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Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Jing Pro is a Winner!
TechSmith released Jing Pro this week.
It's a winner. A wow.
Like many, I used the free Jing project to quickly create visual voicemails and disposable learning objects. So when I read about the new Jing Pro, I simply wanted it.
Impulse Purchase! Even though I had a 3:00 meeting yesterday, I whipped out my credit card at 2:50pm to impulse purchase Jing Pro online. By 2:54, I bought, downloaded, installed, recorded, and uploaded a 38 second test video to the Screencast server. (I even had time to Tweet about my Jing Pro experience at 2:57pm. And yeah, I made it to my meeting in time!)
Phenomenal Features. So why did I yearn for Jing Pro, when I currently enjoy using the free version?
How will you use Jing Pro or Jing Free in 2009?
TechSmith released Jing Pro this week.It's a winner. A wow.
Like many, I used the free Jing project to quickly create visual voicemails and disposable learning objects. So when I read about the new Jing Pro, I simply wanted it.
Impulse Purchase! Even though I had a 3:00 meeting yesterday, I whipped out my credit card at 2:50pm to impulse purchase Jing Pro online. By 2:54, I bought, downloaded, installed, recorded, and uploaded a 38 second test video to the Screencast server. (I even had time to Tweet about my Jing Pro experience at 2:57pm. And yeah, I made it to my meeting in time!)
Phenomenal Features. So why did I yearn for Jing Pro, when I currently enjoy using the free version?
- Social Media Ready. One button lets you pump your Jing Pro video straight to your YouTube Channel. Or you can "save as" MP4 to your hard drive -- so that you can upload your video to your FaceBook page. You can also use Jing to capture an on-screen image, which you can upload directly to a Flickr set (or save on your hard drive.)
- Logo Free. With Jing Free, you see the Jing logo at the beginning and end of each video. Not so with Jing Pro! The new Jing logo has been stripped for a 100% clean video. (Although when I previously sent Jing videos to clients, the logo was often a conversation starter! "What's this thing called Jing? It's neat: can I get it, too?")
- Blazing Fast. All too frequently, I can record & post an online Jing video in less time than it takes for me to leave a voicemail for a client. By avoiding the "voicemail + return phone call maze", everyone saves time. I post the video, email a link, and ask clients to watch a video response. This improves productivity, while creating a better "Show & Tell" presentation experience.
How will you use Jing Pro or Jing Free in 2009?
Labels: Presentation, Presentation Applications, social media, video
¶ 1/07/2009 04:53:00 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Monday, October 27, 2008
Go Get Open Office 3.0
Open Office 3.0 is ready for you to download. For free, of course.
But now, the download situation seems under control. I was able to download and install Open Office 3.0 in less than a half hour. If you need a basic word processor, spreadsheet program, slideware, database, and drawing application -- take a look at the latest version of OO.
The main reason I downloaded the new version is that it can open Microsoft Office 2007 files like pptx and docx -- older versions of Open Office cannot. However, I noticed that even though Open Office 3.0 can open 2007 "x" files -- you can't "save as" a Microsoft 2007 file with OO 3.0. Further, Smart Art does not translate into Open Office 3.0 -- at all.
So, my main reason for wanting the new version wasn't nearly as satisfying as I thought it would be.
However, I'm glad I downloaded Open Office 3.0. I'm now able to access other dazzling features:
I first started my Open Office experiment in June 2005. My main reason for loving Open Office in 2005 was that it could export to PDF -- something Microsoft products could not do at the time. While I still use Open Office to some extent today, there are too many other lean and mean cloud programs that let me accomplishy many of the same tasks -- without using much of my computer's resources. And of course, you simply cannot beat the price of Open Office 3.0.
Start your own experiment! Open Office 3.0 is still a fine option -- but take a look at cloud apps (like Google Docs), too. You might find that you can still be lean, mean and productive -- without using Microsoft's suite of pricey "productivity" products.
Open Office 3.0 is ready for you to download. For free, of course.
But now, the download situation seems under control. I was able to download and install Open Office 3.0 in less than a half hour. If you need a basic word processor, spreadsheet program, slideware, database, and drawing application -- take a look at the latest version of OO.
