SSP Best Practices - Moving a program or slide show to another SongShow Plus system - Package To Go (PTG)

Applicable SongShow Plus Versions: 
This article applies to all versions of SongShow Plus

Periodically, users will want to move their SongShow Plus content (Programs and Slide Shows) from one system to another, either for supporting a system upgrade or to share the files on a new/additional system.

We do not recommend copying or moving SSP content files (Programs and Slide Shows) manually from one SSP system to another.  This method will be incomplete and can introduce unexpected behavior.  

The safest and most efficient way to do this is to use the SongShow Plus Package To Go (PTG) utility.  If there are issues with the SongShow Plus Package To Go (PTG) utility, the support team can advise you further.
The SongShow Plus Connect service can be used as an alternative as well - Sync to share the content without having to package and Drive to share successfully completed packages.  

The SongShow Plus PTG utility will allow the user to select specific SongShow Plus content, either a Program or a Slide Show, that is on the source system. The selected content will be gathered and compressed into a single file for transport. In addition to media files such as video and image files, this process will also allow the user to move/share items that are more integral to SSP, such as Songs, Display Properties and such.

When in doubt, use the Package To Go (PTG) utility for easy transfer of SongShow Plus Program and Slide Show content.

Packaging a Program in SongShow Plus 

1. Launch SSP.
2. Open or create a Program that needs to be transported.
3. From the program toolbar select File > Package to go.
4. Select a destination for the new package.  If it will be transported via a portable media drive, it is better to create the file on the Desktop and then copy the final product to the portable media drive.
5. Click Next to proceed with the package.
6. Verify that the operation completed.
7. Click Close.

Restoring a Program in SongShow Plus 

1. Launch SSP.
2. Confirm the source of the package that was transported. If it was on a portable media drive, it is better to copy the file to the Desktop and then restore from there.
3. From the program toolbar select File > Restore Package.
4. Select a source file for the new package. 
5. Click Next to proceed with the restore.
6. Select a restore option.  In most cases selecting Option C is the best as it will ensure that all the content is up to date AND it will automatically prompt you to open the new program.
7. Verify that the operation completed.
8. Click Close.
9. Open the program.

Packaging a Slide Show in SongShow Plus 

1. Launch SSP.
2. Select Media Files > Slide Shows tab.
3. Locate a Slide Show that needs to be transported.
4. Select and right-click the Slide Show for action menu.
5. Select Send To > Package To Go.
6. From the program toolbar select File > Package to go.
7. Select a destination for the new package.  If it will be transported via a portable media drive, it is better to create the file on the Desktop and then copy the final product to the portable media drive.
8. Click Next to proceed with the package.
9. Verify that the operation completed.
10. Click Close.

Restoring a Slide Show in SongShow Plus 

1. Launch SSP.
2. Select Media Files > Slide Shows tab.
3. Confirm the source of the package that was transported. If it was on a portable media drive, it is better to copy the file to the Desktop and then restore from there.
   
4. From the Slide Show toolbar select Create/Acquire.. > Slide Show Package.
5. Select a source file for the new package. 
6. Click Next to proceed with the restore.
7. Select a restore option.  In most cases selecting Option C is the best as it will ensure that all the content is up to date AND it will automatically prompt you regarding what to do with the new slide show.
8. If prompted, Select an option.
9. Verify that the operation completed.
10. Click Close.

Packaging a Slide Show in Slide Builder 

1. Launch the Slide Builder.
2. Open or create a Slide Show that needs to be transported.
3. From the main toolbar select File > Package to go.
4. Select a destination for the new package.  If it will be transported via a portable media drive, it is better to create the file on the Desktop and then copy the final product to the portable media drive.
5. Click Next to proceed with the package.
6. Verify that the operation completed.
7. Click Close.

Restoring a Slide Show in Slide Builder 

1. Launch the Slide Builder.
2. Confirm the source of the package that was transported. If it was on a portable media drive, it is better to copy the file to the Desktop and then restore from there.
3. From the main toolbar select File > Restore Package.
4. Select a source file for the new package. 
5. Click Next to proceed with the restore.
6. Select a restore option.  In most cases selecting Option C is the best as it will ensure that all the content is up to date AND it will automatically open the new slide show.
7. Verify that the operation completed.
8. Click Close.
9. Open the slide show.

Training Videos - A video walk-through of this process is available.  Locate the video on the training page - Basic Introduction > Package To Go

Depending on your current subscription level, you can go to the GoFishMedia website training page and log in with the same Customer ID and password that you use to log in to the SongShow Plus site or activate SongShow Plus. Review this article for more details.

If this article does not resolve the issue, contact the Support Team.

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