SB Notebook ready for OS X Lion

[Julie Baird]

Does anyone know when the SB Notebook will be updated to use with the new Lion operating system by Apple?   I don't want to update if I can't use the SB software.  Thanks.

[Lloyd Summers]

Hi Julie,

 

It is highly recommended to avoid using Lion with SMART Notebook at this time.  SMART does have a software release (10.8) pending in the next while (Off the record, probably in the next 2-3 weeks depending on all of the approvals). 

 

However, it will be shipping with several problems with Lion.  Specifically, things like the Screen Capture utility, Dual Page mode and other features will be unreliable.  Older SMART interactive Whiteboards (SB5xx and earlier) that connect via Serial will likely no longer be discovered. 

 

However, the software will run and function especially at the basic level.   But some of the features will be crashy and I would recommend avoiding it. 

 

I imagine the following release (10.8 SP1) will have Lion support.  Until the final release candidate for Lion is out though, its going to be tough to say what the problems will really be.  All of the testing I've seen done for Lion is being done by the developers in their own spare time.

 

With Lion being so easy to upgrade, I worry that we may have a problem build up very fast.  However, that is a bit of a different matter.  Hope it helps!

 

-ls.

[Julie Baird]

Thanks, Lloyd. I will wait to upgrade my OS until I hear that SB is functional and not so quirky. I have a Mac at home and that is where I do most of my lesson planning but have a PC at school attached to the SmartBoard. I'm not worried about the SB drivers for the device, but I am not willing to upgrade to Lion if I can't create SB lessons.

 

Thanks again for the quick response. 

Julie

[Jonathan Wylie]

This is good to know. We are getting Lion in August, so hopefully there will be a fix out by then.

[Matt Granger]

Julie,

It seems to me that the problems listed, dual page and screen capture, are things that don't really apply to using a computer not connected to a board. So if you are at home creating on your Mac, these issues may not be such a problem. Just a thought.

[Julie Baird]

I do use the screen capture option frequently when I'm creating lessons at home. I teach German and often go to German websites to screen capture text or pics that pertain to the culture or theme we're studying.

 

I'll be patient and will wait a few months before upgrading. I had to wait when Snow Leopard came out. I pre-ordered the DVD. It arrived as expected and then I waited months after SB Notebook was updated before I loaded Snow Leopard. I'll wait again but was hoping that both would be compatible before school began when I have more time.  I can no longer teach without my SmartBoard lessons and will not upgrade if I lose the ability to create lessons at home. 

[Matt Granger]

You can use the command+shift+4 on the mac for the screen capture as well.

[Julie Baird]

True, but the SB screen capture imports the picture directly into the SB file I'm working on. It saves a few clicks.

[Jim Anderson]

This is an open letter to SMARTTechnologies to release Lion compatible software.

Given that Apple is now shipping several models of their computers which will only run the latest version of their OS, SMART needs to release a compatible version of your software ASAP.  It's been two months since Lion's release and Apple had developer versions available prior to that.  There's no reason to not have a Lion compatible version of Notebook released yet.  Or at least a ROAD MAP for heaven's sake.

As it stands, teachers don't want the new laptops I'm offering them because Notebook crashes or won't connect to their older board.  They would rather use 4 year old laptops instead.  Frankly, I can't blame them.  We've spent a TON of resources purchasing boards, training teachers, building lessons and now teachers are penalized for using new technology.  It doesn't make sense.  And it DOES make me want to look at other interactive whiteboard solutions.

Polyvision has comitted to a Lion compatible version of their software by this Friday. 

SMART needs to publish a road map and time table NOW for plans to release a Lion compatible version of Notebook and Smart Tools - and 64bit drivers for SMART boards.  C'mon, you've known this was coming...

Until SMART does release tools our teachers can use with Lion, I encourage all SMART customers to visit SMART's "Feature Request" page and ask for Lion support.  Let them know their customer base is hungry for it.

 

Thanks,

Jim Anderson
Director of Technology
The Packer Collegiate Institute
Brooklyn, NY 11201
www.packer.edu

[Jeff Hamilton]

I agree. I realize that there's lots of things to test and iron out with the programming. However, there is a huge user base that could be used to test. Even snb 10.7 doesn't work correctly on lion.

[Julie Baird]

Thanks for sending this letter. You are correct that SMART has had time to create a Lion compatible version. I'm still running Snow Leopard only because of I need to make sure that my SB Notebook works. Thanks also for listing the Feature Request link. I'll send them a message via that link.

 

Julie

[Jeff Hamilton]

Maybe we should each send the same request 50+ times. Would it up the priority level??

[Matt Granger]

Actually, I have been in contact with some of the tech support people I know at SMART. I will be talking about this on the SBRGVUG meeting on Saturday October 1st. See the mai page for links to the registration.