Rocket ActiveGuide

Q: Do users need a player or a plug-in?

A: No. The content plays right in the user's browser. There is no download, plug-in or player required.

Q: Is the content compatible with all browsers and OS?

A: The content will play in all modern browsers running on Windows, Linux and Mac.

Q: Isn't it dangerous for users to learn or practice in a live application?

A: The content mediates between the user and the application so their actions can be filtered and their critical errors corrected. It can neutralize any click or roll-over and re-direct their effects. Thus any risk is minimized. Its certainly safer than leaving them on their own after they've only seen a video or a simulation.

Q: What are the demands on the server when the content runs?

A: There is no significant server load. The content makes no bigger a demand on the server than does a small graphic on an HTML page. When the user asks for the ActiveGuide® content it loads into the users browser and instantly runs from there and the server is no longer involved.

Q: How big are the content files?

A: They're often very small, typically under 80k. If you include many different and large graphics this can grow proportionately.

Q: How does it play audio?

A: A very small applet is utilized to stream the audio. The audio itself is a standard audio file format (WAV) that can be recorded in the Studio or be imported from another source. The size of the files is determined by the balance of compression and quality that you choose. There are no other limitations.

Q: How easy is it to create ActiveGuides?

A: The Studio works against live application pages so there is no need to capture screens and string them together so creation of content is very rapid (as is subsequent editing). Just load the starting page into the Studio's browser and then point and click to create content (see the authoring video under "Studio Screenshots" at the right).

Q: What are the limitations on the contents look and feel?

A: Anything you can do with an HTML page can be done within your content (including automatic adoption of the target pages Style Sheet) so there are really no limits on appearance.

Q: What about section 508 compliance?

A: The content complies with the accessibility requirements of section 508 because the content is dynamically (and temporarily) written into the target pages at runtime. Thus, for example, it responds to the user's accessibility browser settings (such as large text), buttons within the content are in the pages tab sequence, text-to-voice software can read the content as part of the page, etc.

Q: Will it work with major applications like Siebel, PeopleSoft, IDX, Saratoga, etc.?

A: Yes, any application viewed through a browser. See a PeopleSoft example on the Demonstrations page.

Q: What about ASP, JSP and other dynamically generated pages?

A: It doesn't matter how the pages are generated because ActiveGuide works with them after they arrive in the browser.

Q: Does it work will ALL pages viewed in a browser?

A: No. A very poorly structured application page or web site can defeat ActiveGuide if it is not subject to logical analysis. There are pages and sites like this but applications that would benefit from ActiveGuide are, of necessity, logically constructed.

Q: Can I resell ActiveGuide?

A: Yes. If you are a provider of performance support services (content, tools, etc.) you can become an ActiveGuide reseller on very generous terms. Please contact us via the email link below to explore this.

Q: Can I integrate it into my application?

A: Yes. Under an OEM partnership Rocket will provide all the engineering necessary to integrate this technology into your application at no cost.

Q: Where do "Frequently Asked Questions" come from?

A: Next question, please.