Every once in awhile, a little tidbit of information comes across my desk and I feel obliged to pass it on to those who may also find it useful. Today's info comes from my colleague Val -- my loyal readers may remember him from various pictures we've taken at past trade shows...most notably, the image of him pretending to be Atlas while "lifting" the Magic Planet on his back.
As new products come out from SMART Technologies, they're often first compatible for those running Windows, followed by a release of the product for customers using Mac operating systems. The SMART Document Camera 330 is no exception to that rule. Currently, it doesn't fully integrate into Notebook flawlessly...as in the one buton that you'd normally press.
(As I side note, this new doc cam from SMART is pretty cool -- it's mixed reality ready, hooks up easily with a USB port and integrates easily into SMART Notebook. There, I've done my "selling" for this week...lol)
So naturally, those who have only Mac platforms within their school, don't want to wait for the Mac compatible version to be released.
Have no fear -- my colleague Val was able to get a temporary work around solution for those interested in forging ahead!!
Here it is:
"SMART Response 2010 wrapper is compatible with the following 2 operating systems:
Mac Leopard 10.5.xxx
Mac Snow Leopard 10.6.xxx
If they have an earlier version of Mac operating system this alternative download for the Document Camera will not be available due to incompatibility. When downloading the SMART Response wrapper it will be at no additional cost to the costumer they can activate the Notebook software as per their normal methods but the SMART Response will come to expiration. This will not disable them from being able to use and operate the SMART Notebook™ software.
In order to use the download of the SMART Response wrapper please use the link provided below:
http://smarttech.com/us/
Ta-da! A quick fix before the new Mac compatible drivers for the Doc Cam come out soon!
** UPDATE **
New Service Pack available to make Mac compatible with the SMART Doc Cam 330:
SMART Document Camera SDC-330 – New service pack supports SMART Notebook integration for Mac
A new service pack for SMART Notebook collaborative learning software is now available for download.
This Mac-specific service pack (SMART Notebook 10.6 SP3 for Mac) will enable SMART Document Camera (SDC-330) integration with SMART Notebook software. The download is available on the SMART Notebook download page.
Please note that this service pack will not be supported on PowerPC-based Mac systems. SMART Document Camera customers using PowerPC systems will not be able to integrate with SMART Notebook Software.
This service pack will also include feature improvements and minor fixes – please review the SMART Notebook 10 Release Notes for more information.
Vanessa
Comments
No worries! You're allowed to vent from time to time ;)
I'm sad to hear that you don't like SMART Notebook, though...it has lots of potential for some options that not all educators have access to otherwise. All in all, the SMART Board works best when teachers see the time and place that it can enhance learning or make teaching more efficient. Obviously, that can happen with or without Notebook software.
Thanks for the kind words on the blog! Always nice to see that someone other than my immediate family is actually keeping track of my posts LOL
Vanessa =)
I didn't mean to sound like a grump but I was venting off a bit. So I guess the doc cams don't need Flash installed to work and that's a relief.
I understand that 3rd party products may not be compatible with Macs, but I don't see how that is anything to do with the Apple vision for how things should work (or Steve Job's control as you call it). Obviously if a manufacturer decides not to include Mac compatibility, I won't be a customer. I disagree that Macs don't have some excellent 3rd party software - I use lots of it myself, all brilliantly engineered to take advantage of the Mac OS and UI.
I am frustrated because we were sold a SMART board which claimed to be compatible with Macs and claimed to provide support for all users. Potential buyers should know that the Mac software is poorly engineered and poorly supported. I still can't use SMART Notebook because I have a recent version of Flash installed (you one that provides hardware acceleration and plugs serious security flaws). They told me it would be fixed in August. It hasn't been - the Mac software hasn't been updated for eight months.
I'm not that fussed, putting together resources in Notebook is like trying to typeset a magazine in MS Paint (Win 3.1). Have Smarttech actually used other software to see what and how things are done nowadays? It is a shameful piece of software.
I enjoy this blog though!
Thanks,
John
Not sure what link to Flash you're referring to? These new SMART doc cams were just released this summer, so hopefully any previous issues that you refer to were resolved with this new products.
Unfortunately, Apple products in general don't do well with outside products/software (Steve Jobs seems to like to have control over these things). I know that SMART is continually aware of issues that some of their items have when using a Mac and do have people devoted to working on solutions.
Sorry to hear that you're so frustrated with them in regards to being a Mac user! I love my Mac and have just had to learn to expect a 'second' rollout of new products to include a solution to my first run glitches.
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