The main reason I downloaded the new version is that it can open Microsoft Office 2007 files like pptx and docx -- older versions of Open Office cannot. However, I noticed that even though Open Office 3.0 can open 2007 "x" files -- you can't "save as" a Microsoft 2007 file with OO 3.0. Further, Smart Art does not translate into Open Office 3.0 -- at all.
So, my main reason for wanting the new version wasn't nearly as satisfying as I thought it would be.
However, I'm glad I downloaded Open Office 3.0. I'm now able to access other dazzling features:
- New background templates that I'll probably never use
- Enhanced support for exporting to PDF, including password protection. (That's actually pretty cool!)
- And oddly enough, the new splash screen makes Open Office more pleasant to use.
I first started my Open Office experiment in June 2005. My main reason for loving Open Office in 2005 was that it could export to PDF -- something Microsoft products could not do at the time. While I still use Open Office to some extent today, there are too many other lean and mean cloud programs that let me accomplishy many of the same tasks -- without using much of my computer's resources. And of course, you simply cannot beat the price of Open Office 3.0.
Start your own experiment! Open Office 3.0 is still a fine option -- but take a look at cloud apps (like Google Docs), too. You might find that you can still be lean, mean and productive -- without using Microsoft's suite of pricey "productivity" products.
Labels: Presentation Applications
¶ 10/27/2008 03:39:00 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Record Your Presentation? The Audacity!
I recorded only the spoken part of my presentation the other day.
I do this a lot, actually.
And it's not because I adore the sound of my voice. Like most people, I don't care for the way my recorded voice sounds. I prefer the familiar, idealized way my voice sounds in my head. After all, I'm more accustomed to hearing my voice through the thick layer of my skull.
photo credit: rayced
But my recorded voice? To me, it sounds repugnant. Like I'm on the verge of hysteria.
Mercifully, my audience hears my voice differently than I do. Ergo, I frequently record my voice to gain audience empathy... but for two other key reasons, as well.
1. As I age, I'm aware that I'm losing the spontaneity of youth. It's too easy for me to slip into a comfortable pace and pitch. The way I hear my own voice may please me and make me feel comfortable and safe -- but may bore the hair off of my audience. When I listen to a recording of myself, I first emotionally divorce myself from my personal dislike for my voice. It's tough. Next, I pay attention to word choice, pace, pitch, and volume. Pace and pitch are my worst vocal demons -- I note where I'm either boring or horrifying myself; editing and correcting my choices in takes 2 and 3.
2. Listening to recorded presentations helps my recall. I don't often use speaker notes or talk from scripts. Instead, I'm more frequently asked to chat about what I know. If it's a formal presentation, I prepare relentlessly. I design PowerPoint in such a way that if I experience a visual technical meltdown on stage, I can usually can continue talking somewhat coherently. Previously listening to my recorded voice and agonizing over every cringe-worthy gaffe helps me remember where I am and what I'm saying. I'm conscious and aware on two different levels at once -- putting the "fully present" into my presentation.
Technically, it's not hard to record and examine your own voice. I'm a long time fan of Audacity, a free, open source sound editor and recorder. Download, install, record, listen -- and you'll even SEE your vocal patterns presented in waves.
It's an edge. Give it a try!
I recorded only the spoken part of my presentation the other day.
- Not for posterity.
- Not for posting online.
- Not for anyone to listen to...
I do this a lot, actually.
And it's not because I adore the sound of my voice. Like most people, I don't care for the way my recorded voice sounds. I prefer the familiar, idealized way my voice sounds in my head. After all, I'm more accustomed to hearing my voice through the thick layer of my skull.
photo credit: raycedBut my recorded voice? To me, it sounds repugnant. Like I'm on the verge of hysteria.
Mercifully, my audience hears my voice differently than I do. Ergo, I frequently record my voice to gain audience empathy... but for two other key reasons, as well.
