Printer friendly version 
 Square Dance Resource Net  (Home)ArticlesCallers and CuersClubsEventsResourcesChoreographyMusicLyricsCeder Chest Definition BooksCeder Square Dance System  (CSDS)Square Rotation Program  (SQROT)Vic Ceder - Square Dance CallerDefinitions of square dance calls and conceptsMore square dance DefinitionsLists of square dance calls and conceptsFrequently Asked QuestionsSquare dance linksLos Olivos Honey BeesBande DéssineesChocolate BarsBeanie BabiesPokémon Trading CardsSend us feedback
FAQs
 
FAQs
 
 Master Index    Recent Changes    Find by Record ID    Help    Feedback    administrator         
 Find what: 
  
 Call from Screen    Choreography    Cue sheets    Errors    Inquiries prior to purchasing    Installation    Levels    Music    Other Questions    Printing    Sequences    Snapshots    Upgrading  

Inquiries prior to purchasing 
  1.  
    Afraid to do anything
    Top of page Bottom of page
    I have terrible luck with computers and if I click on anything I'll probably wipe out the whole thing (it's happened before). So I'm afraid to touch anything until I know what I'm supposed to do.

    It should not be possible to easily wipe out things in CSDS. CSDS asks for confirmation whenever you try to delete anything of value. In some cases, CSDS will give you a stern warning and ask twice, just to be sure.

    CSDS is meant to be experimented with. Go ahead and try things. If you have a specific question, or have a specific task you'd like to do, send me an e-mail and I'll assist you.

    last modified: 14-January-2020   
  2.  
    Animation and Timing
    Top of page Bottom of page
    Do you have any plans to include animation and timing to the Ceder Square Dance System in the near future?

    Dancer Animation and Timing (counting beats per call) will not be added in the near future.

    Animation is a major step, and although many parts have already been worked out (e.g., http://www.ceder.net/animation/movdan4.php). Implementing animation would involve a lot of work, and would be feasible for perhaps only the standard versions of the calls. It would be very difficult to instruct the program how to animate calls when concepts are applied.

    Timing would be easier to do, but again, would only be feasible to add it to the calls.

    last modified: 25-May-2011   
  3.  
    API or source code
    Top of page Bottom of page
    Do you provide an API or limited source code access or licensing for personal use. Although I haven't played with your product yet, there are a few things I like about a program that I wrote that I may want to integrate some how. Just curious. Being a programmer myself I always have to ask.

    The CSDS program code isn't yet sophisticated enough to have an API. In the future, I intend to breakup the program into one or more DLLs and possibly into two or more processes. When I get around to doing this, I could use one of the DLLs as an API.

    I do not supply source code at this time. In the past, for special requests, I have supplied a listing or two and definitions for file/database formats. The CSDS program does not use a 'real' database system, but instead uses random access files. One caller wrote a program to 'count beats' for a sequence.

    I keep my CSDS 'to do' list at http://www.ceder.net/todo/view.php?section=1

    last modified: 25-May-2011   
  4.  
    Call from screen #1
    Top of page Bottom of page
    I call only Mainstream and Plus. Could I benefit from on screen calling in these programs from your choreography data base? Is the choreography database transferrable to the screen? I am mostly a sight caller, but as you know it's nice to have notes for cute get in's and outs. But can that be done without spending alot of time during a dance?

    You can benefit from calling from the screen. When I call Plus, I usually sight-call most of the dance. The CSDS program assists by displaying a list of the Plus calls, some singing call sequences, stir the bucket routines, and other special sequences that I might want to call. CSDS has a search function that allows you to find a particular figure that you've been workshopping so that you can include it in your singing call.

    Sequences from our web-based Choreo Database can be downloaded into CSDS via the 'Import sequences into CSDS' link.

  5.  
    Call from screen #2
    Top of page Bottom of page
    I have a question about the screens that allow you to call dances using a notebook computer. I'm trying to envision how you work the computer and call at the same time. Is this difficult to do? Or is it something you get good at with a little bit of practice?

