What is the Life and Times of the Prime Ministers CD?

Produced by the EXCITE Center at Simon Fraser University, with support from Rogers Communications and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the Life and Times of the Prime Ministers CD-ROM invites all Canadians to explore the lives and times of the twenty people who have served in Canada's highest office.

Taking full advantage of the rich possibilities of the multimedia environment, the CD-ROM has specially-produced interviews with all of the living prime ministers, film and audio clips from archival sources, commentary by leading historians, and entertaining insights from journalists and comedians. The Life and Times of the Prime Ministers of Canada CD-ROM contains hours of audio-visual material. Thanks to the generous cooperation of the National Archives of Canada and many other sources, the CDROM is also rich in photographs, cartoons, and illustrations.


The Main Menu Screen
The Main Screen

Once the program has loaded, you will see a Main Screen (see below) with five choices, including the option to quit the program. You make a choice by moving the mouse over that area of the screen and clicking.

Roll the mouse over the graphic for descriptions of the different sections accessible from the Main Screen.

The Life and Times of the Prime Ministers CD is divided into four sections: Preview, Profiles, Eras and Archives.


Overall Screen functions

In each of the three main sections (Profiles, Eras, and Archives), there are two global navigation elements: the Maple Leaf Menu, and the Navigation Buttons.


Main Navigation Buttons

On the lower left area of the screen in each major section, the Profiles Button, Eras Button, and Archives Button navigate to different areas of the program.


The Close Button

Graphical elements (e.g., a frame containing video) will appear over top of screens as a way of maintaining context within a section. To return to the underlying screen and it’s functions, click on the close button.

NOTE: In the case of video, and audio items, these elements will disappear when the clip has completed. However, you can still close these overlays at any time by clicking on the Close button.

NOTE: You can also click outside the overlay graphic to make it go away.


The Preview Section

Knowlton Nash kicks off the Preview with a brief introduction to the daunting office of the prime minister. At this point the Preview becomes interactive, including great moments from Canadian history and irreverent commentary about our prime ministers.

The Preview is a great warm-up for the contents in the rest of the CD-ROM, and a place that users will want to return again and again.

Roll the mouse over the graphic and click for popup descriptions.


The Profiles Section

The Profiles section offers a comprehensive look at each of Canada's twenty prime ministers. Seven major prime ministers – Sir John A. Macdonald, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, W.L. Mackenzie King, John Diefenbaker, Lester B. Pearson, Pierre Trudeau, and Brian Mulroney -- receive extended, in-depth treatment. The main areas in this section are Commentary, Biography, Impressions, and Issues. You can navigate between prime ministers using the Profiles Menu screen, accessible when you click on the Profiles button.


The Profiles Menu Screen

Move the mouse over the portraits of the prime ministers to display their name, and term of office. The highlight on each portrait will be tinted red (Liberal), or blue (Conservative) depending upon which party the prime ministers served under. Clicking on a portrait takes you to the profile screen of that prime minister.

 Roll the mouse over the graphic and click for popup descriptions.


The Profiles Screen

The main set of choices from a Profile screen comprise Commentary, Biography, Impressions, and Issues. Each section reveals various aspects of the life of the prime minister and his office. Click on one of the choices shown on the buttons below to go to that area in the profile. There is also a Quick summary of the prime ministers vital statistics available by clicking on the prime ministers name within a profile screen.

Click on the thumbnail graphic above to explore the features of the Profiles screen.

NOTE: You can exit an area of a prime minister profile by clicking on the Profile Return button in the upper right corner of the screen.

Explore the features of the four subsections within Profiles by clicking on the graphics below:

NOTE: Commentary and Biography appear for all prime ministers, but the Impressions and Issues only appear for the seven major prime ministers.


Biography Media pop-ups

Icons on the biography pages indicate where multimedia "footnotes" compliment and expand on the text. Historians, journalists, even the prime ministers themselves, explain the significance of the events  being described in the biography. In the example above, the golden microphone represents an audio footnote.

Explore the Biography Media pop-up  for more information.


The  Eras Section

The Eras section helps the user to place each prime minister within the context of the events occurring in Canada during his or her government. Sometimes serious, often lighthearted, the interactive timeline of the Eras section gives a feel for the changes that have occurred in Canada since Confederation.

The Eras section makes extensive use of film provided by the CBC and the National Film Board. The responsive interface is filled with surprises that make this glimpse at Canadian history entertaining.

The Eras Screens

As you move the mouse over the images on the Eras Menu Screen a label of the era appears, and music from each era plays.

Click the mouse while over a specific era (such as that of the King era in the graphic above) to go to that Era screen.

Explore an Era screen in the same fashion by moving the mouse over the images, and clicking to reveal more information.

Click on the thumbnail graphic above to explore the features of the Eras screen.

See also Eras Media Icons


Eras media Icons

In the Eras section Items are labelled and further identified by an icon that represents their media type. The types of media icons include video (shown above), audio, text and slide shows.


The Archives Section

The many audio and video interviews, films, scripts, written documents, photos, and illustrations of the Prime Ministers of Canada CD-ROM add up to a rich database of Canadian content. The Archives section allows students to enter that database and make use of its contents. They can copy text and graphic items from the Archives for use in their own research projects.

Explore the Archives through a variety of Search engines, and filters, and watch video or listen to audio clips while reading along in a transcript, read text items including glossary definitions, and look at historical pictures in the Image gallery.

