Presentation complexity screen
One of the strengths of Repeat Signage is the flexibility to design presentations exactly as you want them without the use of restrictive templates or limitations on certain types of controls. However, different controls use different amounts of processor time and memory. For example, the h video control playing an HD video will cause a high usage of a computer's processor and memory resources. A few video controls playing videos is fine. However, if you have 16 video controls playing in the same presentation the computer's resources will be severally stretched and may possibly lead to the system stalling or crashing.
Presentation complexity index
The presentation complexity index is a number generated by analysing the controls used in your presentation. We are recommending an index value of 50 or below. We calculate this by giving a number to different controls a complexity number and also whether they using playlists or scrolling and/or monitoring. For example the video control has an index of 5. So if you have 10 of these playing at the same time then that gives 50 which will result in the processor working very hard. A Picture control has an index of 1, if using a playlist then 3 and if scrolling 6. If files are monitored for changes then they get an extra 1 added to their total.
Summary counts
Complexity index - See above.
Controls - Total number of controls in your presentation.
These include:
RSS control
Clock (round) control
Controls using playlists - The total number of controls that are using the playlist feature. This may be either PLAYLIST, DAILY, HOURLY or WEEKLY that allow scheduling of different content at different times. Controls that use these are slightly more complex as Repeat Signage has to monitor the system time and load new content as necessary. Where you have straight playlists in use that may swap an image, say every 5 seconds, then these can use more system resources to do this and are therefore more complex.
Controls using scrolling - Controls which scroll. For example, you can scroll a serials of pictures across the screen. These controls take a lot more system resources that controls that are static.
Controls using monitoring - If you use a picture control, for example, you can choose to monitor this picture and if it is updated the Repeat Signage automatically loads and displays it. This takes more system resources to monitor and change items.
Warning messages - Specific messages about this presentation and advice.
What to do if you have a presentation index over 50
Here are some things to look for to reduce the complexity of your presentation:
1. Look at the amount of text controls that use scrolling. Look at each scrolling control in turn and ask yourself "Does it really need to scroll?". If the answer it no the stop it scrolling and just display the text.
2. Look at the amount of picture controls that use scrolling. Look at each scrolling control in turn and ask yourself "Does it really need to scroll?". If the answer it no then stop it scrolling. If the answer is yes, then also consider using animated gifs or video files that would give the same effect.
3. Look at video controls you are using. First consider converting to video controls as these are more efficient. Next, if you have more than one, consider using just one larger video control and use a playlist to display videos one after another instead.
4. Could any of the controls be combined into less controls. For example, text labels next to each other can sometimes be combined into a single text label or text block control.
5. If you have clip art images next to each piece of text, consider removing them.
6. If you have more than one banner control, consider just having one larger one and combining the playlists of each.
7. If you have more than 5 things moving on screen, ask yourself if this is really necessary. Take a look at your presentation from a couple of metres away from the screen. Are you getting your message across to your audience or have you just created a screen full of moving things?