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Dale
By Dale Farris, Secretary
Golden Triangle PC Club
April 2005
Overview
Known for its simple
data entry and powerful charting options, this popular timeline software
just got better. With version 2.1, creating timeline charts and
chronologies has never been easier. Many new features have been added to
help you organize your experiences, record history, and present your
plans.
Just a few of the new features in Progeny's Timeline Maker include:
Add pictures to chart
Enhanced chart formatting
Event categories
More auto-arrange choices
Compress/expand timescale
Progeny's Power Preview
Event Entry
Data entry is a snap with Timeline Maker's Event Entry view. Simply enter
your events in this spreadsheet-like window. Events can be a single point
in time or span a period of time (i.e. date range). Dates can be entered
in any format. You can even add unlimited notes for each event and assign
categories of your choice. This Event Entry view makes it easy to add new
events and make changes. But that's not all, Timeline Maker also lets you
import events from a text file, or add individual events directly on to a
timeline chart.
Chronology Report
The Chronology view is a formatted text report of all events in your
timeline. You can sort by any column and even choose the columns to
display. When you are ready you can print this report or publish as an
HTML document.
Timeline Chart
Timeline Maker's innovative bar chart view is the ultimate presentation of
your timeline. Here your events are presented on a horizontal time scale
in chronological order. The time scale is automatically determined by
Timeline Maker, however, you can expand or compress the time scale to suit
your needs. To make charting easy, Timeline Maker has two auto-arrange
options - staircase and compact, or you can manually drag and drop events
to suit yourself.
Many formatting options are provided to customize the look of your chart,
including event color, fonts, event styles, chart background and title.
And new with version 2.1, you can add pictures anywhere on your chart.
Select from your own collection of photos and images or choose from
Timeline Maker's built-in clip art library.
Timeline Maker's power-preview makes it easier to resize your chart and
print on any size paper, or on as many pages as you wish. For multi-page
charts, crop marks are included to make it ease to assemble your paper
chart.
Finally, you can publish your chart as an HTML document or as a graphic
image (JPEG, PNG, or BMP) so you can easily:
Place in another document (i.e. MS Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
Send to your friends as an e-mail attachment
Put on a web site
Features
Making a timeline chart with Progeny's Timeline Maker begins with entering
your list of events. Next, creating your timeline chart is as simple as
clicking on the Timeline Chart view button. Of course, you can always save
your timeline (and your chart) so you can add or change it later.
Event Entry
Fast data entry via simple event entry view
Add an individual event directly onto a timeline chart
Event can be a single point in time or date range
Enter dates in any format, including: - BC dates - no date - TODAY
Unlimited notes per event
User defined categories for grouping like events
Import from tab delimited text file
Time Scales
Automatically determines correct time scale based on event list
Timescale automatically adjusts to include new events
User defined limits (set begin and end dates of time scale)
Easily expand or compress timescale
Chronology Report
Print a formatted text report of all events in your timeline
Sort by selected column
Choose which columns to include in report
Customize title and footer
Publish as HTML document
Timeline Chart
Create with one click
True WYSIWYG view
Arrange all events chronologically or group by category
Auto-arrange options: - staircase (default) - compact
Select which events to show or hide on chart
Move events via drag and drop
Edit event font, color and outline
Change event text without leaving your chart
Choose event style: - box - round corner - single arrow - double arrow
Event categories make it easy for group edits and moves
Include pictures anywhere on chart
Select from built-in Clip Art library
Publish chart as HTML document
Publish as BMP, PNG, or JPEG graphic
Zoom for easier editing
Customize chart title, footer and background color
Save chart for editing later on
Print on any size paper up to 28x28 ft.
Scale up or down with Progeny's Power Preview to print on as many pages as
you wish
Multi-page charts include crop and alignment marks for easy assembly
Using Timeline Maker 2.1
Timeline Maker supports dates up to 9999 BC. To enter a BC date
the format must be year, space, BC. For example: 1000 BC. The program will
not accept BC without the space. It will also not accept "B.C." or any
other variation.
