60 Completely Unusable Stock Photos
Thanks to Cliff Atkinson for pointing out this truly uninspiring set of images featured on BuzzFeed.
Photos are a great addition to presentations. Of course they need to match the topic, not be distracting, support the message and not be any of the images featured on this BuzzFeed article!
See all 60 here.
– Troy @ TLC
Full Screen Online Presentations
If you are presenting through an online application, a good tip for Internet Explorer is knowing how to go to the Full Screen view.
Here is my sample presentation in an Internet Explorer window. It has all of the unneeded toolbars, URL and controls:
If I click the F11 key, Internet Explorer expands to the full screen and hides the toolbars:
Just move the mouse to the top of the screen to have the toolbars pop back. With the toolbar visible, click the Restore icon in the upper right to exit full screen view.
– Troy @ TLC
Defining “Cloud” Computing
Every tech company has turned its attention to “cloud” computing. This includes cloud computing, cloud services, and cloud applications. And Microsoft is doing a lot with the “cloud” and the new PowerPoint, Excel, Word and OneNote Web Apps and the upcoming Office 365.
Here is one of the best definitions of “Cloud Computing” I have heard:
“Purchasing the amount of bandwidth needed vs. purchasing the full service or application.”
So TLC Creative Services is not looking to purchase servers (to store and access project files) any longer, but looking to use an online accessible server and just pay for the amount of file storage and bandwidth needed. We are also moving to more cloud services and cloud applications for presentation design and presentation.
– Troy @ TLC
Use Windows P for Setting Dual Monitors
If you use a laptop for presentation, you are probably hunting for the FN+F8 key combination or other manufacturer shortcut to change the display mode. If you use a desktop for presentations you are most likely delving into the graphics card functions to find the display options.
But if you have Windows 7 (laptop or desktop), skip all the hunting and just click the Windows key + P.
Win+P brings up a dialog that makes it easy to switch to Mirrored or Extended Desktop for presentations.
– Troy @ TLC
Blogging at 32,000 Feet
Definitely not a fast “high speed” internet connection (even compared to my mobile broadband), but it is a solution for a 5 hour cross country flight.
Troy @ TLC
Use Windows 7 Presentation Setting Before Every Presentation
If you present with PowerPoint and use Windows 7, you need to be familiar with the PRESENTATION SETTINGS option. To access, open the MOBILITY CENTER (see 03/22/11 post) by clicking the Windows + X keys. Then click projector icon.
In the PRESENTATION SETTINGS dialog in the “WHEN I AM GIVING A PRESENTATION” section be sure:
1. The TURN OFF THE SCREEN SAVER option is active.
2. The SET VOLUME option is active (I set volume to 90%). This option overrides the mute control.
3. I size the event theme graphic to the monitor resolution and set that image as the desktop background when presenting. For that “just in case” situation, so if all fails the audience sees something related to the event (I have seen kids, puppies, girlfriends, vacation pictures, etc. show up on screen – all not good options).
Note: At the top the I AM CURRENTLY GIVING A PRESENTATION option is also turned on and off through the Mobility Center.
– Troy @ TLC
Use Windows 7 Mobility Center Before Every Presentation
Windows 7 is great – running on virtually every computer here. There are a number of hidden features that are very important to presenters. The WINDOWS MOBILITY CENTER is one of them.
To open the Mobility Center, hold down the Windows key and the X key
I use this as a quick check for:
1. Confirm computer volume
2. Confirm plugged into to power (not on battery)
3. Confirm Maximum Performance power setting (vs. battery saving low power option)
4. Wireless network turned off
5. Computer sees an external display/projector
6. Presentation Settings are active (covered in next post)
Everything seen here can be accessed separately, but this is an easy 1-stop view of them all.
– Troy @ TLC