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SlideTour FAQs |
A. SlideTour Basics
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A1. What is SlideTour? |
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SlideTour is a self-service web application for publishing, displaying and managing images. SlideTour is
ideal for auction or classified listings as well as any other applications
where you wish to display multiple images in a single window presentation. SlideTour includes a unique magnifier tool ideal for showing fine image details.
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A2. What features does SlideTour offer? |
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- Single-window image presentations mean no long pages to scroll down or potential missed images.
- Magnification feature gives buyers a closer look at the merchandise while retaining original image quality.
- Superior compression means quick downloads, shorter wait times and generous image display sizes.
- Voiceover narration recorded using a regular phone line personalizes the presentation and option to add background music using audio files
- The SlideTour system allows the user to manage and organize their individual SlideTours from an easy to use interface.
- SlideTour gives the user the ability to create an eBay auction listing after publishing a SlideTour presentation, or linking a SlideTour presentation to an existing eBay auction listing, with just one click.
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A3. What benefits does SlideTour offer? |
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- SlideTour saves time and by allowing users to batch upload multiple image files as well as high-resolution images (50 image maximum with up to 100 MB total upload file size).
- The SlideTour system compresses and optimizes the individual images to deliver high quality images, which load quickly on the viewer's computer.
- SlideTour significantly reduces photography and upload time by eliminating the need for separate close-up shots. A unique magnification feature gives you a closer look at your photos while retaining original image quality.
- SlideTour delivers a single window, multiple-image presentation to the viewers?desktop, eliminating the need to send images as email attachments. Collections of images can be emailed for viewing by simply sending the URL address for the SlideTour.
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A4. How does a SlideTour presentation look like within an eBay auction listing? |
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To view a SlideTour presentation in an eBay auction listing, click here. |
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A5. Do I still have to pay eBay a separate image publishing charge? |
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No, there is no additional charge to link your SlideTour presentation to a listing on eBay as SlideTour presentations are displayed in eBay’s description field and therefore, eBay will not charge you for image publishing.
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A6. Why should I use SlideTour? |
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SlideTour gives online sellers a faster and easier way to create auction listings needing higher-quality images. SlideTour's unique magnifier makes it easier for shoppers to see a product's fine details. Better imaging means more qualified bidders, higher bids and more profits.
See Auction Bytes Article |
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A7. How does SlideTour work? OR
How do you create a SlideTour presentation? |
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It's as easy as signing up for a free SlideTour account using your email address and assigning a password to your account. Publishing images using SlideTour is easier and faster than publishing photos for online photo albums, and with special features not available elsewhere. Click here to learn more. |
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A8. Can I try out a SlideTour presentation for free? |
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Yes, you can learn about all the features that SlideTour has to offer and demo it by going to the
free trial page. |
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A9. How long does my free account last and what is included in my free account? |
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A free account does not expire and allows you 5 MB of storage space for your published SlideTours.
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A10. How does SlideTour differ from what your competitors have to offer? |
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- Most image publishing and hosting services restrict users to uploading image sizes of up to only 1MB at a time. Their compression rates typically range from 10% to 20% only, compared to SlideTour’s compression rates, which compresses most images to 70% to 80% of their original image size without losing image quality.
- Furthermore, image-hosting services that do not resize and compress images can mean long and tedious download times for the viewer. SlideTour differs in that all image processing, (resizing and compression) takes place before uploading so uploads are quick, (usually less than 5 minutes over a broadband connection, even for 30 MB of image data).
- And, SlideTour is the only service offering a unique, versatile magnification tool and audio voiceover narration as part of the published presentation, ideal for enhancing eBay auction listings and other online classified or e-commerce listings.
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A11. What is unique about the magnifier tool and why is it valuable? |
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High-resolution images are not easy to display on the web; they take longer for the viewer to download because of their large file size and the viewer must use the scroll bar to see different parts of this large image. Our magnifier tool eliminates both of these limitations by showing you the original size image in the magnifier window. This is equivalent to a 4x magnification of the image as displayed in the SlideTour presentation.
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A12. Why is compression important? |
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By compressing most images to 70% to 80% their original image size, while retaining image quality, SlideTour presentations download faster. This allows users to view SlideTour presentations 70% to 80% faster, than without compression.
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A13. Are there any restrictions to where I am allowed to post my SlideTour presentation? |
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No, once you publish a SlideTour you are free to use the presentation on any website that you would like without any additional charges.
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A14. How do I display a SlideTour presentation once it is published? |
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To show your SlideTour presentation online, just copy the URL of the SlideTour presentation and paste it within your Web site or email, or, copy the SlideTour code into a product description field. SlideTours can also be embedded in a web page by copying the SlideTour code.
