What’s new in beta 3?

These enhancements and fixes only pertain to beta 3.  For a complete list of changes, see the Official Announcement.

Enhancements

• Made it so Black, Clear, and Logo hotkeys are available anywhere in the main form
• Added menu item in backgrounds to quickly delete invalid backgrounds
• Added support for full PowerPoint preview in foldback
• In the live and preview area, changed scroll wheel to scroll instead of select
• Added time code display to the video preview playback window

Bug Fixes

• Fixed issues with tabbing in the main control going to controls that are not visible.
• If PowerPoint is in the preview area and you use VJMode, PowerPoint goes live instead of new VJ item
• When downloading from store, use filename instead of title for consistency with the other media items
• Profile forces schedule close.  Only do this if they switch profiles.
• Fixed bug with foldback options not always saving correctly
• Fix dropdown arrow width in Window 7.  Could be a Windows 7 bug but I worked around it for now.
• Fixed issue with empty Internet Explorer popping up if you compare songs in check for schedule changes
• Fixed issue with foldback song font looking incorrect
• Fixed issue with changing background in FoldBack, with Preview Live, does not affect live output
• Fixed custom colors not getting loaded in Foldback options
• Fixed issue with dropping down color combo and it causing options window to scroll up to the top
• Increased the size of some labels in options that were getting clipped in Vista and Windows 7
• Changed the way store, songselect, and web pages initializes that could cause EasyWorship to lockup until internet times out
• Fixed the tab order on various screens
• Added a title and clear list button to the store history tab
• Fixed issue where you could not close the properties windows if you right clicked in the browser and selected properties
• Fixed issue with first slide of foldback not initially appearing correctly
• Fixed issue where background video does not startup when you first start EasyWorship and then flickers when you initially go live.
• Fixed bug with scrollbars not showing up right when switching between icon and list view
• Fixed issue with the screen creeping up when taskbar is on top
• Fixed exception that occurs when you right click on an empty schedule

Download the Beta

NOTE: THIS IS A BETA.  DO NOT USE IN A LIVE ENVIRONMENT.  MAKE A BACKUP COPY OF YOUR DATA.

Though we have worked out most of the bugs, there are a few cosmetic issues that we are aware of and will be fixing soon.  Also, this release has all the features that the final EasyWorship 2009 build will include, so if you don’t see it in the Beta, it won’t be in the final release.

The 2009 Beta will create a new application folder leaving your existing EasyWorship install intact. When the 2009 Beta application is run it will update your database, so make a backup copy of your data if you wish to keep it unmodified.  You can also copy your database to a new profile.  If you go back to the old version, it should convert your data back to the old version.  You will not be able to open 2009 schedules in older versions of EasyWorship, but older schedules (pre-2009) should open fine in this version.

Please keep in mind that in this beta, older  EasyWorship 2007 serial numbers will no longer work.  Our plan is to start sending out an email to customers who have purchased in the year 2009, new serial numbers for EasyWorship and any bibles they own.  Also the store should be ready soon to accept upgrade purchases and any new purchases will generate the new serial number.

Please post any issues or feedback you have in our 2009 Beta forum…
http://easyworship.com/support/forums/viewforum.php?f=24

You can download the installer here…
http://www.easyworship.com/downloads/ew_builds/v2009.0.3/EasyWorship2009_web.exe

Have fun

http://www.churchmedia.net/forums/general-worship-software/41322-worship-software-do-you-use.html

Official release date:    September 2009
Official retail price:      $399

Existing EasyWorship users can upgrade for $99 and, for a limited time, will receive a $25 promotional credit to EasyWorship’s new Media Store. (Customers who’ve purchased EasyWorship 2007 since January 1st 2009 are eligible for a free upgrade.)

What’s new in EasyWorship 2009?

Display Foldback (Stage Display)

• Send Lyrics and Scripture content to stage monitors (automatically synced with audience output)
• Send Alerts and custom messages to stage monitors (only seen on stage)
• Clock Display shows the current time (HH:MM:SS)
• Lyric Display, optional verse/chorus tags, shows first line of next slide, automatic word wrap, and more
• PowerPoint Display shows current and next PowerPoint slides
• Full control of format and style, including: text/font styles, custom background (not just black), scrolling or static alerts, and more
• (requires additional hardware)

VJ (Video Jockey) Mode

• Live background switching (with transitions)
• Switch between Videos, Images, Feeds and Slide Backgrounds
• Create custom categories for just your VJ stuff

Audio integration

• Add audio files directly to the Schedule
• Add audio files as backgrounds to Songs or Scripture
• Background audio can be controlled (play/pause, volume, mute)
• Background audio syncs with background videos (controls are synced)