    It's easy to call with a notebook computer using CSDS. Most functions (music play|pause|rewind|etc., timer on/off/increment/decrement, viewing list of calls or sequences, navigating thru sequences) are single keystroke functions. The 'hard' part for a novice CSDS user is setting up the dance. Using the dance is reasonably straightforward.

    last modified: 19-July-2008   
  6.  
    Cue sheets and music player
    Top of page Bottom of page
    How much of the screen is used when displaying singing call and round dance cue sheets? Can I select a playlist and have a pause between records? (Unlike the other players).

    1. The majority of the screen can be used to display the cue sheet.
    2. CSDS does not yet implement 'play lists' (it will within a few weeks). Currently, you select a piece of music via the CSDS music database, the CSDS quick list (a pre-selected subset of the CSDS music database), the CSDS music history list (the 50 most recently played selections), or browsing for a music selection from disk.

    CSDS uses single key-stroke functions to hide/show the music player and to navigate to the cue sheet.

    You can find a (very old) screen shot of the CSDS 'Call from Screen' window at http://www.ceder.net/csds/help/csds_callfromscreen.html

    An old screen shot of the CSDS music player can be found at http://www.ceder.net/csds/help/csds_frmmusicplayer.html

    last modified: 08-June-2006   
  7.  
    Dancer positioning
    Top of page Bottom of page
    The thing that I really feel would be of benefit to me that CSDS allows you to enter calls and then move the formation to whatever you feel it should be. How flexible is that feature?

    Dancers can be positioned at 1/2 matrix spots (e.g., 1/2 Press Ahead, Back, Right, Left).

    This feature is very flexible and should be able to do practically anything you want.

    It does have a few limitations:

    • Maximum matrix size is 16 x 16.
    • Although dancers may be facing at 45 degree angles, you may not have some dancers facing at 45 degree angles from other dancers (e.g., all dancers must be at 45 degree angles, or all must be at normal angles).

  8.  
    Displaying both a cue sheet and a sequence
    Top of page Bottom of page
    I guess that you can display both a cuesheet and a sequence from a dance program (or toggle between with a key), so you have the lyrics and alternative singing choreo at your hand. Is this true??

    While calling from the screen, you can simultaneously display all of the following:

    • 10 piles of unused sequences;
    • 1 pile for used (called) sequences;
    • 3 documents;
    • 1 cue sheet;
    • 1 lyrics file.

    See https://www.ceder.net/helpdb/viewsingle.php?pid=1&UniqueId=435

    last modified: 09-June-2024   
  9.  
    Displaying lyrics synchronized with the music
    Top of page Bottom of page
    When displaying choreographic sequence notes, will CSDS keep the display of notes in time sequence with the music? Are there timing flags embedded with the music data, such as SMPTE Time Code could provide, that are used to scroll the patter notes or singing call verses.

    I'm looking for a music data base management system, but need to have this question answered before I purchase yours.

    The answer to your question is 'no'. CSDS does not do timing data. The closest that CSDS comes in this regard is that when a singing call is loaded in the music player, CSDS displays an approximation to the 7 sections (opener, seq1, seq2, middle-break, seq3, seq4, closer) immediately below the music position bar.

    last modified: 25-May-2011   
  10.  
    Displaying multiple windows
    Top of page Bottom of page
    Can CSDS play music (MP3 Files) and display some Get Outs, Modules or Singing Call at the same time? How does this work out with the different windows? I have a laptop computer with a 14" TFT Display. Will I be able to open and operate all the windows (music and e.g. get outs) at the same time?

    In the 'Call from Screen' portion of the program, CSDS can play music, while displaying up to 10 frames of sequences, 3 documents, a cue sheet file, and a lyrics file.

    See https://www.ceder.net/helpdb/viewsingle.php?pid=1&UniqueId=435

    A single keystroke brings a different frame to the foreground.

    last modified: 09-June-2024   
  11.  
    Hard disk space
    Top of page Bottom of page
    How much hard drive space does CSDS use with music, cue sheets etc loaded on a notebook. What do you recommend?

    Although I don't have exact numbers with me, an installation of CSDS with it's all data files is probably between 30 and 40 MB.

    Music files will eat up your hard disk space more than CSDS or more than cue sheets.

    A mono MP3 file for a typical square dance tune of 3 to 4 minutes is about 2MB or so. A stereo file is twice that much.

