ViewletBuilder 2.5

Don't get me wrong. I've got a long way to go to master the software, but ViewletBuilder is easy enough to learn that beginners like myself can get something usable on the Internet in a very short time.

Click here for VIEWLET SAMPLE

While most Web builders will likely not use the program for software demonstrations, it could be used for marketing, teaching and presenting software, IT systems, Web-based applications, and much more.

To begin making a viewlet, the user opens the program and establishes the size of screen they wish to capture (either 640x480 or 800x600). They can also choose to capture the cursor or simply the screen portion of the scene.

Using a customizable hot key, users can take as many screen captures as they wish, each representing a slide in the overall movie.

Users can then insert text balloons or notes, changing the fonts and fonts effects on their slides. Those slides can be viewed as a movie using the slide player bar — moving through the slides like a movie or one slide at a time — or they can be viewed in the appropriately named Slide View, essentially thumbnails as one would see in typical presentation programs.

The picture on the left is a blowup of the tools that are shown in the top photo. These present the users with the various choices that are available, with each capable of being modified to the users preference.

Creation of balloons, notes, click zones, and hyperlinks are all related to items that can be placed within a slide. The cursor can be hidden, sounds can be added, and thumbnails can be viewed.

Other chores that can be accomplished in the program are the changing of balloon colors, insertion of blank slides or graphics within slides, reordering slides, cursor paths, adding logos to viewlets, and adding screenshots to existing projects. Viewlets can also be fine-tuned at this point for maximum effect.

Viewlets can be viewed from within the program by using the Slide Player Bar before you "compile" it for use on the Internet.

Selection of the Compile button allows the user to adjust the reading tempo and decide whether to publish the project to their own server or to a free site hosted by the program's creator, Qarbon. Either way, the project is referenced from within an HTML page with a typical link, such as that used above to see the test viewlet.

In addition to customizing viewlets, ViewletBuilder itself allows for some changes to match the users preferences, including the defining of a custom hot key to screen captures, turning off tool tips, hiding cursor paths, use of 3D balloons, selecting a different default font, and the changing of the interface's colors.

Viewlet Builder is a great program for people who have a specific need to create this type of presentation for the Internet, which site builders often do. The freeware version of the program is a bargain to behold. While it would make a wonderful Christmas present, the Professional licensing fees are enough to put the casual user — and many small businesses — in shock. However, for the big-time corporate world, it can be a pretty good deal.

What is it called again? ViewletBuilder 2.5

Where can I get it? http://www.qarbon.com

How big is the download? 14.5 MB.

How much does it cost? There are two versions: A freeware version and a professional version. With the freeware version, users have to put up with ads on top of their viewlets. In the pro version, one authoring seat is $999 US (Each authoring seat allows one author to produce an unlimited number of bannerless Viewlets for both public and internal use.); 2-5 authoring seats is $899 per license; 6-10 is $799 per license; 11-20 is $599 per license; more than 20 is $450 per license; unlimited corporate usage is $45,000.

Is it worth it? If you can use it, slap yourself if you think the freeware version isn't worth enduring an ad or two. As for the Pro version, that depends on a real-world ratio: The amount of your need compared to the size of your wallet.