1. As I age, I'm aware that I'm losing the spontaneity of youth. It's too easy for me to slip into a comfortable pace and pitch. The way I hear my own voice may please me and make me feel comfortable and safe -- but may bore the hair off of my audience. When I listen to a recording of myself, I first emotionally divorce myself from my personal dislike for my voice. It's tough. Next, I pay attention to word choice, pace, pitch, and volume. Pace and pitch are my worst vocal demons -- I note where I'm either boring or horrifying myself; editing and correcting my choices in takes 2 and 3.
2. Listening to recorded presentations helps my recall. I don't often use speaker notes or talk from scripts. Instead, I'm more frequently asked to chat about what I know. If it's a formal presentation, I prepare relentlessly. I design PowerPoint in such a way that if I experience a visual technical meltdown on stage, I can usually can continue talking somewhat coherently. Previously listening to my recorded voice and agonizing over every cringe-worthy gaffe helps me remember where I am and what I'm saying. I'm conscious and aware on two different levels at once -- putting the "fully present" into my presentation.
Technically, it's not hard to record and examine your own voice. I'm a long time fan of Audacity, a free, open source sound editor and recorder. Download, install, record, listen -- and you'll even SEE your vocal patterns presented in waves.
- Witness how awfully big and unwieldy "ums" and "ers" look!
- Feel the shame when your voice suddenly goes flat for minutes!
- Furrow your brow when you realize that even you didn't understand a quickly uttered phrase!
It's an edge. Give it a try!
Labels: Presentation, Presentation Applications
¶ 8/05/2008 02:46:00 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Thursday, December 06, 2007
PowerPoint and the GreenPDF Project
If you use the free Microsoft PowerPoint Add-in that converts ppt files to pdf files, you can take one extra step to be nicer to the environment. You can convert your basic PDF file to a GreenPDF.
Don't print that PDF! A PDF file can be an environmentally friendly way to share information because it is paperless. But Jim Healy, CEO of FormRouter.com and a major supporter of the GreenPDF project, called me to explain that too many people seem programmed to hit that darn "Print" button -- instead of browsing the document online.
From this online PDF presentation at GreenPDF.com, "When you make a PDF and declare it a 'Green PDF,' you help to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. After just one ream not printed due to Green PDF’s, you have reduced carbon dioxide levels by 18.5 pounds and saved your company $5.00."
One ream at a time...The Global Warming Initiative estimates that we could save 80,000 trees and 188,000 tons of Co2 from entering the atmosphere -- if each PDF user in the world would print just one less 10-page PDF file. Hmmmm....maybe that's why there's a picture of Nobel Prize Winner Al Gore shaking Mr. Healy's hand on the home page of GreenPDF?
Raise environmental awareness. The Goal of the GreenPDF project is raise awareness of the issue. By creating a "GreenPDF" you'll remind people to refrain from hitting that blasted "Print" button.
Make every day Earth Day! Go give GreenPDF a whirl!
If you use the free Microsoft PowerPoint Add-in that converts ppt files to pdf files, you can take one extra step to be nicer to the environment. You can convert your basic PDF file to a GreenPDF.Don't print that PDF! A PDF file can be an environmentally friendly way to share information because it is paperless. But Jim Healy, CEO of FormRouter.com and a major supporter of the GreenPDF project, called me to explain that too many people seem programmed to hit that darn "Print" button -- instead of browsing the document online.
From this online PDF presentation at GreenPDF.com, "When you make a PDF and declare it a 'Green PDF,' you help to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. After just one ream not printed due to Green PDF’s, you have reduced carbon dioxide levels by 18.5 pounds and saved your company $5.00."
One ream at a time...The Global Warming Initiative estimates that we could save 80,000 trees and 188,000 tons of Co2 from entering the atmosphere -- if each PDF user in the world would print just one less 10-page PDF file. Hmmmm....maybe that's why there's a picture of Nobel Prize Winner Al Gore shaking Mr. Healy's hand on the home page of GreenPDF?
Raise environmental awareness. The Goal of the GreenPDF project is raise awareness of the issue. By creating a "GreenPDF" you'll remind people to refrain from hitting that blasted "Print" button.
Make every day Earth Day! Go give GreenPDF a whirl!
