Why try new presentation software?

I downloaded the new Beta 2 of Microsoft PowerPoint. It took about 50 minutes on a speedy cable connection.

Then I installed it. This took hours, because the installer informed me that I needed a number of patches for Windows XP. These were freely available at the Microsoft site, so I downloaded and installed all the patches.

Funny. Usually Windows informs me of all the patches I need every morning. I thought I was up-to-date with all the security releases. But apparently not...

So there's a reason right there to try the new Microsoft Office Beta 2. You might think that you're all up to date with your security patches, but the Beta installer might tell you otherwise.

But that's also a reason NOT to try the Beta 2. Typical of Microsoft, there's a lot of bloat. Fifty minutes for a download? A couple of hours for 30+ little-itty-bitty Windows security patches? That's not how I wanted to spend the last Friday in June!

And just how insecure was my brand new little laptop, anyway? It seems that a brand new installation of Windows XP would have been more secure than that...

Anyhoo, don't let me scare you into trying the Beta 2 of the new Microsoft Office suite by saying "You'd better do it to find out all the little Windows patches you'll need."

There's a more compelling reason to try the Beta of the new PowerPoint. In fact, it's the number one reason I tried Impress by Open Office last month, and will continue to try a number of other promising software solutions --

With the act of simply trying to do something differently than you've done previously, you're increasing your brain power. You're creating new neural connections. And you are increasing your creative potential.

Note this important distinction: The PowerPoint Beta 2 won't make you more creative.

No software will. No software can.

But -- the very act of trying something new just might.

So if you're a regular PowerPoint user, try something new this month. You have plenty of free presentation software options to try in July: Open Office Impress and the Microsoft Office Beta are just two.

The cost of learning and experimenting with new presentation software right now is plenty low. But the ability to learn and grow your creative potential is pretty high.

Go for it! Try something new and free this month!

Let the creative experiment begin! ¶ 7/03/2006 04:21:00 PM