The PowerPoint Ezine - 55
by Geetesh Bajaj,
May 31st 2005
This issue comes to you after a long time - but time has certainly
not stood still. Lots has been happening in the world in and around
PowerPoint.
First let me tell you about the great new stuff...
 Winners and Giveaways
You'll find tons of backgrounds that you can download and use
in your presentations - take your pick here...
And for the goodies - PresentationPoint is giving away five copies
of their MessagePoint
Professional Edition product - to take part
in this giveaway just fill
in this form. Mention "MessagePoint" in the Comments
field - the sweepstakes ends on June 8th, 2005.
Here are some new articles and happenings:
SmartDraw Update: SmartDraw has been updated
to version 7.2 - existing users can upgrade free - more
info here...  NewTek announced the release of TriCaster,
a portable live production suite which provides a comprehensive
toolset
designed to appeal to corporate presenters, educators and media
ministry
users. The easy-to-use interface of TriCaster is designed
without using video jargon, allowing users who aren’t video
full-time video professionals to produce quality live presentations,
web casts and video. With over 200 transition effects, PowerPoint
support, template driven titles, real-time switching, and editing,
TriCaster allows the user to bring dynamic live elements to their
presentations within minutes of opening the box. In addition
to allowing users to produce presentations that have the impact
of
live television, TriCaster allows simultaneous distribution to
Video, Internet and Projectors.
MessagePoint from PresentationPoint
MessagePoint from
PresentationPoint is a "PowerPoint Message
Channel" and
is available in 2 editions. It is actually a Windows screen saver
that will run a selected PowerPoint presentation when the system
is idle. Here is a mini interview with Kurt
Dupont of PresentationPoint:
Geetesh: What prompted you to create MessagePoint?
Kurt: PresentationPoint is always looking to use PowerPoint presentations
in an effective and new way. Typically for our products we add
dynamic information to PowerPoint. MessagePoint is a Windows screen
saver that will run a selected slide show when a computer is idle.
That’s the time when you could show information or images
to the owner of the computer or to people walking by. This could
be a family photo album or a business communication channel in
a company.
There are several tools available to convert a PowerPoint presentation
into real screen-savers (SCR) but why not run a presentation
directly. The advantage here is that when you want to update the
content
of a presentation, you can do it directly in PowerPoint and save
it to make it available to others. No need to recreate the screen
saver file again. MessagePoint will take care of the distribution
in a networked environment to display the latest content.
Geetesh: What scenarios do you see for the use of this product?
Kurt: The standard edition will play a local
presentation and is typically used in a home environment. The professional
edition
has several
features and possibilities on top of the standard edition. One
can maintain the presentation and push it directly to the people
that are subscribed to the presentation.
You can use it in a company to run dynamic slide
shows where one informs visitors and personnel about company, product
and
sales
information or just announcements. The big advantage here is
that you can inform personnel in an effective way. When you
send out
information by mail, the employees have to make time to read
it. The disadvantage of mail messages is that people can get
distracted
and interrupted when the mail arrives. By using MessagePoint
you can inform in a better way. Probably the user is making
a telephone
call or is chatting with his neighbor. If you now put information
on the screen, the user will also see it but this time, the time
is more convenient to read it.
Later on we will bring out an Enterprise Edition where you can
put database and excel information in the presentation. Actually
it will be a MessagePoint version combined with our existing
DataPoint program.
Focus on iWand Presenter
Mythix, Inc., an Artesia, California based developer
of wireless computing accessories, announced that it has introduced
two new
presentation
remote controls
for its iWAND remote control line.
Mythix’s, iWAND Presenter, which is designed to work with
Microsoft PowerPoint and Apple
Keynote is a USB presentation remote controller. The controller
has unique functions such as quick switches and RF Signal Indicators
LEDs which are advantageous to the user’s presentation capability.
The two new versions come in a stainless steel with black
for PC and a stainless steel with white for Mac.
Here's a mini-interview
with the Vice President of Mythix, Inc.
Geetesh: How is your product different from other similar products.
VP: Our product line is definitely different from other similar
products in that we have incorporated new features and benefits
such as
Laser Disable and Invert Page Up and Down quick-switches, full
function mouse navigation with one press click+hold button, a specifically
designed metal travel case, and a ergonomic shape and feel to the
remote. In addition, for the first time in presentation remote
control history, Mythix added convenient RF Signal Indicator LEDs
on the USB receiver which allows the user to have a visual cue
of connectivity. Not more guessing if the remote is properly working
or not! This function can be turned on or off, which adds convenience
to the user. With the iWAND’s professional and intuitive
button design, the iWAND Presenter is the best companion for all
PowerPoint and Apple Keynote users.
Geetesh: Why do you have separate controllers for the Mac and
Windows platforms rather than a controller that works on both?
VP: We have decided to create a separate remote
for PC and Mac to exhibit Mythix’s style and for pure dedicated
functionality. The PR-740 (PC version, aluminum and black) works
with the ever-so-popular PowerPoint. The PR-742 (Mac version,
aluminum and white) is dedicated specifically for Apple’s
powerful Keynote presentation software and PowerPoint. Keynote
only works with Apple, and to reduce the inconvenience, we have
launched the first dedicated Apple version presentation remote.
If one plugs a MAC remote into a PC, certain key functions are
disabled such as Start and Toggle. If one plugs a PC remote into
a Mac, certain key functions are disabled such as Start and Toggle.
Basically, due to the software and hardware requirements on Apple
and PC, the best solution was to create separate remote controls.
The advantage of having two separate remotes is the design element.
Mythix strategically offers convenient solutions for both the
function-packed PC user and the design-rich Mac user. The iWAND
Presenter remote control with laser pointer will be the only
tool for all your presentation needs!
Business Presentations Survey Results
If you are making more PowerPoint presentations in your job these
days, you’re not alone. According to findings of a recent
poll1 conducted by Geetesh Bajaj of Indezine and Claudyne Wilder
of Wilder Presentations, 61 percent of professionals say they will
make between one and thirty presentations this year -- two-thirds
of whom expect to deliver 30 presentations or more by year’s
end. Everyone, it seems, has more presentations to give. Read more...
End Note
More PowerPoint related info on the PowerPoint
Blog and PowerPoint
Notes. And free
PowerPoint templates for all of you....
Until next time - have a nice day. And
keep the feedback coming..
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