineers gave NO
indication that they could duplicate even a fraction of what we built
for this client using ToolBook. Just to give them a chance, the client
gave them a week or so to come up with a two page example that mimicked
the ToolBook content. They never even responded. If they had, the
project would have won them a very large contract, one that took
two-three developers over 1.5 years to develop.

As a bonus, I was interested in trying to port our PowerPac API to
Lectora. So I installed their trial version and went to work on it for a
while. The limitations make it virtually impossible to support the
product on the JavaScript end in a way that would make end users happy.
In the long run you have to know more about web programming languages to
get Lectora to do even a fraction of what ToolBook can do right out of
the box!

My biggest concern is the resistance of SumTotal to market and support
their product as well. I had a support contract last year, but ended up
doing most of the their work when it came to troubleshooting and they
never did fully resolve the issues I had. Some of them I went ahead and
resolved using the PowerPac. Truth is, when you put both tools together,
there is pretty much nothing that cannot be done ... at least on the
interactive web development side.

Some flashy features like page turning ... better video support
(especially for iPads) are some of the things I'm planning to support in
the PowerPac if I can figure them out. We've already got web font
support in the latest beta release. Lectora is only in the dreaming
stage of how to include web fonts!!

ToolBook doesn't keep up only from the perspective of helping newer
users and those with specific problems develop their applications, but
there are a lot of us out here ... like Jeff Rhodes, Ron Wincek and his
company, Darrel Samoza and many others, who are more than willing to
fill in the gaps for those people. I think those of us who are following
this list should more freely post their experienced comments for the
benefit of the entire community. SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE and ToolBook won't
seem so daunting to those who spend their days trying to figure how to
shelve it.

Clifton Sleger
PG Software Development
Oshkosh, WI 54904 USA
920-232-5727

The JavaScript PowerPac for ToolBook extends
the ToolBook Actions system with over 98 functions!
View the introductory assessment here:
http://www.powerpac.pgsoftwaretools.com/intro
View the FULL USER'S GUIDE w/TUTORIALS and What's NEW in this release:
http://www.powerpac.pgsoftwaretools.com
OR, get a 21 day trial copy here:
http://www.pgsoftwaretools.com/index.html?nav=buyPP

[Bignall, Bliss O III Civ USAF AETC 17 TRS/TSUO]

With the 1 year (required) maintenance agreement, ToolBook currently
costs about $3889/copy. Perhaps if SumTotal were to reconsider their
pricing, they could become competitive. Don't think they'll do that
though....

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List

[Clifton Sleger]

Lectora would cost around 1800 USD for a single license for their more
full-featured product offering ... at least that was the best I could
figure out.

Suddenly, ToolBook, while expensive, is not way out in left field
considering what it can do.

Have you ever checked the market price range for CAD/CAM programs. Its
all over the place, but when you get right down to it you have to look
at the range of what can be done before people decide something is too
expensive. Yeah, you can even get a free one too. But try and sell your
clients on spending lots of money on development using a freeware proggy!

Having said all that, I wish the upgrade price for ToolBook was more
modest though.

Clifton Sleger
PG Software Development
Oshkosh, WI 54904 USA
920-232-5727

The JavaScript PowerPac for ToolBook extends
the ToolBook Actions system with over 98 functions!
View the introductory assessment here:
http://www.powerpac.pgsoftwaretools.com/intro
View the FULL USER'S GUIDE w/TUTORIALS and What's NEW in this release:
http://www.powerpac.pgsoftwaretools.com
OR, get a 21 day trial copy here:
http://www.pgsoftwaretools.com/index.html?nav=buyPP

[Brent A. Birdwell (CPAT President, CEO)]

amen

Brent Birdwell
CPAT, President and CEO
Houston Offic


amen

Brent Birdwell
CPAT, President and CEO
Houston Office 832-585-8601 (x101)
Denver Office 720-287-1744

-----Original Message-----
From: "Bignall, Bliss O III Civ USAF AETC 17 TRS/TSUO" <bliss....@GOODFELLOW.AF.MIL>
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 10:31am
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?



With the 1 year (required) maintenance agreement, ToolBook currently
costs about $3889/copy. Perhaps if SumTotal were to reconsider their
pricing, they could become competitive. Don't think they'll do that
though....

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List
[mailto:tool...@listserv.plattecanyon.com] On Behalf Of Peter Hoyt
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 10:23 AM
To: tool...@listserv.plattecanyon.com
Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

[mprit...@cox.net]

We have 90 courses here at Union Pacific. All 90 are in three different formats. LMS (Success Factors), HTML (Post) and Native.

[Peter Hoyt]

This is proving to be a very helpful discussion.

I remain convinced that Toolbook is the best all around tool for what we do
and I'll continue to focus on Toolbook with the Javascript PowerPac as my
foundation tool set. But I'll also continue to work with all of the
supporting tools such as javascript/jQuery, Adobe's new Edge Animate, and
all the HTML5/CSS3 technology.

Thanks for the info on the price of Toolbook at $3889 and Lectora at $1800.
Subscriptions seem to be the way many companies are going and as long as
the subscription offers value, I'll continue to pay a reasonable price.

I'm with Clifton on the subject of sharing information. That has been the
value of this list for as long as I've been using Toolbook (I still have
the box and manuals for version 3.0 here in my office!).

Now... about that email to SumTotal... Denny gave me an address that I'll
use. But I'll take my time and prepare a constructive email and won't send
it for a few hours... I try to NEVER send an email when in "such a mood"
as I appear to be in this morning. :-)

Peter H.

[Wendy Patterson]

I am still using Toolbook for all our on-line courses.

On 1/30/2013 10:53 AM, Peter Hoyt wrote:
> I guess you can tell I'm still using Toolbook. :-)
>
> Peter H.
>
> On Wed, Jan 30, 2013 at 7:41 AM, cecil...@bluewin.ch <
> cecil...@bluewin.ch> wrote:
>

>> I am just interested in how many people are still actively developing with
>> toolbook right now.
>>
>>
>>
>> Answer this email if you are.
>>
>>
>>
>> Just a small survey
>>
>>
>>
>> Take care
>>
>>
>>
>> Cecil
>>
>>
>

--
Wendy Patterson
Tec-Ease, Inc.
888-832-3273

[Wendy Patterson]

Cliff,

Please contact me about this.

Thank you,
Wendy

On 1/30/2013 10:58 AM, ronw wrote:
> I have to tell you guys that since we have started using Clifton's product for development a couple of months ago the quality for MAC's, iPad's, iPhones, and Android browser based training has been amazing. No more QT issues! My thoughts are if STS would cut the price in half, incorporate Clifton's tools, get rid of the UMP (which Clifton's tool does), and have one export that rules them all Toolbook could rise back to the top of the list.
>
> On the topic of jobs, many companies have been sold a bill of goods that with the current crop of tools you don't need to be a programmer to develop e-learning. Yet our experience with our clients shows you better think like one and also be a good systems analyst. If you can be a great business analyst as well its like putting the cherry on top.
>
>
> Great thread Peter!
>

> Ron Wincek, CEO &amp; FounderInteractive Advantage Corporation
> www.interactiveadvantage.com
> w (770) 945-9466
> c (770) 330-3213
> "A Strategic Learning and Performance Solutions Company"
>
>

> ---- On Wed, 30 Jan 2013 10:29:29 -0500 John R. Hall &lt;jh...@BIOCOM.ARIZONA.EDU&gt; wrote ----
>
>
> Same here. All our students have iPads and expect native experiences with a=
> pps. About as close as we've come is to do all using JS frameworks, JQuery =
> and a bit of Adobe Edge and Tumult Hype. I still miss using Toolbook in nat=
> ive mode, though. I can't say that I miss it in HTML export mode.
>
> John Hall
>

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] =

> On Behalf Of Bignall, Bliss O III Civ USAF AETC 17 TRS/TSUO
> Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 8:15 AM
> To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
> Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?
>

> I'm afraid the ToolBook community is getting smaller. I know we "moved awa=
> y from ToolBook" several years ago now, but still have legacy stuff around =
> that needs maintenance. I still take great pleasure in pointing out the th=
> ings that can't be done easily using HTML/JavaScript/etc, but ToolBook does=
> natively. ToolBook is an awesome, but underappreciated tool, and I miss u=
> sing it every day.
>
> Bliss=3D20
>