Labels: Presentation Applications
¶ 12/06/2007 12:36:00 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Friday, October 19, 2007
Disposable Learning Objects and Jing
Yesterday, I downloaded TechSmith's Jing Project -- just to give it a test. I was a little cranky about getting it to work. But then again, it was my first day back from vacation, so I was a little cranky about everything!
Disposable Learning Objects. Today, I easily and happily used Jing to easily create and share three disposable learning objects. Here's what happened:
About the Jing Project. For the moment, TechSmith is providing Jing and online media hosting -- for free -- to see what you'll do with it. Eventually, the project will evolve into something else. Today, I used it for Disposable Learning and Video Voicemail.
How will you use the Jing Project -- while it lasts?
(Thanks again, TechSmith!)
Yesterday, I downloaded TechSmith's Jing Project -- just to give it a test. I was a little cranky about getting it to work. But then again, it was my first day back from vacation, so I was a little cranky about everything!Disposable Learning Objects. Today, I easily and happily used Jing to easily create and share three disposable learning objects. Here's what happened:
- Quick "How-to". A client emailed me, and asked "how-to" do a text link in their blog. Easy enough, but it would take minutes to write or phone instructions. But with Jing, it took me less than a minute to create and share a personalized 39 second video.
- "See what I see?" Another client emailed an almost-final draft of an event invitation. I used Jing to show her how it looked on my computer, and took 26 seconds point out a small design flub -- which she promptly fixed before sending the invitation to her list.
- "Show and tell." My third client also had a small email error, so I took under a minute to "show and tell" the problem and explain the fix.
About the Jing Project. For the moment, TechSmith is providing Jing and online media hosting -- for free -- to see what you'll do with it. Eventually, the project will evolve into something else. Today, I used it for Disposable Learning and Video Voicemail.
How will you use the Jing Project -- while it lasts?
(Thanks again, TechSmith!)
Labels: Presentation Applications
¶ 10/19/2007 02:02:00 PM 2 Comments Links to this post
Thursday, October 04, 2007
New SnagIt Outputs
I love using SnagIt Screen Capture by TechSmith. See an image, grab an image. SnagIt makes it just that easy!
And with just one click, you can output your newly-grabbed image directly to PowerPoint. Sweet.
Not just for PowerPoint. SnagIt 8.2+ users can also download a bunch of handy free outputs. Here are just some of the latest:
If you already have SnagIt, go check out some of the latest free outputs that TechSmith offers.
If you don't have SnagIt, why on earth not? :)
I love using SnagIt Screen Capture by TechSmith. See an image, grab an image. SnagIt makes it just that easy!And with just one click, you can output your newly-grabbed image directly to PowerPoint. Sweet.
Not just for PowerPoint. SnagIt 8.2+ users can also download a bunch of handy free outputs. Here are just some of the latest:
- Blog Output
- Skype Output
- MindManager Output
- and more!
If you already have SnagIt, go check out some of the latest free outputs that TechSmith offers.
If you don't have SnagIt, why on earth not? :)
Labels: Presentation Applications
¶ 10/04/2007 03:59:00 PM 3 Comments Links to this post
Fun New PowerPoint Add-In Is Named "Opazity"
Today, Steve Hards of SteveHardSoft Skyped to tell me the news: his fun new PowerPoint add-in that applies a Gaussian blur to images finally has a name!
It's… (drum roll please!) Opazity!
Of the three name choices, both Steve and I were in favor of "Fuzzy Touch". But we were overruled by public preference, so...
Thanks for voting! “I’m extremely grateful to the people who voted,” said Steve. “Colleagues thought I was mad to put up the options for people to vote on, but the result shows that without testing these things, you never really know what is going to be best.”
Beta testing is going well. Steve also gave me the opportunity to Beta test Opazity. The fun little add-in installed in minutes. And it took me less time than that to actually learn how to use Opazity to "blur and reveal" different images in PowerPoint.
So for Beta test fun, I quickly created a 5 slide PowerPoint presentation called "Stupid Questions" -- and used Opazity to reveal the "Stupid Answers". (You can see the lighting-fast video results at YouTube...)
Worked like a snap...easy and fun. Steve said that he will be launching this new PowerPoint add-in product in a few weeks. If you didn't get a chance to view the demo before, go ahead and visit opazity.com. The voting is over, but you can register for a launch alert at this new site.
