Frequently Asked Questions

Version 10.6 of Smartboard software, as deployed in centrally timetabled rooms, is compatible with Office 2003 and 2007. A useful feature of this compatibility is that a complete Powerpoint slide show can be imported into a Smartboard notebook book and vice versa. (Version 9.5 was not compatible with Office 2007.)

The ITS has deployed SmartBoard and Sympodium tablets from the company SMART in many centrally bookable teaching rooms. These run software called 'notebook' and the latest version (10.6) has a number of new features.  

If you have used previous versions you will notice a new look as the user interface has been improved though you should adapt to the new software quickly. 

When you open Notebook software, the Welcome Centre appears and provides quick access to popular SMART resources, including options to open a Notebook file and use presentation tools such as the Spotlight, Magnifier and Screenshade 

The Page Groups feature allows SMART Notebook pages to be organised into different groups. You can drag individual pages from one group to another, move whole groups to change their order and show one group at a time in the Page Sorter.  

Draw a circle on the screen with the Magic Pen tool to create a spotlight effect in that area. Draw a rectangle on the screen to magnify the content in the rectangle.  

Create a table from the toolbar, and then insert or drag text, images and objects into any cell. Add or delete individual cells to create asymmetric tables. Use the Table Shade feature to cover all the cells in your table, and then reveal them one at a time.  

Align objects vertically, horizontally or to other objects on the Notebook page. You can also automatically align (snap) objects to any of the guides you select.  

With the new Animation feature you can easily create the effect of objects fading into or out of view, rotating, moving across the page or flying in from outside the page.  

Record events on the screen with optional sound, and create a video file in .avi or .wmv format. Add a watermark to the recording with time stamp information, the date and a logo.  

The Shape Recognition Pen converts your hand-drawn lines, circles, squares, rectangles, triangles and arcs into Shape objects that you can fully customize. It also converts freehand shapes, so you can create any shape you need. Once you've created your shape, you can specify its transparency, line and fill colours, and line style.  

Colour and Gradient Fill Effects are available in addition to choosing a single colour to fill your shapes and backgrounds, you can now fill the shapes you create with a variety of gradients, patterns and even your own images to enhance your presentations.  

Insert screen captures from third-party programs into your Notebook file as images or text objects that you can manipulate.  

On Windows operating systems, Notebook software now features automatic spell check while you type text on a Notebook page. You can also use the spell check included with Mac operating systems to check the spelling on your Notebook page.

There is more information about Smartboards on the ITS web pages.

• 30 minute video showing new features
• PDF overview of new features in version 10

When initaially switched on, it takes time (can be up to a minute) for the bulb to reach optimum operating temperature. When the projector is switched off, everything isn't closed down immediately, after a while the bulb will go out, the fan will continuie to work until a pre-determined temperature is reached. Only when the fan switches off, is the projector effectively off. All of this is designed to prolong bulb life. The longer the projector has been on, in general, the longer it will take to turn off.

If the projector is re-started, the entire timing cycle is started again.

In many teaching rooms, in order to minimise this on/off/on time, you are recommended NOT to turn the equipment off once it is on.

In order to avoid the projector wasting bulb life, most systems will automatically switch off after a certain length of time if no signal is being processed by the projector.

An over-riding concern has been 'ease of use'. Nearly all systems are operated by simple press of a button or menu driven screen.

All rooms have easy to follow operating instructions near the equipment (should any be missing/damaged please inform itservicedesk@durham.ac.uk or ring ext 41515). Copies are also available on the web- http://www.dur.ac.uk/its/services/audio_visual/.

Finally should any member of teaching staff like individual/group tuition, please contact itservicedesk@durham.ac.uk or ring ext 41515 and ITS staff will be only too happy to arrange some suitable training.

Usually this involves connecting a 'flying lead' to your laptop's graphic output port.

Then directing your laptop output to this port. This is done by pressing a key combination. Unfortunately laptops vary concerning this key press (a popular combination is Fn+F3).

You then direct the output of the laptop to the data projector by pressing a suitable button on the control panel or touching a menu item on a control screen.

Should you also wish to connect your laptop to the network, refer to the following.

http://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/its/info/infosheets/107LectureTheatres.pdf