ALL CAPS Was My Only Choice!
Ordinarily it’s fun to take a break from a project and help people using my PageFlip files but yesterday was an exception to the rule. You see, yesterday was the day when Ryan Libre decided to buy my Improved PageFlip Flash file. Again, ordinarily this isn’t a problem but, as you’ll soon see, Ryan is an exceptional ignoramus. As evidence of this matter I’ve included our e-mail correspondence in its entirety, not just select parts of it. Enjoy…
After purchasing the Improved PageFlip Ryan had this to say…
hey, i got the improved one and like it over all. one thing is i can change the page size easily enough, but it screws up the whole formatting. if i add pictures it wont center them and is impossible to aline anything. works just great at the original page size…
what to do?
It seems Ryan was having trouble resizing the Improved PageFlip so I sent this:
Have you tried this:
https://www.pixelwit.com/blog/page-flip/change-pageflip-size/There are more PageFlip tutorials here:
https://www.pixelwit.com/blog/page-flip/page-flip-help/Hope that helps.
Thanks.
-Sean O’Shell (PixelWit)
Shortly thereafter Ryan sent this…
whats this about adding a rectangle? not mentioned in your resizing tips. is that why the formatting gets all messed up?
NB:I have amended the bounds page to:
var pageWi = 500;
var PageHi = 600;& added a rectangle with the same x & y
or is it cause if “Modifying the Print Clips:” i must say i was a little surprised the “documentation” was just 2 pages…
It seemed Ryan was having trouble resizing the pages and was blaming it on a lack of information in the PDF that is provided with every Improved PageFlip. Oddly enough the PDF is 3 full pages of information so I was a bit surprised that Ryan thinks the documentation is only 2 pages. I sent the following:
What “resizing tips” are you referring to?
I have not seen what you are working with so I don’t know what problems you are experiencing. Please post a link to your SWF or if that’s not possible send it as an attachment.
The 3 pages of documentation are meant to augment the already fairly extensive documentation which I linked to earlier. As far as I know and understand, the PDF documentation covers all of the new features that have been added to the Improved PageFlip quite well. I’m a bit surprised too, this is the first time anyone has mentioned a lack of documentation.
-Sean O’Shell (PixelWit)
Here’s what Ryan had to say:
thanks for replying.
here is a link to a 600pi tall 400pi wide flip book. works fine in the preview, but live the photo goes off the screen, despite the photo and page size being 600pi i show plenty of photos 600pi tall.
any idea?
Oh, now I get it. Even though Ryan didn’t include a link, I deduce that Ryan is trying to view a large book within a small stage…
You didn’t send a link, but it sounds like you need to increase the size of the stage.
Let me know how you make out.
-Sean O’Shell (PixelWit)
A while later Ryan replied:
oh, i was really sleepy. http://www.idioimagers.org/test.swf here is the link. stage size? how do i change that. i cant find it anywhere in the documentation or your site. i just wanna make it a little bigger and add photos. but ive already spent many hours with no real success.
ryan
Apparently Ryan has spent hours upon hours toiling over this dilemma, pulling his hair out and blaming me for my lack of proper documentation. If only I had written a 10th tutorial… “How to Resize the Stage”. I had this to say…
Ryan,
On the page that sells the Improved PageFlip:
I specifically state, “This Flash file is for people who are comfortable using PixelWit’s Free PageFlip and who want a more dynamic PageFlip experience.” I’m guessing you never tried the free version, let alone got comfortable using it.
I also state that the Improved PageFlip, “Includes instructions explaining all new features and settings.” and indeed, the instructions DO cover all of the NEW Improved PageFlip features. The documentation also explains that there are additional resources available at https://www.pixelwit.com/blog/page-flip/page-flip-help/ where there are 9 rather in-depth tutorials explaining basic usage of the PageFlip.
Here’s an analogy for you: When you buy a car, it comes with a pretty big manual, but it doesn’t tell you everything imaginable about your car. It doesn’t explain advanced topics like “How to Replace the Engine” and it doesn’t explain all of the basics like “How to Drive” because it assumes you know how to drive. It assumes you know that the gas pedal makes the car go forward and it assumes that you know the brakes make the car stop…. It is not the car dealer’s job to teach you how to drive. In a similar fashion, it is not my job to teach you how to use Flash.
I can’t teach you everything there is to know about Flash just so you can use the PageFlip. There are countless other sites dedicated to such matters (I recommend ActionScript.org). There’s also a ton of documentation that comes with Flash, you might want to give that a try.
I’m sorry if all of this seems a bit harsh. I’m not usually this persnickety when helping people use the PageFlip, but people usually don’t complain about my 2 page documentation (actually 3 pages and 9 tutorials).
