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What
People are Saying About the Guidebook |
Reg
Farnsworth writes . . .
“I’m relatively a new user to Pro-Media Suite and an avid amateur photographer
and genealogist. I must say Heritage Collector Pro exceeds all of my
expectations.
Like you I’ve have searched for a program that would compliment my family
history and organizing lots of photo’s. I’ve tried many different programs
in the past, only to be disappointed in its performance and ease of function.
It is without the slightest hesitation, I'd rate your software and
handbook a five star plus (*****+).
The Guidebook is rock solid and chocked full of sound advice. Obviously,
it speaks with the voice of experience. Anyone reading the mine field
section of each chapter, would be rewarded in avoiding unexpected
pitfalls, been there and done that too. It’s simply the best program
on the market
today. Was at first reluctant to try another program but, am so glad
I did.
In just a short time after viewing the video’s in the basic program
was up and running with ease. Highly recommend this marvelous program
regardless
of individual skills.
I’m positive other’s will not be disappointed either.
Happy and enthusiastic, thank you for the wonderful Software and
Handbook.”
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Sondra Buckwalter writes . . .
"When
the Guidebook came out I was really excited because it actually teaches
step by step what to do and what not to do in preserving photos,
sound bites, videos etc. It is so simply written with graphic aids,
how can anyone go wrong! It is the best teaching tool I have found
to help even the most computer challenged individual to have success.
It’s worth it’s weight in gold!"
Seth and Jessica Blatter writes . . .
"The
guidebook is a very useful resource. We were overwhelmed with knowing
what accessories we needed to have to get ourselves started, but
we used the guidebook through that whole process and are very pleased
with the outcome. We can't say thank you enough. We absolutely love
it!"
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| Chapter
1 - Where to Begin? |
Are you frustrated trying to determine the best place to start organizing all
your family history photos and files? The Guidebook will provide
you with some easy and logical ways to get started.
Doing
it right the first time will save time, money and frustration later.
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| Chapter
2 - Easier Scanning |
The importance of good scanning cannot be overemphasized!
Quality scans make a big difference when printing or zooming in on photos later.
Step-by-step instructions are included such as the five most important
steps to a great scan and more
Simple Step-by-Step Instructions (in all chapters)
The Guidebook provides screen captures and instructions in a "1-2-3" recipe format. This will make it much easier to understand and follow instructions
when you are learning new things.
Great Tips, Suggestions and Shortcuts (in all chapters)
The Guidebook is full of new tips and simple suggestions to make it easier for
you to save time, money and frustration.
Free Sample Scanning Tip
Use "Descreen" to
remove that ugly checkerboard pattern that appears on an obituary or
newspaper after it has been scanned.
Here's Another Sample Scanning Tip
 What
do you do when you can't close the lid on your scanner? Maybe you are trying to scan an antique vase or a bronzed baby shoe. Open the lid all the way and put a white cloth over the object
and your scanner. This will give you a much better scan of oversized
objects. If you want to get creative, use a cloth or sheet with a printed
pattern.
Scanning Mine Field Cautions (Various warning in all chapters)
This "Mine Field" caution explains why you should never "stretch" or
enlarge photos after scanning
Comprehensive Content (in all chapters)
Chapter
2 - Easier Scanning
Table of Contents
Easier
Scanning
The Scanning Mine Field
Scanning Checklist
Scanner Basics
Scanner Lid
Removable Lid
Optional Slide / Transparency Adapter
USB Connection
TWAIN Software
Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
Installing Your Scanner
Moving Your Scanner
Match the DPI With the Desired Output
What is DPI?
Five Basic Things You Need to About Scanning
Determine Photo Categories - First
Getting Consistent Scan Results
Use the Right Scanning Sequence
Do Not Use Automatic Buttons or Settings
Use the Correct Scanning Sequence
Special Purpose Scanning
Enlarging and Zooming
Enlarging and Cropping an Image
Photo Zooming vs Cropping
Safeguarding Image Quality
Simple Scanning Tricks
Scanning Over Size (Large) Photos
Slides & Multiple Scans
Scanning With Basic
Scanning With Heritage Collector
Determining The Best Place To Start - Checklist
Where Should You Begin?
Scanning and Printing
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| Chapter
3 - Using Sound and Narration |
Using sound is easier than you think. All you need is an inexpensive microphone or a cable to attached to your cassette
recorder. Use a microphone to tell stories, create oral histories.
Learn to edit your narrations. Copy the priceless old cassette
tapes to your computer with recordings of grandma or other family
members.
Save time, money and get better quality by doing it yourself.
Internet links are provided for free sound editing software.
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| Chapter
4 - Digital Cameras, Video and GPS |
Managing
and finding your photos later and suggestions for buying a new
camera are included . Converting Old Home Movies - do's,& don'ts. Read this chapter BEFORE you invest a lot of money getting your old movies converted
to a DVD.
