Archive
How to workaround AntWordProfiler error “Cannot open the file”
- Seems a little bug in this otherwise great program. I started getting this on Windows 7 64-bit with
- It occurred to me to go to menu: Settings/ global settings / file settings / show full pathnames
- Here is what you see: Note the duplicate path to the file.
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How did I get there? Seems like you cannot take my usual preferred shortcut and paste the full file path into the browse dialogue.
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If I browse to the file and select, the same botched up double path does not appear:
View a path to where you can start troubleshooting Pearson MyLanguageLab Wimba Voice Java
We used to do proctored LRC chapter exams using this textbook online component, but the Wimba Voice student recording tools stopped working, although a possible solution has been proposed with the problem report. This screencast leads to an exercise where more testing (each supported browser will behave differently – this is Chrome) is possible:: ![]()
How to shoot movies with the Canon Eos Rebel T2i– and “movie recording has been stopped automatically”
If the camera stops recording after a short while with the error “movie recording has been stopped automatically”, you most likely have an internal memory buffer overrun (there is a bar chart visible warning you off that shortly before the camera stops). This may be due to you not using a Class (6) or faster SDHC card. Try first a low level format inside the camera, or get a faster memory card. (Per the manual below, a lowering to standard HD should not help!).
Note also: The camera stops the recording when the file size has reached 4GB (3.99 in Windows – FAT32 limit). It is left as an exercise for the reader when that point in time is. May be related to the fact that this camera is primarily meant for photos, not video. I felt I had to use the lowest HD setting with my untested SD card (the one that buffer overran slightly later with the earlier SD card: 1280*720, 60fps – which produces 1GB/3 minute).
Note finally: camera might stop also due to overheating.
How-to for the new Vixia HF M500 camera
Here it is, and available for checkout per instructions here. Also see the video size considerations.![]()
Step-by-step for Basic Recording:
The Parts and Controls of the Camera:
How can I configure my PC to write in Arabic
- In Windows past XP, you can just choose – without first installing support for Right-to-left languages – by pressing +R, typing ïntl.cpl”, clicking ”OK”, clicking ”keyboards and languages”and “change keyboard”.
- An Arabic keyboard layout that is commonly preferred by Westerners (closer to the phonetic layout of the keyboard) is a separate download: https://thomasplagwitz.com/2013/01/06/imrans-phonetic-keyboard-for-arabic/
- A transliterating IME (type on a Western keyboard sounds as you speak, pick suggestions in Arabic letters from a dropdown menu).
- Popular choices are Google Input Arabic: http://www.google.com/inputtools/windows/
- Microsoft Maren: offers more, also morphological analysis. Transliteration tool is linked at the bottom of this post: https://thomasplagwitz.com/2011/06/09/ms-maren-morph-helps-read-arabic-web-pages/ .
How to use NanoGong in your Moodle course as an audio file recorder
- NanoGong is primarily meant for submitting audio recordings to the teacher and fellow students.
- However, it can also serve as a simple audio recorder that can save a recording to a files:
- accessible anywhere where you have internet access (on a JAVA-capable device. I have not tested NanoGong’s compatibility with smartphones or tablets, though) and a microphone – provided you/your teacher have added a NanoGong activity to the Moodle Course.
- Might be useful for collecting recordings as pieces for your language learner ePortfolios.
- To use NanoGong as an audio recorder: Instead of (or on top of/before) submitting your recording to the course, click the rightmost button:
:
How a student can easily complete an audio recording assignment in Moodle, using the new NanoGong plugin
- Open your assignment (note the loudspeaker/dummy icon for NanoGong assignments/) from the Moodle landing page.
- Unfortunately, there are a considerable number JAVA warning dialogues to bypass during NanoGong activities before you can even see the recorder plugin on the page, and may be more when you try to submit.
- Once you are on the NanoGong assignment page: click red button to record,
- Make sure the volume meter shows input when speaking (loud enough) or playing back:
- After recording, submit:
- After submitting,
- You can still edit your submission, by
- (1) deleting your recording or
- re-adding – or (provided your teacher’s assignment allows for (3) multiple recordings) just adding – (2) your recordings
- or adding a (4) message to the teacher
- you can also revisit this page to read (5) feedback the teacher gives you about your recording:
- You can still edit your submission, by
- Experiencing issues? Check troubleshooting page here.
How a teacher can easily assign an audio recording in Moodle, using the new NanoGong plugin
- We are back in business with easy audio recording assignments in the LMS, thanks to NanoGong – the free recorder I recommended when first starting here – now being available in MOODLE (presumably with the Upgrade to Moodle 2, I almost missed that….)
- To assign, click “turn editing on”, “Add activity or resource”, select “NanoGong voice activity”, as pictured below:
- There are a few interesting options:
- you can limit the duration
- you can limit the number of recordings (attempts?) allowed (0 is unlimited)
- You can let students listen to each other recordings. (Is there a rating feature that can be combined with this?)
- And this is what
- your students will see…