An extensive Bibliography lists essential texts and media resources pertaining to the prime ministers and to basic texts on Canadian history.

Click on the thumbnail graphic above to explore the features of the main Archive screen.


Searching in Archives

There are three different ways to search in the Archives section:

1)	Item list : alphabetical listing of every item in the Archives, sorted by name;

2)	Full text search : through a full text search, that scans the contents of every text file including transcripts and graphics captions;

3)	Keyword List : an alphabetical listing of keywords.


The Item List

Click on the Item list tab to view all the items in the Archives. Scroll the Items list to the item you want to view. Click on the name in the list to view the item. You can automatically scroll to an item by typing in the incremental search field (For example, type "king" to cause the list to scroll to the listings for Mackenzie King).


Full Text Search

Click on the Find tab to be able to search the text on the CD-ROM. Enter the text you want to search for in the field labelled Text to search for, then click the Find button. The results will appear in the field labelled Results.


Keyword Search

Click on the Keyword tab to view the contents in the Archives section sorted by keyword. Scroll the Keyword list to the keyword you want to view.

Click on the Keyword to view all the items in the Archives with that keyword. Items will appear in the Results field. Click on an item in the Results field to display the item.

NOTE: You can automatically scroll to a keyword by typing in the incremental search field. For example, type "metis" to cause the list to scroll incrementally (i.e., to the letter m when you type m, to the words beginning me when you type me, and so on) to the keyword for Metis).

See also Related Keywords


Related Keywords

Items in the Archives section often contain Related Keywords. When an item is displayed click on the Related Keywords button to view the list of keywords that apply to this item. A pop-up window will be displayed with the relevant keywords. Click on a keyword in the Keyword List to see the other items in the Archives section that share this keyword. Click on an item in the Items field to display it. Click on the close button to hide this pop-up window.

NOTE: you can reposition the pop-up window on the screen by holding the mouse down over the title bar (labelled "Related Keywords") and dragging it to another position. The next time you select Related Keywords, the window will open in this position.


The Image Gallery

A presentation of all the Images in Archives section. The Images are sorted alphabetically according to their name in the Item List. Browse the Image Gallery using the Next and Previous buttons, view captions, copy, or print the image.

 Roll the mouse over the graphic for popup descriptions.


Navigation buttons

A number of buttons enable you to move easily throughout The Prime Ministers CD-ROM, including the following:

 Archives button

 Archives Close button

 Biography button

 Close button

 Commentary button

 Copy button

 Eras button

 Find button

 Image Caption button

 Impressions button

 Issues button

 Maple Leaf button

 Media Annotation button

 Next button

 Pause/Play buttons

 Previous button

 Previous Image button

 Print button

 Profiles button

 Profile Return button

 Related Keywords button

 Rewind button

 View Gallery button


Maple Leaf Menu Button

Brings up a menu of all the destinations available to you within the CD through the Maple Leaf Menu.


Profiles Button

Appears along the bottom of the screen in each of the major sections of the CD. Click this button to go to the Profiles menu screen.


Eras Button

Appears along the bottom of the screen in each of the major sections of the CD. Click this button to go to the Eras menu screen.


Archives Button

Appears along the bottom of the screen in each of the major sections of the CD. Click this button to go to the Archives main screen.


Next Button

Appears in the Eras and Profiles section. Clicking on the Next button takes you to the next related item (in chronological order). In the Profiles section, it takes you to the next prime minister’s profile; in the Eras section it takes you to the next Era section.


Previous Button

Clicking on the Previous button takes you to the previously related item (in chronological order). In the Profiles section, it takes you to the previous prime minister’s profile; in the Eras section it takes you to the previous Era section.


Close Button

Close the current overlying graphic (usually framed by a gold border) to reveal the underlying screen and it’s functions.

NOTE: you can also click outside the overlying graphic to make it go away.


Profile Return Button

Return to the Profile screen for the current prime minister.


Commentary Button

Contains a video that introduces each prime minister. Historian Michael Bliss, author of Right Honorable Men, offers a perspective on the contribution of each PM. Archival photos and film illustrate his points.


Biography Button

A multi-screen, interactive look at each prime minister's life.


Impressions Button

A potpourri of anecdotes,  observations, satire, and commentary.


Issues Button

Hosted by Mary-Lou Finlay, explains how of the major prime ministers dealt with the most important issues of Canadian political leadership:  Building the Nation; National Unity; and Canada and the World. Still images and archival film illustrate the commentary.


Quick Facts Button
Quick Facts Header

Clicking on a PM’s name in the Profile section will display a quick summary of the prime minister's vital statistics.

 Click here to see a sample Quick Facts screen.


Pause/Play buttons

Toggle between pausing and playing an audio or a video clip. They function in a similar fashion to the pause and play buttons on a VCR.


Rewind Button

Rewind an audio or video clip back a few seconds. Hold the mouse down over this button to continuously rewind the clip.

NOTE: because of the nature of CD-ROM technology, this button may not work as well on machines with slower CD-ROM drives.


Complementary Image

A graphic that accompanies an audio commentary.


Text selection icon

Creates a frame in which text can be selected, copied and printed.


Media Annotation Button

Display the annotations that accompany the current media item.

NOTE: the golden arrow in this button can be oriented “down”, “left” or “right”.


Media annotation text

Contains a transcript of any video or audio, information about any graphics that appear, and credits. Click the triangular button above the scroll bar to open or close the transcript.


