EZNews Version 4.4

New Features and Functions

EZNews Version 4 sports a plethora of improvements in both the software’s functionality and architecture. Many improvements are ’under the hood’, but most have a direct impact on the users who are writing scripts and producing shows:

EZNews Version 4.4 includes two powerful new applications to make show production and presentation even easier.

Director Rundown:

The EZNews Director Rundown provides the show Director or TD with a view of both the Rundown and Scripts in a single screen.

The Director Rundown is constantly updated as the prompter scrolls through the show, so the Director or TD have a constant view of show timing.

As the show progresses, the current script on the air appears at the top of the screen, providing a view the script currently being aired as well as scripts that follow.

Instructions (camera shots, video commands, etc.) can be opened and edited directly from the Director Rundown so last minute changes and updates can easily be made without open scripts, etc.

Script narration can be included (or excluded) from the Director Rundown with a single click of the mouse.

EZNews Prompter:

The EZNews Prompter is a new, separate prompter application that is designed to make better use of prompter computer resources, leading to a smoother scroll in the prompter.

The EZNews Prompter is just a prompter, so neither the script nor the rundown can be changed by the prompter operator.

The EZNews Prompter can be configured as the 'Network Prompter', providing updated show status information to the Director Rundown and workstations logged into the show.

The EZNews Prompter supplements the standard, integrated prompter built into the EZNews client software.

For All Users:

• Users do not require re-training ... user-interface changes are intuitive, so users who have been trained on older EZNews systems feel right at home.
• Searchable Assignments -- For customers who have licensed the Assignments Desk, story information and notes are automatically indexed so users can do searches similar to the Archive and Wires components.
• EZContact -- News Industry specific contact manager. With EZContact, you can maintain both public and private databases that include contact names, phone numbers, and other important information. EZContact has unique cross-referencing features that enable you to establish categories of contacts, and include as many individuals or organizations as you wish in any category. Any individual or organization can be included in as many categories as needed.
• EZContact also has a direct interface to standard POP3 email clients (e.g. Outlook, Outlook Express, etc.) so EZNews system users can send email to contacts directly from EZContact.
• MemoGrams -- Instant and persistent communications. The EZNews Memogram system is an internal messaging system that gives users the ability to quickly communicate with any other EZNews user (or group of users), and broadcast messages to all EZNews users.
• MemoGrams are not susceptible to viruses, malware and other exploits because they are neither email nor instant messaging. Memograms can only be sent to other users on your EZNews system ... even to users who are not logged in. If a user is logged in when a Memogram is sent to them, the Memogram tab in their Rundown area alerts them and they can read and respond to the message. If a user is away from their desk, their Memograms will be waiting for them when they login again ... even if they have been away for an extended time period.
• Home Wires -- Private Wire Search Tool. Users on EZNews systems that are equipped with EZWire to receive subscription wire data services, such as AP and Reuters, may now pre-select wire search categories for their own specific reporting needs. If a user is away from their desk, the wire information they are searching for will be waiting for them (subject to system policy on wire purges) when they login again ... even if they have been away for an extended time period.
• Customizable Desk-tops -- Individual users can set their own preferences for the appearance of the EZNews desktop. Any of the components that make up the desktop (Navigator, Text Editor, Rundown area, icon toolbars, etc.) can be resized and moved to any location on the screen the user desires. Users can easily save their custom framework, so it will appear the way they want it the next time they log into their workstation.
• New Script Editor -- Looks and feels like Microsoft Word. The EZNews text editor includes standard stylization functions (Bold, Underline, Italics, etc.) as well as full support for EZNews Instructions for video, CG, etc.
• Undo/Redo features have been added to the EZNews Script Editor. The editor can undo or redo up to the last 20 changes in a single script editing session.
• Drag-n-Drop fully enabled to move text between Scripts, Wires, etc.
• Save as ... Same as the Copy Selected to ... Function in earlier releases.
• Improved Instruction System -- Permits the use of dropdown lists, editable fields, automatic talent selections, etc. This is an extremely beneficial new feature … call us --- we'll help you put it to work on your system.
• Instructions can be copied, cut, pasted, dragged and dropped.
• Instructions move with the text of the script.
• Instruction text is seamlessly integrated into the editor’s cursor functions. Instruction text behaves like narration text with regard to copying, cutting, pasting and drag and dropping.
• Export to HTML -- Any script in EZNews 4 can be directly exported to HTML. The resulting HTML file has a standard wrapper that complies with current web standards, and can be easily stylized to suit look and feel requirements of your website.
• New Help System -- Each release of EZNews 4 comes with updated Help utilities that reflect any changes or upgrades. Our new Help system eliminates the problems associated with Microsoft Security updates that disabled older versions of Help utilities.

