The e-Learning Authoring Conference

Min-e-Con is Here!

As the statement below says, we have ended our annual conference in its original format. However, we have just created the 2011 Min-e-Con to be held May 24 - 26, 2011 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Click here to learn all the details.

Statement from Jeff Rhodes
President, Platte Canyon Multimedia Software Corporation

We have reluctantly decided to end The ToolBook User’s Conference/e-Learning Authoring Conference. While we know that this conference has been a professional highlight for many of you, we feel the need to concentrate on our core strengths, namely creating software for Improving the Lives of Training Developers.

It has been a joy to get to know all of you who have attended the conference over the past twelve years. Thank you for all your support. Rest assured, we’ll spend the time that we would have used on the conference making our product line even stronger. We also may try to organize some webinars or other online events as well.

Learning & Mastering ToolBook 11.5 Available

Completely updated for ToolBook 11.5, this popular CBT adds new content on publishing to the web, new tools, updated screens and interface, and more. "Learning & Mastering ToolBook" contains over 30 hours of training with 81 Show Me demonstrations, 61 Let Me Try simulations, 434 Expert Information topics, 186 Web Hints, and 186 OpenScript Tips. Also includes extensive content on the Quiz Summary, Importing from PowerPoint, Voice Recordings, SmartPages/SmartStyles, Certificates, Actions Editor, OpenScript, Flash™, XML, HTTP Post, ADO, Automation, REST calls, and much more.

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ToolBook 11.5 Available for Purchase from Platte Canyon

ToolBook developers may now upgrade to the exciting new ToolBook 11.5 release. This version adds an improved publishing to the web wizard, an expanded Resource Manager, enhanced clip art, additional tools, and much more. Receive a $50 credit off any Platte Canyon product with each upgrade. Or receive $100 for each full version purchased!

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TBK Tracker 4 Allows Native Tracking of ToolBook and HTML Content

Version 4 of the leading Learning Management System (LMS) for native content, the Platte Canyon® TBK Tracker, features the a new Player application for hosting HTML content written in Exam Engine™, Training Studio™, and other tools. The Administrator application has been completely rewritten in .NET 4.0 and features expanded batch import and other capabilities. The Reporter program has also been rewritten with .NET and the Microsoft Report Viewer. It includes 61 reports and 75 graphs. Its architecture supports the modification and adding of new reports.

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Training Studio 3 Moves to HTML/JavaScript and Adds Great New Features

Training Studio allows you to create database-driven e-Learning with no programming. Version 3 is now completely HTML and JavaScript, allowing the easy targeting of multiple browsers and mobile devices. All media is played with HTML 5 if available and otherwise with Flash, Windows Media Player, or QuickTime as appropriate. Add or edit page templates using your favorite HTML editor. In addition to buttonClick, mouseEnter, timed bullet templates, Training Studio has great question functionality with matching, "matching lines," sequencing, numeric, hotSpot, and other question types. Training Studio uses easy-to-edit Cascading Style Sheets for virtually all formatting and features the ability to "Show Answers," have the score button optional for questions with a single answer, include "Tech support" emails, allow completion based on visiting all pages or a mastery score, and let users review questions at the end of an exam. Publishing to SCORM 1.2, 2004, and AICC are all supported.

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Exam Engine 4 Offers Database-Driven Exams Completely in HTML/JavaScript

Exam Engine now uses only HTML and JavaScript to create database-driven, SCORM/AICC-conformant exams without any programming. All media is played with HTML 5 if available and otherwise with Flash, Windows Media Player, or QuickTime as appropriate. All question types including matching, "matching lines," sequencing, numeric, hotSpot, multiple choice, and more are supported. Add or edit question templates using your favorite HTML editor. New features include the ability to validate logins/passwords/exams via the included web service, use optional jQuery UI buttons, review questions at the end of the exam, and show scores by objectives. Pull questions randomly by objective, email results to a manager, store question results in Access, SQL Server, or XML, use the optional Reporter program to view reports on question and exam data, include media with questions, easily update questions and objectives, and much more.

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Storyboarder Version 2 Exports ToolBook Screen Captures and Content to PowerPoint or Word

This innovative tool creates a Microsoft Word or PowerPoint storyboard document/presentation from an existing ToolBook book. This includes an optional screen capture of each page, field, button, and other text, question answers/feedback, simulation information, and other content. The PowerPoint export can show the content in speaker notes and/or a textbox on each slide. It can also include a configurable "Comments" box for use by reviewers. Storyboarder is available for ToolBook 11, 10.5, and/or 10.

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Order Programming for e-Learning Developers

Order this new book by Jeff Rhodes that covers both basic programming concepts as well as more advanced tasks like dynamically adding hyperlinks, loading media, making SCORM calls, and more. Best of all, learn how to do these tasks in ToolBook, Flash, JavaScript, and Silverlight. Now only $29.95 plus free shipping within the U.S. and inexpensive shipping the rest of the world!

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2010 e-Learning Authoring Conference "Archives For Attendees" Available

Download the sample applications and presentations from the 40+ e-Learning Conference sessions. At only $50, this is a real steal!

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2010 e-Learning Authoring Conference Resources

While the 2010 edition of The e-Learning Authoring Conference is over, you can still get a taste of it by viewing the group photo, Hack Ack winners, and more.

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• Well organized!!  (2009)
• Excellent, excellent! You folks make us feel like "royalty." Thank you very much!  (2008)
• Great value - a unique opportunity for "one-stop" learning.  (2007)
• Paid for itself in one session.  (2006)
• This is the only conference I have ever attended that is not primarily a sales pitch. Great job!  (2005)
• This is just a short "Thank You" to everyone that was at TBCON this year. This was my first experience, and it was GREAT! I learned a lot and got a lot of great ideas. I dealt with some concepts that have been really hard for me to grasp, but was explained them in a manner that I could understand. Not to mention all the info on VBTrain and the .Net stuff. On that note, this is to anyone that has never been to TBCON, "GO"! Not only is it a good time, but a excellent learning forum. Do what ever it takes to make it to the conference next year, beg the boss, scrounge up the change for travel and expenses, whatever it takes, it will be worth it.  (2003)
• In addition to material gained from sessions, the cross talk after hours was invaluable. Excellent for contacts too!  (2002)
• I just wanted to thank you again for putting on such a great conference. You're really providing a service to all of us struggling developers. The facilities are great and the informal atmosphere builds a great sense of community.  (2002)
• I went for the first time last year as a new person to TB. It's hard to describe the learning atmosphere at the conference. It's not all work though. After a long, hard 8 hour day in classes, some great entertainment, food, and various liquid refreshments are available. Sometimes, the entertainment is continued in the dorm area where great renditions of Australian songs (complete with authentic accents) are presented free of charge. So, my recommendation: go to Colorado Springs this summer and be prepared for a great experience.  (2001)
• I just love the diversity of people here. It's amazing how we can all get along! It's not just about learning ToolBook, but also sharing ideas and experiences.  (2000)
• TBCON was the best I have been to in several years. Cheers to Jeff, Chris, and all the Platte Canyon gang for a great conference.  (1999)