What computer platform does lodeStar run on?

Currently, lodeStar runs on machines with the Windows VISTA, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows 98 operating systems. lodeStar's output can be played in any environment that supports Macromedia Flash.

How about the MAC computer?

MAC users of LodeStar typically use Bootcamp (with XP or VISTA) or Parallels on a MAC.  Both work great.  With Parallels, be sure that you have plenty of RAM allocated for Parallels.

On the playback side, LodeStar objects will run on the MAC OS, as well as Linux, Unix and Solaris

Who created LodeStar?

Robert Bilyk began programming LodeStar in 2001. The first release for Microsoft Class Server Users came in September 2001.

In 2003, Bilyk was joined by Mark Burrs, an instructional designer and computer programmer. Together they founded LodeStar Learning, which became incorporated in March, 2003.

LodeStar Learning has collaborated with numerous individuals and companies to build its feature set and templates, to resell LodeStar and to provide support to its users.

Information about Mark Burrs will be available soon. In the meantime, to learn more about Robert Bilyk, please click on

http://www.lodestarlearning.com/samples/Demo_Portfolio/index.htm

Can a school custom build its own Star Interactions that can be configured by lodeStar?

Yes. Schools can request a developer's license for lodeStar, which includes a guide to the lodeStar Markup language. The guide details how lodeStar communicates to Flash learning objects.

Will lodeStar support such standards as XML, IMS and SCORM?

lodeStar currently supports both XML input and output. lodeStar supports the IMS content packaging specification and can export to any learning management system that is IMS compliant. lodeStar will also fully support SCORM tracking in a future release.

LodeStar Learning offers a perpetual license. What does that mean?

LodeStar Learning makes it very easy for its users. A perpetual license means that anything that an instructor creates will be active for as long as Flash Player technology exists. There are no time bombs, time limits, student limits. If an institution purchases 5.x version of LodeStar, free upgrades are available for 5.1, 5.2, etc. When LodeStar Learning releases the next major release (in this example, 6.x), the institution can opt to upgrade for a nominal upgrade fee.