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ToolBook Discussion List
> [mailto:tool...@listserv.plattecanyon.com] On Behalf Of Peter Hoyt

> Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 9:00 AM
> To: tool...@listserv.plattecanyon.com
> Subject: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?
>
> Why do I seem to only see Instructional Design/Development job listings tha=
> t require experience with Captivate or Lectora? I haven't seen a job listin=
> g asking for Toolbook experience in... well, since the last time I was watc=
> hing the job listings and that was in 2002!
>
> Is the reason this list is so quiet is that there are so few of us left?
> This list used to buzz with activity. No longer!
>
> Do we still have any SumTotal Toolbook evangelists? Or has SumTotal given u=
> p on Toolbook?
>
> A few weeks ago I used Captivate to work through a Lynda.com tutorial on ve=
> rsion 6. I was very disappointed to learn that if you wanted to export to
> HTML5 you couldn't use most of their canned interactions. I was also very u=
> nimpressed with their question objects... or maybe I didn't give it enough =
> time... I even complained to one of their engineers during a webinar on Cap=
> tivate about the inability to use so many of their question types in HTML5.=
> .. his response was that "we are working on it"...
>
>
> Comments? Opinions? Advice?
>
> Peter H.
>
>

[Stan Kaltwasser]

I use 11.5 for both DHTML and native. We are considering hiring another TB guy as well.

Thanks,
Stanley Kaltwasser
Training Development Designer/Instructor
Webco Industries, Inc. MST Division

Phone: 918.865.5707
Cell: 918.694.7431
Fax: 918.865.6204
skalt...@webcoindustries.com

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] On Behalf Of Peter Hoyt
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 10:53 AM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

[John R. Hall]

.....

I'm with Clifton on the subject of sharing information. That has been the value of this list for as long as I've been using Toolbook (I still have the box and manuals for version 3.0 here in my office!).

....

Still have a shrink-wrapped version 1 in my office!

[Didar Khalsa]

I am a new user and find Toolbook very difficult to learn. I also have Captivate and Articulate--super easy. I thought Toolbook would work well with our SumTotal LMS but it has a lot of issues that I cannot resolve. Sometimes the files upload with pages missing or hotspots showing--no rhyme or reason. I am also stumped on how it scores questions. Since I spent so much time learning Toolbook, I'd like to see improvements in the future and continue to use it, but it looks like 11.5 causes grief. That's not very confidence-inspiring. I'm not sold yet.
Didar at UC Davis

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] On Behalf Of cecil...@bluewin.ch
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 7:42 AM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: TBkUser Count

[Peter H]

Yeah, but do you still have an Asymetrix coffee mug?? :-)
> Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:11:42 +0000
> From: jh...@BIOCOM.ARIZONA.EDU

> Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

> To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
>
> .....
> I'm with Clifton on the subject of sharing information. That has been the v=
> alue of this list for as long as I've been using Toolbook (I still have the=

[J-P.A]

I do ;-)

[Peter H]

Didar, Have you posted any questions to this list? If not, please do so and we can help. Peter H.
> Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:12:31 +0000
> From: dkh...@UCDAVIS.EDU
> Subject: Re: TBkUser Count
> To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
>
> I am a new user and find Toolbook very difficult to learn. I also have Capt=
> ivate and Articulate--super easy. I thought Toolbook would work well with o=
> ur SumTotal LMS but it has a lot of issues that I cannot resolve. Sometimes=
> the files upload with pages missing or hotspots showing--no rhyme or reaso=
> n. I am also stumped on how it scores questions. Since I spent so much time=
> learning Toolbook, I'd like to see improvements in the future and continue=
> to use it, but it looks like 11.5 causes grief. That's not very confidence=
> -inspiring. I'm not sold yet. =20

> Didar at UC Davis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] =
> On Behalf Of cecil...@bluewin.ch
> Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 7:42 AM
> To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
> Subject: TBkUser Count
>

> I am just interested in how many people are still actively developing with =

[Luca Caira]

I do actually!! And the pin button too, plus the fuzzy stuffed mascot... I
left my job at Asymetrix/Click2Learn in 1999, a lifetime ago, and had to
drop TB around 2006. I still have the first version on those floppy disks
(yes, floppy for you guys without white hair :O)). I still monitor the list,
not sure why, probably hoping on some big news one day or the other.

Cheers everybody!
Luca

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM]

On Behalf Of Peter H
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 12:21 PM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

Yeah=2C but do you still have an Asymetrix coffee mug?? :-) > Date: Wed=2C

30 Jan 2013 17:11:42 +0000
> From: jh...@BIOCOM.ARIZONA.EDU
> Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?
> To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM

>=20

> .....
> I'm with Clifton on the subject of sharing information. That has been

>the=
v=3D

> alue of this list for as long as I've been using Toolbook (I still

> have t=
he=3D

> box and manuals for version 3.0 here in my office!).

>=20
> ....
>=20

> Still have a shrink-wrapped version 1 in my office!

>=20
=

[Jbif...@aol.com]

I have been using Toolbook since version 8. Am currently using version
11.5.

Jayme


In a message dated 1/30/2013 8:43:01 A.M. Mountain Standard Time,

cecil...@BLUEWIN.CH writes:

I am just interested in how many people are still actively developing with

[Sharon Miller]

Count us as 3. :)

Sharon D Miller
Senior eLearning Developer
Covidien - Respiratory & Monitoring Solutions
6135 Gunbarrel Ave
Boulder, CO 80301

[mprit...@cox.net]

Count us as 5 at Union Pacific Railroad ToolBook 11.01 LMS, HTML and Native

[ronw]

Todd is a really nice guy and sympathetic but it seems his hands are tied. Ask Todd for a contact higher up (which I assume would be someone at the investment company that owns/controls STS now).

Ron Wincek, CEO &amp; FounderInteractive Advantage Corporation
www.interactiveadvantage.com
w (770) 945-9466
c (770) 330-3213
"A Strategic Learning and Performance Solutions Company"

---- On Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:52:47 -0500 Peter Hoyt &lt;hoy...@GMAIL.COM&gt; wrote ----

This is proving to be a very helpful discussion.

I remain convinced that Toolbook is the best all around tool for what we do
and I'll continue to focus on Toolbook with the Javascript PowerPac as my
foundation tool set. But I'll also continue to work with all of the
supporting tools such as javascript/jQuery, Adobe's new Edge Animate, and
all the HTML5/CSS3 technology.

Thanks for the info on the price of Toolbook at $3889 and Lectora at $1800.
Subscriptions seem to be the way many companies are going and as long as
the subscription offers value, I'll continue to pay a reasonable price.

I'm with Clifton on the subject of sharing information. That has been the

[interact!multimedia]

I still would be able (and willing) to develop with my beloved Toolbook
(Instructor 9), if there would be orders from customers. So count me as 1.

We did great Edutainment CD-ROMs years ago with native TBK, some of them won
national multimedia prices.

See more details (ALL realised with Toolbook):
<http://www.interactmultimedia.at/de/referenzen/projekte.asp?kat=Offline-Anwendungen%3A+CD-ROMs+%26+Terminals>

And I still own Multimedia Toolbook 3.0 on 3,5" diskettes :-)

I am very sad, that Toobook completely lacks of support but I am not willing
to pay tons of money for every single update, which mostly are just
microscopic changes which I didn't need.


Greez from Salzburg, Austria in Good old Europe!
Christian Dobler

[Christian Dobler]

I still would love to develop with my beloved Toolbook (Instructor 9), if

there would be orders from customers.

We did great Edutainment CD-ROMs years ago with native TBK, some of them won
national multimedia prices.

See more details (ALL realised with Toolbook):
<http://www.interactmultimedia.at/de/referenzen/projekte.asp?kat=Offline-Anwendungen%3A+CD-ROMs+%26+Terminals>

And I still own Multimedia Toolbook 3.0 on 3,5" diskettes :-)

I am very sad, that Toobook completely lacks of support but on the other
hand I am not willing to pay tons of money for every single update, which

mostly are just microscopic changes which I didn't need.

Christian Dobler

[ronw]

TB 1.53, Mugs, Pens, Calculators, '96 - '98 Conference Brochures, etc.

