What is the WinME Movie Maker? This is probably the most liked feature of Microsoft's newest OS...or Win98SE Update as some refer to it.

WinME requires some specific hardware requirements to record video on your PC. But, even if you don't have all that is necessary...you can still use the Movie Maker. This program was basically intended to manipulate video...and it works the same with pictures also. You can use it to collect video clips into a movie...or create a great slide show!

First of all, you need digital video or photos on your computer. You can select some scanned photos, or for example, a few .jpg files. If you prefer to work with video but have none, you can just as easily use the sample that is included with WinME( found in My Documents/My Videos/ Windows Movie Maker Sample.wmv ).

Open Movie Maker > select Start > Programs > Accessories >Windows Movie Maker and view the Collections folder in the left-hand pane of the window. This is the main storage area for video and photo items that you would want to use inside the program. You'll want to create new folders inside this folder in which to store various groups of pictures or video... just like organizing your video cassettes on a rack or shelf, only inside folders.

Now click the New Collection icon( second from the left just above the Collections panel ) > type a name for your collection > and then press Enter. Repeat these steps for each collection that you want to create...making sure that you select the folder in which you want to create the selection first. In other words, if you want the collection to be stored in the main Collections folder, then select that folder and then click the New Collection icon.

To add videos or photos...or links to them, actually, to the collection...drag and drop is the easiest method. The alternative is File > Import > etc,etc...for each file.

In a Windows Explorer window, open up the folder that contains the video or pic/photo file or files. Then arrange that window and the Movie Maker window so that you can see the contents of each. One by one > click and drag each file from the folder window into the large, white box in the center of the Movie Maker window. Now, release and you will see a lot of numbered clips...or in the instance of a photo, a single pic, in the collection box.

To make a movie or slide show( or what Movie maker calls a 'Project' )...simply do the following.

Can you view the row of boxes across the bottom of the Movie Maker window? This is your storyboard. One at a time > click and drag a photo/pic or video clip from the collection area to the location you wish on the storyboard.

NOTE: To play a clip...select it in the collection box > then click the Play button---the single, purple arrow---under the preview area.

A purple line will appear on the storyboard to inform you where the clip or pic will be placed in relation to those already there. Now let it go...it will slide right into place. Go ahead and repeat these steps until you have added each pic or clip you want to include.

If you want, you can also select another collection and add from there as well. You can add items from multiple collections.

To play the video or slide show > right-click anywhere in the storyboard area > select Play Entire Storyboard/Timeline. That's' it. To save the work > select File > Save project As > name the project > and then click Save. The Movie Maker will save the file in the My Videos folder by default, but you may choose ( or create ) another file/location.

At some point, you may feel ready to make a movie or a slide show. Open the project that you have saved in the Movie Maker window > click the Save Movie button > next to Setting > choose the quality, and then fill in any display information you would like to appear while the movie is playing. Now click OK > type a name for your movie > click Save and Movie Maker will automatically save the file in .wmv format( in the My Videos folder ).

When it is done, you will see a message asking whether or not you wish to view the movie. You can click Yes and the Windows Media Player will open up and play the project/movie.

Okay, you have a movie you want to e-mail it to someone. It can be saved as a video and sent off in one step.
NOTE: It can also be done this way if it's already been saved as a .wmv file.

Have the project open inside the Movie Maker window > click the Send button > select the e-mail option in the dropdown menu...now choose a setting and enter the correct Display information > then click OK. Now type a name for your movie > click OK > and wait as the movie is created( it will do this even if it has already been created before ). Now select an e-mail program > click OK and a new message window will appear with the movie attached and some info for your recipient. Now complete the message and send it.
NOTE: There will also be a link in the message for the recipient to download Movie Maker if they don't have it already.