    I currently have 3648 (mostly mono) MP3 files in a folder on my laptop. These files take up 6.2 GB of space. Hence a GB will hold about 588 MP3 files.

    I recommend that you get a laptop with a hardrive of at least 20 GB.

    last modified: 09-June-2024   
  12.  
    Isolated formations
    Top of page Bottom of page
    Another program I have used does not find single isolated formations very easily. E.G. in assymetrical setups it won't find things like a nearside diamond however many different ways you try to explain that diamond. If there is a left handed tandem based triangle of girls you are trying to tell it to find it won't find it ( I've tried things like 'ignore the # 4 girl, the other girls triangle circulate' and other ploys to try to get it to understand, and it is still no use).

    CSDS can do Near/Far <formation>/<N> (you can say things like 'Near Diamond Flip The Diamond', 'Near 2 Hinge', 'Far 6 Circulate', etc.) Other asymmetric terms such as 'Those Facing The Caller' and 'Couple #1 and #2' can be used.

    CSDS can not locate things such as left-hand tandem based triangles (this may change in the future). However, a record for the given instance of a call can always be added (e.g., if you say left-hand tandem-based triangles reshape, CSDS may say 'I do not know how to do this, show me how to do this' at which point the mouse can be used to drag the dancers to their ending positions, and the program will remember this instance of the call).

  13.  
    Laptop recommendation
    Top of page Bottom of page
    If you were recommending a Windows laptop for Square dance calling usage, which one would you recommend, what are the criteria you regard as most important?

    What about Software recommendations to go with that, as for handling music and co-ordinating the music and calling? Does CSDS do that?

    The #1 thing I'd look for in a laptop is reliability. The laptop must work, problem-free, while you are calling. You don't want to have to worry about it. You don't want the laptop to experience problems such as stuck keys, an errant mousepad, memory glitches, etc. As such, I recommend sticking to well-known brands. I have had two Dell laptops. The first was fine, so when it was time to retire it, I bought another Dell. This second Dell had problems. I now have a Sony Vaio, which seems to be more reliable than the Dell.

    If you plan on creating your own MP3s from your record collection, you will need music editing software. I currently use Adobe Audition. It's pricey, but it's loaded with features. Other music editors may be found on our Digital Music page.

    CSDS takes care of playing the music, keeping the selections organized, looping for patter music, etc.

    The CSDS music player allows you to play, rewind, fade out, count beats per minute, change the tempo, etc.

    A description of the music player can be found at http://www.ceder.net/csds/help/csds_frmmusicplayer.html

    last modified: 25-May-2011   
  14.  
    Linux / Unix
    Top of page Bottom of page
    CSDS sounds wonderful and the copy I saw at a dance is very impressive. Is there any chance in the future that it may be ported to Linux / Unix or that it will run under Windows emulation on Linux? If so I could be quite interested in buying a copy.

    CSDS will not be ported to Linux / Unix anytime soon.

    I do not know how it might run under a Windows emulation, but my guess is that it won't run very well, especially the music portion.

    I know of one caller who has successfully run CSDS on the Mac platform under an emulation package (after resolving a lot of problems). Unfortunately, the music portion didn't work well at all and had distortions and skips.

  15.  
    MP3 Player
    Top of page Bottom of page
    Am I to assume that if I buy the CSDS program, it is the actual MP3 player?

    CSDS can play music via the Microsoft Media Player, Winamp, or via an internal player.

    The Microsoft Media Player is (partially) imbedded in the CSDS program. This player is probably already on your system, since it is included with Internet Explorer 4 or beyond. If not, the latest version can be downloaded for free from the Microsoft website.

    The Winamp player must first be downloaded and installed before it can be used by CSDS. It is available for free from the Winamp web site. Be sure to download version 5.x. The PaceMaker 1.32 plug-in is highly recommended, especially if you would like to independently change the tempo and pitch.

    last modified: 06-January-2008   
  16.  
    Music and Cue Sheets
    Top of page Bottom of page
    I noticed that if I want to have the cue sheets and music 'tied together' -- I need the record label and number entered?

    I ask because over the past two years I have converted my 800+ records to MP3 as back up and for mini disc use... but I never added the label or number in the file name.....