Today, Steve Hards of SteveHardSoft Skyped to tell me the news: his fun new PowerPoint add-in that applies a Gaussian blur to images finally has a name!
It's… (drum roll please!) Opazity!Of the three name choices, both Steve and I were in favor of "Fuzzy Touch". But we were overruled by public preference, so...
Opazity it is.
Thanks for voting! “I’m extremely grateful to the people who voted,” said Steve. “Colleagues thought I was mad to put up the options for people to vote on, but the result shows that without testing these things, you never really know what is going to be best.”
Beta testing is going well. Steve also gave me the opportunity to Beta test Opazity. The fun little add-in installed in minutes. And it took me less time than that to actually learn how to use Opazity to "blur and reveal" different images in PowerPoint.
So for Beta test fun, I quickly created a 5 slide PowerPoint presentation called "Stupid Questions" -- and used Opazity to reveal the "Stupid Answers". (You can see the lighting-fast video results at YouTube...)
Worked like a snap...easy and fun. Steve said that he will be launching this new PowerPoint add-in product in a few weeks. If you didn't get a chance to view the demo before, go ahead and visit opazity.com. The voting is over, but you can register for a launch alert at this new site.
Labels: content ideas, fun, PowerPoint Presentation, Presentation Applications, video
¶ 10/04/2007 02:02:00 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Monday, September 24, 2007
New PowerPoint Add-In Needs a Name!
Steve Hards of SteveHardSoft.com needs your help with naming his new PowerPoint add-in. The yet-to-be named product is in step with the trend toward the photo-background, template-free PowerPoint approach.
Steve Hards of SteveHardSoft.com needs your help with naming his new PowerPoint add-in. The yet-to-be named product is in step with the trend toward the photo-background, template-free PowerPoint approach.What the PowerPoint product does...The new add-in applies a Gaussian blur to any ordinary PowerPoint shape. You can then animate the blurred shape to make the foreground stand out -- or reveal fuzzed-out background objects. (For easier visualization, check out Steve's product demo.)
Hmmmm... but what to name this new add-in? Those who have gone through my brand name training exercises know that best brand names are short, snappy, and memorable. Steve writes that he has narrowed it down to 3 names...
Help name the product and get a discount. From now until the end of the month, you can help Steve decide on a name with your online vote. In return for helping him decide, Steve is offering voters a substantial discount when the product is officially launched.
Fun stuff! Go take a look at the demo and cast your vote by Sept. 30, 2007.
Labels: Presentation Applications
¶ 9/24/2007 01:40:00 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Google Docs Rocks!
Finally! Google delivered a free Presentation application to round out its Google Docs Suite. If you haven't already, go get yourself a free Google Docs account and check it out!
With your Google Docs account, you'll have online access to a powerful online word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation application. These 3 apps let you easily collaborate on projects...which you can access from any computer with an internet connection. You'll also appreciate the online storage for your important documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Now, critics argue that the Google Docs Presentation App just isn't as powerful as Microsoft PowerPoint. And in many respects, that's true. Everything has its pitfalls. So let's go through the pros and cons:
Why Google Docs is Better than PowerPoint
Do you really need to use all the gee-whiz features that PowerPoint offers in order to give a great presentation? And do you find yourself communicating and collaborating with clients, vendors, students, and colleagues online?
Then give Google Docs a whirl. You'll thank me later.
Finally! Google delivered a free Presentation application to round out its Google Docs Suite. If you haven't already, go get yourself a free Google Docs account and check it out!With your Google Docs account, you'll have online access to a powerful online word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation application. These 3 apps let you easily collaborate on projects...which you can access from any computer with an internet connection. You'll also appreciate the online storage for your important documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Now, critics argue that the Google Docs Presentation App just isn't as powerful as Microsoft PowerPoint. And in many respects, that's true. Everything has its pitfalls. So let's go through the pros and cons:
Why Google Docs is Better than PowerPoint
- Free.
- Easy online collaboration.
- Online storage.
- Access from anywhere.
- Richer design, animation, and programing features.
- Access without an internet connection.