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A15. Do I need to license any software to create or view SlideTour presentations? |
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No software licensing is necessary. SlideTour is a browser-based image management and publishing system, which uses either Sun Microsystem's Java or Microsoft ActiveX technology. Either of these systems will successfully accomplish the task of creating your SlideTour presentations.
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A16. Can I host SlideTour presentations within my own server? |
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For large quantities of images (at least 20,000 images per month) we offer SlideTour Power Box licensing. Please contact SlideTour at
inquiry@SlideTour.com
or toll free 1-888-588-3246 for more information. |
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A17. Where is the company located? |
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3cim is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA, in the heart of Silicon Valley.
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A18. What other services does your company offer? |
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3cim also offers high-definition 360-degree virtual tours servicing the real estate industry, and has created thousands of tours over the past few years alone.
Sample Virtual Tour links. |
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B. Pricing Information
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B1. How much does SlideTour cost? |
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Everyone that signs up for SlideTour automatically receives a free account with 5 MB of storage space. Those users who need more storage space can opt to
upgrade their account to either 25, 50 or 100 MB pay plans. For more information on upgrading your plan, visit our pricing page |
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B2. How much does it cost to link a SlideTour to an eBay auction listing? Do I still have to pay eBay a separate image publishing charge? |
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There is no additional charge to link your SlideTour presentation to a listing on eBay as SlideTour presentations are displayed in eBay’s description field and therefore, eBay will not charge you for image publishing.
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B3. Do I get charged to use my SlideTour presentation for more than one listing? |
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Once you publish a SlideTour presentation, it may be linked to as many listings in as many Websites including eBay, at no additional charge.
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B4. Do you have plans available for more than 100 MB of storage? |
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Yes, we can generate specialized plans to fit your needs, if you anticipate needing more than 100 MB of storage. Please contact us at
pricing@SlideTour.com
or call us toll free at 1-888-588-3246 for more information. |
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B5. How do I change my plan? |
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You can change your plan by selecting the plan you would like in your Personal Data page.
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B6. When does my new plan begin? |
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After you have selected a new plan, your account will be upgraded immediately and you can start using your extra storage space.
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B7. If I purchase a pay plan, when is my account charged? |
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Your account will be charged in advance upon initial selection of the pay plan. The account will be charged annually after that as long as you
wish to keep the account active. If you are upgrading from an existing pay plan to a higher plan, you will be charged the difference between the new, higher plan cost minus your remaining unused months of the previous plan.
(Downgrading to a lower pay plan cannot be done). Here is a plan upgrade example:
- You purchase Plan 2 (25 MB plan) for $24.95/year on Sept. 1st.
- On March 4th of the following year, you upgrade to the 100 MB Plan 3 which costs $49.95
- Your remaining unused months on the previous annual plan total 5* months x $2.00 per month (approx. cost per month for 25 MB plan)= $10.00 credit on account
- $49.95 (100 MB Plan 3) - $10.00 (credit from unused months Plan 2)=$39.95 (cost to upgrade)
*Since you upgraded on March 4th, the month of March is counted as used. |
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B8. How long can I use a published SlideTour presentation? |
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Published SlideTour presentations remain in your account and active as long as your account is active.
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B9. How much does it cost to add audio or a voiceover narration to a SlideTour? |
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Adding audio narration and/or music is included in all SlideTour plans. There are no additional charges for these features.
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C. Technical Information
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C1. Do I need to install anything to view SlideTours? |
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For the best viewing experience, users should have Flash Player installed. If you don't have Flash, you can get it here.
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C2. What do I need to install to publish/create SlideTours? |
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You will need to have JTR (Java Transfer: SUN Java 1.4.1 or higher), or XTR (ActiveX Transfer). If you choose to use XTR, you will be prompted to download and install our ActiveX plug-in. For more information see
Choose Publishing System. |
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C3. How many images can I upload at the same time? |
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You may upload up to 50 images at a time, as long as the combined file size does not exceed 100MB.
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C4. What kind of image file formats can I upload to SlideTour? |
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SlideTour currently works with the following image file formats:
- JTR: JPG, GIF, uncompressed BMP, TIFF
- XTR: JPG, GIF, uncompressed BMP, uncompressed TIFF
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C5. How long do I stay logged into my account? |
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Unless you sign out, you will stay logged into your account for 3 hours.
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C6. When I try to log into my account it says my session is expired or even when I enter the correct user and password, I cannot log into my account? |
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This is an Internet Explorer (IE), cache problem. You will need to:
- Close all IE browser windows
- Open a new IE window
- Now log in
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D. Preparing My Images for SlideTour
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D1. Do I need to resize or compress my images first before publishing them in SlideTour? |
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No, unlike our competitors, SlideTour has a unique compression system, in which there is no need for added work, such as resizing or compressing your images beforehand. SlideTour’s unique publishing system compresses most images to 70% - 80% of original size.