Copy Button

Copy the text portion of the current media item.


Print Button

Print the text portion of the current media item.


Search Pane

Roll the mouse over the graphic and click for popup descriptions.


Search tabs

Click to choose the method of searching.


Item List tab

Click to find a listing of all the items in the Archives.


Find  Tab

Switch to full-text search mode.


Keyword Tab

Search through the items in the Archive by selected keyword.


Incremental search field

As you type in this field, the list automatically moves through the alphabet highlighting the item that most closely matches.


Item list

Items in the Archives section available for display using the current search criteria and the current media filters.


Media Item

 One of audio, video, text, and picture media items Listed in the Archives section according to the current search criteria. Double click on a media item to display it.


Media filters

Roll the mouse over the graphic and click for popup descriptions.

Media filters provide a convenient way of selecting only items that have a particular media type. For example, to remove all the text items from the Item list, click on the Text filter. The icon for the Text filter becomes greyed out. Click on the Text filter icon again to return the text items to the Item list.

Any combination of text, images, audio, and video is possible. For example, you can view only text, or text and video, or audio and video, etc. Experiment by turning the different media filters on and off.


Image filter

The image filter shows or removes images on the glossary item list. Click on the filter to remove the images from the list. Click on the filter again to display the images.


Audio filter

The audio filter shows or removes audio clips on the glossary item list. Click on the filter to remove the audio clips from the list. Click on the filter again to display the audio clips.


Text Filter

The text filter shows or removes text items on the glossary item list. Click on the filter to remove the text items from the list. Click on the filter again to display the text items.


Video filter

The video filter shows or removes video clips on the glossary item list. Click on the filter to remove the video from the list. Click on the filter again to display the video clips.


Item Title

Name of the item currently displayed.


Text Pane

The text of any media item (including glossary and biography entries) appears in this field.


Archive Image

Thumbnail graphic available when viewing an Image Item. Click on the View in Context button, or on the graphic to view it in the Image Gallery.


Biography Picture

Appears when a biography text item has been selected.


Number of Items

Displays the number of items in the current item list.


See Related Popup


Keyword List

List of keywords in the archives.


Find Button

Click to begin searching for the text entered in the "Text to Search for" field.


Results Field

After performing a Full Text search or Keyword search, the results field shows items available for display.


View in Gallery Button

Click to view an image thumbnail at its full size in the Image Gallery section.


Related Keywords Button

Creates a pop-up window with a list of keywords that apply to the item displayed.


Quicktime Controller

The functions of the controls are described below:

volume:

Click to adjust the volume.

pause:

Click to pause the current sound or video.

play:

Click to play or to resume play.

scrub:

Click to move the clip manually to a specific place.

step frame next/previous:

Click to move to the next or previous frame.


Image Caption Button

Displays the caption for the image currently displayed in the Image Gallery.


Previous Image Button

This button returns you to the image previously viewed.


Next Image Button

This button takes you to the next image.


Archive Close Button

Close the current area (Credits, Bibliography, or Image Gallery) and return to the main Archives screen.


Search Tab

Search for media items using an incremental search listing, a full text search, or keyword search.

NOTE: The Search tab is active when you first enter the Archives section.


Image Gallery Tab

Go to the Image Gallery area of the Archives section.


Bibliography Tab

Go to the Bibliography area of the Archives section. This area contains an extensive reading list of books and articles related to the prime ministers of Canada.


Credits Tab

Go to the Credits area of the Archives section -- an extensive listing of all the people and organizations who helped create this CD-ROM.


Media Icons

The Media Icons provide access to the pictures, sounds and videos. These icons include the following:

Roll the mouse over the graphic and click for popup descriptions.


Slide Show Icon

In the Eras section, a series of still images that can be viewed by clicking on the Next and Previous buttons in the Slide Show pop-up window.


Video Icon


Audio Icon


Text Icon


Image Icon


Maple Leaf Menu Items

Roll the mouse over the image and click for descriptions.

Available when you click on the Maple Leaf in the upper left corner of the screen, the menu items are Help, Main Screen, Profiles, Eras, Archives, Desktop, and Quit.


Main Menu

Roll the mouse over the image and click for descriptions.

This menu is available when you click on the Maple Leaf  [image]  in the upper left corner of the screen.


Help Menu Item

Clicking Help launches this help section for the CD-ROM.


Main Screen Menu Item

Clicking this option takes you to the Main Screen Submenu. Selecting from the submenu items takes you to that section’s menu screen.


Main Screen Submenu

Selecting a section from the Main Screen submenu takes you to that section of the CD-ROM.


Profiles Menu Item

Clicking Profiles takes you to the Profiles Submenu screen.


Profiles Submenu

Selecting a prime minister from the submenu takes you to the profile of that prime minister (in this case John Diefenbaker) in the Profiles section.


Eras Menu Item

Clicking Eras takes you to the Eras Submenu screen.


Eras Submenu

Select an Era from the Eras submenu by clicking on the Era icon (in this case 1911-1935.


Archives Menu Item

This menu item takes you to the Archives section.


Desktop Menu Item

This menu item allows the CD to run in the background while you return to the operating system or work in another program. To restore the PM disk, double click the icon on your desktop.


Quit Menu Item

This menu item closes the program and returns you to the desktop. You can also exit using the Escape key.


