TOP 100 TOOLS
Adobe Captivate

Captivate from Adobe lets you create powerful and engaging Flash-based simulations, software demonstrations, and scenario-based training without programming knowledge or multimedia skills  This low cost tool is fast becoming the de facto standard tool in this area.  Captivate 3 has just been released.

Comments from those who selected Captivate as one of their Top 10 Tools in 2009

• I haven’t moved on to the latest version yet and I suspect it will still be full of Captivate’s ‘charming idiosyncrasies’. Still, despite the warts you can do an awful lot with it. Great for building complex scenarios – it’s not just for IT system training! Rob Hubbard
• This is the tool I normally use for software screen captures (although I also dabble with Camtasia). The latest version is packed with features.  Clive Shepherd
• A tool for capturing user interactions on screen and playback of those interactions.

Comments from those who selected Captivate as one of their Top 10 Tools in 2008

• "expensive but the best of the paid bunch I feel, though Wink’s a good free alternative" Mary Cooch
• "an essential tool which we use to bring real depth and accessibility to the job of supporting our schools in their use of Moodle through narrated demonstrations" Ian Usher
• "This is the tool I normally use for software screen captures (although I also dabble with Camtasia). No complaints really, although in my view the output could be more nicely presented"  Clive Shepherd
• "A tool which simply does what is says on the tin. An easy to use screen capture tool which can be used for a wide range of e-learning. Probably the most used tool in this area I suspect "  Steve Rayson
• "for flash cards, software sims, and branched scenarios"  Patti Shank
• "Captivate is how I develop self-paced e-learning content that is embedded within the instructor-led courses. Sometimes this is as simple as a graphic or flow chart with rollovers or hotspots; sometimes it’s a complex branching scenario. Captivate’s a good tool for all of it."  Christy Tucker
• "The easiest tool that I know for creating software demos and even interactive simulations. It has many features, including customizable callouts, prompts, and so on. It makes it relatively easy to integrate audio with the demo/interactive, or to create quizzes. Output is standard Flash."  Thomas Stone
• "Best price/performance capture, course creation tool.  Waiting for a simulation development tool that does more, but doesn't cost an arm and a  leg." Ed Lamaster
• "I have been using this tool for the past three years. In my opinion, this is the best tool to develop software demonstrations." Sathish Narayanan
• "Excellent simulation software"  Bruce Richards
• "A SERIOUS authoring tool for demos simulations, evaluation, and scenarios-based learning"  Michael Hanley
• "I Use this one to create simulations and demonstrations, and decision making interactions."  Juan Antonio Ortiz

Comments from those who selected Captivate as one of their Top 10 Tools in 2007

• "This is the other tool I use, for software screen captures. It seems to do everything I want quite effortlessly, so what more can you ask for."  Clive Shepherd
• "Excellent for system simulations and scenario interactions. Also great for animated activities if you don't have Flash, although it's heavy on file size." Wendy Phillips
• "Great for showing people what you're talking about and leaving it with them as training/support materials." Paul Coyne
• "An excellent product, once you understand its idiosyncrasies"  B J Schone
• A tool which simply does what is says on the tin. An easy to use screen capture tool which can be used for a wide range of e-learning. Probably the most used tool in this area I suspect." Steve Rayson
• "Captivate is my first choice for developing software application training. I was amazed at how quickly I could put together a rough interactive simulation the first time I tried it. For non-software training, Captivate is good but not outstanding. However, the more time I spend with it, the more I discover is possible."  Christy Tucker
• "The best software simulation creation tool so far. Easy to use and quite powerful. Another of the few proprietary software I like." Guy Boulet
• "The author tool that I use to create multimedia educational content"  Paulo Simões
• ""for tutorials developing" Paulo Gingao
• "Captivate has lots of in’s, lots of out’s, lots of what have you’s. But once you figure those out, it’s a great tool."  Matt Lisle
• "The easiest tool that I know for creating software demos and even interactive simulations. It has many features, including customizable callouts, prompts, and so on. It makes it relatively easy to integrate audio with the demo/interactive, or to create quizzes. Output is standard Flash."  Thomas Stone
• "Flash presentations, screencasts, and learning content made easy." Mike Taylor