This is hilarious but it actually makes a lot of sense. It could apply to Keynote, too. http://www.davidairey.com/how-not-to-use-powerpoint/
I remember distinctly the short lecture given by 3M in our office a long time ago. Thought I'd share some key points in slide presentations - 1. One thought (idea) per slide 2. Six lines per slide (maximum) 3. Six words per line (maximum) 4. Frame your slide - to keep audience's eyes inside the slide and not outside the screen... 5. Use colors judiciously. 6. No more than two typefaces per slide. I learned these in another event - 1. When mixing people photos with text, make sure that their eyes are oriented toward the text. 2. Keep a uniform transition effect between slides. 3. Keep a uniform action effect between elements in a slide. Perhaps, some others can contribute their tips?
I agree with soloworx. Less written words and more elaboration during the talk is much better for the listener. It's also funny* to see some slideshows where all the transition and text appearance effects were used as if to say, "o ha, kumpleto ako sa effects" *annoying
Ah. How timely this thread is. I have an event for this Saturday which is all about bad Powerpoint presentations. Fresh from the sparsely attended but so-much-fun-you-were-a-loser-not-to-be-there success of Playlist Manila night, Geek Chorus ushers in the schoolyear with yet another stupid event for smart people. Geek chorus presents: Powerpoint as Performance Art Night, Saturday, June 23 at Carlos Celdran’s Living Room, North Syquia, MH Del Pilar in Malate. There will be two main features for Powerpoint Night. The first will be the Performance Powerpoint division which will feature Eight Powerpoint Artists making a quick three minute presentation on any subject of their choice. Prizes will be awarded to the best presentation, the most original content, the worst use of transitions and clip art as well as other categories that we’ll think up of on the spot. The second category for Powepoint night is the Open Category. Teams of Three people shall be assigned to present a Powerpoint Presentation that they have never seen before. Roles shall likewise be assigned at random to each team member (for example, CFO, HR Head, Boss’ Wife, Motor Pool Division Chief, etc.). The most convincing and funniest presentation wins. The use of Keynote will not be allowed. Note:You cannot compose in Keynote then export to Powerpoint. Let’s keep this nice and amateurish, please. Slots are open for the Open Category and the Performance Powerpoint category. Email us at yarr [at] geekchorus [dot] org
Oh, I forgot to mention that non participants are welcome. Also, I am accepting any strane and highly technical random powerpoint presentations for the open category. Join us guys. It will be strange and fun and stupid all at the same time.
Use Keynote. Honestly, I am guilty as well when comes to my Keynote presentations. 1. Who doesn't love Keynote's transitions - Cube always wow my audience. But over time, I happy with Dissolve. Nice and Cleaner. 2. Don't use Sailing Clicker - often times, I ended up discussing how my SE phone talks to my iBook. hrmf. 3. Disable 'Expose' during presentation if you don't want to preach OSX. 4. Spruce up Keynote with music.
Yeah, Cube simply gets their tongue to hang out. Salling Clicker and an SE are my antidote to the ubiquitous words, "Next slide, please." But you're right, your presentation can get sidelined for a good 10 minutes when you brandish your SE remote. It's OK I guess; after all, it's "show and tell" time! Especially if your topic is weak or boring, clobber the audience with technology.
Man, I'm SO tempted to forward the link to some of my suppliers, hahaha Some of them literally put everything they have to say in the slides, I feel like asking them to simply give me a printout! Thanks for sharing the link!
You should all see the PowerPoint slides of some of the troops. I love the boys to bits, and they're really sweet, and they are selfless warriors and all, but they make the worst PowerPoint presentations. Blinking fonts and purple and orange waves and bad low-res photographs stretched out of proportion and horrid transitions. Sometimes it takes all my strength just to keep myself from crying out of frustration. But I love the boys, so I'm showing them the videoclip.