Main Menu Screen

Roll the mouse over the graphic and click for popup descriptions.


Preview Selection Screen

Roll the mouse over the graphic and click for popup descriptions.


Profiles Menu Screen

Roll the mouse over the graphic and click for popup descriptions.


PROFILES COMMENTARY popup window
Profiles Commentary

Roll the mouse over the graphic and click for popup descriptions.


Profiles Biography Screen

Roll the mouse over the graphic and click for popup descriptions.


Profiles Main Screen

Roll the mouse over the graphic and click for popup descriptions.


Profiles Biography Media Popup Window

Roll the mouse over the graphic and click for popup descriptions.


Profiles Biography Glossary Popup Window

The titles of the entries in the glossary appear on the left, the glossary text on the right.


Profiles Impressions Screen (with media frame)

Roll the mouse over the graphic and click for popup descriptions.


Profiles Issues Screen

Roll the mouse over the graphic and click for popup descriptions.


Eras Menu Screen

Roll the mouse over the graphic and click for popup descriptions.

Clicking on one of the eras brings you to a specific Era Screen.


Archives Search Screen


Archives Credits Screen

This screen lists the authors and creators of the Prime Ministers CD-ROM.


Archives Image Gallery Screen

Roll the mouse over the graphic and click for popup descriptions.


The ExCite Centre

The Excite Center

What makes EXCITE different from other multimedia developers? Naturally, we have talented graphic artists, programmers, sound and video magicians who love to put on a great show. But we also have poets, teachers, scholars, writers and editors who are passionate about content - how it is presented and what the message means.

EXCITE, Simon Fraser University
The Excite Team

We wish to acknowledge the valuable contribution of the EXCITE staff:

Greg Burnham	Noni Maté

Chris Clevette	Rachel Maté

Brenda Dallaway	Kevin Parks

Karen Demers	Howard Petrella

Heidi Dirksen	David Rosborough

Rob Fitzsimmons	Shane Rosborough

Kevin Fraser	Blair Rosser

Moragh Goshimmon	Dr. Gerri Sinclair

Nancy Hostetler	Dennis Smith

Geoff Hultin	Jaap Tuinman

Jean Letourneau	Marianne Van de leygraaf

Mathew Levenson	Pam Woodhouse

Jim Lowe	Julie Zilber

You can visit EXCITE at http://www.excite.sfu.ca


Navigation

General notes on navigating through the Prime Ministers CD-ROM.

Overall Organization

The PM disk is organized into five main sections, each with its own central screen.

1 Home Screen: On entering the product, you are introduced to the Home, or Main, Screen. From here you can navigate to the major areas. You can always return to this screen by

2 Preview Screen:

3 Profiles Screen: Biographical and background information on each of the prime ministers is available through the

4 Eras Screen:

5 Archives Screen:

Global Navigation

Global navigational aids are available in all screens.

Navigation Within Sections

Navigation within the sections usually occurs through Buttons.

Navigation Within Media

The Media Controls …

Exiting the Program

Exit the program …


Archives Main Screen

Roll the mouse over the graphic and click for popup descriptions.


Media Performance

In order to get the best performance of the multimedia elements of the encyclopedia, you should ensure that your hardware and software have been set up properly. The speed and smoothness of the media depend on the speed of your processor, the quality of your video card and the amount of RAM available, and the speed of your CD-ROM drive.

Audio, and Video

The audio selections work best with a 16-bit sound card. Not all of the sounds will play on an 8-bit sound card. If you have a sound card installed but still cannot hear the sounds, check to make sure that the proper drivers are installed. Consult your Windows or Macintosh manual for instructions on installing drivers.

Audio and Video selections will work smoothly only if QuickTime has been correctly installed. You must have installed a version of Quicktime that is equal to, or newer than the version that is distributed with the CD-ROM. If the Quicktime files are overwritten by an earlier version of QuickTime, the audio and video in this program will not play properly.

NOTE: If you have a version of Quicktime that is newer than the version distributed on the CD, some selections may not play properly. You may install the older version of Quicktime to optimize the performance of clips on this CD, but this may affect other newer applications that utilize Quicktime. To ensure compatibility with other Quicktime applications, keep the latest version of Quicktime installed.

Pictures

Pictures are optimized for 256 colours. Make sure that the proper 256-colour video drivers are installed on your computer. The pictures will show on a 16-colour display but will be of poor quality.


How Do I?

	Get a quick preview of the content of the CD-ROM?
	Leave the CD and Go to the Desktop?
	Adjust the sound volume?
	Return to a previous screen after I have accessed an audio or video clip?
	Move from one prime minister’s profile to another?
	Find a biography for a particular prime minister, such as John Diefenbaker?
	Copy or print the text of items in the Profiles section?
	Copy or print the text on a biography screen?
	Copy or print the transcript of a Commentary?
	Get a quick facts sheet on a particular prime minister?
	Get different people's impressions of a particular prime minister?
	Find out about a prime minister's contribution to Nation building, National Unity, or Canada's role in the world?
	Find out what times were like when Mackenzie King was Prime Minister?
	Find the meaning of a term such as "closure"?
	Find interesting pictures on the CD-ROM?
	Find all the videos on the CD-ROM?
	Find all media related to a particular prime minister?
	Find other sources of information related to the prime ministers?
	Find all media on a particular subject or keyword?
	Find information that does not appear in the Item List or Keyword listings?
	Find other items related to the item being displayed?