- PowerPoint is a much snappier name than "Google Docs Presentation App"
Do you really need to use all the gee-whiz features that PowerPoint offers in order to give a great presentation? And do you find yourself communicating and collaborating with clients, vendors, students, and colleagues online?
Then give Google Docs a whirl. You'll thank me later.
Labels: Presentation Applications
¶ 9/19/2007 05:50:00 PM 1 Comments Links to this post
MS Ultimate Steal Insults Intelligence
Last week, Microsoft announced its "Ultimate Steal" program for college students. College students can download Microsoft Office 2007 -- which includes PowerPoint, Word, Excel and more -- for just under $60.00 US.
Hmmmm. MS announces this just one week before Google adds a free presentation tool to docs.google.com. Coincidence?
No coincidence - just blatant PR games. After all, Google leaked its intention to add a free Presentation application to Google Docs while MS was in the throes of its PR blitz for the launch of Office 2007. That was in January/February of this year. Google didn't actually provide a presentation app to round out the suite -- until this month.
So now MS strikes back, reporting a price reduction because....(don't laugh out loud):
"We’re listening to students who have told us they need Microsoft Office ..."
Oh, C'mon. No one believes that! MS heard students screaming at the high price of the Office Suite for over 20 years. It just took competition -- not the needs of their customers -- to offer this "too little, too late" price break.
That's one reason why web savvy students are checking out the free suite of apps at docs.google.com.
Oh, and if you need one more reason to be insulted by the Microsoft offer - here's a screenshot from today's "Ultimate Steal" home page. Notice that Microsoft seems to think that college students are white males.
And check out the looks on their faces... just who are they trying to target with this mess?
Last week, Microsoft announced its "Ultimate Steal" program for college students. College students can download Microsoft Office 2007 -- which includes PowerPoint, Word, Excel and more -- for just under $60.00 US.
Hmmmm. MS announces this just one week before Google adds a free presentation tool to docs.google.com. Coincidence?
No coincidence - just blatant PR games. After all, Google leaked its intention to add a free Presentation application to Google Docs while MS was in the throes of its PR blitz for the launch of Office 2007. That was in January/February of this year. Google didn't actually provide a presentation app to round out the suite -- until this month.
So now MS strikes back, reporting a price reduction because....(don't laugh out loud):
"We’re listening to students who have told us they need Microsoft Office ..."
Oh, C'mon. No one believes that! MS heard students screaming at the high price of the Office Suite for over 20 years. It just took competition -- not the needs of their customers -- to offer this "too little, too late" price break.
That's one reason why web savvy students are checking out the free suite of apps at docs.google.com.
Oh, and if you need one more reason to be insulted by the Microsoft offer - here's a screenshot from today's "Ultimate Steal" home page. Notice that Microsoft seems to think that college students are white males.
And check out the looks on their faces... just who are they trying to target with this mess?
Labels: Presentation Applications
¶ 9/19/2007 04:18:00 PM 1 Comments Links to this post
Friday, August 10, 2007
Embed YouTube into PowerPoint
How can you embed a YouTube video into your PowerPoint presentation? Basically, there are two ways to go about showing YouTube videos from PowerPoint:
And of course, there's hope that all these inelegant instructions will become unnecessary in the very near future! As Ph.D. student Alice Marwick points out in her feminism and technology blog, Google's long-awaited PowerPoint killer may include YouTube video embedding as a standard.
But who knows? It might happen, it might not. And if it does, who knows when? Until then, you've got more than a couple of options to pursue. They may be a bit of a pain, but at least they get the job done!
How can you embed a YouTube video into your PowerPoint presentation? Basically, there are two ways to go about showing YouTube videos from PowerPoint:1. The "Live" Way. If you are giving a PowerPoint presentation and you have a "live" internet connection, you can embed the YouTube video into your presentation directly from the internet.
2. The "Offline" Way. If you don't have a live (or reliable!) internet connection, you can download a YouTube video to your hard drive, convert it to MPEG, and insert the video into your presentation.
Let's tackle the "Live" Way first...
