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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• I enjoyed the Monday and Tuesday night time to meet folks. It was really great to be able to discuss common goals, frustrations, etc.  (2010)
• Thanks again for a wonderful event. The quality of the attendees was noticeably high and it seemed like everyone got something valuable out of the conference. As always you did a great job of organizing it. Your efforts do not go unnoticed.  (2009)
• Love the sessions, the networking, and the warm, friendly environment! Super Help Desk!  (2008)
• I loved it all!! Excellent sessions, nice people, good food. Very well organized!!!  (2008)
• This is my 6th conference and I hope that I make at least a couple of more before I retire. This is the BEST place to pick up tips and tricks. You guys do a great job. Thank you!  (2007)
• My favorite part was the evening receptions. Very fun.  (2006)
• Thanks for another fabulous conference. I hope to see you again next year.  (2006)
• Much different than a 'typical' conference. People freely sharing ideas, tips, and actual ToolBook/OpenScript/etc. files! Exactly what I was hoping for. Well done!  (2004)
• This was my first conference and it was great! I will definitely attend future conferences. I'm amazed at how much I've learned in just three days!  (2003)
• TBCON is a great experience. Start saving now for next year. You would easily recover your costs for the conference in what you learn and can apply immediately when you get back to your job.  (2003)
• It kind of reminds me of something Johnny Carson used to do with the "Amazing Karnack" where he would hold the envelope up to his head and name the content inside based on some clue written on the outside. In this case I could envision the outside saying "Sex and Platte Canyon' s ToolBook Conference". The inside would say "name two great experiences you have to personally be a player in order to appreciate". Words do not describe the value and rewards from attending this conference. I continue to tell my management that if there is only one thing we get to attend due to budgetary issues I want it to be this conference.  (2001)