Questions and Answers
What is slidecast?
Slidecast is an online multimedia format, which combine and synchronize slideshow with podcast. This format can be well used for online story telling and online presentation.
What browsers can I use?
Showbeyond.com supports Internet Explorer 6.0+, Firefox 1.5+, Safari 3.03+ and Opera 9+. Please make sure you have Cookie, JavaScript, Flash Player and Java enabled.
I'm having trouble installing the Flash plug-in, what I should do?
You'll need to have administrative privileges on your computer to install the Flash plug-in on your browser.
I'm having trouble installing the Sound Recorder, what I should do?
You probably have Java disabled in your browser. You may go to your browser's Preferences settings and make sure Java is enabled and accept the security certificate during download.
What is tag?
Tags are keywords assigned by users. Tags can help you search and bookmark your stories effectively and efficiently.
What kind of stories will be considered as featured stories?
Showbeyond is a community, which users rule themselves. Featured stories are selected based on the number of view, number of favorites and number of comments. Some may be randomly selected to show on the Showbeyond home page.
In addition to categories, can I search stories I am interested at the site?
Yes. You can type key words in search box to search stories. You can also use categories and browse filters to narrow your search. Matching keywords come from the stories title, text content and tags.
I'd like to create my own stories, where should I get started?
You may take a Quick Tour, which gives you a general guideline regarding how to create and share stories.
Get and Arrange Images for your story
What is the largest file I can upload?
Currently, the max file size is 8MB. If you have a larger file, you may have to reduce it's size then upload. If you want to speed up your uploading process, you may reduce image resolution (width and/or high) within 900 pix to upload. Of course, if image resolution is too small, it will show less clarity in a slide.
What image formats can I upload?
Showbeyond currently support .jpg and jpeg. We will announce update at our news release as soon as showbeyond support other formats.
Can I grab images from on-line sources?
Yes. Currently you can import images from Flickr, Picasa or any on-line location which you have URL address. We will continue to add other sources, and announce update when they are ready.
How many images can I grab for my stories?
Up to 24 images. If you have a long story to tell, you may have to create new stories. It can work as a book, you can write chapter after chapter until your story is done.
After images uploaded, can I change their order?
Yes. Click the "Sequence" function under the .Slidecast. tab and a popup window will pop up. In the window you drag and drop thumbnails until you get a satisfied order.
Can I add or delete images during my compiling process?
Yes. You can always add images during your compiling process by clicking "Get Images". You can also delete an image by using deleting function in "Slidecast" page.
Can I move and crop images I grab for my story?
Yes. Showbeyond use a very effective and efficient way to crop your image in a slide to achieve good fitting position. Go to "Slidecast", and use "IMAGE" function or icons to make adjustments.
How does Showbeyond arrange my images in a slide frame?
After you grab images, Showbeyond automatically arrange your image based on image wide/high ratio and display them entirely.
Currently, Showbeyond has two formats. One is 4:3 standard format and another is 2:1 wide format. For 4:3 format, if width of a image is longer its height, the image will fit horizontally in a slide frame, otherwise, fit vertically.
For 2:1 format, if width of an image is longer its height but its ratio is less than 16:9, the image will fit horizontally in 75% area at left side of a slide frame and left 25 % area at right side for text. If width of an image is longer its height and its ratio is at and larger than 16:9, the image will fit horizontally in entire slide frame and left about 30% area at bottom for text. If width of a image is shorter its height, the image will fit vertically in 50% area at left side of a slide frame and left 50 % area at right side for text.
Such information is very useful if you like to arrange an image to a precise position in a slide frame. You may adjust your image ratio before they are uploaded.
Of course, you can always make image fit entire slide frame by using “IMAGE” function. Text will remain at their positions and float over images.
Can I add boarder on my images?
Currently, Showbeyond do not have such feature, but you can add boarders from other application such as Photoshop, then upload edited image to Showbeyond.
Can I change slide backgrounds?
Yes. You can choose different background other than a default when you create a story. You can change any slide background any time by clicking the "STYLE" menu and selecting a background from the pop-up window at the "Slidecast". You can also apply the change to all slides by marking the "Apply to all slides" option.
How do I add text to my story?
When you type text in title box, you will create title in a slide. When you type text in description box, you will create description in a slide. Remember to hit “Text Update” button after you finish typing to update your text.
Can I arrange text position in description box?
Yes. You can hit “return” key to create new paragraph and use “_” key draw a line.
I have a lot of text in my stories, how should I do?
If you have a lot to write, you can insert text page(s).
Can I write text over images?
Yes. Text position in a slide frame is relatively fixed. For 2:1 format, they will at right hand side or at bottom of a slide depended on image ratios. For 4:3 format, text will always be at bottom of a slide. When you fit images to entire slide, text will be written over the images.
Why I always see first page as my story cover or thumbnail link?
Showbeyond defaults first page of your story as cover page. You may select the most representative page as cover page, but you may have to move this page to be first page.
Can I create a story with text and sound only?
Yes. You can add title or text page in "Slidecast", then add text and sound to create a story with text and sound only.
Can I check my spelling when add text to a slide?
Yes, you can use spelling check function to check your spelling.
How does Showbeyond’s podcasting system work?
Podcasting with your slides in real time is one of the most important features of this system. The system allows two sound tracks. One is for narration of each individual slide, and another is for background sound, which can have duration that is able to cover many slides (Of course, you can creatively make use of these tracks to mix sound in order to create different sound effects).
What kind of sound sources I can use for my story?