Maybe we should start a ToolBook history museum.


Instead of "Where's Waldo?" maybe we could have a "Where's Paolo?" (or substitute any other former Asymetrix employee)

Ron Wincek, CEO &amp; FounderInteractive Advantage Corporation
www.interactiveadvantage.com
w (770) 945-9466
c (770) 330-3213
"A Strategic Learning and Performance Solutions Company"

---- On Wed, 30 Jan 2013 12:43:55 -0500 Luca Caira &lt;luca-...@RCN.COM&gt; wrote ----

I do actually!! And the pin button too, plus the fuzzy stuffed mascot... I
left my job at Asymetrix/Click2Learn in 1999, a lifetime ago, and had to
drop TB around 2006. I still have the first version on those floppy disks
(yes, floppy for you guys without white hair :O)). I still monitor the list,
not sure why, probably hoping on some big news one day or the other.

Cheers everybody!
Luca

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM]
On Behalf Of Peter H
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 12:21 PM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

Yeah=2C but do you still have an Asymetrix coffee mug?? :-) &gt; Date: Wed=2C

30 Jan 2013 17:11:42 +0000

&gt; From: jh...@BIOCOM.ARIZONA.EDU
&gt; Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?
&gt; To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
&gt;=20
&gt; .....
&gt; I'm with Clifton on the subject of sharing information. That has been
&gt;the=
v=3D
&gt; alue of this list for as long as I've been using Toolbook (I still
&gt; have t=
he=3D
&gt; box and manuals for version 3.0 here in my office!).
&gt;=20
&gt; ....
&gt;=20
&gt; Still have a shrink-wrapped version 1 in my office!
&gt;=20
=

[Key Lawson]

I haven't "developed" in several years, but I still use
ToolBook often for my own needs.

Key
_______

[McCarron, Mike]

These names are a little dated but you might try the following:

Patricia Lughezzani
Chief Customer Officer and VP, Customer Support

Or

Brad Crain
VP, Toolbook

The email format should be similar to Todd's

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] On Behalf Of ronw
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 12:34 PM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

Todd is a really nice guy and sympathetic but it seems his hands are tied. Ask Todd for a contact higher up (which I assume would be someone at the investment company that owns/controls STS now).

Ron Wincek, CEO &amp; FounderInteractive Advantage Corporation www.interactiveadvantage.com w (770) 945-9466 c (770) 330-3213 "A Strategic Learning and Performance Solutions Company"

---- On Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:52:47 -0500 Peter Hoyt &lt;hoy...@GMAIL.COM&gt; wrote ----


This is proving to be a very helpful discussion.

I remain convinced that Toolbook is the best all around tool for what we do and I'll continue to focus on Toolbook with the Javascript PowerPac as my foundation tool set. But I'll also continue to work with all of the supporting tools such as javascript/jQuery, Adobe's new Edge Animate, and all the HTML5/CSS3 technology.

Thanks for the info on the price of Toolbook at $3889 and Lectora at $1800.
Subscriptions seem to be the way many companies are going and as long as the subscription offers value, I'll continue to pay a reasonable price.

I'm with Clifton on the subject of sharing information. That has been the value of this list for as long as I've been using Toolbook (I still have the box and manuals for version 3.0 here in my office!).

Now... about that email to SumTotal... Denny gave me an address that I'll use. But I'll take my time and prepare a constructive email and won't send it for a few hours... I try to NEVER send an email when in "such a mood"
as I appear to be in this morning. :-)

Peter H.

All emails in this message string and any attachments are the confidential information of CSG Systems International, Inc. (CSG), or its affiliates and subsidiaries, and may contain privileged and/or confidential material. If you are not an intended recipient, please delete it immediately and notify the sender; unintended recipients are not authorized to read or otherwise use the information contained herein.

[Lee Jay Karns]

I have the plexiglass pyramid that was given to employees with the IPO. Have fallen on it numerous times, and "It Works".

Lee
---- ronw <ro...@INTERACTIVEADVANTAGE.COM> wrote:

=============

TB 1.53, Mugs, Pens, Calculators, '96 - '98 Conference Brochures, etc.

Maybe we should start a ToolBook history museum.


Instead of "Where's Waldo?" maybe we could have a "Where's Paolo?" (or substitute any other former Asymetrix employee)

Ron Wincek, CEO &amp; FounderInteractive Advantage Corporation
www.interactiveadvantage.com
w (770) 945-9466
c (770) 330-3213
"A Strategic Learning and Performance Solutions Company"

---- On Wed, 30 Jan 2013 12:43:55 -0500 Luca Caira <luca-...@RCN.COM> wrote ----

I do actually!! And the pin button too, plus the fuzzy stuffed mascot... I
left my job at Asymetrix/Click2Learn in 1999, a lifetime ago, and had to
drop TB around 2006. I still have the first version on those floppy disks
(yes, floppy for you guys without white hair :O)). I still monitor the list,
not sure why, probably hoping on some big news one day or the other.

Cheers everybody!
Luca

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM]
On Behalf Of Peter H
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 12:21 PM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

Yeah=2C but do you still have an Asymetrix coffee mug?? :-) > Date: Wed=2C

30 Jan 2013 17:11:42 +0000

> From: jh...@BIOCOM.ARIZONA.EDU

> Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

> To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
>=20
> .....

> I'm with Clifton on the subject of sharing information. That has been

>the=
v=3D

> alue of this list for as long as I've been using Toolbook (I still

> have t=
he=3D

> box and manuals for version 3.0 here in my office!).

>=20
> ....
>=20

> Still have a shrink-wrapped version 1 in my office!

>=20
=


--
Regards,
Lee

[John Robin Dove]

I still use Toolbook on a regular basis but more as a consultant than a
program creator.

[Scott Matheson]

Sometimes will support for 5 more year

Working on moving off

Sent from my iPhone

On 30 Jan 2013, at 15:50, "Richard, Randall" <Randall...@SSMHC.COM> wrote:

> Count me a 1. In St. Louis, MO.
>
> Randall Richard
> Education Product Specialist
> Organizational Effectiveness
> SSM Corporate Office at Westview - SSM University
> (314) 523-8756
> randall...@ssmhc.com

>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] =
> On Behalf Of cecil...@bluewin.ch
> Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 9:42 AM
> To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
> Subject: TBkUser Count
>

> I am just interested in how many people are still actively developing with =

> toolbook right now.
>
>
>
> Answer this email if you are.
>
>
>
> Just a small survey
>
>
>
> Take care
>
>
>
> Cecil
>
>

> ________________________________
>
> Confidentiality Notice: This email message, including any attachments, is f=
> or the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential a=
> nd privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or dist=
> ribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please conta=
> ct the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message=
> .
>

[Geoff Pearson]

Yes... I am. Tried most of the others & nothing comes anywhere close to
TBK, at least for the type of stuff that I develop. I agree with the
comment about the STS website... TBK is not exactly presented as a
front-line product. In fact, a casual visitor would never even know it
was part of their product catalog unless they dug deep. A lot of
corporate enterprise speak but one is left wondering exactly what they
offer especially for the small to medium businesses that probably
outnumber the big corporates by a wide margin.

Geoff Pearson
(I.Q. Technology Ltd.)



On 31/01/2013 4:41 a.m., cecil...@bluewin.ch wrote:
> I am just interested in how many people are still actively developing with toolbook right now.

[Gary Connolly]

Just to throw my 2 cents in from a talent point of view - most everyone I'm
voicing for has gone to web based or flash based training. I very rarely do
toolbook anymore - I've been wondering why myself!

Gary Connolly
http://www.garyconnolly.com
garymc...@gmail.com
byt...@telusplanet.net

-----Original Message-----
From: ronw
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 11:34 AM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

Todd is a really nice guy and sympathetic but it seems his hands are tied.
Ask Todd for a contact higher up (which I assume would be someone at the
investment company that owns/controls STS now).

Ron Wincek, CEO &amp; FounderInteractive Advantage Corporation
www.interactiveadvantage.com
w (770) 945-9466
c (770) 330-3213
"A Strategic Learning and Performance Solutions Company"

---- On Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:52:47 -0500 Peter Hoyt &lt;hoy...@GMAIL.COM&gt;
wrote ----


This is proving to be a very helpful discussion.

