Join the Little Reader v1.6 Beta Testing Program

[Lappy]

Help us beta test the newest release of our Little Reader software!

We're about to release version 1.6 of Little Reader officially, and would like to invite all existing Little Reader users to help us iron out the bugs before we do!

As an incentive, we are offering 500 loyalty points for each unique bug identified and reported through our forum boards!

Here's what's new with Little Reader v1.6 [BETA]:
 
The Override Function



Now, you have an option that will allow Little Reader to override the settings in the Playback Settings Panel.

If the Override button in the Play Panel is turned on (green light), all the playback settings configured in the Override Settings window will be applied during playback (i.e., the individual playback settings set for each Category will not take effect).
 
 
A Whole New Print Feature



We overhauled the Print Screen, which now allows you to print your own flashcards in ways which will be compatible with our physical flap and flash cards and presentation binders, due to be released within the month!

This new Print Screen also lets you to print your flash cards in full-page size, giving you the flexibility you need to create bigger flash cards.
 
 
A Sleeker, Faster Little Reader



Little Reader is now faster than ever - we've made improvements to the program's loading speed and response time, and we've even added the ability to change your performance settings to cater to different computer specs!

Now, you can enjoy your Little Reader on fast, average, and even slow computers!

NOTE: Updating your Little Reader version will not wipe out your previous library content.


Download Little Reader v1.6 [BETA]

Join the the Little Reader v1.6 [BETA] Bug Hunt

[edelmummy]

Hi Lappy,

do we need to key in the licence key for the free trial? i have downloaded the Little REaderfor testing, but there are no files inside to start off.

how do i go about?

thanks! :-)

[KL]

No license key is needed. This is actually meant for existing LR users with licenses, but if you're a new user, then you will be able to try it for 14 days, unless you've already downloaded it as a trial before.

What do you mean there are no files? It will have content for the first 9 days of the curriculum, as well as several Categories like Action Words 1.

[hypatia]

Just got it and my first impression: it looks really nice and neat!
Definitely a little quicker.

[KL]

You can make it ever quicker by sacrificing the interface graphics. Go to Settings and set to optimize performance for slow computer.

[KL]

One thing I'd like you guys to try out is the "Override" function.

If you have preferred playback settings, then best to set them via the Override settings so it will apply to whatever lesson you play back, instead of having to set the settings for each and every one of the lessons.

So for example, if your child already knows the words, then use override to change the letter casing to UPPERCASE.

[Redheaded1]

Just wondering what effect this will have on the semester content.  I downloaded semester 2 not long ago...will both semesters still be there or will I need to re-download?

[meandlinc]

Nice new features! Do we uninstall 1.5 or use this separately?

[howardboys]

How do you want suggestions (vs. bugs) submitted?

For example, I want to suggest the Override Settings label "Set all to on/off" be "Select all"

Thanks,
mom2ross

[Stellajo]

Hi all

I just want to make sure before I do ANY updates:

Will I be able to restore EVERY CATEGORY if I backup the "Little Reader" folder under the BrillKids folder in my My Documents folder?

It's just that I've learned from experience to backup before I do ANYTHING 

Cheers,

[KL]

Just wondering what effect this will have on the semester content.  I downloaded semester 2 not long ago...will both semesters still be there or will I need to re-download?

Yes, they will still be there, no need to re-download.

Nice new features! Do we uninstall 1.5 or use this separately?

Just run the downloaded file and choose to Upgrade.

How do you want suggestions (vs. bugs) submitted?

For example, I want to suggest the Override Settings label "Set all to on/off" be "Select all"

For suggestions, you can start a new thread, or just post here. Regarding your suggestion, I know what you mean, but strictly, "Select all" is not quite what that button does, it sets the items to on/off, not just selects. Typically, you can select something without activating it.

Will I be able to restore EVERY CATEGORY if I backup the "Little Reader" folder under the BrillKids folder in my My Documents folder?

Yes. All your data will be safe that way.

[Zeynep]

Dear KL,

First of all, a big thank you for the new version. It is much more faster than the previous one. I tested the "override function". Actually, it makes things easier but the proble is with "Override Setting" - "Common" part. The playback mode is valid for all lessons so when I choose "word,media" and do other necessary changes like :

split mode
split mode colors
font type: random each slide etc.

Then the lessons become like this:

Word Flash - word,media which should be word only
Multisensory - OK
Picture Flash - word,media which should be picture only
Pattern Phonics - word OK because no media files exist.

Just a suggestion, if the common part would be divided into 4 sections as "word flash, multisensory, picture flash and phonics then we would be able to make the necessary settings.


Thank you so much again.

Zeynep

[koala girl]

Hi KL,

I started downloading last night and it seems to be at a stand still.  It has hit the "Finalizing Setup  - please wait while Little Rader completes startup preparations..."  but it has been here since last night.  What can I do to get this downloaded?

[KL]

Zenyep:

If you use Override Settings and set it to "word, media", then ALL lessons will play back as "word, media", which seems like what's happening from what you said.

Oh, are you trying to apply override settings (like split mode) to only lessons which have "word, media"?

If so, it doens't work that way, at least not yet.  It would be best to specify those settings in Override settings, then turn Override to ON whenever you play back a word,media lesson.



Koala girl:

You seem to have the file on your computer already, so the problem is with installation and not downloading. 

Firstly, please stop Little Reader. Right-click on your Windows Task Bar and bring up Task Manager. Go to Processes tab and find Little Reader, then "End process".

Then try to find the LR icon on your desktop or Windows Start menu, and try running it again.  If you get stuck again, then use Task Manager to End Process again, then try to RE-INSTALL again from your downloaded file.

If there's still a problem, then please create a Diagnostic Report:
- from Windows START menu
-> All Programs
-> BrillKids (folder)
-> Little Reader (folder)
-> find "Diagnostic" item. 

It will generate a file called "Little_Reader_2010_...zip" in your C:\...\My Documents\BrillKids\Tools folder.  Please attach that here.

[howardboys]

I think Zeynep basically described my one big complaint so far:  Override feature overrides too much when it comes to the Little Reader Course Curriculum.

Because Override also overrides the playback mode, it messes up the specific course sessions as they were intended to be shown.

One easy fix to this problem is to bring the playback mode down to the lower UI area where Auto Forward and Pointer is so that users can very quickly change the playback mode to match the intent of each course session, which are all different. 


KL:  Regarding 'Select All', I can't really think of any UI that allows me to select something without the control *itself* being enabled. :-)  But I also see your distinction.  In my experience, there is usually a checkbox somewhere at the top (i.e. the beginning) that turns an entire group of controls (sectioned off by one big group box) on/off in a dialog, however, I have no idea what this  particular checkbox does that is different from simply turning off the big override button in the bigger LR UI.  What is the difference there?  Because if there is no difference, maybe you don't need the on/off checkbox at all?

KL:  I think I found a bug, but don't want to go through all the steps of reproducing it if you already know about it.  We are on day 22, where the phonics session is introduced, and if the session's playback setting is word only, but the override setting is picture only, then pressing play won't do anything.  We should at least see an error with a possible explanation and a possible solution to our problem.  No response from the system leaves us guessing.

Overall, the fact that I have to change the playback mode setting between sessions has SEVERELY hampered the flow and speed of daily lessons.  DS loses concentration and gets distracted while I have to fiddle with settings.

It would be terrible to have to go back to my old method of setting up each session's playback settings beforehand, since the override feature is so powerful.  However, it overlooks Little Reader's own curriculum structure!

TIA
mom2ross

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