Showbeyond use Mic Plug as an input for inserting sound. Any sound sources plugging into Mic Plug can be recorded and inserted to your story. Microphone (for your narration), tape player, MP3 player, recorders, radio and even player in your computer can be used as sound sources.
Showbeyond also allows you to insert or embed sound files as well as embed an external sound. Please see below.
Can I insert sound files as background sound from my computer?
Yes. You can insert a background sound from the "Slidecast" page. Click "PODCAST" function and select "Upload Background Sound File" from dropdown menu. From a dialogue box, you can select sound file from your computer and then upload. Currently, the system only supports .WAV and .MP3 file. In addition, total background sound capacity is limited to 8MB.
Can I upload my external music or podcast into my slidecast?
Yes. You can upload background music at "Slidecast" page. Click "PODCAST" function and select "Get background music from URL" from the dropdown menu. In the dialogue box, you just past the URL copied from the site where your music is hosted, then click the "Upload" button. Currently, the system only support .MP3 and .WAV files. In addition, the length of a slidecast story base on the total duration of slides, you may adjust durations to synchronize with the uploaded background music.
In addition to sound player, is any other tools needed to insert a sound?
If you use microphone to insert a narration, no other tools are needed. If you use internal player such as Window Media Player, and external player such as recorder, MP3 player, following tools are suggested for better sound mixing:
- Connection wire
- Splitter
- Earphone
These tools give you better controls on which part of sound you want to insert, and what sound volume you want to apply. See diagrams below regarding their connections
Diagram 1 – Use internal player
Diagram 2 – Using external player
How can I insert a audio narration to a slide in my story?
When you want to insert a narration to a particular slide, you may go "Slidecast" and select "Insert audio narration" from "PODCAST" function. After you do that, a recorder will pop up, and then you can insert a sound through a microphone. Recording time is up to 30 seconds.
How can I record a background music to my story?
You can record a background sound from the "Slidecast" page. Click "PODCAST" function and select "Record background music" from dropdown menu. After you do that, a recorder will pop up, then you can record a sound through a microphone. Recording time is up to 2 minutes.
What's the difference between public and private content?
Public content is accessible to everyone who visits the site. By default, private content can be viewed by the owner only. However, if you send a link to your private content to someone by email (or post the link on another website), anyone who clicks on the link will be able to see the private content.
If I make something public, can I make it private again?
No. But if you first share your story privately, you still share it publicly later.
Can I continue to share my stories, which are shared before?
Yes, you can always share your stories after they first shared. Just go “my SHOWBEYOND”, then “Stories”, select a story you want to share, then click “Share” button.
Can I delete things from the site?
Not yet.
Can I edit my story after I've shared them?
Yes. You can. You can also change sharing parameters such as story name, share option, categories, tags and etc.
I work on a story, but I can not finish it at the moment and story is not ready for sharing, what I should do?
When you work on your story, you may save your story periodically. When you sign off before you share the story, Showbeyond will save your story as a work in process. When next time you sign in you can continue to work on the story. However, Showbeyond only save one work in process story each time, you must either share or abandon current story before you can start next one.
Can I download my stories?
Not yet
Can I share my stories at my website or my blog site?
Yes. You can copy and insert embedding
code to your website and/or blog site.
Do I need to sign in to make a comment on a story?
Yes.
What if I see something that is inappropriate or offensive?
We commit to keep Showbeyond to be a clean and fun environment for all users. If you see something that bothers you, click “Flag” at the view page to report it. Content that is inappropriate for all members of the community will be changed to private or removed. Users posting offensive content may be banished.
If I like some authors, how can I become a fan of them?
You needed sign in and click “Fan”, then you become a fan of that author. At same time, you add the author to idols list under “my SHOWBEYOND". You can check their stories again at your convenience.
Can I subscribe to an author's stories?
Yes you can. Click on the "RSS" icon on the author's profile page will let you subscribe to the author's stories from your favorite portal sites such as My Yahoo, iGoogle, My MSN etc.
If I like a story, how can I add it to my favorite list?
When you like a story, just click “Favorite” at view page, the story will be added to your favorites list under “My SHOWBEYOND”. You can always read the story again at your convenience.
What if I find copyrighted material?
Showbeyond respects copyright holders. Therefore, it is Showbeyond 's policy to respond to notices of alleged infringement that comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA, the text of which can be found at the U.S. Copyright Office Website, http://lcWeb.loc.gov/copyright/) and other applicable intellectual property laws. Responses may include removing or disabling access to material claimed to be the subject of infringing activity and/or terminating user accounts. Please refer to the Terms of Service and the DMCA Notice Process for full details.
Do I need to set up my profile?
User profile is optional. If you like readers know more about you and have better understanding of your stories, the profile is a big help.
How to insert my photo/image to may profile?
At your profile page under "my SHOWBEYOND", click “Change” button, then select an image (less than 2MB) from your computer via dialogue box. Then hit "Add" button. You can always replace current image by inserting another image.
Do I have to provide all information in my profile update page?
No, you may only provide information you are comfortable with. Your profile will help readers know more about you and have better understanding of your stories.
Can I change my username?
Right now there is no way to change your username. If you would like a different username, you can create another account.
Can I change my email address?
Yes. You can change it under "my SHOWBEYOND" then "Account" tab.
Can I change my password?
Yes. You go to "my SHOWBEYOND", then "Account" to change your password.
Can I delete my account?
Right now there is no way to cancel or delete your account. If you're having trouble making something work, please post question to Help and we'll help you get through it.