Working with the MacGALT Authoring System

1. Introduction

1.1. What is MacGALT ?

MacGALT is the Macintosh version of the GALT multimedia foreign language authoring software. GALT stands for Glossing Authentic Language Texts. Its simplicity and intuitive interface make it a useful tool for any to create a multimedia program for hypertext glossing of texts in order to enhance students' abilities to comprehend the cultural and contextual aspects of a foreign language.

In order to do so, MacGALT imposes a predefined structure to the user. Every program made with MacGALT will have the same user interface and the same type of windows. Within this structure, the user-programmer will have the capability of organizing his own material and customize certain functions.

1.2. Prerequisites

In order to begin developing with MacGALT one need only few prerequisites:

• Macintosh PowerPC recommended.
• Basic knowledge of the Macintosh computer.
• Hardware requirements depend on the type of media to be used (i.e. video, sound etc.)

2. Starting

To start working with MacGALT Author, you need to:

1. 1. Open MacGALT Author 1.0b9 from the folder
2. f.MacGALT
3. To start a new program - select New under menu File.
4. To work on an existing program - select Open under File.

Then the title page of either the old or the new program will appear in a new window.

3. Organization of a MacGalt program

	Every MacGALT program has the same predefined structure shown in the following diagram. Within each of the categories of pages ion can adapt a certain number of elements to his needs. However the main structure can not be changed.
Figure 1: Structure of a MacGALT Program

4. What can be done with MacGALT?

4.1 Content of a MacGALT program

A MacGALT program can contain:

• Text
• Images (TIFF, PICT formats)
• Sound (QuickTime and AIFF format)
• Video (QuickTime format)
• Charts (also called "relationships")

The principal goal of a MacGALT program is to link all these elements to the text in order to explain or work on a text. In order to take fully advantage of the capabilities of MacGALT, the text must have an audio support as well (either only audio or audio and video.)

In this case, the user will be able to listen to the text while reading the transcription. Certain important words of the text can be the object of deeper analysis or simply further explanation. This information can be dispatched among up to seven kinds called "footnotes". In the predefined structure, footnotes are

• Pronunciation
• English definition
• French definition
• Cultural references
• Grammar notes
• Relationships
• Picture

Note: These footnotes are easily customizable. Anyone of them can contain any type of information: text, chart, image, sound or video. It is also important to know that the name for the footnote can be changed or the footnote may simply be not present.

4.2. Organization of the Information
Information is organized around the text. It is accessible in the form of hyperlinks. The author of the program can chose any word or group of words and "hyperlink" it to one or several footnotes. This organization of the information will allow the user to simply click on one of the hot word and quickly access the information related to it.

5. Title page

A MacGALT program always opens with Title window

It contains three editable parts (Title, Text, Credits.) It provides the space for the user to put his information. Data can be text or images (see sections 7, 8 and 9 about the way to place the data.)

The navigation between the four main parts (see diagram above) is done with the System Control buttons. From the title page one can access the help section, the introduction or the main content (called Text) by pressing one of the buttons. On this page pressing the button Next will cause the first page of the introduction to appear.

Introduction pages (6 in total) present the user with the basic use of MacGALT such as navigating through MacGALT and the organization of a typical page of a MacGALT program.

6. Introduction and Text Pages

The main content of a MacGALT program is located in the "Text" pages. An introductory message can also be put in the "Introduction" pages. Both are very similar. They resemble notebooks with four control panels (System Control, Page Control, Sound Control and Footnote Control.).This is the place where the text and the footnotes are put. Each page of the text has the same structure:

On the picture above, all the editable parts are Title, Location of the Text, and Footnote Buttons (see section 7 for editing.) The control panel work as follow:

• The navigation buttons will allow one to go from one page of the text to the next one (see page number on the top right corner of the screen.) When on the first page, Previous will go back to the Introduction pages. When on last page of the text Next will go to the Title page.

• The Footnote Control buttons will make the content of the footnote appear on the screen. Each hyperlink can lead to up to seven different pieces of information (see 4.2.) When no hyperlink is selected, all the footnote control buttons appear dimmed (white.) When a hyperlink is selected (i.e. one has clicked on a hot) the button corresponding to the footnotes for this word will appear blackened. Clicking on one of these footnote control buttons will cause the footnote to appear.

• The Audio Control buttons appear dimmed when no sound is available for this page. In the case there is some audio available, the buttons appear blackened. Play this page will cause to play the audio file corresponding to this page only as Play until end will play the file corresponding to the whole text. In either case the sound can be paused (Pause and Continue buttons.)

It is possible to add new pages to the Introduction part or the Text part by selecting New Page under menu Structure in the menubar (shortcut APPLE+N.) A dialog box appear asking for the name of the next card. This name will appear in the title location on the new page (see fig. 3 and 4.)

7. Editing the Text

The author of the MacGALT program can edit text in various location of the program. However, the procedure is always similar. MacGALT authoring system has two level of use: locked (user level) and unlocked (authoring level.)

In order to edit text one must be in the unlocked mode. In order to toggle from one to another, one must select Unlock Text under the Edit menu in the menubar (shortcut: Apple+U.) When the text is already unlocked, Unlock Text becomes Lock Text and toggles back to the user mode.

Once in authoring mode, the cursor changes from a hand pointing to a typing bar in the editable parts of the page (see previous sections, fig. 3 and 4.) At this moment one can enter the text in the desired location. Entering text can be done either by directly typing it in or by copying and pasting it (shortcut Apple+C and Apple+V) from a text file open with a word processor. In the case the second solution is chosen, it is recommended that the text should be in a "Text Only" format (readable by Simple Text.)

Text can be formatted within MacGALT with the three additional menus that appear (Font Style and Size) in the menubar when on authoring mode.

Important Note: while editing the text within MacGALT, it is not recommended to use the following keys: TAB Left Arrow, Right Arrow, Up Arrow and Down Arrow. In MacGALT, these keys are reserved for navigation purposes.

8. Placing Audio Files and Pictures

8.1. Audio Files

The author of a MacGALT program can chose to link an audio file with either a page of text or with all the pages edited in the program. This is possible for both the Introduction and the Text pages.

Placing audio file is easily performed by selecting Audio File under menu Structure in the menubar. A dialog box appear allowing the author to find the desired sound file (AIFF or QuickTime format.)

Important Note: Each time a new medium (sound or video) is linked to a MacGALT program, MacGALT makes a copy of the corresponding file to a folder named Media_Files and that must stand next to the MacGALT program while running it. MacGALT automatically creates this folder the first time a media is linked to the program.

A second dialog box appear in order to decide whether the audio file will be linked to the current page or to the whole text. According to the choice made at this point the Play Until End or Play This Page button will be blackened on the Audio Control panel. Clicking one of these will cause the sound to play.

8.2. Pictures

In MacGALT, it is possible to place pictures within the editable pages (Title, Introduction and Text pages.) In order to do so select Place Picture under menu Structure in the menubar. A dialog box will appear and allow the author to find any picture desired (PICT or TIFF format.)

Once the picture is located, simply press Open in order to place it into the current page. It is possible to have a preview of images. To have a preview before opening the picture file, simply click in the Preview button on the bottom left corner of the dialog box.

The picture selected will be placed in the middle of the current page. It is possible to change its size and location with the "Universal Tool." Select Universal Tool under Edit menu in the menubar (shortcut Apple+E.)

Deleting the picture can also be performed with the "Universal Tool." Once it is selected, click on the picture and press the Delete key on the keyboard.

Once the placement of the picture is done one has to go back to Select Universal Tool under Edit menu in the menubar (shortcut Apple+E) in order to get back to the regular editing mode.

9. Working with Footnotes

9.1. Changing Footnote Categories

There are seven predefined footnote categories: Pronunciation, English Definition, Cultural References, Grammar Notes, Relationship and Picture. It is possible to:

• Rename any of these categories
• Suppress one or more categories

In order to do so, select Footnote Controls under Structure menu in the menubar. The following dialog box will appear:

To change the name of a footnote control button, simply click on the desired Name box delete the existing text and type the new name. To hide some footnote control buttons click on the check box under Visible. Once the changes are made click on Save to exit and make the changes to the program.

9.2. Creating and Suppressing Text Footnotes

Once the desired categories are created, one can begin to make footnotes for word of the text. The text must be already placed in the text location (see section 7.)

1. Unlock the text (see section 7.)
2. Select a word or a group of words of the text by hiliting them.
3. Select Text Annotation under Special menu in the menubar (shortcut Apple+T.)
4. On the dialog box that appear select the footnote category (see fig. 6.)
5. Type the footnote text (see fig. 6.)
6. Click on save to establish the hyperlink.

9.3. Creating Picture Footnotes

In order to link a word or a group of words with a picture:

1. Unlock the text (see section 7.)
2. Select a word or a group of words of the text by hiliting them.
3. Select Media Annotation under Special menu in the menubar (shortcut Apple+M.)
4. On the dialog box that appear select the footnote category and click on New Media Annotation.
5. A second dialog box will appear for selecting the type of footnote desired. Check either Picture.
6. Locate the picture and click on Ok.
7. On the dialog box that appear enter a name for the window in which the picture will appear.

9.4. Creating Relationship Chart Footnotes

A relationship chart is a diagram such as presented in fig. 7. Such a chart can be linked to a word or a group of word. MacGALT includes a set of graphic tool allowing anyone to draw such charts.

To create a relationship footnote:

1. Unlock the text (see section 7.)
2. Select a word or a group of words of the text by hiliting them.
3. Select Media Annotation under Special menu in the menubar (shortcut Apple+M.)
4. On the dialog box that appear select the footnote category and click on New Media Annotation (select Existing Media Annotation in case an existing chart has to be re-used.)
5. A second dialog box will appear for selecting the type of footnote desired. Select Relationship Chart and click on Ok.
6. Enter the name for the new chart and click on Ok.
7. A window similar to the one shown in fig. 7 will appear. Use the editing tools in order to build the chart (see below).
8. Once the chart is done, close the window (see fig. 7.)

To call a relationship chart footnote, toggle to user mode (text locked), click on the word linked to the chart and then on the footnote control button selected. The chart window will appear. It can be move or closed like a regular window.

9.4b. How to build relationship Charts

Note: To access either the "color palette" or "line pallete" open them from the "Tools" menu. Also, if you are typing in a non-Latin alphabet, typing in "Nodes" will not be readable. Use "Labels" instead, for these languages.

To create a Node:

• Create a Node, by clicking the "Node" button in the "Diagram Tool Box." A node will be created with the text "untitled" in the center. You can click in the center to change the text.
• To edit the node's color. Select "Edit" from the "Diagram Tool Box" and click on the node. To change the background color, select the topmost box (in the upper grouping) from the "Color Pallete," select a color, and the node will change.
• To edit the node's border color: Select "Edit" from the "Diagram Tool Box" and click on the node. Select the lower box (in the lower grouping) from the "Color Pallete," select a color, and the border will change.

To create a Label:

• Create a Label, by clicking the "Label" button in the "Diagram Tool Box." Click on the palette and drag down and to the right. When you release a label will be created. Click on it and you can enter your text.
• To edit the label's color. Select "Edit" from the "Diagram Tool Box" and click on the label. To change the background color, select the lower box (in the upper grouping) from the "Color Pallete," select a color, and the label will change.
• To edit the label's border color: Select "Edit" from the "Diagram Tool Box" and click on the label. Select the lower box (in the lower grouping) from the "Color Pallete," select a color, and the border will change.

To create a line:

• Create a Line, by clicking the "Line" button in the "Diagram Tool Box."
• Click on the starting location, drag, and release. You line is now created.
• To edit your line's color. Select "Edit" from the "Diagram Tool Box" and click on the line. Select the lower box (in the lower grouping) from the "Color Pallete," select a color, and the line will change.
• To edit your line's thickness. Select "Edit" from the "Diagram Tool Box" and click on the line. Select the desired level of thickness from the "Line Palette" box.

To move an object:

• Click on the "Edit" button in the "Diagram Tool Box." Now click on the object in the palette area, the corners should be highlited. You can now click and drag on the corners to re-size. You can move the object by clicking in the center, dragging, and releasing in the desired destination.
  

9.5. Creating Sound, or Video Footnotes

In MacGALT, it is possible to link a sound with a movie or a sound file. It is also possible to select only a portion of these files. Both sound and video footnotes work in a very similar way:

1. Unlock the text (see section 7.)
2. Select a word or a group of words of the text by hiliting them.
3. Select Media Annotation under Special menu in the menubar (shortcut Apple+M.)
4. On the dialog box that appear select the footnote category and click on New Media Annotation (select Existing Media Annotation in case an existing sound has to be re-used.)
5. A second dialog box will appear for selecting the type of footnote desired. Select either QuickTime Movie or Audio File and click on Ok.
6. In the next dialog box select either All or Segment in order to link all of the movie or sound or only a portion of it to the hilited word.
7. Locate the movie or sound file desired.
8. If a segment of the file needs to be selected the dialog box shown in fig. 8 will appear (fig. 8 shows the dialog box for sound files, dialog box for movie files is similar.)

9. Play the file with the control bar (see fig. 8) and set the beginning and end times by pressing on Begin and End buttons.

10. The segment selected can be played by clicking on Test.

11. Beginning and end times can be reset and set several times if needed. Simply repeat steps 9 and 10.

Important Note: Each time a new medium (sound or video) is linked to a MacGALT program, MacGALT makes a copy of the corresponding file to a folder named Media_Files and that must stand next to the MacGALT program while running it. MacGALT automatically creates this folder the first time a media is linked to the program.

Once the file or segment of the file is linked to the word, one can use the footnote by toggling to user mode (locked text), clicking on the word and pressing the hilited footnote control button.

Note: an audio or video footnote can not be controlled (i.e. pause, rewind etc.) in the user mode. Once playing it only stops at the end of the file or segment.

10. Saving and Compacting

While working with MacGALT authoring system, the program is automatically updated. Each change to the program is progressively saved to the file.

However it is wise to save the work done regularly by selecting Save under the File menu in the menubar. This action will update the file with the newest changes (which is not always guaranteed with the automatic saving.

Compacting is also needed from time to time. After a session of work on a program compacting the file will cause an optimization of the file in terms of disk space.