-Sean O’Shell (PixelWit)
I tried explaining that using Flash requires a bit of knowledge found beyond the realm of PixelWit.com, that it wasn’t necessarily my job to teach it all to him and then I even provide a link to Adobe where he could learn to resize the stage on his own. Apparently Ryan Libre wasn’t happy with that response…
i understand what you are saying, i really do.
and if i wanted to do something more than just change the page size i would agree with you.
i did resize the basic flip book, it seemed easy enough. never tried to “publish” it though…i followed your page resizing tutorial. it looked like it was working but when i publish it, it dosent work. then you mention resizing the stage, but that is not in the tutorial and you wont explain how to do it?
i just want a 400W x 600T flip book. im not asking you to teach me all your secrets… im sure i followed your tutorial perfectly. but i need more information it seems.
do you think i did the tutorial wrong? or do you think it was done right, but now i need to do something else.
if i did it wrong you win, i’ll stop writing you and study flash more. if i did it right, i think it is your duty to explain why it still isnt working.
Now I start wondering if Ryan is a troll, trying to get a rise out of me for the low low price of $12.50 and a few e-mails. If he is, it’s working but I take one last shot at being civil.
I have told you what needs to be done. Resize the stage.
I even provided a link at the end of the last e-mail explaining how to do so.
I am done. I have fulfilled far more than my obligatory duties.
-Sean O’Shell (PixelWit).
And of course Ryan had to push the issue yet again…
https://www.pixelwit.com/blog/page-flip/change-pageflip-size/
have i followed this page resizing tutorial right? it doesn’t work. publishes all messed up. if i need to resize the stage after doing everything in this tutorial why dont you add it to the tutorial?
do you mean this tutorial? is this what i need to do to resize the pages?ryan
So I had to do it. I had no choice…
DUDE! SERIOUSLY!
RESIZE THE STAGE!
LOOK IT UP!
USE THE INTERNET!
IT IS NOT MY DUTY TO TEACH YOU A STEP SO BASIC THAT IT’S THE VERY FIRST STEP TAUGHT IN THE MOST BASIC TUTORIAL ADOBE HAS TO OFFER!
SHOULD I EXPLAIN HOW TO USE THE SELECTION TOOL?
SHOULD I TEACH PEOPLE HOW TO READ SO THEY CAN USE MY TUTORIALS?
YOU NEED BASIC SKILLS!
I GAVE YOU A LINK TO ADOBE, I CAN NOT FORCE YOU TO READ IT!
DO NOT WRITE ME AGAIN UNLESS IT’S TO APOLOGIZE OTHERWISE YOUR IGNORANCE WILL BE PUBLISHED ON THE FRONT PAGE OF MY BLOG FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE!
THANK YOU AND GOOD DAY!
-Sean O’Shell (PixelWit)
Had Ryan let it go or apologized, that would have been the last I (or you) would have heard of him, but of course he had to keep at it and post this comment to my blog…
the page resizing tutorial didnt work, so i mailed. was told i had to resize the stage also, but its not covered in the tutorial so i asked how to resize the stage and got this reply
I GAVE YOU A LINK TO ADOBE, I CAN NOT FORCE YOU TO READ IT!
DO NOT WRITE ME AGAIN UNLESS IT’S TO APOLOGIZE, OTHERWISE YOUR IGNORANCE WILL BE PUBLISHED ON THE FRONT PAGE OF MY BLOG FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE!
good price for the file, but the support could be better.
How’s that for selective criticism. My PageFlip support is weak because I wouldn’t write a tutorial for him explaining how to resize the stage.
So you see, I had to use ALL CAPS and I had to publish this article about it…
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What a facial workout I’ve just had reading this – grin, frown, grin, frown, grin, frown…
For all it’s worth, Sean, I for one am indebted to you since, having utilised the improved PF, my wife has just seen the latest version of her website and has made me a promise for tomorrow morning! For the measly sum of $12.50 you’ve made my weekend – yeehaa!!
But on a more serious note… can you explain how I can get text onto the pages? Hahahaha
[…] After the fiasco with The Ignoramus, I briefly considered refunding his money […]
@Ryan Libre, You can try to edit and splice history however you wish but I’ve included our entire e-mail conversation so others can see the real you.
@What an Ignoramus, you’re living up to your self-chosen name. You can’t set the stage size with code, I hope you’re not writing Flash tutorials. Maybe if you had written a few tutorials, you’d understand how difficult it is to comprehensively document a seemingly mundane task. That’s why I sent a link to Adobe where they devoted half a page to the topic.
Sean,you are biggest Ignoramus alive. Instead Of just sending 2 lines of code on stage resize, you thrash the guy.
Sean, if you want to justify not answering my questions, fine. but don’t say “I answered your questions with a smile…”
my question:
“stage size? how do i change that. i cant find it anywhere in the documentation or your site.”
Sean’s “answer with a smile”
“I can’t teach you everything there is to know about Flash just so you can use the PageFlip.”
Excellent analogy Sean! So, is Ryan saying he is going to make a frame for his customer, or is he going to go buy her one himself at the frame store?
That sure would be exceptional customer service!
Being that I work in the retail industry and have had to deal with more than my share of stupid people, yes Ryan, there is a limit. You can only help people so much. Sean did more than he had to. He is not keeping the secrets of flash hidden from you. He even showed you where to get the answer you needed. Now you have to make an effort.