Era Screen

Roll the mouse over the graphic and click for popup descriptions.


Calendar of Events

A chronology of notable events that occurred during the time a particular prime minister was in office. Click on a year to see descriptions of the events for that year. Make multiple selections to copy or print all the chosen items.


How to Find a Biography
How to find a biography of a particular prime minister

1  From the Main Screen, click the Profiles button.

2  On the Profiles Screen, roll the mouse over the portraits of the prime ministers. (As you roll over a portrait, the name of the prime minister appears at the bottom of the screen.

3  Click the portrait of John Diefenbaker to go to the Diefenbaker main screen.

4  Click the Biography button.

5  Navigate through the biography text using the Forward and Back buttons.


Text Size Button

Use this button to change the display size of the text.


Preview

Preview provides a playful introduction to the contents, including narration by Knowlton Nash and humour by Double Exposure. Click here to view the main Preview Screen.


Profiles

An in-depth look at the lives of the prime ministers, with commentary about their characters and achievements, the issues they faced, and their places in Canadian history. Click here to view the main Profiles Screen.


Eras

Places the prime ministers into their historical contexts with rare films, photos, radio broadcasts and TV clips. Click here to view the main Eras Screen.


Archives

A valuable tool for research which allows the user to search the entire contents of the CD-ROM and copy selections for personal use. Click here to view the main Archives Screen.


In The Public Eye

Commentary and satire.


Questions & Answers

Prime ministers talk about the job.


Honourable Mention

Less remembered prime ministers.


Media Spotlight

Prime ministers and the press.


Canadian Love Song

Affectionate images of Canada.


Select Profile

As you move the mouse pointer over the portraits, the name of the prime minister appears along the bottom. Click the portrait to select a profile.


Video Commentary

The video commentary appears here.


Screen Caption

Display information about the image including author (if available) and credits.


Glossary Entry

Clicking on highlighted text brings up a definition for that text.


Media Popup

These icons indicate where multimedia "footnotes" compliment and expand on the text. The three types of media footnote are video, audio and text represented by a video camera, microphone, and open book icons.


Next Biography Screen

Go to the next biography page.


Previous Biography Screen

Go to the previous biography page.


Page Count

Displays the current page and along with the total number of pages in the biography.


Commentary

Contains a video that introduces each prime minister. Historian Michael Bliss, author of Right Honorable Men, offers a perspective on the contribution of each PM. Archival photos and film illustrate his points.


Biography

A multi-screen, interactive look at each prime minister's life.


Impressions

A potpourri of anecdotes,  observations, satire, and commentary.


Issues

Hosted by Mary-Lou Finlay, explains how of the major prime ministers dealt with the most important issues of Canadian political leadership:  Building the Nation; National Unity; and Canada and the World. Still images and archival film illustrate the commentary.


Quick Facts

A quick summary of a prime minister's vital statistics.


Title/commentary Area

The name of the media footnote (as it appears in the Archives section), and the name of the Commentator (if available).


Issues Theme Button

The Nation Building, National Unity and Canada and the World theme buttons lead to a video for that theme. The theme button remains highlighted while the video is playing.


Issues Video Playback Area

The issue video appears in this area. Click anywhere on the Issues screen to choose another Issues video.


Era Image Hotspot

Roll the mouse over the images representing the different eras in which the prime ministers lived. As the mouse pointer rolls over, the name and date of the prime minister appears. Click the mouse to go to that Era Screen.


Name of Era & Date

The name given to this Era -- the date on the left is when it starts, and the date on the right is when it ends.


PM Mini-portraits

Move the mouse over the prime ministers busts to see their name, and term of office within the Era.


Credits Display Area

Graphics and film credits appear here.


Archives Image Title Area

Names the Image currently displayed.


Archive Image Display Area

Area in which the current image is displayed.


Archives Image Caption

Displays the caption describing the image.


Next Era Button

Click to slide to the next chronological era.


Previous Era Button

Click to slide to the previous era.


Eras Item Popup Video

Activated by clicking on the video icon.


Next Biography Screen Button

Click this button to move to the next screen, or “page”, in the current biography.


Archives Bibliography Screen

The bibliography screen lists resources that will help further study of both general topics and of those relating to the prime ministers themselves.


Archives Image Print Button

Click this button to print the current image.


Archives Image Copy Button

Click this button to copy the current image to the clipboard.


Archives Image Caption Button

Click this button to display the caption for the current image.


Archives Image Next and Previous Buttons

Click these buttons to move to the next or the previous image in the gallery.


Archives Image Close Button

Click this button to close the image gallery.


Getting Around

The CD is divided into four main sections: Preview, Profiles, Eras, and Archives. With the exception of the Preview section, every section contains two global navigation elements: the Maple Leaf Menu, and the Navigation Buttons. In addition, once you are in various sections, you will want to return to previous screens, by using the Close button. Each of these elements are described below.

The Maple Leaf Menu

In the upper left area of the screen, the Maple Leaf menu brings up a menu of all the destinations available to you within the CD.

Main Navigation Buttons

On the lower left area of the screen in each major section, the Profiles Button, Eras Button, and Archives Button navigate to different areas of the program.

The Close Button

Graphical elements (eg. A frame containing video) will appear over top of screens as a way of maintaining context within a section. To return to the underlying screen and it’s functions, click on the close button.

