Help Final Steps In Publishing Your Obituaries

Step 1 - Checking For Mistakes Comments and Questions

Using the Report Tab look open questions "?" report and comments "!" report. These reports will list any data that you may want to edit again. See Editing and Adding Data for tips on uses of the "?" and "!" Tags.

Look over your records for accuracy etc...

Step 2 - Making The CD Distribution

Use the ObitToCD to automatically create CD and DVD distributions. Once the distribution is created use CD or DVD burning software to copy the contents of the distribution folder to the CD or DVD.

Click on image for larger screenshot.

• A) Opening a Previously Saved Project

  If information has already been entered and saved then the project may be opened to fill in the information instead of entering it again. The project files are saved with the file extension ".cdp" To open a previously saved project, click on the "Open CD Project" button. Select the project and skip to Step H.

• B) Select A Database

  Normally this will be the file you were editing in the ObitEditor. If a different file is needed then the "Select File" button can be used to select a different file.

• C) Enter a Picture Password

  Enter any combination of characters for a password.

• D) Enter a Data Password

  Enter any combination of characters for a password.

• E) Enter a User Name

  Enter the name you want to display in the OVSViewer.

• F) Enter Compiler Notes

  Enter the name copyright or contact info which will display in the OVSViewer.

• G) Save CD Project

  Save entered information.

• H) AutoCreate

  Click on the "AutoCreate" button to begin creating the distribution.

Step 3 - Burning the CD

There are a variety of programs available on the market to write to CDs. These instructions will list the files that need to be put on a distribution CD or DVD. There is an example of Pre-Distribution and Distribution Files located on your CD.

Windows XP has it built in. Google for "CD Burning Software" there many programs listed.

Files To Distribute

The ObitToCD create the files to distribute automatically. The information below is presented for users that may want to manually change a file.

This is a list of the files, their extension, and where they need to be placed on the CD or directory/folder.
These are the minimum files and folders that must be included:

D:\
--- SomeObituaryName-P.db (File)
--- Starter.BOX (File)
--- Publish.TAG (File)
--- IMAGES    (FOLDER)
-------- Picture1.enc (File)
-------- Picture2.enc (File)
-------- etc...
---SETUP  (FOLDER)
-------- Setup.exe (File - The OVSViewer Setup)


Other files may be included, but the above are the minimum necessary for the 
OVSViewer Application to work correctly

Note that the pictures you distribute MUST have the ".enc" file extension.

If you want to include the JPG or BMP files that is ok too, but the ENC files must be present for the OVSViewer to read them correctly. The regular pictures can be included too but the ENC files must be present

Note that the database you distribute has the "-P" in its name.

This database has been Password Protected. The password protected database must also be included with your distribution for it to work correctly. The database without password protection can be included with your distribution but the OVSViewer will not open it.

Note Starter.BOX and Publish.TAG

OVSViewer Setup Files

The OVSViewer Setup.exe must be included with your distribution either on the CD containing the Obituary database or on a separate CD. The setup.exe is required for installation of the OVSViewer. See the Example distribution on your CD.

If you choose not to include the setup.exe than instructions should be given on how to download a copy from out web server.

Test Your Files

Put your final CD in the CD drive and open it using the OVSViewer. Test it.

Congratulations! You have published your obituaries.