Timeline Creator
From ToolCenter
This is an easy to use tool for building timelines. The tool employs a Java interface to allow users to add events, dates, and desciptions to their timelines. It also allows them some freedom to customize the icons, images, colors, and fonts used in their timelines. Once events are recorded and design elements chosen, the Java module produces an XML file which is in turn rendered in Flash and HTML.
The tool is useful but somewhat limited. the biggest problem is the buggy Java module. In the end, however, it's really just an XML authoring tool, and if you know XML, you can author your files yourself. The built-in display is also limited. The .swf file is locked, and it would be nice to be able to mess around with.
From the Timeline Creator about page (http://timeline.cer.jhu.edu/about.htm)
Product
The Timeline Creator Software provides professors, teachers, and researchers without multimedia development skills a simple-to-use resource to create an interactive timeline for teaching or presentation purposes. The tool can present up to six timelines simultaneously and allow the designer to embed images and detail information to each "Event". The designer also can completely customize the colors and text of the timeline interface.
Sponsor
The Center for Educational Resources at Johns Hopkins University provides the Timeline Creator Software freely as part of its mission to help faculty extend their instructional impact through the effective use of educational technologies. Questions about the product can be emailed to the project team at timeline@jhu.edu.