    Does this mean I need to dig out all the boxes???

    The answer is "Yes".

    For the computer to match up cue sheets and lyrics with the appropriate music, the title is not enough.

    In fact, the title is so untrustworthy that CSDS does not even look at it.

    An extra space or punctuation mark in the title could cause a mismatch. For example, Quadrille 855 is "Just Lovin' You", and TNT 274 is "Just Loving You". One has a quote, one doesn't. The computer might catch one, but not the other, or it might give the TNT cue sheet to the Quadrille version.

    Also, many tunes on several different labels. For example, "Oh Lonesome Me" is on at least 10 different labels! How can the computer know by looking only at the name which cue sheet goes with the music?

  17.  
    Music Player - Pitch Control
    Top of page Bottom of page
    I've been looking at your Square Dance System here on the Internet, and there is one thing missing I think. A reliable "pitch control" that can change Pitch without changing speed. Would it not be a relatively easy thing to put into the system???

    CSDS can play music via either the Microsoft Media Player or the WinAmp 5.xx player. If you use the WinAmp player, you can use a WinAmp plug-in to change pitch without changing speed.

    CSDS can control either the PaceMaker 1.32 plug-in or the Chronotron II plug-in. PaceMaker is the recommended plug-in.

    last modified: 06-January-2008   
  18.  
    Patter record looping
    Top of page Bottom of page
    How is the loop of the patter record generated? Do I have to set some marking externally, or do I have to "cut" the MP3 file in 3 parts? I have done that with the patter songs which I use on Mini Disc, but I have no idea how to do this with a MP3 file.... Maybe this can be done with your program?

    CSDS uses software to loop the music. For each music selection that you want to loop, you specify a start and end time for the loop. To specify the loop, start playing the music, then press a button at the start time; then fast-forward to a position near the end of the music and play the music again, then press another button to set the end time. A 'Test Loop' button allows you to test your loop. To finetune the loop, you can then repeat the process, or use edit boxes or up/down controls to edit the start and end times.

    Each song only requires one mp3 file.

    last modified: 25-May-2011   
  19.  
    Pocket PC
    Top of page Bottom of page
    Do you have any thoughts on adapting the CSDS system to Windows Pocket PC?

    It will not happen any time in the near future.

  20.  
    Program features
    Top of page Bottom of page
    I am thinking about purchasing the CSDS program. I now use musicmatch jukebox.

    Can you tell me what I'll gain with your program?

    You will be able to do much more, including:
    1. Set automatic looping for patter records.
    2. Automatically display the cue sheet associated with a singing call.
    3. Display sequences.
    4. Write choreography.
    5. Display lists of calls.

    You should check out the CSDS portion of our web site: http://www.ceder.net/csds.php

    You also might want to check out the HTML help index portion at http://www.ceder.net/csds/help/csds_index.html and the FAQ database at http://www.ceder.net/faqdb/view.php?section=1

    last modified: 25-May-2011   
  21.  
    Recording music
    Top of page Bottom of page
    Does your media player in CSDS have recording capability? If not, what do you recommend I purchase?

    CSDS does not have recording capability.

    You need some music editing software. CSDS is music management software (organizes and plays music).

    There are 4 choices for music editing software listed on our digital music page.

    I recommend Sound Forge or Goldwave

    I personally have CoolEdit2000 (no longer available) and Adobe Audition (in my opinion, too pricey).

  22.  
    Transferring MP3 files
    Top of page Bottom of page
    I've been using musicmatch jukebox. Can I transfer my mp3 files over easily?

    It's no problem. You just go to the Music Database portion of the program and select the 'Add new MP3 files from Folder' option, and the program will add all MP3 files from a specified folder to the database.

  23.  
    Windows XP
    Top of page Bottom of page
    Will your program run on a computer with XP?

    Yes. CSDS runs fine under Windows XP.

    Several CSDS users have installed and are using CSDS on Windows XP, including myself. The CSDS software and installation CD are generated on my XP machine.


If you have a question that is not answered here, feel free to E-mail Vic at

https://www.ceder.net/faqdb/?section=1&category=30
15-October-2024 12:28:41
Copyright © 2024 Vic Ceder.  All Rights Reserved.
full URL