With Timeline Maker 2.1 you can have an event with a date of TODAY. This
means that the event will always appear with today's date on your charts
and reports. Simply enter TODAY for your date and your event will always
be updated with the present date.
Progeny's Timeline Maker gives you the option to specify which events you
wish to include in your Chronology Report and Timeline Chart. Events with
a checkmark next to them in the Checkbox Column will be shown in the
report and chart.
Sometimes you may want to assign categories to events in your file so that
you can group related events together in your Chronology Report and
Timeline Chart. When you enter information in the Category field,
Progeny's Timeline Maker automatically saves this information in a list of
categories. As you enter more events, Timeline Maker will try to
auto-complete your category entries with information it has saved in the
list of categories. You can add, modify or delete these categories by
selecting Edit, Categories.
Events in your list can be sorted according to any of the column details,
in ascending or descending order. For example, the list could be ordered
alphabetically by Event Name, in an A-Z or Z-A format, or it can be
ordered by Start Date, or End Date, earliest to latest or vice-versa. To
sort the event list click on the column heading of the event detail you
wish to sort by. This will sort the list in ascending order. Click twice
to sort the list in descending order. An arrow head (up or down) in the
column heading indicates the sorting column and direction of sort.
Events may be imported from text files in a specific tab delimited format
by selecting File, Import, then select Text Files (*.txt) from Files of
Type. The file must be in the following format: Start Date TAB End Date
TAB Event Name TAB Notes Carriage Return
For Example:
1642 TAB 1727 TAB Sir Isaac Newton TAB Invented calculus
Events MUST contain at least a date and an event, or they will not be
imported. If any fields are left out, they must be replaced with a tab.
The fastest and most effective way to delete large portions of a file is
to use Timeline Maker's handy built in Select options. Simply specify
which category or date range you want to select and the program will
locate and highlight all events within your specifications. To access
these click Edit, Select Category or Select Date Range. When you have
selected the events you wish to delete click the delete button on the
toolbar or select Event, Delete Event from the menu.
You can choose which events in your file to include in your Chronology
Report. This is especially helpful when you have a large file or if you
only want to highlight specific events. You can choose to include or
remove single events, all events within a specific date range, or within a
category. To include or exclude an event in your report locate the event(s)
in the Event List and click in the box to the left of the event. Or,
select the event(s) and click Event, Show or Hide from the menu bar. A
checkmark indicates the event will be included.
The column order in your Chronology Report is taken from the column order
chosen in the Event Entry View. The default sort order is Event Name,
Start Date, End Date, Category and Notes, but the order of these columns
can be changed, according to your preference. To change the order of the
columns switch to the Event Entry View, click on the column heading of
your choice and then drag the column to the desired position. Repeat, if
necessary.
You can turn any of the columns on or off. When in Chronology View select
View, Chronology from the menu, then click on the column name you wish to
include or remove. A checkmark next to the column name indicates it will
be included in the report.
The sort order in your Chronology Report is taken from the sort order
chosen in the Event Entry View.
You can include author or other information in the footer of your report.
By default, Timeline Maker uses the following text as a footer for all
reports: "Created with Progeny's Timeline Maker on [today's date]." You
can change this to include any text you wish, or have no text at all. To
modify the footer select Format, Footer when in the Chronology View.
To include your Chronology Report in a word processing document click
Edit, Select All when in Chronology View. Next, select Edit, Copy, and
then paste it into your document.
Almost every aspect of the Timeline Chart can be customized to suit your
needs, including: - positioning and grouping of events - event style,
color and outline - chart background color, - font style, size and color
for events, title, footer and timescale - image placement, positioning &
size - event text - border - gridlines - time scale dates and increments -
images.
Customizing options are accessible through the Format menu and Event
Formatting Toolbar when in Chart View.
Progeny's Timeline Maker makes it easy to include images in your Timeline
Chart. Choose from the free Clip Art included with the program, or use
pictures from your own collection. Just click Format, Insert Picture when
in Chart View, then choose Clip Art or From File and browse to the image
of your choice. Once you've added an image you can shrink or enlarge it by
clicking on one of the corner squares and dragging toward or away from the
image until you achieve the desired size. You can also position it
anywhere on the chart (except the title bar) by holding down the left
mouse button and dragging it to the desired position.
