Convergence Training Viewer - The Installation is Worth the Wait

Our Vision

When we set out to create our free training viewer software, we wanted a platform that was fast, stable, and provided a rich graphical interface to our customers. We believe that an application should work well and be easy on the eyes. The technology we chose was Windows Presentation Foundation, or WPF. For those unfamiliar with WPF, it allows us to create applications that behave more like Flash animations (animated menus, glowing button highlights, interactive interface, etc.), and are built around a powerful and stable core (earlier frameworks have a number of known bugs). Which would you choose - older technology that most people have, but contains known bugs, or newer technology that might take longer to download but would be more stable and perform better?

Required Components

We chose the latest technology and refused to compromise on the quality of our product which means that users of our product must have the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 (service pack 1) installed on their system. Currently, this is an optional windows update, but is scheduled to be a required update on Windows XP and Vista users early this year (2009). For more information about getting the framework via windows updates, check out this Microsoft blog posting:

When will the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 be pushed to windows update?

Long Download/Install Time

We've designed our installation process to work for everyone, regardless of what software the users may or may not have installed - it will download and install necessary components, including the .NET Framework. This can be helpful, but it can also increase your download time if you don't have the required components. If the necessary components are already installed on your computer, then the installation of Convergence Training Viewer is typically as short as a few minutes. If you can bear with the long Microsoft download/install, we promise the CTV install will be quick and painless.

Other WPF Applications

Convergence Training is not alone in embracing the new Microsoft technology to build software. Visit the Microsoft Community Showcase to see other applications using this new and innovative technology.
Visit Microsoft's WPF Showcase

Worth the Wait

We appreciate the patience of our users who have experienced longer installation times and less than elegant installation. We've investigated several techniques to shorten download times, such as using older versions of controls, including the components in the download file, and more. All of these approaches have had their own unique drawbacks forcing us to choose the least problematic solution. For those of you wanting to claim your free course, please contact us and we will be happy to send it to your physical address on a CD-ROM. For everyone else, we will gladly send you the necessary Microsoft .NET components on a CD-ROM which will help alleviate long download time.

Given the quality of our training products, we believe that our software and training courses are worth the wait. Once you are finished with the installation process, you will be glad you took the time. If you would prefer to receive the files on a disk, send us an email.

Again, we apologize for any difficulties you may have experienced and appreciate your patience while technology catches up with our innovative approach to training. We are committed to supporting our product and ensuring your ongoing satisfaction by helping you build a successful training program.

MSHASafetyTraining.com Website Launched

Last week, we launched our newest website, MSHASafetyTraining.com, which focuses exclusively on helping surface mines and surface mine contractors become compliant with MSHA's Part 46.



This new site simplifies the requirements and directs viewers to exactly what they need. We even provide free resources to help you complete your Training Plan and Records of Training.


Here are some of the things we hope you’ll find useful:

• A visual overview of MSHA Part 46 training requirements


• FREE samples of Training Plan and Record of Training templates


• FREE Part 46 resources including downloads and links to make compliance easier


• And of course, our award-winning line of Surface Miner Training products

Visit MSHASafetyTraining.com and let us know what you think. And if you still have questions, feel free to contact us. We’ll be happy to help.

Special Project: 3D Virtual Mill

Chris Wilson, our Lead 3D Designer, has been working on putting the final touches on our 3D Virtual Mill. A number of our other Meda Designers have had a hand in creating specific pieces of equipment. Among other areas, the mill features chip yard, digester, evaporators, recovery boiler, recaust area, bleach plant and paper machine. Our 3D Virtual Mill enables us to create training in the same fashion as our custom training, but for sites that need to cover fundamentals before focusing on site-specific processes and procedures.

This is one of the preliminary renders and still has some more equipment to add. This will be the basis for our upcoming Pulp and Paper Fundamentals courses.

Convergence Training Releases 9 New Training Modules

I just published the last 9 modules in our EHS Training curriculum. These modules have been updated with new regulatory information, updated graphics and animations, and improved test questions.

• Aerial Work Platforms


• Ergonomics


• Hand and Power Tools


• Hand Safety


• Hazard Communication


• Lead Awareness


• Pedestrian Safety


• Radiation Safety


• Storm Water Pollution Prevention

To get more information, you can visit our website ThinkConvergence.com. There you can download free trials of any of our titles using Convergence Training Viewer. In addition, these new and updated courses are also available as SCORM packages that will work with any SCORM conformant LMS.

This screenshot shows the 9 new modules which brings our catalog size up to 32 training modules with one module to come next week.

MSHA DVD Site Launched

Earlier this week, we launched a new micro-site dedicated to our Surface Miner Training DVD. Our Surface Miner Training DVD boxed-set provides 8 hours of MSHA Part 46 compliancy training. When purchasing the DVD, you'll get:

• Over 8 hours of training


• 27 training modules based on MSHA's Part 46 requirements


• A quick and easy way to deliver required training


• Access to printable tests and answer guides


• Award winning training (1st Place at MSHA's 2008 TRAM Conference)

Click here to visit our new site


Of course, our Surface Miner Training can also be packaged with Convergence Training Viewer, or it can be sold as a SCORM package that can be used in any SCORM conformant LMS.

Free Training Viewer Featured on Microsoft Website

Today our free training viewer, Convergence Training Viewer, has been featured on the Microsoft WindowsClient.NET WPF Showcase. Our application uses Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), the latest technology framework from Microsoft, to provide rich user experiences to our viewers.

For those who don't know, Convergence Training Viewer is a free, downloadable training access portal designed to view interactive training media. The Training Viewer provides anyone, anywhere, at any time access to a rapidly growing catalog of computer-based training modules.

Convergence Training Viewer requires a complex and highly graphical feature set that must be presented in a way that first time users can grasp the essential elements with little or no prior instruction. WPF is a critical component in achieving that goal. It uses .NET 3.5 SP1 and Microsoft BITS technology.

Convergence Training Viewer delivers training content using a single workstation - Best for smaller companies that need quality training material with minimum administrative functionality or trainers who wish to present in a group or classroom setting.

Check it out on the showcase and check out some of the other applications to take advantage of WPF.

New Convergence Training Viewer Screenshots

I had saved a bunch of screenshots in various places over the last few weeks and needed to pull them all together in one location so I could get to them all easily. Roman (Director of Sales here at Convergence) also needed some for an email he was putting together. I thought since I have them all together I would post some of the shots with comments.

New screenshot with only a few modules installed, you can see the icon for presenter mode on the First Aid modules:



This screenshot shows modules in various stages - installed content, content being installed, and content that is currently downloading:



There isn't much new with this one, but it does show the details of our integrated catalog: