Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Our little worldwide classroom has been growing fast. Thanks in large part to an amazing community of supporters that has grown up around this project! We’re creating this page to start collecting and answering questions about our free classes, and our new purchase and membership options.
Ask your question in the comments below. We’ll be answering them as they come up, and we hope to build this page into a helpful list of common questions.
Q: Why are you presenting FREE webinars?
A: Because we have a great time putting them together. We’re excited by the material and we enjoy the interaction with an enthusiastic live audience.
Q: Okay, but how can you afford to do this FREE? What’s the catch?
A: We’re balancing how much we can give away for free without undermining the economic engine that keeps this online classroom running. We make our money (and pay for the classroom) through people who purchase the downloads for these courses. While the live classes are free, the downloads contain exercise files, higher resolution and iPod versions of the video recordings, and other extras. The more downloads we are able to sell, the more live classes we’ll be able to present for free.
Q: Will I be charged for using GoToWebinar?
A: You will not be charged for using GoToWebinar. We pay for GoToWebinar’s internet broadcast services. All you need to do to use GoToWebinar is to allow it to download to your computer when you log on to your class.
Q: Why can’t I log in to the webinar?
A: You’ll need to be more specific when describing your log in problem. With all the variety of browsers and computers that are trying to log on the more you can tell us the better we can assist you.
Q: When I log in to GoToWebinar I get an FAQ page. What do I do?
A: Unfortunately this seems to happen to a few people every week, even people who have had no trouble logging in before. The best method of troubleshooting seems to be to relaunch your browser and try logging in again. If that doesn’t work try switching browsers – if you’re using Safari try using Firefox (or vice versa).
Q: GoToWebinar says the attendee limit has been reached. What does that mean?
A: GoToWebinar limits us to 1000 attendees online at a time on a first come, first attend basis. While we’re trying to find a way to increase that limit, right now, only 1000 people can watch the live presentation through GoToWebinar. However, there is no limit for viewing through our Live page.
Q: Why do I have to register for the webinars?
A: We need people to register for the classes for two reasons:
1. We need to know that there is enough interest to sustain a class.
2. We need your email address so we can send you a log in link
Q: If I’m registered for a webinar does that mean I’m guaranteed an attendee spot for the free live presentation?
A: When you register for a webinar we’re able to send you reminder notices with log-in links when the class is about to begin. Unfortunately, we’re limited to 1000 attendees at a time by GoToWebinar so you’ll still need to log in early enough to ensure a spot. However, you can also view our classes on our Live page.
Q: What is the difference between GoToWebinar and the Live page?
A: Most of our classes consist of computer presentations that may or may not also include additional video input for some non-essential purposes, such as viewing the classroom before class and seeing the instructor during Q&A. This type of class is well-suited for either GoToWebinar or Live, although you will not see the video camera input through GoToWebinar.
A few of our classes and podcast shows are mostly essential video camera feed, but include shared computer presentations or other images. This type of class is best-suited to the Live page, although you may choose to participate through GTW, if available, in order to see desktop images with a little more clarity or if you are unable to view the Live page. Unfortunately, because GoToWebinar is intended for desktop screen sharing, video from the live camera is not available.
Here are some more differences between the two video feeds:
GoToWebinar:
- The resolution of the GTW viewer is slightly higher than the Live page.
- You can interact with the moderator using the Questions section of the GTW Control Panel.
- Attendance through GTW is limited to 1000 participants. (First come, first served.)
- No live camera view.
CreativeTechs Live page:
- The resolution of the Live page is slightly lower than GTW.
- In order to continue to provide the LIVE classes for free, we must use USTREAM as an ad-supported service. You may see ads over portions of the video from time to time.
- Some workplaces may not allow the USTREAM through their company firewalls. If this is the case where you are, you will not be able to access the video through the Live page.
- You cannot interact privately with the moderator. However, you may choose to interact with other classmates and/or a teacher’s assistant (when available) through chat.
If you choose to stream both simultaneously, watch out for audio echo (see below).
Q: Why do I hear an echo during class?
If you are using both GoToWebinar and the Live page simultaneously and you are hearing an echo, make sure that one of them is muted:
- You can mute GoToWebinar by clicking “use telephone” (and don’t use a telephone).
- You can mute the Live page by clicking the audio button in the lower-left corner of the page.
Please note that the Live page is typically delayed about 15-20 seconds.
Q: How early can I log in to a webinar?
A: It’s usually possible to log in to a webinar half and hour to 45 minutes before the class begins. Usually we try to keep things interesting by broadcasting our pre-webinar activities and shenanigans.
Q: The video recordings posted here don’t include the full class or the Q&As. Why not? How do I see them?
A: We’d love to present FREE webinars every day of the week and twice on Sundays and then just give away the recordings. Really we would. But until someone comes along with a grant for a few million dollars we have to think about paying rent and equipment and … all that other stuff.
Q: In what format are the video downloads?
A: Our class recordings are presented in the QuickTime format. If you don’t have QuickTime loaded on your computer you can download it here.
Q: I just bought the downloads to a currently running course. Why are only a few sessions available?
A: If the course you’ve purchased is still being presented then not all the sessions have been recorded yet! All our courses are broadcast and recorded live. Until a session has been presented and recorded there’s literally nothing to download.
Q: Didn’t you host some special events? Are the videos posted somewhere?
A: We did! We’ve hosted special events by guest speakers, Lesa Snyder, Jay Nelson and Art Wolfe. We have recordings of those special events posted here (for Lesa and Jay) and here (for Art).
Q: Where can I ask questions that aren’t answered here?
A: You can ask them in the comments below or, for quicker response, you can send them directly to training@creativetechs.com.
This FAQ is currently being maintained by David Ingersoll at CreativeTechs.
iTunes
RSS
When purchasing a class do you get anything other than what was presented in the video…i.e. is there a question session that is not presented?
Raj -
The Q&A that follows each teaching session is included in your purchase of class downloads.
Hey guys I love the webinar training. You cover a great deal of material in a very easy to digest format, plus it’s free. That’s awesome. One question, though, I hear you talk on the webinar (more specifically – Flash) about downloading the source files that are used in the lesson. Where can I find those? I’ve looked around your site and even your Twitter page, but haven’t found any links. Are those only available if you purchase the lessons?
Chris -
Work files and PDF handouts are only available if you purchase the downloads.
I purchased the downloads and don’t know where to find the pdf files to download–can you help me?
Is it possible to purchase the inDesign course from earlier in the year? Alternatively, if not the entire course, just selected weeks?
Thank you Craig for helping an old lady across the road (figuratively speaking) I now have collected all the files up to date.Looking forward to Week 4
My pleasure!
Thanks Craig and everyone else involved in this venture. Looking forward to tomorrow. Have told hubby he has to eat on his own while I watch the lesson.
)
When I download classes via Safari they open in Quicktime. When I download with Firefox they open in ITunes. Is one better than the other? Do I have something set up wrong? Afraid I’m a bit technologically challenged about this.
And by the way….. I love these classes…..you’ve been a lifesaver as I try to boot my capabilities during my job search.
Thanks again.
Suzanne -
If you’re downloading the HD versions of the videos they it would be better to play them in Quicktime. The way to make that happen is to first open your Quicktime Player and then open the videos through Quicktime.
If you need further troubleshooting please email us directly at training@creativetechs.com
Nothing to do with your classes (which I love, love, love!!) – just your techy expertise… I’m looking for a unique Christmas gift for my husband. We are Apple people – iPhone, iPod, Mac computers. He’s always reconfiguring our computers, making them faster, more efficient, adding memory, tweeking, etc. He’s the “pc support guy” for all the family. We enjoy photography, use Canon cameras… etc.
Anything hot, new, exciting that might be a good “can’t believe my wife came up with that” sort of gift?
Kim -
I’m afraid I’m the last guy to know the newest and the coolest. I’m answering so you don’t feel ignored but if your husband is the go to guy for tech then he’s probably way ahead of me.
I’ll let Craig know you’re looking for something cool and, if he has a chance between classes, he might be able to suggest something. Sorry I can’t be more help
In response to the FAQ question, “When I log on to GoToWebinar I get a FAQ page. What do I do?”:
Make sure Java is turned on in your Web browser. Some people turn it off for security reasons, but the GoToWebinar Java Applet needs to run. Otherwise, the page will sense the Applet is not loading and will bring up the FAQ page.
Tom -
Thank you for that explanation. I’d wondered what was happening there. That would explain why switching browser would often solve the problem!
I purchased the 10 wk DW course. I have my receipt from PayPal. But I can’t find where to download the classes. Please HELP
Debby -
If you could please forward your receipt to training@creativetechs.com I’d be happy to send you a link to your downloads page.
I am interested in the 6 month PhotoShop course. What do I get if I purchase it. What does it take to download it to my computer. How much space, time, etc. Will I get the complete course or is it currently ongoing and I will have to wait for it to be completed to get the entire class? If it is ongoing when will it be completed?
I have PhotoShop 7. Will it be necessary to upgrade or will the course still be helpful?
From what I have seen so far you are doing a great job. I learned more in the samples on your web site then all the other courses and books I have attempted to use.
Doug -
Purchase of the 6 Month Course gets you downloads of 25 class sessions plus the following &As plus PDFs and exercise files. That’s over 50 hours of video. The class is ongoing. The last class will presented on March 25th and the recording of that class should be available the week after that. You can see what we’ve presented so far here -
http://creativetechs.com/training/photoshop-course/
I’ve heard from people with Photoshop Elements that the class has been useful but your mileage may vary. We use Photoshop CS4 as our presentation template so some of what is demonstrated will be done differently (or unavailable) in Photoshop 7.
What is the model number of the Wacom tablet that you are selling for $15? (Some of your pages say: “PURCHASE: Wacom Tablets $15″.) How does shipping work: i.e., shipping rates?
Sohan -
I’m glad you asked. We’ve gotten emails about this but I haven’t had a chance to update this FAQ page. The WACOM Tablet listed is Steve Laskevitch’s Wacom Tablet CLASS. You can find an excerpt from that class here -
http://creativetechs.com/training/wacom-tablets-class/
We are not selling any physical Wacom Tablets. Sorry for the confusion!
Not sure if this is the place to post this but I really enjoyed the class on Dream Weaver you did last year. Eric did a great job on the class. I have taken many tutorials and have a library of books I glean from. None have helped me as much as his DW class. For some reason the way he delivered the lesson just clicked for me. I would love for you to do more classes like that. Going more in-depth on CSS. Dealing with more complex layouts and page structure. Also the best way to use CSS resets in a site. Thanks for the training!
Tammie -
Thank you for the compliments. I’ll be sure to pass them on Erik!
I can’t seem to find the link to purchase the monthly subscription to your archived courses. Where can I find it?
Ruth -
We have discontinued the All Access Pass. It’s still available if you email training@creativetechs.com before January 31st. Anyone who currently has the Pass will be able to keep it as long as they maintain the subscription.
[...] Please read about the difference between these two video feeds! This is a class using lots of video camera input. Live Video: http://creativetechs.com/live [...]
What about those of us who purchased the all-access?
I was billed but there’s no member sign in!
Taelor -
The page to sign in for your downloads is http://creativetechs.com/members/member.php
I have registered for Molly Murrah’s online watercolour course. At the first one last Friday, you said that the materials list would be posted on the site so that we can prepare for the next session. Where on the site will this be?
Also, it was stated that the first session will be posted for free for those of us who missed it due to technical issues.
Thanks,
Heather in Canada
Heather -
Please go to http://creativetechs.com/training/molly-murrahs-watercolor-magic/ to watch the video of the Overview class.
The materials list should have been sent in a follow up email. If you did not get that email please write to us at training@creativetechs.com and I can forward it to you.