NOTE: In the case of video, and audio items, these elements will disappear when the clip has completed. However, you can still close these overlays at any time by clicking on the Close button.

NOTE: You can also click outside the overlay graphic to make it go away.


Exiting the Program

You exit the program by selecting Quit from the Maple Leaf Menu. Click on the Maple Leaf Menu, and move the mouse over the Quit menu item. There is also a Quit button on the Main Screen.

NOTE: To exit the program when you are in the Preview section, return to the Main screen by clicking the Close button, and click on Quit.


Overall Organization

Each of the four major sections of the Prime Ministers CD-ROM can be accessed from the introductory or Main Screen which appears when you first enter the application.

 Roll the mouse over the graphic for links to descriptions. Click the Back button on the Help button bar to return to this screen.


Global Navigation

There are two global navigational aids built into the three major sections of the CD: Profiles, Eras, and Archives. These are the Maple Leaf Menu in the top left corner of the screen, and the Main Navigation Buttons in the bottom left corner of the screen.

These navigation aids are described briefly in Getting Around.

NOTE: The Preview section contains only a Close button. Clicking on the Close button returns you to the Main Screen where you can choose to go to another section.

Maple Leaf Menu

All major areas of the CD can be accessed through the Maple Leaf Menu, including all menu screens, the twenty Prime Minister's profiles, and the seven Eras sections. Click on the Maple Leaf Menu and choose a destination by moving the mouse over that menu item.

Explore the Maple Leaf Menu screen for a description of each menu item.

Main Navigation Buttons

The Main Navigation buttons allow you to quickly access the menu screen for each of the three major sections. The Archives section uses a slightly different approach in its organization, and does not contain a menu screen. When you click on the Archives button, you enter the Search area of the Archives Section. Click the tabs along the top of the screen to access different areas.

Explore the Main Navigation buttons screen for a description of each button.


Navigation Within Sections

Navigation within sections occurs by clicking on Rollover graphics, or by clicking on buttons.

NOTE: The mouse cursor changes to a hand with a pointing finger over clickable areas.

Rollover Graphics

Rollover graphics change their appearance slightly when the mouse moves over them. For example, moving the mouse over a graphic on the Eras Section causes a label to appear describing the Item.

Sometimes graphics, or media item icons appear on the screen. Move the mouse over these icons. Click the mouse to bring up the media associated with the icon.

The picture below shows the icons for video, audio, and text respectively.

Buttons

Buttons are usually labelled with a gold border around the outside to make it clear that they are buttons. When you click on them, they shift slightly, or change colour. You can discover a button's function by exploring the help on each major section of the CD, or by clicking on this link to Navigation Buttons.


Controlling Media

Whenever an audio or video item is playing in the application, a set of controls are made available so you can perform VCR-like functions on the media.

Click on the rewind button [image] to rewind media items by a few seconds. Hold down the mouse to continuously rewind to the beginning of the media item.

Click on the pause button [image] to stop the media item and hold it at the point it last played.

Click on the play button [image] to continue playing the media item from the point where it was paused.

Quicktime Controller

Click on the Quicktime controller when you are in the Archives section to perform a range of functions on the media. The Quicktime controller offers a richer set of controls, and is more appropriate to the research-oriented environment of the Archives.

Click on the Quicktime controller above to explore its functions.


Quit Button

The Quit Button on the Main Menu Screen allows you to quit the program.


Preview Close Button

Closes the Preview Screen and returns to the Main Screen.


Quicktime Volume Control

Adjusts the volume of the Quicktime clip. (Note that the volume is also set through your operating system.)


Quicktime Play/Pause Control

Plays or pauses the Quicktime clip from the current playback position. The control “toggles” between play and pause.


Quicktime Scrub Control

Moves manually through the Quicktime clip. Click on the control and drag it along the progress bar to advance or rewind.


Quicktime Progress Bar

Shows the current playback position of the Quicktime clip.


Quicktime Step Control

Advances or rewinds the Quicktime clip in increments of 1/15 seconds.


Video Commentator Image

All audio items contain a photo of the person who is speaking. In the case of picture items, an Archive Image appears which can be viewed full size in the Image Gallery.


Era Popup Text

Item within an era with text describing a particular event.


Biography Popup Text

Popup text illuminating some aspect of the prime minister’s biography.


Organization: Main Screen

On entering the application, you begin at the introductory, or Main Screen. From here you can navigate to the major sections on the CD. You can always return to this screen by choosing Main screen from the Maple Leaf Menu.

 Return to Overall Organization Graphic.


Organization: Preview Section

A playful introduction to the contents of the CD. This section is different from all other sections in that upon closing it (by clicking on the Close button), you always return to the Main Screen. You can access the Preview Screen section from the Main Screen, or through the Maple Leaf Menu.

 Return to Overall Organization Graphic.


Organization: Profiles Section

An in-depth look at the lives of the prime ministers. This is the main section of the CD and contains a number of sub-sections called Commentary, Biography, Impressions, and Issues and Quick Facts. You explore the Profiles section by clicking on a portrait of a prime minister on the Profiles Menu Screen. In each prime minister's profile, you can choose any of the above sub-sections, or click on Previous and Next buttons in the top right corner of the screen. Click on the name of the prime minister in a profile to bring up the Quick Facts section.

 Return to Overall Organization Graphic.