Timeline Maker can only adjust time scale dates according to the time
increments of the chart. If you choose a start or end date that falls
between the increments, Timeline Maker will round the date to the closest
possible increment. For example, if your chart time scale is in 5 year
increments from 1920 to 1970 and you choose an end date of 1957, the time
scale will be adjusted to end on 1960.
Because the Timeline Chart is based on a time scale, events must be kept
on the same date within the chart, so they can not be moved horizontally.
However, you can manually move events vertically up and down to a desired
position on the chart by selecting the event(s) and dragging with your
mouse.
The beauty of Progeny's Timeline Maker is that no two Timeline Charts need
to be the same. You can mix and match event styles, outlines, colors,
fonts, and grouping all within the same chart to create a truly unique and
attractive timeline, customized to suit your needs. To modify one or more
events, simply select the event(s) you want to change, highlighting them.
Then select the event style, color, etc. of your choice. Only the events
you've chosen will be changed.
You can select more than one event by holding the Ctrl key as you click or
by clicking outside an event and while holding down the left button,
drawing a box around the group you wish to select. You can also select an
entire category by clicking Edit, Select Category or all events within a
specific date range by clicking Edit, Select Date Range.
You can specify which events in your file will be displayed in your
Timeline Chart. This can be very useful for a large file or to highlight
specific events within a file. You can choose to include or remove single
events, all events within a specific date range, or within a category. To
include or exclude an event in your chart, locate the event(s) in the
Event List and click in the box to the left of the event. Or, select the
event(s) and click Event, Show or Hide from the menu bar. A checkmark
indicates the event will be included. You can also hide events when in
Chart View by highlighting them and selecting Event, Hide from the menu.
Progeny's Power Preview makes it easy to get your Timeline Chart just
right before printing. With the click of a button you can choose to fit to
one page, center the chart on the page, switch from portrait to landscape
paper orientation, select a new page size, even scale your chart up or
down to print on as many pages as you like (up to 26x26 feet)! Once you're
finished making adjustments, simply click Print. It's that simple!
Your chart can be shrunk to half the width of your current page size,
minus the width of your margins. For example, a page that is 11 inches
wide with a margin of ˝ inch on either side has 10 inches of possible
chart space. Timeline Maker could then create a chart as small as 5 inches
wide for this page size. If you wish to make an even smaller chart you
would need to reduce your page size or increase the width of your margins.
You can include author or other chart information in the footer of your
chart. By default, Timeline Maker uses the following text as a footer for
all charts: "Created with Progeny's Timeline Maker on [today's date]." You
can change this to include any text you wish, or have no text at all. To
modify the footer select Format, Footer when in the Chart View.
You can modify events in your chart without having to leave Chart View.
Just right-click on the event, select Edit Event and make your changes.
Progeny's Timeline Maker is capable of making charts that measure up to 26
X 26 feet. If you are printing your large charts on a regular home printer
they will be spread across multiple pages that you will need to piece
together. Page numbers, as well as crop and alignment marks, are printed
on each page for easy assembly.
You can use Timeline Maker's handy Publish feature to share your chart
with others. Simply follow these steps to email your Timeline Chart: (1)
Create your chart. (2) Click on File, Publish. Select your chart format
(i.e. graphic image) then save the file. (3) Open your email, create your
message and send the file as an attachment. Find the attachment feature
(usually a paper clip icon). Click on it and browse to your saved file.
(4) Send.
When you publish a Timeline Chart to the html file format, two files are
created – an *.html and a *.jpg. If you wish to move the *.html file to a
separate directory, you must also move the corresponding *.jpg file with
it in order to view the image.
Progeny's Timeline Maker 2.1 uses *.tlm file format for its timeline
files. Previous versions of the program used *.hst file format. You will
need to convert these files into the 2.1 file format to use them in the
new version of Timeline Maker. You can do this using the import feature.
