All...but specifically Viewpoint reps,

I am in midst of creating some courseware utilizing the VMP, but during the last review several people had problems viewing the content and getting the viewer installed. One was using a Mac, VMP was installed, no content. The others never got the auto-installer and had to do this manually.

Assuming, the machines meet minimum system requirements.


IS THERE A BULLETPROOF WAY TO AUTOINSTALL on any machine WITHOUT PROBLEMS.

As I'm reading through the forums, I'm losing confidence that this is a viable option to deliver content.

I can not assume that the user will have administrative rights; in fact I would assume the opposite.

How can I push this into a classroom full of machines and be sure that the viewer will work without creating a headache for the teacher. Thoughts?

Thanks for your time.

Hello,

Here is the VMP installer .exe file. Just click on link to install the VMP.
https://components.viewpoint.com/MTSInstallers/archive/vmp_full_installer.exe

Best Regards,
Viewpoint Support

What a simple and straight forward solution, I wish I would have thought of that. Can you sense the sarcasm?

Although I have been a fan of the VMP capabilities and visual quality for years, and when the broadcast key was no longer required I gained some optimism regarding VMPs future...BUT....

I NO LONGER CONSIDER VIEWPOINT A VIABLE SOLUTION FOR THE MASSES!

And here is why (BTW, I would love to read a convincing and believable counter argument):

There are two many problems with the installation of the player. Here are some I have noted over the years:

Inconsistent playback/results of the viewers’ integration with other tools, such as different browsers, different browser versions, different VMP versions, security services not permitting the installation (firewall, pop up blockers) and Flash.

One nice thing about Viewpoint in the past was the auto installer...which is no longer a working solution for the masses. Pop up blockers and SP2 put an end to that.

If I have to count on my potential user to have some sort of Admin rights, I can not use this viewer. I can not count on my user to have that sort of account on the machine they are using and I can not always, in fact I rarely can, dictate what the system admins need to load on machines.

Check the forums for other installation and viewing problems.

I have sent content and links to content to many people to demonstrate this technology, only to have them come back and say "it doesn't work".

TOO MANY VARIABLES!! I need something I KNOW WILL WORK THE FIRST TIME. I have not had any problems like this with, let's say, FLASH, which is why it has gained the place it has in the market.

At this point VMP is, ANY ONLY IS, a niche technology only useful for those that want it and are willing to troubleshoot to get it.

I do recognize that not everyone has problems. But for me to recommend this to customers, 99% of the potential audience has to be problem free. Therefore I have a great deal of difficulty recommend the use of this viewer to my customers.

I hope this changes.

I still consider Viewpoint viable, but the problems with the automatic install scripts are frustrating, especially with Mac. On my site, I use the old install script, offer a link to the download page at Viewpoint, and instructions for buggy firefox installs on windows.

All the problems I've encountered (and my site users have encountered) and complaints I've seen here make me wonder if Viewpoint is testing the install script on various OSs and browsers.

Many people won't deal with it and leave my site, and that sucks.

I've seen a few posts on here about Mac, and even a few replies expressing why Viewpoint doesn't prioritize getting things working on Mac. I'm glad that's changing. WHile I could care less if Enliven is available on Mac, the technology needs to work on the Mac.

News Flash Viewpoint - without exception every person I know who has an interest in this technology and the capital to fund it uses a Mac. No kidding. It really puts a damper on things.