Why You Need to Start Using GPS. New and fun things you can do - free software links. Adding screen captures
of satellite images is both fun and adds realism to family history.
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| Chapter
5 - Digital Scrapbooking |
Presents a different perspective about how to take advantage of new technology
and samples of how to create digital scrapbooks. Something new and very different from traditional scrapbooking.
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| Chapter
6 - Interactive Storytelling |
Stories are a real treat and the spice of life. This chapter offers some excellent suggestions that will help you put new life
into old stories. You will discover some new ways to tell stories
and make them more interesting. Mixed Media Collections. Are you struggling with how to organize ALL your materials - photos, sound files,
video clips, text documents, PDFs and other file types? The Guidebook
will show you how to make your file collections more useful and organized.
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| Chapter
7 - Creating a Bound History |
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Ways to save money and things you need to know and avoid BEFORE you begin.
What's Paper grain?
Have you even opened a book that resisted staying open? Have you seen a book
with a broken or cracked spine? These are few of the symptoms of
a book that has been printed and bound with the paper grain running
in the wrong direction. There is much more you need to know.
Chapter 7 takes you through each step required to create a beautiful history
or biography. Checklists and simplified instructions will make it easy.
Learn
ways to save time and money. Do it
correctly BEFORE you print your next book.
PLEASE
do yourself a big favor and read this chapter before proceeding with
your book.
Preparation
Guides and Checklists. There are several things you need to know BEFORE you send your book to the printer. A few sample questions. Will your printer have the same fonts? What types of file formats will the printer accept?
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Image
Scanning Recommendations. Have you scanned your photos at the right resolution for quality printing? Checking
your photo scans on your monitor is a big mistake and will not guarantee quality printing. See Chapter 2 - Easier Scanning for guidelines.
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Page
Formatting Guides. Correct margins prevent the text from going too far into the center of the
book binding. Did you know the bindery will have to trim your
book making the margins even smaller?
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Paper
Quality and Weight. Photos will look their best on the right kind of paper and it doesn't cost that
much more.
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The
Importance of Paper Grain. Books printed on paper with the grain running in the wrong direction may cause
the binding (spine) to break or split later.
- Save
Money on Color Printing. Don't get charged for printing color on both sides when the page is black and
white on one side.
- The
Absolute Necessity of a Press Check. How to protect yourself, guarantee the quality of your book and save you money
if something goes wrong during printing.
- Binding
Considerations. Check your options. Evaluate the advantages and costs of hardbound, wire, coil,
and perfect bind. Don't get "burned" because the bindery used "hot glue" to save money. Did you know that a hot glue book binding may melt in the back window of your
car.
- Writing
Tips and Suggestions. Browse through some simple suggestions and ideas to make your book more interesting
and easier to write.
- Multimedia
Introduction. Consider creating a CD/DVD companion to go with the book. It could contain PDF,
photos, video and audio clips. A video clip introduction or preface
is priceless. The cost is only pennies and the Guidebook tells
you how.
All
this helpful information and more is contained in the 7th Chapter
- Creating a Bound History.
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| Chapter
8 - Preserving & Archiving |
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Ways to find and protect your treasures while saving hard drive space. Don't wait until you have a hard drive crash or a virus attacks your computer.
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| Chapter
9 - Understanding Your Computer |
Basic computer terminology is explained in everyday terms.
Computer hardware is explained. If you are gong to buy a new computer you need to read this chapter first.
Suggestions for maintaining your computer
Some good reasons why you should consider making your next computer a laptop
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| Mine
Field Warnings |
 Avoid
Costly Mistakes!
Warning
signs help keep you out of trouble! The Guidebook provides valuable information and warnings to help you avoid costly
mistakes. These little warnings are called "Marlo's Mine Fields" and are included throughout the Guidebook.
Do you feel like you are walking through a mine field every time you start a
new family history project? Have you ever said?
- If
I could do it over again I wouldn't make that mistake!
- There
must be an easier way!" "I'll never do that again!
This "Mine Field" warns you about how a static "shock" can actually ruin your
computer or one of the devices attached to your computer.
Each chapter contains warnings to helps you prevent different kinds of problems
before they happen.
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Tips
and Shortcuts |
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The Guidebook is full of helpful tips that will save time and provide you
with the hints that only experience teaches.
Stopping "Bleed Through"
When Scanning
 Problem:
Images or text show through from the reverse side of the page being scanned.
This often occurs when scanning newspapers.
Tip: Try placing a piece of black matte
paper (not glossy) on top of the back or topside of the sheet being scanned.
This will eliminate many of the the shadows, text or images from showing
through.
From page 43, Chapter 2, Easier Scanning. The Digital Family History
Guidebook
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