I remain convinced that Toolbook is the best all around tool for what we do
and I'll continue to focus on Toolbook with the Javascript PowerPac as my
foundation tool set. But I'll also continue to work with all of the
supporting tools such as javascript/jQuery, Adobe's new Edge Animate, and
all the HTML5/CSS3 technology.

Thanks for the info on the price of Toolbook at $3889 and Lectora at $1800.
Subscriptions seem to be the way many companies are going and as long as
the subscription offers value, I'll continue to pay a reasonable price.

I'm with Clifton on the subject of sharing information. That has been the

[Gustaaf R. Möhlmann]

Yes, i"m still developing native TB-applications.

MöhltiVastgoed werkt samen met WOZ Expertise m.b.t. het verlagen van de WOZ-waarde van woningen en bedrijfspanden. Dit is, onder meer, van belang i.v.m. beperking van belastingen en heffingen alsmede het verruimen van afschrijvingen op bedrijfsgebouwen en het verruimen van de hypotheekrenteaftrek op woningen.
Met vriendelijke groet,
MöhltiVastgoed

dr. Guus Möhlmann
Gecertificeerd en NVM-beëdigd Register-Makelaar-Taxateur o.z. & jurist

mobiel 06 2395 9869 tel. 0313 496 696 fax: 0313 450 804
www.mohltivastgoed.nl www.makelaardijcdrom.nl www.panomedia.nl

MöhltiVastgoed Makelaardij Aan- & verkoop Taxaties Beheer Makelaardijopleidingen






Yours Sincerely,
MöhltiMedia
Gustaaf R. Möhlmann
Tel. ++31 313 496 696 mobiel ++31 (0)6 2395 9869 fax: ++31 313 450 804
www.mohltimedia.com www.orchid.cc www.fuchsia.cc
MöhltiMedia develops interactive CD ROMs (Orchid, Fuchsia, Citytours, Dutch Law (Private Law, Public Law), Brokerage, Accountancy, Economy & Marketing, etc. CD ROMs), interactive 360º VR Panoramas & Virtual Tours for houses/buildings/real estate, and database applications for a variety of professional, administrative, industrial, business and consumer applications, including interactive CD ROM and database applications accepting bar code scanner input.

[Geoff Pearson]

Same goes for some of Peter Jackson's tools, particularly his preloader.
That is a lifesaver for me. My courses, by necessity, are very
media-rich & the preloader transforms what would otherwise be a
pedestrian learning experience.

Geoff Pearson

visit us at www.boiler.co.nz

On 31/01/2013 4:58 a.m., ronw wrote:
> I have to tell you guys that since we have started using Clifton's product for development a couple of months ago the quality for MAC's, iPad's, iPhones, and Android browser based training has been amazing. No more QT issues! My thoughts are if STS would cut the price in half, incorporate Clifton's tools, get rid of the UMP (which Clifton's tool does), and have one export that rules them all Toolbook could rise back to the top of the list.
>
> On the topic of jobs, many companies have been sold a bill of goods that with the current crop of tools you don't need to be a programmer to develop e-learning. Yet our experience with our clients shows you better think like one and also be a good systems analyst. If you can be a great business analyst as well its like putting the cherry on top.
>
>
> Great thread Peter!
>

> Ron Wincek, CEO &amp; FounderInteractive Advantage Corporation
> www.interactiveadvantage.com
> w (770) 945-9466
> c (770) 330-3213
> "A Strategic Learning and Performance Solutions Company"
>
>

> ---- On Wed, 30 Jan 2013 10:29:29 -0500 John R. Hall &lt;jh...@BIOCOM.ARIZONA.EDU&gt; wrote ----
>
>
> Same here. All our students have iPads and expect native experiences with a=
> pps. About as close as we've come is to do all using JS frameworks, JQuery =
> and a bit of Adobe Edge and Tumult Hype. I still miss using Toolbook in nat=
> ive mode, though. I can't say that I miss it in HTML export mode.
>
> John Hall
>

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] =

> On Behalf Of Bignall, Bliss O III Civ USAF AETC 17 TRS/TSUO

> Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 8:15 AM
> To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
> Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?
>

> I'm afraid the ToolBook community is getting smaller. I know we "moved awa=
> y from ToolBook" several years ago now, but still have legacy stuff around =
> that needs maintenance. I still take great pleasure in pointing out the th=
> ings that can't be done easily using HTML/JavaScript/etc, but ToolBook does=
> natively. ToolBook is an awesome, but underappreciated tool, and I miss u=
> sing it every day.
>
> Bliss=3D20
>

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ToolBook Discussion List

[mike]

Count me out...

I started with tbk 1.5 and followed the breadcrumbs eventually to 8.5. But
the trail went nowhere so I dropped it years ago. Not sure why I am still
reading things on this list -- old habits die hard.

<my 2 cents>
They should really consider going "Open source" with TBK -- and then just
sell support.
</my 2 cents>

Best to all TBK'ers -- old and new

Mike Behar

[Larry Sanford]

ToolBook developer here since version 1.5!

Currently using 10.5, but will not upgrade again, due to the price. I also
refuse to be forced to pay for a maintenance contract that I would probably
not use (I have been using ToolBook for so long, and have gained so much
knowledge about the product, it seems that the $$ for the maintenance
contract would be a waste of money).

Some of my current and past clients include BAE Systems, L3, Cessna,
Mobil/Texaco Oil, King Schools, Honda Finance, The Learning Company, etc.

IMO, ToolBook is still the best product I have ever seen for Native
development. I have pushed ToolBook to its limits on many occasions, and am
impressed with what can be accomplished with it, if you know enough about
ToolBook to take advantage of its capabilities. My flagship product (the
Inventive Quotient, I.Q., http://www.glolar.com/store/iq-software, was
developed with 9.5, and recently updated to 10.5 with no issues). Just a
fraction of some of the things I have done with ToolBook, most of which are
used in the Inventive Quotient:

Custom quizzes using Microsoft Access databases (using the GisBurne DB
ActiveX control for database I/O) that utilize ONE ToolBook page to display
all questions (Not one page per question!)
Custom student reports utilizing the Crystal Reports ActiveX control within
ToolBook
Multi-student Tracking of test results (again, using Access and Gisburne)
IQ-building games for students/children
Simulations (custom coded using OpenScript, not ToolBook's simulation tool)

... and too many others to list.

I don't use ToolBook for web development (Dreamweaver, J-Query, PhP, MySql
for that stuff, OpenCart for eCommerce websites), but for Native
development, NOTHING beats ToolBook.

I have always been dismayed by the lack of marketing for such a great tool.
I also agree with someone else's statement that it really helps to be able
to do effective analysis before beginning any learning project (I have over
20 years of experience in Systems Analysis and Design, and that has been a
real benefit to both myself and my customers over the years).

P.S., I love ToolBook and am always looking for additional ToolBook work,
when I can find it :)

Larry Sanford
GLOLAR Multimedia Productions
www.glolar.com
www.inventivequotient.com

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM]
On Behalf Of Stan Kaltwasser
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 8:59 AM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

I use 11.5 for both DHTML and native. We are considering hiring another TB=

guy as well.

Thanks,
Stanley Kaltwasser
Training Development Designer/Instructor Webco Industries, Inc. MST
Division

Phone: 918.865.5707
Cell: 918.694.7431
Fax: 918.865.6204
skalt...@webcoindustries.com

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] =
On Behalf Of Peter Hoyt
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 10:53 AM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

This is proving to be a very helpful discussion.

I remain convinced that Toolbook is the best all around tool for what we do=
and I'll continue to focus on Toolbook with the Javascript PowerPac as my =
foundation tool set. But I'll also continue to work with all of the support=
ing tools such as javascript/jQuery, Adobe's new Edge Animate, and all the=

HTML5/CSS3 technology.

Thanks for the info on the price of Toolbook at $3889 and Lectora at $1800.

Subscriptions seem to be the way many companies are going and as long as th=

e subscription offers value, I'll continue to pay a reasonable price.

I'm with Clifton on the subject of sharing information. That has been the v=
alue of this list for as long as I've been using Toolbook (I still have the=

box and manuals for version 3.0 here in my office!).