PowerPoint 2003 - Live! In this 4 minute, 13 second YouTube video titled "Embed YouTube into PowerPoint", charming 24-year-old reponzo01 shows you exactly how to insert a live video into a PowerPoint 2003 presentation. His clear instructions quickly guide you through everything you need to do.
PowerPoint 2007 - Live! If you have PowerPoint 2007, the instructions are only slightly different. In "Embed YouTube Video into PowerPoint 2007", I take 4 minutes and 45 seconds to show you what you need to do in 2007. (Warning: the sound quality is poor. I need a new mike...the 4th one I've blown through this year! Anyone have a suggestion for a QUALITY mike?)
Now, for the "Offline" Way...
PowerPoint 2003 - Offline! Once again, you can't go wrong with reponzo01's instructions, aptly titled Embed YouTube into PowerPoint Offline . This helpful young man takes about 9 minutes to carefully explain everything.
PowerPoint 2007 - Offline! But of course, inserting a video is a hair different in PowerPoint 2007. This 6 minute video titled, "Embed YouTube into PowerPoint 2007, no internet connection" shows you the mild differences.Caveat: There's nothing fancy about these four videos -- they merely walk you through what you need to do as quickly as possible. The point of the videos is to show all the nuances that go between the sparse written instructions on how to accomplish this increasingly popular task.
And of course, there's hope that all these inelegant instructions will become unnecessary in the very near future! As Ph.D. student Alice Marwick points out in her feminism and technology blog, Google's long-awaited PowerPoint killer may include YouTube video embedding as a standard.
But who knows? It might happen, it might not. And if it does, who knows when? Until then, you've got more than a couple of options to pursue. They may be a bit of a pain, but at least they get the job done!
Labels: content ideas, Presentation Applications
¶ 8/10/2007 12:54:00 PM 2 Comments Links to this post
Friday, July 13, 2007
Back to School Presentation Resources
Back to School? But it's July!
Nonetheless, with Google Co-op, educators and others can create their own search engines this summer -- and get them up and running just in time for the upcoming fall semester. A custom search box on a website can look something like this:
Now, just why would webmasters want to create their own search engines? Think of it this way: a regular Google search can deliver results from millions of websites. Sometimes, that's not so desirable! But with a Google Co-op search engine, webmasters can hand pick only the sites they want to include in the search -- delivering a more focused result for visitors.
So let's say you're a school webmaster. With Google Co-op, you can select the sites you want to include -- and exclude millions of other sites. This can create safer, more specialized results. For an example, I quickly created a Google Co-op search engine called "Back to School Presentation Resources" -- and included only 44 college and school sites. This eliminates a ton of commercial sites, so a searcher can get more education-focused results.
But let's say you're a corporate webmaster. Using Google Co-op, you can choose to include only the websites in your corporate umbrella -- and eliminate competitive websites. Searchers can stay at your site to receive their results, instead of leaving for elsewhere.
Google delivers ads along with results when you use Custom Search on for-profit sites. But if you're a school or non-profit, your custom search engine can deliver just the search results.
How will schools and corporations use Google Co-op this fall?
Back to School? But it's July!
Nonetheless, with Google Co-op, educators and others can create their own search engines this summer -- and get them up and running just in time for the upcoming fall semester. A custom search box on a website can look something like this:
Now, just why would webmasters want to create their own search engines? Think of it this way: a regular Google search can deliver results from millions of websites. Sometimes, that's not so desirable! But with a Google Co-op search engine, webmasters can hand pick only the sites they want to include in the search -- delivering a more focused result for visitors.So let's say you're a school webmaster. With Google Co-op, you can select the sites you want to include -- and exclude millions of other sites. This can create safer, more specialized results. For an example, I quickly created a Google Co-op search engine called "Back to School Presentation Resources" -- and included only 44 college and school sites. This eliminates a ton of commercial sites, so a searcher can get more education-focused results.
But let's say you're a corporate webmaster. Using Google Co-op, you can choose to include only the websites in your corporate umbrella -- and eliminate competitive websites. Searchers can stay at your site to receive their results, instead of leaving for elsewhere.
Google delivers ads along with results when you use Custom Search on for-profit sites. But if you're a school or non-profit, your custom search engine can deliver just the search results.
