Learning - Thinking - Playing

Apple Bluetooth Keyboard - finally a solution

For a while now I have been using the Apple Blue tooth keyboard as a tool to extend my training and presentation sessions and when I have had it running with my mac, a data projector, a bluetooth mouse and bluetooth graphics tablet I am able to demonstrate a IWB type application. From all my research the Apple keyboard is very well designed, very portable and very well suited to be used with in a simulated IWB or in a real IWB environment to extend the reach and involvement of students within a class.

I have been frustrated for a while now in that I have not be able to successfully pair the keyboard with bluetooth on a windows PC and as such has limited my ability and other teachers ability to use a very practical and well designed device on the window OS.

Tonight this has changed - I have found the following instructions to pair the keyboard with one of my XP laptops. Following the step below I was able to pair the Apple keyboard with my windows laptop:

1. Click on Windows Start button, select Run and then type 'regedit' and press enter to access windows registry editor.
2. In the registry editor search for and select -> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Widcomm\BtConfig\General
3. Set the key 'PinCodeWord' to a decimal value of 1111
4. Set the key 'UseFixedPin' to a decimal value of 1
5. Then attempt pairing. When you get to the greyed PIN screen type 1111 using OTHER keyboard THAN Apple Bluetooth keyboard.
6. Press the Return key on the Apple keyboard.
7. Enjoy the Keyboard.

These instructions are very simple and easy to follow, the only comment I would make is that when you type in "1111" as described in step 5 you will not see the numbers appear on screen (not on mine at least).

Now that this pairing is possible with windows I recommend this keyboard to all users that have IWB's or use data projectors/LCD's - it is the cheapest for the size, design, portability and battery life.

Thanks to bedammit and dongaspa for their posts - more information about these instructions can be found here: http://www.neowin.net/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t285546.html

Downloading and Converting Videos from the Web

If you ever feel the need to download and covert a video from sites like YouTube, Teacher Tube and other sites - then this guide might provide a little help. The first thing to do is make sure you are using the FireFox web browser , which can be found here: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

Once FireFox is installed and loaded make sure that you download and install the add-on extension called Video Downloader available here: http://javimoya.com/blog/youtube_en.php

Download the Video Files
This add on allows you to visit a site like YouTube and download videos by clicking on the small downloader button which will be located on the bottom right had corner of your firefox web browser. When you click on this link you just need to follow the instructions to download.

View the Video Files
When you have downloaded the video file from the web you will need a program to view them as they are currently a flash video file. To view the .flv you can use a player like Riva FLV Player: http://www.rivavx.com/index.php?id=422&L=3

Only this week did Adobe announce that they will be releasing a video player for their flash videos in the near future to compete with RealPlayer and Windows Media Player - keep an eye out for that.

Convert the Video Files
Once you have your video file you may want to convert it into another format rather than using the flash format - this can be achieved quickly and easily with free software. To convert the software you will need to use an encoder program - I recommend the  Riva FLV Encoder 2: http://www.download.com/Riva-FLV-Encoder/3000-2140-10320097.html?part=dl-RivaFLVEn&subj=dl&tag=button which is free and does a very good job.

Once installed the encoder just requires you to select the file you want to convert then change the file extension for the output file to either an AVI or MPG file and hit the encode button - simple as that.

I tend to take the another step and use Quicktime Pro to then convert the MPG file into quicktime - to me it is just a more universal video file and has a better look and feel - not sure there is any difference but it is a personal preference thing.

 

More Information
If you would like more information have a look at the following site:: http://www.rivavx.com/index.php?encoder&L=3

Let me know if this quick and dirty guide is any help - leave a comment.