Now... about that email to SumTotal... Denny gave me an address that I'll u=
se. But I'll take my time and prepare a constructive email and won't send i=

[Peter Jackson]

G'day Cecil and All,
I not only sell ToolBook add-on products but I also provide ToolBook
training.
Recently I have become a ToolBook reseller too.
There are approx. 25 companies with an approx. 100 active ToolBookers that I
know of.
I have not include some that have already responded to this thread:-)

Best regards to all, Peter
www.ToolBookDeveloper.com

[Dennis Lamberti]

Hi Guys. I have been using Toolbook since version 1.5. I still have the demo
disk I got with Windows 3.1.

I have a huge investment in Toolbook but the writing is on the wall. I am off
to Training 2013 in Orlando (long way for me from South Africa). I am very
keen on what Adobe is doing with Captivate and the Edge suite of tools.

Products come and go and maybe it is time for Toolbook and Flash to be
retired. There are new kids on the block. The problem is, which one?

Dennis

[Geoff Pearson]

This sort of talk is starting to unerve me although, given the apparent
lack of engagement from STS, I can understand where it's coming from.
Barely a week ago I received an email circular from STS, along with most
other registered Toolbook users I guess, that actually left me feeling
quite reassured about STS & Toolbook's future. The subject line reads
"Infographic: Why is SumTotal No. 1 in Learning?". It goes on to say
"Half of the Fortune 500 use SumTotal for learning technology". I don't
know how many of those blue-chip organisations actually use Toolbook but
I would have thought that it would be a safe bet that STS need a decent
authoring tool in their catalog.

Migrating to something other than Toolbook is not an option for me. If
Toolbook fades away, so too does a significant part of my business if
they don't at least continue to offer ongoing updates for new devices
and browsers. So, I prefer to take the positive view but it sure would
be nice to see STS engage with their small-fry customers a bit more.

Geoff Pearson

[Otto Mantler]

Hi,

count 1 more.
I'm a school teacher and developer of educational software to learn reading and writing in German language.
For me toolbook is the best tool to develop native programs that run on Windows, Linux and Mac OS X:
Using TB 9.5 and the open source projects WINE and WINESKIN, my software runs on almost every computer.
(If you are interested in, you can download fully functional demos from my homepages
http://www.lernspiele.at/lese2000.html and http://www.lernspiele.at/lesekino.html )
I've been updating all the years through from TB 1.5 till TB 9.5, but 1 will not update again, because newer versions don't bring any advantages to native-only developers and the pricing of the newer versions is outrageous!

Otto

[Bob Cunningham]

I still use Toolbook, but only to maintain some games (native) I created
years ago. Most of the work we do now is done with Captivate, Articulate,
and Camtasia. None of them can come close to the capabilities of
Toolbook, but the push now is to reduce cost and get our stuff out the
door quickly. Of the 6 or 8 developers we had, I'm the only one who still
dabbles in Toolbook. We stopped upgrading with version 9.

Bob Cunningham
US Courts Systems Deployment and Support Division, Training Branch

[Jennifer Nypert]

I have been a user since Toolbook 9.5, now on 11.5. I've been to 1
conference that Jeff had and 1 training. Everything else I've learned on
my own. I love the tool, but really wish my company used it more than just
converting slides to powerpoint. There is so much more potential in the
tool and we did spend a bit of money and maintenance fees on and can't
beleive what a waste it is not using all the great features. I've looked
for other instructional designer jobs but none with Toolbook as a
requirement. Always one of the other development tools. Now I don't use
Toolbook as much except for teaching someone else how to use the tool.
That is not going well as the person is not very computer savvy and
doesn't understand the tool or course development. I'm always asked why
does it take so long to just convert a slide presentation to CBT,
shouldn't take that long....UGH! :) This was the one part of my job that I
really loved doing. Being creative, giving our departments something
better than what they gave me, and a course that was beneficial...

Always looking for something else, but very hard for Toolbook experts.
This is a great post. I read a lot of the posts to stay current with
issues or what others are doing, hoping I could do more later with
Toolbook.

Thanks for the post.
Jennifer

[Richard Rickenbacher]

and here is another (from Switzerland) you can add to your count ...

I'm using Toolbook (since 1.5 and just passed to 11.5) for most of my
programming (not only eLearning). It's such a complete and flexible Tool.
Only negativ point (for me): missing evolution of the "nativ execution"
part, i.e. of the OpenScript, in particular the embarrassing 32K/64K
field/string barrier.

Richard


OpenTrain - R.Rickenbacher, e-Learning dvlpt & eQuest service
SwissMedia-Center, Vevey (CH), +41 21 923 88 38
WEB-site: http://www.opentrain.ch
or click http://www.era-rika.ch if you like painting

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ToolBook Discussion List

> [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM]On Behalf Of Otto Mantler
> Sent: jeudi, 31. janvier 2013 12:32
> To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
> Subject: Re: TBkUser Count
>
>
> Hi,
>
> count 1 more.
> I'm a school teacher and developer of educational software to
> learn reading and writing in German language.
> For me toolbook is the best tool to develop native programs that
> run on Windows, Linux and Mac OS X:
> Using TB 9.5 and the open source projects WINE and WINESKIN, my
> software runs on almost every computer.
> (If you are interested in, you can download fully functional
> demos from my homepages
> http://www.lernspiele.at/lese2000.html and
> http://www.lernspiele.at/lesekino.html )
> I've been updating all the years through from TB 1.5 till TB 9.5,
> but 1 will not update again, because newer versions don't bring
> any advantages to native-only developers and the pricing of the
> newer versions is outrageous!
>
> Otto
>
>
> cecil...@bluewin.ch schrieb am 30.01.2013 16:41:

[Scott Matheson]

IMHO and I have no base for this STS is not interested in native

Just think if we could compile down to iOS or android

The lack of development from any company is a sign of low $ investment,
just do enough to keep the base interested

Long term native is a end of life product , do just enough to keep going,
native may still be supported in 20 years time, it just will not change
much




On 1/31/13 1:46 PM, "Richard Rickenbacher" <ricken...@OPENTRAIN.CH>
wrote:

[Ralph Spencer]

The Toolbook maintenance pricing model is prohibitive and totally out of
sink with the small developer world. SumTotal and Toolbook are a bad fit!
Rather than go with the current Toolbook maintenance agreement, we
purchased Storyline. While not having all the features of Toolbook, it has
enough for most applications and it's user base is growing, not shrinking
like Toolbook's. It is actually less costly to acquire Storyline than to
stay with Toolbook, which we have been with since Version 1.53. I guess
the SumTotal customer loyalty program didn't work too well for us... nor
any of our clients...nor anyone we make recommendations to! I guess it
works for SumTotal.

[Peter Hoyt]

To all of you who responded to this thread and to the User Count thread
started yesterday:

Thank you for voicing your opinions.

If I had to summarize all of the responses, I'd say Toolbook has lost
market share not because there are better tools on the market but because
it has gotten too expensive and because the competition is doing a better
job in its effort to grab market share.

I've sent my email to SumTotal. Now let's see what sort of response I get.

Peter H.

[Dorsett, Cindy]

Thanks, Peter!

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] On Behalf Of Peter Hoyt
Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2013 9:55 AM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM

[Dom Sinclair]

I have watched this discussion over the past 36 hours with both a sense of
deja vue and sadness.

Toolbook is a product I remain deeply fond of, but version 10.0 was as far
as I was prepared to go for the by then quite extortionate pricing model
that STS had put into place. The notion that someone in the UK would
willingly pay the sort of annul maintenance costs that are charged here (and
STS's notion of the Dollar / pound exchange rate has never really come close
to reflecting what it really is) for a product that has seen no real change
since version 10.00 ( and absolutely nothing on the native side since
version 9.00) is to be honest a joke. Anyone on the list who happens to have
an msdn subscription will testify to quite how out of sync with reality
their pricing structure has become.

The argument to counter this will be that there is nothing else on the
market that can produce e learning content like toolbook, and it's a good
argument, ToolBook remains in a league of its own. Creating tools to do
what it does for the .net environment is not easy, but it can be done, and
increasingly that is what I find myself doing. I have two annual subs with
the main players in the .net controls world (aside from an msdn sub).
Combined they cost less than a toolbook maintenance contract and for that I
get two or three major updates every year (and frequently a host of new
controls thrown into the pot as well) along with almost weekly patches to
any bugs that have been found.