How will schools and corporations use Google Co-op this fall?
Labels: Presentation Applications
¶ 7/13/2007 06:08:00 PM 1 Comments Links to this post
Friday, June 15, 2007
New Gmail PowerPoint Viewer is Weak
So Gmail has a new PowerPoint Viewer. If you send a PowerPoint attachment to a Google Gmail client, they see something like this at the bottom of their email:
When your Gmail recipient clicks on the "View as slideshow" link, a browser window pops up with forward and backward buttons. This lets those with Gmail clients click through the slide portion your ppt file -- without using PowerPoint or other viewing software.
And while that's kind of nice -- here's the downside. Sorry, no pptx files -- only ppt. And no sound, animations, or show notes either. Gotta Mac? Sorry, the new presentation feature does not work for Mac users.
The visual quality of the Gmail slide presentation is weak. In my test, the fonts ran completely amok.
If you'll recall, back in February the blogosphere was breathless with rumors of a Google "PowerPoint Killer". Four months later, this is all Google delivers (so far).
Let's see if Google can soon deliver a presentation product that really lives up to the hype!
So Gmail has a new PowerPoint Viewer. If you send a PowerPoint attachment to a Google Gmail client, they see something like this at the bottom of their email:
When your Gmail recipient clicks on the "View as slideshow" link, a browser window pops up with forward and backward buttons. This lets those with Gmail clients click through the slide portion your ppt file -- without using PowerPoint or other viewing software.And while that's kind of nice -- here's the downside. Sorry, no pptx files -- only ppt. And no sound, animations, or show notes either. Gotta Mac? Sorry, the new presentation feature does not work for Mac users.
The visual quality of the Gmail slide presentation is weak. In my test, the fonts ran completely amok.
If you'll recall, back in February the blogosphere was breathless with rumors of a Google "PowerPoint Killer". Four months later, this is all Google delivers (so far).
Let's see if Google can soon deliver a presentation product that really lives up to the hype!
Labels: Blogging, PowerPoint, Presentation Applications
¶ 6/15/2007 05:13:00 PM 6 Comments Links to this post
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Ten Tools for Teachers - Free
Witness Google Apps for Educators. They are all free, which is great for a school or teacher's budget.
But these free online tools are not just for teachers. They are available for everyone.
Yet Google has created a landing page just for educators. In its quest to dominate the world (without being evil), Google wants to woo the young, and persuade teachers to spread the "use Google" message. For free.
If you are an educator, how many of these tools do you use regularly? How many times have you said "Google" in front of your class, or encouraged students to sign up and use Google apps?
Why, that is powerful advertising! It is not just branding, it's direct marketing, too!
And if you are not in education, you probably use at least one or two of these Google Apps. (Probably many more. They ARE good apps, after all. And you cannot beat the price.)
So watch for more free productivity, learning, and communication applications from Google over the next year. Why buy a TV ad for millions of dollars, when you can buy a teacher (or a blogger!) with a handful of free apps?
Don't worry. It only seems evil.
If we had more competition...and more public resources available for education and teachers: it wouldn't even seem evil at all.
Witness Google Apps for Educators. They are all free, which is great for a school or teacher's budget.
But these free online tools are not just for teachers. They are available for everyone.
Yet Google has created a landing page just for educators. In its quest to dominate the world (without being evil), Google wants to woo the young, and persuade teachers to spread the "use Google" message. For free.
If you are an educator, how many of these tools do you use regularly? How many times have you said "Google" in front of your class, or encouraged students to sign up and use Google apps?
Why, that is powerful advertising! It is not just branding, it's direct marketing, too!
And if you are not in education, you probably use at least one or two of these Google Apps. (Probably many more. They ARE good apps, after all. And you cannot beat the price.)
So watch for more free productivity, learning, and communication applications from Google over the next year. Why buy a TV ad for millions of dollars, when you can buy a teacher (or a blogger!) with a handful of free apps?
Don't worry. It only seems evil.
If we had more competition...and more public resources available for education and teachers: it wouldn't even seem evil at all.
Labels: Presentation Applications
¶ 10/19/2006 10:34:00 AM 0 Comments Links to this post