Organization: Eras Section

Places the prime ministers into their historical contexts.  Access each era from any place on the CD by selecting the Era Menu Item from the Maple Leaf Menu, or through the Era Menu Screen. Once you are in an era section, you can access other eras by clicking on the Previous and Next buttons, or through the Maple Leaf Menu.

 Return to Overall Organization Graphic.


Organization: Archives Section

A valuable tool for the researcher or browser. The Archives section contains a search area, an Image Gallery, a Bibliography, and a Credits area. These areas are defined by "Folder-like" tabs that appear along the top of the screen. Click on a tab to go to that area. Similarly, within the Search area, you can perform three different kinds of searches by clicking on the Item List, Find, and Keyword tabs.

 Return to Overall Organization Graphic.


Get A Quick Preview of the Content of the CD-ROM
Get A Quick Preview of the Content of the CD-ROM?

1  From the Main Screen, click on Preview. A short introductory video will play.

2  When the introduction is complete, roll the mouse over the graphics, and click to play a selection.


How to Find Out About a Particular Prime Minister
Find Out About a Particular Prime Minister?

From the Main Screen, click on Profiles.

1 On the Profiles Menu Screen, roll the mouse over the portraits of the prime ministers. As you roll over a portrait, the name of the prime minister appears at the bottom of the screen.

2 Click the portrait of the prime minister you want to find out about.

3 Click on the buttons CommentaryCommentary_button, BiographyBiography_button, ImpressionsImpressions_button, and IssuesIssues_button to find out more about the prime minister.

4 Click on the Profiles button to return to the Profiles Menu ScreenPROFILES_MENU_screen.


How to Leave the CD and Go to the Desktop
Leave the CD and Go to the Desktop?

1 Click on the Maple Leaf Menu in the upper left corner of the screen.

2 Roll the mouse over the Desktop menu item.

3 You will be switched to the desktop environment of your PC.

4 To return to the prime ministers CD, return the application to the foreground.


How to Adjust the Sound Volume
Adjust the Sound Volume?

1  Click on the Maple Leaf Menu in the upper left corner of the screen.

2  Roll the mouse over the Desktop menu item.

3  You will be switched to the desktop environment of your PC.

4  Open the Control Panels folder, and locate the Sound control panel

5  Open the Sound control panel, and adjust the volume.

6  To return to the prime ministers CD, return the application to the foreground.


How to Return to a Previous Screen After I Have Accessed an Audio or Video Clip
Return to a Previous Screen After I Have Accessed an Audio or Video Clip?

When an audio or video clip appears over top of another screen, you can return to the previous screen by clicking on the Close Button.


How to Move From One Prime Minister's Profile To Another
Move From One Prime Minister’s Profile To Another?

1   From the main profile screen for a prime minister, click on the Next button or Previous button in the upper right hand corner of the screen, or

2   From the prime minister profile screen, click on the Profiles button in the lower left corner of the screen, or

3   Click on the Maple Leaf Menu, in the upper left corner of the screen, roll the mouse over the Profiles menu item, and then roll the mouse over the prime minister whose profile you want to navigate to.


How to Find a Biography for a Particular Prime Minister
Find a Biography for a Particular Prime Minister, Such As John Diefenbaker?

1 From the Main Screen, click on Profiles.

2 On the Profiles Menu Screen, roll the mouse over the portraits of the prime ministers. As you roll over a portrait, the name of the prime minister appears at the bottom of the screen.

3 Click the portrait of John Diefenbaker to go to the Diefenbaker main screen.

4 Click the Biography button.

5 Navigate through the biography text using the Next and Previous buttons.

NOTE: You can also find an extended biography of a prime minister in the Archives section (courtesy The Canadian Encyclopedia).


How to Copy or Print the Text of Items in the Profiles Section
Copy or Print the Text of Items in the Profiles Section?

Whenever it is possible to copy or print an item in the Profiles section, a copy and print icon apppears below the text.

To copy:

1  Select the text you want to copy.

2  Click on the Copy button.

To print:

1  Click on the Print button.


How to Copy or Print the Text on a Biography Screen
Copy or Print the Text on a Biography Screen?

1  On a prime ministers profile screen, click on the biography button.

2  Click on the golden triangle that below and to the right of the biography text on the screen.

3  A window appears from which you can select, copy, and print the biography text.

NOTE: You can also copy or print an extended biography of a prime minister in the Archives section (courtesy The Canadian Encyclopedia).


How to Copy or Print the Transcript of a Commentary
Copy or Print the Transcript of a Commentary?

1  Go to the Archives section, by clicking on the Archives button, or choosing Archives from the Maple Leaf Menu

2  Find the commentary video in the Item List.

3  Double-click on the item in the list to view its video and the transcript.

4 Copy and print the transcript, using the Copy and Print buttons.


How to Get a Quick Facts Sheet on a Particular Prime Minister
Get a Quick Facts Sheet on a Particular Prime Minister?

1  On a prime ministers profile screen, click on the prime minister's name at the top of the screen. A Quick Facts window will appear.

2  Click on the Close button to return to the prime ministers profile screen.


How to Get Different People's Impressions of a Particular Prime Minister
Get Different People's Impressions of a Particular Prime Minister?

1  On a prime ministers profile screen, click on the Impressions button.

2  Roll the mouse over the areas on the Impressions screen.

3  Click on an area you find interesting to find out more.

4 Click on the Close button to return to the prime ministers profile screen


How to Find Out A Prime Minister's Contribution To Nation Building, National Unity, Or Canada's Role In The World
Find Out A Prime Minister's Contribution To Nation Building, National Unity, Or Canada's Role In The World?