Web Display

• Easily enter URLs to display web pages
• Integrated navigation controls (home, back, next, refresh, stop)
• Full support for YouTube videos, and more
• Full support for Flash-based content

Integrated Media Store

• Easily browse thousands of popular Mini Movies, Motions, Countdowns and Stills
• Preview media directly in EasyWorship
• Integrated Downloads, automatically puts your new media where it should be (no need to manually find and install downloaded media)

Updated User Interface

• Updated buttons and icons throughout
• Redesigned media player and interface controls for video, DVD and feeds
• Redesigned resource area and display options (preferences) area
• Theme aware so the look automatically customizes for XP, Vista or Windows 7
• Redesigned control header (top bar) and pane dividers to optimize workspace
• Redesigned to work with varying screen DPIs (large fonts)

Download the Beta

NOTE: THIS IS A BETA.  DO NOT USE IN A LIVE ENVIRONMENT.  MAKE A BACKUP COPY OF YOUR DATA.

Though we have worked out most of the bugs, there are a few cosmetic issues that we are aware of and will be fixing soon.  Also, this release has all the features that the final EasyWorship 2009 build will include, so if you don’t see it in the Beta, it won’t be in the final release.

The 2009 Beta will create a new application folder leaving your existing EasyWorship install intact. When the 2009 Beta application is run it will update your database, so make a backup copy of your data if you wish to keep it unmodified.  You can also copy your database to a new profile.  If you go back to the old version, it should convert your data back to the old version.  You will not be able to open 2009 schedules in older versions of EasyWorship, but older schedules (pre-2009) should open fine in this version.

Please post any issues or feedback you have in our 2009 Beta forum…
http://easyworship.com/support/forums/viewforum.php?f=24

You can download the installer here…
http://www.easyworship.com/downloads/ew_builds/v2009.0.2/EasyWorship2009_web.exe

Have fun

(watch video tutorial)

XP

1. click the Start button, select Run, type in “SendTo” and hit OK
2. open My Computer\Shared Documents\Softouch\EasyWorship\
    Default\Resources
3. right-click on Images, select Send To then Desktop (Create Shortcut)
4. repeat step 3 for Videos and Presentations
5. bring up the SendTo window and copy your shortcuts over

From now on when you want to copy a media file from a disk, thumb drive or email attachment, just right-click on the file or group of files and select the option to Send To. All of your EasyWorship resource folders will appear in the list.

Vista

Click on the Start icon in the lower left corner of the screen and then type the following command in the Start search text box:

%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo

Any changes you make to the items inside the SendTo folder will be reflected in the right-click SendTo menu.

Click the screenshot below to watch a quick video tutorial on Managing Profiles in EasyWorship 2007.

(watch video tutorial)

Below is a quick video tutorial that shows how to create Profiles in EasyWorship 2007. In the next post, we’ll cover how to manage your Profiles and how that works for media, songs and global preferences.

(watch video tutorial)

Live In Me is a great small group discussion opener or a sermon illustration for topics like worship, prayer or Christian living. Click in the player below to watch the entire video or click here to view it in the EasyWorship store.

One Time Blind|o_live_in_me.mp4|17652

The big picture
With 2009 you’ll see a more sleek & modern UI, more familiar to users of Windows XP/Vista/7. The control header (top bar) and pane dividers have been reworked to optimize workspace. The media player has been completely redesigned. Application icons have been updated throughout. The look/feel of the resource area has been reworked. And finally the display options (preferences) area has been significantly redesigned. Our goal was not just better aesthetics, it was also to improve the overall usability and experience, making the easiest presentation tool even easier to use.

(see larger)

Over the next few posts I’ll show the UI in detail, and provide a bit of background & rationale for these changes. Let us know what you think.

So what’s your mission field?  Who are the people in need that make you look twice before you keep on walking?  It’s about being more than a church-goer, a tither, a member of the PTA or a good employee.  Deon’s story shows the best of what we can be when we chase after Jesus’ mission through us, which isn’t governed by a punch clock or a social agenda.  Deon should challenge us to get beyond personal comfort and safety and affect our world every day.

You’ll love this film for its production quality, the story, and the characters.  Don’t miss this one.  Watch “Deon” in the player below or click here to view it in the EasyWorship store.  Check out the whole series by Deidox at deidox.com.

Deidox|d_deon final 03-26-09 - church use-deidox hd 4500kbps 150keyframe.mp4|15665

Mystery was produced by The Work of the People in cooperation with www.tobetold.info and www.mothlightcreative.com. Click in the player below to watch the entire video or click here to view it in the EasyWorship store.

Work of the People|twotp_mystery_hd.mp4|11387