@DS, Megan and others; thanks for your comments, e-mails and support, they’re greatly appreciated.
@Ryan, When presented with analogies containing insignificant flaws, you attack the flaws. When presented with an analogy striking to the heart of the matter you avoid it entirely. You’re a troll.
It’s interesting that you chose a quote from the “devil’s dictionary” in an attempt to bolster your position.
Definition of Ignoramus: (Noun) 1) One who is ignorant, often ridiculously so; dunce. 2) A know nothing, an uneducated person. 3) A vain pretender to knowledge. 4) An offensive term that deliberately insults somebody’s level of intelligence or education. 5) Ryan Libre.
I answered your questions with a smile but you refused to accept my advice, instead you chose to wallow in your ignorance and cast aspersions upon the quality of my work. I can only take so much. When it comes to using Flash or taking sound advice from others, you Ryan Libre, are most assuredly an ignoramus.
Keep pushing the issue and “Ryan Libre” will soon be synonymous with “ignoramus“. This post already ranks 6th in a search for your name, do you really want it to be #1?
ignoramus (Noun). A person unacquainted with certain kinds of knowledge familiar to yourself, and having certain other kinds that you know nothing about.
i share my photography knowledge freely to all. No question is too simple for me to answer with a smile. i’m sure you can’t find anyone anywhere who would say otherwise.
@Ryan, Imagine that you’re a photographer…
Now imagine you have a potential client who likes a small black and white print of one of your photos. Being the kind and generous person that you are, you give her a framed print of the B&W image for free. She smiles, thanks you, and walks out the door.
A week later she returns to your shop to browse. You mention that you have a wonderful color version of the same B&W image which also happens to be available for a very reasonable price. She looks at a small preview of the image and immediately falls in love. You tell her that the color print is available for $12.50 and that it comes with the negative too. “The negative?” she asks. “Yes,” you say, “it lets you make multiple copies at various sizes. And if you follow the included detailed directions, you’ll be able to develop the film yourself, I list all of the steps.” She gladly accepts such a wonderful opportunity and promptly heads home to start making color prints of her own.
She meticulously follows your clear and concise directions noting the correct use of chemical developers and proper darkroom procedures. Within hours she’s in her darkroom producing wonderful color copies of her newly purchased negative. Overall, she is very satisfied and loves what you’ve helped her achieve. But when she leaves her photo room with one of her newly resized color images she encounters a problem.
She tries to place her big new color image inside the little frame which came with the free B&W image but it will not fit. She comes into your shop with a barrage of questions. Why won’t it fit? How do I get my big picture in this little frame. Should I cut the big picture to put it in the little frame? I’ve had other color pictures in this frame, why won’t this one fit?
Although it would seem painfully obvious to you and any other reasoning person, you try politely explaining that the enlarged picture is bigger and therefore needs to be placed in a bigger frame. To help her along, you even tell her about a store giving away free frames and how there’s a guy there who would just love to explain how she can make custom frames of her own. But she won’t hear any of that. She criticizes your poor film developing instructions (even though she used them with great success) and demands that you give her a custom frame-building lesson right here and right now because you promised that you would teach her how to resize her picture and if it’s so obvious that the bigger picture needed a bigger frame, then why aren’t there frame building lessons in your darkroom tutorials?
After listening to her berate you and your services for a while, you escort her out of the store and point her toward the local frame shop, telling her not to return unless her attitude vastly improves. As she leaves, she pulls out a can of spray paint and writes, “Great photos, crappy service” on your shop wall and runs away.
How would you deal with such a person? As for me, I’ll let the Internet decide what to do with you.
That will apply if you are buying Flash. and not this file.
if we make a direct comparison to your analogy, then “opening the box” is me installing flash and “opening the file”. any rational person would agree that these two things are equal in the 2 stories, no?
“setting the stage” would be more equivalent to “transferring music” in your story. quite basic but still covered in the documentation.
i never asked for help “opening” anything.
I’m feeling my blood pressure rise just reading this.
Ryan, maybe you still don’t realise Sean’s point.
Let me paint it in another scenario, take one step back and see it with a broad perspective.
Say, you bought a new MP3 Player. The manual, includes everything, like how to turn it on, how to charge, transfer music, etc. BUT, it doesn’t tell you how to OPEN the box. Will you write to them and ask them how to open the box?
Setting the stage size in Flash is almost as basic as starting a new file in Flash, or setting the frame rate in Flash. Without first knowing basics like this, it’s as good as trying to run without first learning to walk.
good, thanks, i hope many people can enjoy our conversation.
im sure that took more effort to make this than including “how to resize the stage” to your page resize tutorial.
I think he did not include resizing the stage, assuming all people using flash would already know that. It is a very basic step. Here are the video instructions for anyone else who doesn’t know how to do this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RWdfixgdVA
ROFLOL.
I must say this article really brightened up my day. We’ve all had our days with dumb clients. But seems like this one is abnormally stubborn.
I’m actually quite surprised you lasted so long to go ALL CAPS. =P
P.S: Seeing you tag the article as Fun gave me a good LOL as well.