1  On a prime ministers profile screen, click on the Issues button.

2  Roll the mouse over one of the three issues: Nation building, National Unity, or Canada and the World.

3  Click to view the video for that issue.

4  Click on the Close button to return to the prime ministers profile screen.


How to Find Out What Times Were Like
Find Out What Times Were Like When Mackenzie King was Prime Minister?

1  From the Main Screen, click on Eras.

2  On the Eras Menu Screen, roll the mouse over the images representative of each era. As you roll over the images, the name of the era, and the dates appear.

3  Click on the image labelled "King Years, 1935 - 1957".

4  Explore the King Years Era by rolling over the images in the Eras section, and clicking for more.

NOTE: You can also access Eras from the Maple Leaf Menu, or by clicking on the Eras button in the bottom left corner of the screen.


How to Find the Meaning of a Term
Find the Meaning of a Term Such As "Closure"?

In the Archives section:

1 Click on the term "closure" in the Item List. A definition for the term will appear alongside the list.

In the Profiles section:

1 Click on the Biography button.

2 Click on any text in the biography that has a golden-brown highlight. A glossary window with the definition for that term will appear.

3 Click on any other term in the list to see the definition for that term in the glossary

4 Click on the Close button to return to the biography screen.


How to Find Interesting Pictures on the CD-ROM
Find Interesting Pictures on the CD-ROM?

The CD is rich with images throughout. However, there are a number of historically appropriate, and otherwise notable images gathered together in an Image Gallery in the Archives section.

1  In the Archives section, click on the Image Gallery tab. The image gallery is sorted alphabetically by name.

2  Click on the Next button to flip through the images in the gallery


How to Find a Particular Image in the Gallery
Find a Particular Image in the Gallery?

1  Click on the Search tab in the Archives.

2  Select an Image item from the Item List by double-clicking on the item.

3  Click on the View in Gallery button, or click on the image thumbnail to view it in the Image Gallery.

NOTE: To make it easier to find images, turn off the text, audio, and video filters (turn a filter off by clicking on it). This reduces the items in the list to only Image items.


How to Find All the Videos on the CD-ROM
Find All the Videos on the CD-ROM?

1  In the Archives section, click on the Search tab (unless it is already selected).

2  Under Media Filters, click on the Text filter in the lower left area of the screen. Text items will no longer appear on the list and the text filter is greyed out.

3  Repeat this process by clicking on the Image filter and the Audio filter.

NOTE: Any combination of text, images audio and video is possible. Experiment by clicking on the media filters.


How to Find All Media Related to a Particular Prime Minister
Find All Media Related to a Particular Prime Minister?

1  In the Archives section, click on the Search tab (unless it is already selected).

2  Click on the Keyword tab to see a list of all the keywords.

3  Type the prime minister’s name in the Incremental Search field (for example, "Macdonald, J").

4 Click on the keyword in the Keywords list.

5  Double-click on any item in the Items list to display it.


How to Find Other Sources of Information Related to the Prime Ministers
Find Other Sources of Information Related to the Prime Ministers?

1  In the Archives section, click on the Bibliography tab which takes you to the Bibliography section. The Bibliography contains a list of resources related to the prime ministers as well as Canadian history in general.

2  Click on General Resources or Prime Ministers resources to scroll the list to the appropriate heading.


How to Find All Media on a Particular Subject or Keyword
Find All Media on a Particular Subject or Keyword?

1  In the Archives section, click on the Search tab (unless it is already selected).

2  Click on the Keyword tab to see a list of all the keywords.

3  Type the keyword in the Incremental Search field (for example, "Macdonald, J").

4  Click on the keyword in the Keywords list.

5  Double-click on any item in the Items list to display it.


How to Find Information That Does Not Appear In The Item List Or Keyword Listings
Find Information That Does Not Appear In The Item List Or Keyword Listings?

You can search the text of all items to find a particular word or phrase:

1  In the Archives section, click on the Search tab (unless it is already selected).

2  Click on the Find tab.

3  Type the word or phrase you want to search for in the Incremental Search field.

4  Click on the Find button, or press the RETURN key.

5  Double-click on an item in the Results field to display it.

NOTE: Eras items do not appear in the Archives section, and therefore cannot be searched.


How to Find Other Items Related to the Item Being Displayed
Find Other Items Related to the Item Being Displayed?

1  In the Archives section, display an item from the Items list by double clicking on it.

2  Click on the Related Keywords button. A pop-up window containing  a list of all keywords appears that relate to the item currently displayed.

3  Click on a keyword to see the items related to that Keyword.

4  Double-click on an item in the Items list to display it.

NOTE: This method of relating keywords to an item creates a more comprehensive listing, but as a result not all items that appear will be related to the item displayed.


Preview Start Screen

The Preview Start Screen kicks off the preview of the disk with a narrative by Knowlton Nash. Click the Next button to go to the next part of the narrative or the Close button to return to the Main Screen.


Next Profile Screen Button

Go to the next Profile screen.


Biography Photo

Portraits of all twenty prime ministers plus photos to accompany the biographies of every historian on the CD-ROM.


Sponsors

Funded by

Rogers Communications, Inc.

with the generous assistance of

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and

The National Archives of Canada


Profile Selection Title

Displays the name and dates of the selected prime minister profile.