That sort of constant improvement is what makes it worthwhile retaining a
subscription. I cannot think of one major (or for that matter even
relatively minor improvement) that has come the way of native developers
since version 9.0.

Of course if one is brutally frank I suspect that the real problems stem
from the desire to retain backward compatibility and allow users to upgrade
16 bit courses to the 32 bit environment. Realistically a line should have
been drawn at that point and ToolBook should have moved fairly and squarely
to a .net based product. These days senty to eighty percent of my
programming work is done in visual studio. On those occasions when I return
to the open script editor you can't help but notice the lack of
intellisense, colour, decent debugging tools and (although I never thought
I'd hear myself saying it) the lack of any insistence on proper typing of
variables. And that's before you even venture down the road of controls (or
catalog widgets in ToolBook parlance) that are intrinsically 'Data aware'.
I wait with baited breath to see how ToolBook intends to provide the native
developer with touch support on windows 8.

In truth I don't see much changing, but I for one would not hesitate to
renew a subscription were it to be reasonably priced, and what counts as
reasonable, I'd say about $500.00 tops but for that I'd expect regular
improvements, not a single release once a year if you're lucky and that
release being in truth little more than what any normal developer would
describe as being a service pack.

Well that's my whinge over.

Dom

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM]
On Behalf Of Ralph Spencer
Sent: 31 January 2013 15:04
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: Re: AW: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

[Peter Hoyt]

I’ve just concluded a 45 minute conversation with Todd Porter of SumTotal.


To cut to the chase, I remain convinced I’ve stayed with the best eLearning
development tool on the market.


We didn’t discuss price other than to say that much of what they do is
driven by the parent company of SumTotal.


My take on the situation goes like this:


Back when Toolbook was a product of Asymetrix, it was a huge fish in a
small pond in a landscape with a few other ponds. Later with Click2Learn,
it was a large fish in a slightly bigger pond on a landscape with even more
ponds. With SumTotal, Toolbook is still a great fish but in a much larger
pond with lots of other, larger fish and now there are other ponds all over
the place!


What does that mean? When we talk about Web based instructional development
Toolbook is still the best development tool for eLearning but it has a lot
of competition from other, newer tools, that have a more modern interface
but lack the depth of ability that Toolbook offers.

But since sex sells and many of those other tools look sexy, they sell. But
once you get them home, you realize that how they look isn’t as important
as what it is like to live with them for the long term.


Presently Toolbook can produce content for all the major browsers and on
the major mobile devices. The other, more shallow tools are working hard to
catch up with what Toolbook can already do for those of us developing for
the Web.


Toolbook continues to be supported and additional resources are being
expended on the product. Just not as many resources as might be expended on
the other products sold by SumTotal.


Overall, a positive conversation and I appreciate the time Todd took to
call me to discuss my email rant he found in his inbox.


Nuf said, I’m going back to work…


Peter H.

[Didar Khalsa]

Thanks, Pete.
This has been a storm of emails and a lot of emotion expressed. I appreciate your communication between the little fish and the whale! ~didar at UC Davis

-----Original Message-----
From: ToolBook Discussion List [mailto:tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM] On Behalf Of Peter Hoyt

Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2013 9:44 AM
To: tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM
Subject: Re: AW: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?

I=92ve just concluded a 45 minute conversation with Todd Porter of SumTotal= .


To cut to the chase, I remain convinced I=92ve stayed with the best eLearni= ng development tool on the market.


We didn=92t discuss price other than to say that much of what they do is driven by the parent company of SumTotal.

My take on the situation goes like this:


Back when Toolbook was a product of Asymetrix, it was a huge fish in a small pond in a landscape with a few other ponds. Later with Click2Learn, it was a large fish in a slightly bigger pond on a landscape with even more ponds. With SumTotal, Toolbook is still a great fish but in a much larger pond with lots of other, larger fish and now there are other ponds all over the place!


What does that mean? When we talk about Web based instructional development Toolbook is still the best development tool for eLearning but it has a lot of competition from other, newer tools, that have a more modern interface but lack the depth of ability that Toolbook offers.

But since sex sells and many of those other tools look sexy, they sell. But once you get them home, you realize that how they look isn=92t as important as what it is like to live with them for the long term.

Presently Toolbook can produce content for all the major browsers and on the major mobile devices. The other, more shallow tools are working hard to catch up with what Toolbook can already do for those of us developing for the Web.


Toolbook continues to be supported and additional resources are being expended on the product. Just not as many resources as might be expended on the other products sold by SumTotal.


Overall, a positive conversation and I appreciate the time Todd took to call me to discuss my email rant he found in his inbox.

Nuf said, I=92m going back to work=85


Peter H.

[Bignall, Bliss O III Civ USAF AETC 17 TRS/TSUO]

Thanks for the update Peter! This listserve has been way too quite
lately.

Bliss

[Geoff Pearson]

Yes... it's just like the old days when on booting up in the morning, I
would find at least twenty posts in my inbox!

Geoff Pearson


On 1/02/2013 7:17 a.m., Bignall, Bliss O III Civ USAF AETC 17 TRS/TSUO
wrote:

> Thanks for the update Peter! This listserve has been way too quite
> lately.
>
> Bliss
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ToolBook Discussion List
> [mailto:tool...@listserv.plattecanyon.com] On Behalf Of Peter Hoyt
> Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2013 11:44 AM
> To: tool...@listserv.plattecanyon.com
> Subject: Re: AW: Re: Why don't we see jobs for Toolbook Experts?
>

> I=3D92ve just concluded a 45 minute conversation with Todd Porter of
> SumTotal=3D .
>
>
> To cut to the chase, I remain convinced I=3D92ve stayed with the best
> eLearni=3D ng development tool on the market.
>
>
> We didn=3D92t discuss price other than to say that much of what they do =

> is
> driven by the parent company of SumTotal.
>
>
> My take on the situation goes like this:
>
>
> Back when Toolbook was a product of Asymetrix, it was a huge fish in a
> small pond in a landscape with a few other ponds. Later with
> Click2Learn, it was a large fish in a slightly bigger pond on a
> landscape with even more ponds. With SumTotal, Toolbook is still a great
> fish but in a much larger pond with lots of other, larger fish and now
> there are other ponds all over the place!
>
>
> What does that mean? When we talk about Web based instructional
> development Toolbook is still the best development tool for eLearning
> but it has a lot of competition from other, newer tools, that have a
> more modern interface but lack the depth of ability that Toolbook
> offers.
>
> But since sex sells and many of those other tools look sexy, they sell.

> But once you get them home, you realize that how they look isn=3D92t as

> important as what it is like to live with them for the long term.
>
>
> Presently Toolbook can produce content for all the major browsers and on
> the major mobile devices. The other, more shallow tools are working hard
> to catch up with what Toolbook can already do for those of us developing
> for the Web.
>
>
> Toolbook continues to be supported and additional resources are being
> expended on the product. Just not as many resources as might be expended
> on the other products sold by SumTotal.
>
>
> Overall, a positive conversation and I appreciate the time Todd took to
> call me to discuss my email rant he found in his inbox.
>
>

> Nuf said, I=3D92m going back to work=3D85
>
>
> Peter H.
>
>

[Malcolm Benson]

I have used Toolbook since v3.0, but never for eLearning, my usage is a (native) program to monitor and display information in real time from remote security systems. I like OpenScript, and the ease with which one can link to 3rd party dll's.

I have never had much success with the official TB support, I have always had to find workarounds myself for the many bugs in various releases over the years. 8.9 was especially bad with its random GPFs and nearly cost me my main customer, but I eventually tamed even that one to an acceptable level.

Overpriced, definitely, but I haven't found anything else which will do the job. I looked at LiveCode, but there was no way to easily link to dll's and there were some other deficiencies. Now if only OpenScript worked with DHTML!

Malcolm Benson
Adept Electronics


Sent from my iPad

[Deborah Rice]

I just tested Captivate, Articulate StoryLine, Toolbook and others regarding
508 Compliance. Toolbook was the only one that met the requirements without
having to do a lot of workarounds (and for some, workarounds weren't
available). I've been using Toolbook for about 10 years, so I might be
biased, but when a competitor claims that turning a WBT into a PDF version
makes it 508 compliant??? Not even close folks. Toolbook wins hands down.
And if the private sector ever starts taking 508 compliance laws seriously,
they better hope that Toolbook is still around! :-)

[Deborah Rice]

I am and have used for around 10 years.