For Producers:

• Script Insertion Icon -- New toolbar icon to permit Producers to insert scripts exactly where they are required in the rundown.
• Multiple Script Movement -- Scripts can be moved in the rundown as a group (CTRL/Mark and Move) or individually (as in previous versions).
• Light-Heavy Indicator -- In addition to being displayed in the rundown, the Light/Heavy Indicator appears in the top toolbar where Producers can check the status of their show at a glance.
• Hit Points -- Producers can set hit points for fixed events anywhere in a show (network updates, lottery drawings, etc,)
• Activate / Deactivate Scripts -- Scripts no longer have to be moved below end of show to exclude them from show timing (makes floating scripts even easier).
• Miscellaneous Columns -- Permits System Administrators to add whatever columns are needed in any of your rundown formats for any particular purposes.
• Alias Columns -- Using Alias Columns, the same information can be displayed differently in a viewable rundown and a print rundown.

New Optional Components:

• MetaFile System. Permits creation of XML data from scripts and rundowns for use with video streaming systems, Windows Media Player, etc.
• List Generator. Custom list generation tool to permit Show rundowsn to be exported in proprietary file formats for low-cost video servers and automated web creation tools.

Under The Hood:

• Uses standard icon libraries to permit easy customization of Instruction Toolbar shortcuts.
• Uses a sophisticated method of communication between clients for script changes and rundown updates. The EZNews messaging system can manage communications on both Local Area Networks (LAN) as well as across Wide Area Networks (WAN), providing reliable status updates for scripts, rundowns and show-timing.
• Optimized database structure, resulting in smaller queries, and faster access to scripts and rundowns.
• Is the required platform for the optional EZAutomation system (a practical, affordable alternative to the very expensive and complicated Newscast Automation systems).
• Is the required platform for the optional (newest version) of EZNews Remote Access (a powerful methodology allowing remote EZNews users to fully access the home system, using the Internet as their network connection).
• Includes new System Administrator utilities for automatic database backups and automatic database optimization.
• New instruction system includes ability to import / export instructions. EZAutomation users can import / export entire machine controls, macros, codes, and instructions with a single button.
• System Administrator can set colors for Light and Heavy times within rundown column.
• System Administrator can change Instruction Tag Types (Anchor, Video, CG, etc) of existing Instructions.
• New Automation Controls -- Systems equipped with EZAutomation have a new set of tools the Producers, Editors, etc. can use to control the automation interfaces. Outputting the playlist(s) is as simple as a single button-click.
• Improved Security -- New security system limits a user's access to the EZNews Administrator (EZNewsAdmin), while at the same time giving system administrators greater flexibility. In EZNews V4, a system administrator can perform admin functions from any machine on the network, regardless of the access level of the normal user of that machine.

EZNews Version 4 upgrade is available at no charge to all EZNews systems who have a current EZNews SMA (Software Maintenance Agreement). Every EZNews system is sold with a one (1) year SMA, which must be renewed annually to stay current in the program.

Systems without current SMA’s should contact ADS Sales (888-326-1415) to renew their SMA and get current in the program.