To import a *.hst file:
(1) From the menu bar, select File , then Import (2) Click the down arrow
next to Files of Type and select History Files (*.hst). (3) Browse to and
select the file you would like to import. (4) Click Open (5) If you
already have a *.tlm file open you will be asked if you would like to
create a new file. If you answer yes, a new file will be created and
events will be imported. If you answer no, events from the *.hst file will
import into the open timeline file. Entries under Place Name and Source
fields in *.hst files will be placed in the Note field upon import.
Intended as an ongoing project, Progeny offers FREE timeline files for
download and use with Timeline Maker. You are free to use these files with
no royalties attached. Please see
www.timelinemakerbasic.com/timelines.html for more information.
New to version 2.1, Progeny's Timeline Maker includes an Automatic Updates
option that makes it easy to keep your program current with the latest
program enhancements. Simply click Help, Check for Updates from the menu
to get started. Note: You must have an Internet connection to use this
feature.
Timeline Maker and Project Planning Market
Using Timeline Maker will be immediately familiar to anyone with any prior
experience using any of today's project planning software applications.
These include, to name but a few, Microsoft's Project, Fast Track
Schedule, KIDASA Milestones, or Project KickStart. These project
planning applications all support the fundamental project planning tool
known as a Gantt chart, which is a horizontal bar chart developed as a
production control tool in 1917 by Henry L. Gantt, an American engineer
and social scientist.
Frequently used in project management, a Gantt chart provides a graphical
illustration of a schedule that helps to plan, coordinate, and track
specific tasks in a project. Gantt charts may be simple versions created
on graph paper, or more complex automated versions created using project
management applications.
These more sophisticated project planning applications also present a more
expensive price point, while offering many more project management
features, but Timeline Maker manages to provide the essence of creating
these Gantt charts, without complicating this process nor incorporating
the more complex features found in the higher end applications. Timeline
Maker also provides an excellent introduction to making timelines, and in
using this neat application, users are actually forming a basic
introduction to project management, while not having to bother with all
the other higher end software features that demand intensive training to
overcome their steep learning curves. Learning to use Timeline Maker is so
easy, users will wonder what all the fuss is about in using
project management programs.
Timeline Maker will definitely find a niche in the homes of most computer
users interested in creating their customized timelines.
Price
$54.95 - CD ROM
$49.95 - Download
The download version is offered as an electronic download only. A
registration key along with download instructions will be e-mailed to you
within 24 hours of placing your order. No CD-ROM will be shipped unless
you specifically order the CD-ROM version.
System Configuration Requirements
P-II processor
Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP
64MB RAM
4MB free hard disk space for the download version
8MB free hard disk space for the CD-ROM version
VGA monitor
About Progeny Software, Inc.
Progeny Software, Inc. is a privately held software company incorporated
in 1995 in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. Founded by principal
owners and partners Pierre Cloutier and Bob Thomas, Progeny’s mission is
to develop useful and easy-to-use software tools for genealogy
enthusiasts.
The company currently has two primary product lines:
• A line of Windows-based “companion” software that offers a complete
solution for printing high quality genealogy charts and reports, including
a book format for publishing and historical timeline charts.
• A series of specialized genealogy research databases on CD-ROM that
incorporate Progeny’s charting and search engine technology for viewing,
searching and printing.
Since its beginning in 1994, Progeny has established a reputation for
quality and integrity, and enjoys amicable relationships with both large
and small players in the genealogy marketplace. Progeny’s software has
been bundled with or incorporated into products published by such
high-profile companies as Corel, Mindscape, The Learning Company, as well
as the LDS Church. Progeny's products are also distributed internationally
by a network of genealogy dealers in the US, Canada, and overseas.
Corporate Head Office for Progeny Software is located in Wolfville, Nova
Scotia. In order to deliver CD-ROM products and better serve US customers,
Progeny Publishing was established in 1997 with a business office in
Buffalo, New York.
Contact
Stephanie Preston
Media Relations
Progeny Software, Inc.
360 Main Street, Suite 14
Wolfville,
Nova Scotia
Canada B4P 1C4
902-542-0665
FAX 902-542-0562
stephaniep@progenysoftware.com
www.timelinemakerbasic.com
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Progeny's Timeline Maker 2.1