[Clifton Sleger]

Nice comment, Deborah!

Clifton Sleger
PG Software Development
Oshkosh, WI 54904 USA
920-232-5727

The JavaScript PowerPac for ToolBook extends
the ToolBook Actions system with over 98 functions!
View the introductory assessment here:
http://www.powerpac.pgsoftwaretools.com/intro
View the FULL USER'S GUIDE w/TUTORIALS and What's NEW in this release:
http://www.powerpac.pgsoftwaretools.com
OR, get a 21 day trial copy here:
http://www.pgsoftwaretools.com/index.html?nav=buyPP

[Kevin Walker]

I too am a ToolBooker. Have been since 1997 when I started with v5. Now on
v10.5 and I upgrade only when forced to by the need to be compatible with
new versions of Windows. Upgraded from v5.01 to v2004 (aka 8.9 I think),
then in 2011 to v10.5 for Windows 7 reasons. Only use OpenScript, and the
code has not changed since 1997. My client (UK-based) pays a huge cost for
upgrades to do more than ensure courses continue to work. Pure native mode.
I see upgrade pricing for native mode developers as being the big issue, as
opposed to the initial cost. As Dom said in his post, STS subscription costs
are enormous when compared to a huge range of tools on the market today. I
suspect it's because they have a much smaller user base to spread their
costs across, than say Visual Studio, and thus perhaps it's not that easy to
make comparisons. I for one would prefer to acquire every upgrade, but
cannot afford to as a business of just one person. A shame that a ToolBook
Lite doesn't exist; one that is the same as the full ToolBook we use today
but can't export to the Web or take advantage of the new non-Windows
devices. Those of us who stick to native development and deployment have
little or no compelling reason to upgrade when all of the new development
goes into the Web side. As a consequence we don't get value for money from
the upgrades we buy.

Cheers
Kevin Walker
Auckland, NZ

[Tim Barham]

Peter,

Regarding "Has SumTotal given up on ToolBook"... Let me share a story...
Perhaps a bit of my history with ToolBook will help show just how much
SumTotal values this product (I should mention that my memory of who came
and went when, and exact timelines, is rather fuzzy - I'm trying to forget
this stuff :) )...

For nearly my entire 14 years at SumTotal, ToolBook ran on the barest
minimum of staff. When I first started, there was a decent sized team. Many
names you'll recognize - Mike Florence, me, Charley Delaney and others, and
later Slade Mitchell, on OpenScript stuff, and Michael Ormes, Joel
Kittinger, John Gossman and 3 or 4 other guys on the system side. There
were 7 or 8 QA guys. When we acquired Aimtech, ToolBook gained three extra
guys who did the initial HTML runtime work. As people left, however, they
were never replaced. So it wasn't long before it was pretty much me,
Michael and Joel on the dev side, Aaron Smith as QA, and Denny as tech
support. And that was pretty much it. Charley came back for a stint for a
while. We used contractors a few times. But essentially we were the team.
Shipping a product that cost people a couple of grand.

At one point (2001 I think), the entire team was pulled off ToolBook -
ToolBook was essentially mothballed, and we were all moved over to the LCMS
team (this was before the release of Aspen 2.0 I think). At that point,
there was actually no expectation that any further work would be done on
ToolBook. We had a TBCON somewhere in the middle of that - the first TBCON
where we didn't have a "look ahead" session (because there was nothing to
"look ahead" to) - it was pretty depressing for those of us from
Click2learn (as it was at the time) knowing the product was dead but not
able to say anything.

Towards the end of that year, Michael Ormes (I think) came up with a plan
of how we could cost-effectively get ToolBook 9 (that is, the 32-bit
version of ToolBook) done - we were ramping up an India office, and we
could hire a larger team there than we could in the US. So, after almost a
year of no development work at all, ToolBook was reborn.

So we started hiring guys in India. Joel and Michael started working on the
32-bit port, and I started working on interim releases of ToolBook (to keep
the cash flow coming until 9.0 was done). New features in ToolBook 8.5, 8.6
and 2004 (8.9) were pretty much entirely me (though Denny contributed a
bunch of stuff as he does for most releases) - 2002 to 2005 were incredibly
stressful years for me, as I was carrying a considerable amount of the
weight for getting features done for new releases while the rest of the dev
team were focused on the ongoing 32-bit port. Somewhere in there we had the
India team helping out with the HTML runtime - in particular scrapping our
old IE4/NS4 support and moving to support Mozilla based browsers.

In 2006 we hired Drew Gillies to work with me in Australia.

In 2007 we finally got TB 9.0 - the first 32-bit version - released. By
this time we had built up a reasonable sized team in India, and put many
many hours of effort into training them up to be solid developers. 9.0 was
short on features, since the effort was getting to 32-bit, but we felt we
were now in a good place - good size team, all familiar with the code base
- to move forward and get some solid new, modern features into the product.

We should have known better. We really should have.

Shortly after 9.0 was released, the company reallocated the entire India
ToolBook team (except one dev - Vishal) to other products. Sigh. Nice thing
was these guys were widely recognized as the best devs on the teams they
went to - thanks to the hard work we had put into training them.

So we were essentially back to me, Joel, Drew, Michael and Vishal in dev,
Aaron Smith as QA and Denny as tech support (and contributing to OpenScript
dev stuff as always). But we were told we had to lose *yet another* dev,
and since Drew was the most recent hire, he was to go. Michael, however,
decided it was time to move on, so Drew got a reprieve. So, things were
back to being as bad as they were before we built the India team - 4 guys
were supposed to add enough features each year to make the product worth
buying, and to somehow remain modern and competitive. And one guy was meant
to QA all of those changes. Sadly, because of this, we were never really
able to do any feature properly - they were always rushed, and always
significantly cut down versions of what we really wanted to do, and always
buggy because of being rushed, and because of limited QA resources.

Beginning of 2010 we got some good news (or so we thought) - two new devs!
These guys were fresh out of college, but we had been there before - we
knew we could train them up and hopefully turn them into solid devs. What
we didn't know at that point was that these guys were hired to be our
*replacements*. In July 2010, Drew, Aaron, Joel and myself got our marching
orders. I was given a couple of months to finish some stuff I was working
on, and spec out features for the next release (of which 1/2 a feature got
kind of done). And then it was all over. Interestingly, during that time I
never received a word of thanks from anyone at the company for the years of
sweat I had put into this product (though of course losing my job at
SumTotal was the best thing that every happened to me).

But let me make this point clear - someone in management thought that two
guys fresh out of college could successfully work on a complicated 20 year
old product with around 4 million lines of code, on their own, without any
help from more experienced devs who knew the product. The words "false
economy" come to mind (well, actually I think "simple stupidity" is
probably closer). For example - the "1/2 a feature" I mentioned above? I
probably could have completed the entire feature in a month, but it took
these two guys 3 months to complete *half* the feature. So that's 6 man
months to do half of what I could have done in a month. This wasn't their
fault - they were inexperienced devs and new to the product. But someone in
management thought this was cost effective. This kind of thinking is why
ToolBook is where it is.

The worst thing for junior devs is to work in an environment without any
more experienced devs to guide and train them. Not surprisingly, those two
guys didn't hang around long.

ToolBook 11 was pretty much entirely the work of two people - Vishal and
Denny. Last year Vishal was let go. The ToolBook team is now down to one
guy.

Denny now truly is Mr ToolBook :)

So... Has SumTotal given up on ToolBook? Yes, I think many years ago,
really. However, for the last couple of years it has gotten much worse. All
I see now is a cynical attempt to suck as much money as possible out of
unsuspecting customers, without putting any real money into developing the
product. Personally I don't want to see *anyone* sinking thousands of
dollars into annual maintenance contracts, since there is simply no
possible way you will get value for money. Well, I actually hope *just
enough* people keep doing it so that Denny can keep his job :)

Tim

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ToolBook Discussion List
> [mailto:tool...@listserv.plattecanyon.com] On Behalf Of Peter Hoyt

[Tim Barham]

Your first sentence nails it, I think - of all the eLearning tools out
there, ToolBook was always the most flexible. But other tools make it
really easy to really quickly put together something that looks really
good. ToolBook was never able to effectively compete with that, and that is
clearly what people are wanting.

On Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 1:17 AM, Brent's CPaT <br...@cpat.com> wrote:

> Don't know, tbk has a lot of flexibility for js users but probably newer
> pro=
> grams have more splash available to novices.
>
> One of our clients is using articulate storyline now. Impressive but not
> as=
> flexible.
>
> I need some people at CPaT.com for and would be nice if they know tbk.
>
> Houston or Denver
>
> Sent from my iPad

>
> On Jan 30, 2013, at 8:00 AM, Peter Hoyt <hoy...@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> > Why do I seem to only see Instructional Design/Development job listings

> > that require experience with Captivate or Lectora? I haven't seen a job
> > listing asking for Toolbook experience in... well, since the last time I
> > was watching the job listings and that was in 2002!
> >=20

> > Is the reason this list is so quiet is that there are so few of us left?
> > This list used to buzz with activity. No longer!

> >=20

> > Do we still have any SumTotal Toolbook evangelists? Or has SumTotal given

> > up on Toolbook?
> >=20

> > A few weeks ago I used Captivate to work through a Lynda.com tutorial on

> > version 6. I was very disappointed to learn that if you wanted to export
> t=

> o
> > HTML5 you couldn't use most of their canned interactions. I was also very

> > unimpressed with their question objects... or maybe I didn't give it
> enoug=
> h

> > time... I even complained to one of their engineers during a webinar on

> > Captivate about the inability to use so many of their question types in
> > HTML5... his response was that "we are working on it"...
> >=20
> >=20
> > Comments? Opinions? Advice?
> >=20
> > Peter H.
> >=20
>
>

[Tim Barham]

Wikipedia used to have a much richer description of ToolBook, but it got
taken down as being "advertising" (it really wasn't, in my opinion - it was
simply an accurate description of the product and its history). There was
nothing we could do to get it reinstated. For quite a while after that
there simply was no ToolBook page on Wikipedia.

Is there anybody at SumTotal who cares enough about ToolBook to update the
Wikipedia page? Yes - one person. Denny Dedmore.


On Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 1:30 AM, Peter Hoyt <hoy...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Have you ever looked up "Captivate" or "Lectora" on wikipedia? The search
> results for both of them describe the program as an "Electronic Learning"
> development tool.
>
> Look up Toolbook and you get the idea it is so old that it has been left in
> the dust years ago. It is listed as a "Microsoft Windows programming
> environment, released in 1990"... *1990 is the stone age in this world!!*
>
> Wikipedia has little more to say other than to list the version history...
> how weak!!
>
> Where is the SumTotal sales people who sell Toolbook? Why aren't they
> updating Wikipedia? Why aren't they beating the drum and shouting about how
> great Toolbook is??
>
> I just visited the SumTotal web site. Toolbook isn't even listed on the top
> level of their list of products. That's what happens when a bigger company
> gobbles up a smaller company... great products are lost in the shuffle.
> Adobe doesn't seem to have this problem... Captivate seems to be
> everywhere. Why isn't Toolbook?
>
> Can you all tell I'm in the mood to send someone at SumTotal an email?
> Denny, can you offer an appropriate email address? I'd like to start a
> small fire in someone's inbox this morning...
>
> Peter H.
>
>

[Tim Barham]

"Toolbook continues to be supported and additional resources are being
expended on the product."

Yeah, I'm dubious about that. I suppose you could count *one person*
working on it as continuing to support the product :)


On Fri, Feb 1, 2013 at 3:43 AM, Peter Hoyt <hoy...@gmail.com> wrote:

> I=92ve just concluded a 45 minute conversation with Todd Porter of
> SumTotal=
> .
>
>

> To cut to the chase, I remain convinced I=92ve stayed with the best
> eLearni=

> ng
> development tool on the market.
>
>

> We didn=92t discuss price other than to say that much of what they do is

> driven by the parent company of SumTotal.
>
>
> My take on the situation goes like this:
>
>
> Back when Toolbook was a product of Asymetrix, it was a huge fish in a
> small pond in a landscape with a few other ponds. Later with Click2Learn,
> it was a large fish in a slightly bigger pond on a landscape with even more
> ponds. With SumTotal, Toolbook is still a great fish but in a much larger
> pond with lots of other, larger fish and now there are other ponds all over
> the place!
>
>
> What does that mean? When we talk about Web based instructional development
> Toolbook is still the best development tool for eLearning but it has a lot
> of competition from other, newer tools, that have a more modern interface
> but lack the depth of ability that Toolbook offers.
>
> But since sex sells and many of those other tools look sexy, they sell. But

> once you get them home, you realize that how they look isn=92t as important

> as what it is like to live with them for the long term.
>
>
> Presently Toolbook can produce content for all the major browsers and on
> the major mobile devices. The other, more shallow tools are working hard to
> catch up with what Toolbook can already do for those of us developing for
> the Web.
>
>
> Toolbook continues to be supported and additional resources are being
> expended on the product. Just not as many resources as might be expended on
> the other products sold by SumTotal.
>
>
> Overall, a positive conversation and I appreciate the time Todd took to
> call me to discuss my email rant he found in his inbox.
>
>

[Tim Barham]

Yeah, 508 compliance is certainly an area where ToolBook beats the
competition. I put a lot of work into that over the years - working with a
bunch of accessibility experts. Unfortunately, it's not a very sexy feature
(just something you absolutely need if you need it).

[Tim Barham]

Hey Mike... Brad left SumTotal last year.

Tim

On Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 5:09 AM, McCarron, Mike <Mike.M...@csgi.com>wrote:

> These names are a little dated but you might try the following:
>
> Patricia Lughezzani
> Chief Customer Officer and VP, Customer Support
>
> Or
>
> Brad Crain
> VP, Toolbook
>
> The email format should be similar to Todd's
>

[Tim Barham]

Oh yeah, that thing is painful! :)

On Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 5:12 AM, Lee Jay Karns <le...@cox.net> wrote:

> I have the plexiglass pyramid that was given to employees with the IPO.
> Have fallen on it numerous times, and "It Works".
>
> Lee

[Lee Jay Karns]

Thank you Tim for your shared insight and retrospective. I hang on your words. I'm nauseated and have an insatiable appetite at the same time.

From the inside the toolbook history is a torrid affair. The bright spot is your undaunted commitment and exemplary skill in keeping the thing that wouldn't die alive. The visionary seeds you planted in the product are perhaps the only reason it remains today and can still be relevant for those who know about it.


---------
Regards,
Lee

[Ken Cobbley]

I stopped using Toolbook a couple of years ago as I could not stomach the
paying a huge fee every year for very little benefit. It always felt like,
when I was talking with someone from "support", that there were a couple of
guys in the back doing their best but without the means to get it done.
Turns out I was right all along!

On Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 9:42 PM, Lee Jay Karns <le...@cox.net> wrote:

> Thank you Tim for your shared insight and retrospective. I hang on your

> word=
> s. I'm nauseated and have an insatiable appetite at the same time.=20
>
> =46rom the inside the toolbook history is a torrid affair. The bright spot
> i=

> s your undaunted commitment and exemplary skill in keeping the thing that

> wo=

> uldn't die alive. The visionary seeds you planted in the product are

> perhaps=

> the only reason it remains today and can still be relevant for those who

> kn=

> ow about it.
>
>
> ---------
> Regards,
> Lee
>
> On Jan 31, 2013, at 9:43 PM, Tim Barham <toolbo...@BARHAMS.INFO>
> wrote:
>
> > Oh yeah, that thing is painful! :)

> >=20

> > On Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 5:12 AM, Lee Jay Karns <le...@cox.net> wrote:

> >=20

> >> I have the plexiglass pyramid that was given to employees with the IPO.
> >> Have fallen on it numerous times, and "It Works".

> >>=20
> >> Lee
> >=20
>
>

[Tim Barham]

Wow, thanks for the kind words Lee. I'm tempted to print them out and frame
them! :)

I certainly can't take all the credit, but there's one thing I definitely
agree with: ToolBook lives today because of the devoted and sometimes
agonizing efforts of a small group of individuals, and not because of the
company that continually seems to do everything it can to drive it into
oblivion.