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D2. What resolution do you recommend I shoot my original images before publishing a SlideTour presentation? |
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SlideTour allows you to upload any resolution images that you wish. However, to best display images with the magnifier, we recommend shooting
images at no less than 1600 x 1200 pixels.
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D3. Can I upload very high resolution images? Will this result in better quality magnified images? |
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Yes, you may upload up to 100 MB's total file size, but this will not improve the quality of the magnified image(s) in your SlideTour.
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E. Creating a SlideTour Presentation
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E1. Where can I find Step-by-Step instructions on how to publish a SlideTour presentation? |
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In your SlideTour account, go to the Publish ST page and at the top of the page there is a
Help link |
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E2. How can I magnify my images? |
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When you publish a SlideTour, the "Magnify All" checkbox is selected by default and all images published will show the magnifier tool. You can turn off this feature or
magnify only certain images by unchecking the Magnify checkbox above the selected thumbnail image.
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E3. How big does the magnifier enlarge images? |
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The magnifier enlarges images 4x. For example, on a SlideTour display that is 640 x 480 pixels, the magnified image is 1280 x 960.
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E4. How can I improve the clarity of my magnified images? |
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For better magnification, use higher resolution images and a "fine" or better compression setting on your camera (we recommend at least 1600 x 1200 pixels).
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E5. Can I set the height or width of a SlideTour presentation? |
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Yes, you may set the SlideTour presentation height and/or width. SlideTour does not change the original aspect ratio to fit the display (images are not stretched).
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E6. What is the maximum height or width for a SlideTour presentation? |
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720 width x 640 height.
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F. Posting Your SlideTour and Adding Music and Narration
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F1. How can I post my SlideTour presentation to an eBay auction listing? |
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F2. How can I add a voiceover narration or music to my SlideTour presentation? |
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Go to the Manage ST page and locate the SlideTour you would like to add voice narration or music to. In the column labeled "Music" click on "Add Music" or in the column labeled "Voice" click on "Add Voice", then just follow the directions. For more detailed instructions see
SlideTour Manage- Help |
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F3. Can I upload my own music? |
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Yes, you can upload .mp3 files up to 5 minutes in length. If your .mp3 is longer than 5 minutes the SlideTour system will automatically cut it to 5 minutes.
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F4. Or do you have a music library to choose from? |
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Yes, we have 10 pre-selected tracks to choose from.
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F5. How long does the voiceover and/or music run? |
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Both voice narration and music will play up to 5 min. in length (dependent on the length of the uploaded music or recorded audio narration). When adding narration or music you will have the option to repeat or "loop" the narration and/or music.
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F6. Why doesn’t the audio start automatically when my SlideTour presentation starts? |
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First you must select/check the automatic start when adding music or narration.
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F7. I selected the automatic start for my music and/or narration, but there is a delay before my music and/or narration start? |
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Yes, there will be a slight delay (up to 5 seconds) depending on the number of image files to load before the music and/or narration begins to play. The SlideTour system automatically loads the images before the music and narration files.
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F8. Can I synchronize music or a voiceover narration with each slide? |
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No, currently there is no way to synchronize music and voice narration, since the viewer controls the SlideTour presentation (magnifier and slide speed).
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G. Managing Your SlideTour Account
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G1. How can I organize my SlideTour presentations? |
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On the Manage ST page, you can create sub-folders. Once you've created sub-folders, you may publish SlideTours directly to the sub-folder of your choice.
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G2. How can I sort my SlideTour presentations within each folder? |
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SlideTour presentations are listed chronologically within each folder and sub-folder.
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G3. How do I delete a SlideTour presentation? |
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To delete one or more SlideTours from your Manage Tours page main folder or sub-folders, simply check the Action checkbox for the SlideTour(s)
you wish to delete. Then go to the top of the Action column and find the "Go" menu choice which says "Delete Forever". Clicking the "Go" button next to
this selection will delete all the SlideTours you have checked with the Action checkbox.
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G4. What is PWP? |
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PWP stands for Personal Web Page. The PWP is the public view page of all of your SlideTour presentations.
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G5. How do I use it? |
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To use the PWP use the check boxes to select which information you would like displayed. The PWP page is organized identically to how you have set up your Manage ST page. Additionally, each sub-folder has its own page/link, giving you the option of just allowing certain folders to be viewed. For more information on how to use the PWP, visit
PWP Help. |
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G6. Can I access my original images through my SlideTour account? |
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We do not keep your original images within your SlideTour account. Therefore, for important or valuable high-resolution images, it is very important for you to retain a set of the original high resolution images on your computer or backed up to disk. However, you do have access to your resized, compressed images for each SlideTour presentation. These images are located in your Still folder.
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