Review of PowerPoint 2003 Bible (Paperback)

The book is quite detailed but everybody can put in a few shareware programs and templates on a CD these days. This CD is a complete letdown. I wish they remove the CD and reduce the cost of this book.

Product Description
* Offers greater focus on Web collaboration and delivery
* Increased coverage with 200 more pages than previous edition including.
* Features expert advice for designing effective presentations effectively communicate with the audience.
* Expanded coverage of graphics and video integration and more coverage of troubleshooting.

From the Back Cover
If PowerPoint 2003 can do it, you can do it too...

It's known as a leading sales presentation tool, but PowerPoint can do so much more. This comprehensive volume shows you not only how to use PowerPoint 2003, but more importantly, when and why. Learn to develop a plan for your presentation, analyze your audience, and make the technology meet your needs.

Then create knockout PowerPoint presentations that will dazzle your audience.

Inside, you'll find complete coverage of PowerPoint 2003

• Incorporate information into a PowerPoint presentation from Word, Access, and Excel, easily and consistently
• Troubleshoot common PowerPoint problems and general presentation problems
• Discover shortcuts and enhancements that extend PowerPoint's capabilities
• Integrate video, sound, animation, and graphics to enhance your presentations
• Learn how to select the most appropriate format for your audience and your objectives
• Manage files, set passwords and encryption, work with multiple presentations, and package your work on a CD
• Use colors, text, clip art, charts and tables, learn to size and position objects, and work with embedded files
• Design self-running and user-interactive presentations and package them for distribution

Bonus CD-ROM and Companion Web site!

• Exclusive Office 2003 Super Bible eBook, with more than 500 pages of information about how Microsoft Office components work together
• Bonus shareware, freeware, trial, demo, and evaluation programs that work with or enhance Microsoft Office
• Searchable eBook version of PowerPoint 2003 Bible
• An easy-to-use interface that allows you to browse and install everything on the CD

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Review of Cutting Edge PowerPoint 2007 For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)) (Paperback)

As a presentation designer and author of Presentational Skills for the Next Generation even I found inspiration within the contents of this delightful book. Yes, delightful is the operative word. Geetesh Bajaj's sense of humor sprinkled throughout was a refreshing change from ordinary skills books. His mix of clear explanations and helpful hints prove his credentials and expertise with PowerPoint are solidly established. If you are looking to add to your knowledge quickly or are just learning how to add the power of PowerPoint presentations to your marketing program this is the book you will want to read from cover to cover. And don't miss the free CD with Bonus Chapter, tools and resources too.

Product Description
Get ready to add punch and pizzazz to your presentations and wow your audience using the latest PowerPoint techniques. This friendly book/CD-ROM combo covers all of the new features of Microsoft PowerPoint 2007, including interface changes, presentation themes, multimedia, the Slide Library, and more. The guide introduces you to the elements of PowerPoint: text; background, images, and info-graphics; shapes; fills, lines, and effects; sound and video; animations and transitions; and interactivity, flow, and navigation. Packed with numerous tips, shortcuts, workarounds, and timesaving techniques, it shows you step-by-step how to:

• Dress up your text by using fonts creatively and using WordArt to create artistic effects
• Work with masters and layouts, templates and themes, and fills, lines, and effects
• Maximize visual appeal by combining Photoshop with PowerPoint
• Add transitions, photos, motion, sound (narration and music), video, and animation
• Use SmartArt to create diagrams
• Create dynamic charts, equations, maps, and more
• Use PowerPoint's extensive clip art collection
• Test and set up your presentation
• Link to Flash, Acrobat, Word, and Excel
• Print presentation materials and create helpful handouts

The CD includes templates, textures, backgrounds, background music scores, images, alpha channel equipped graphics, maps, illustrations, and more, so this combo gives you the know-how and the tools. An 8-page color insert shows you how to use color effectively. With this friendly guide, you're ready to bring your presentation to life with PowerPoint 2007.

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

From the Back Cover
Covers interface changes, presentation themes, and multimedia

Pump up your presentations using the latest PowerPoint techniques!

Want to dazzle your audience with a knockout PowerPoint presentation? This handy guide gives you cutting-edge tips and shortcuts for streamlining PowerPoint; making the most of color and shapes; troubleshooting common problems; and adding motion, sound, and effects for maximum punch.

• Exploit PowerPoint's new features

• Enhance your visuals and text

• Use images, fills, and 3D effects

• Add photos, soundtracks, and DVD video

• Link to Flash®, Acrobat®, Word, and Excel

All this on the bonus CD-ROM

• Samples of all projects covered in the book

• Free templates, textures, fill styles, background music scores, alpha channel equipped graphics, and much more

• Sony Sound Forge trial version and more!

For details and complete system requirements, see the CD-ROM appendix.

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Review of Cutting Edge PowerPoint For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)) (Paperback)

This is one of the more "timely" books I've read in awhile.It's Cutting Edge PowerPoint For Dummies by Geetesh Bajaj, and I plan on incorporating a number of things from this book in my next presentation at Lotusphere...

Contents:
Part 1 - Powering Up PowerPoint: PowerPointing with the Best of Them; Empowering Your PowerPoint Program; Color Is Life; Streamlining with Masters and Templates
Part 2 - Achieving Visual Appeal: AutoShape Magic; Drawing in PowerPoint; Dressing Up the Text Stuff; Adding Images to Your Presentation; Pulling in Diagrams, Charts, Equations, and Maps
Part 3 - Adding Motion, Sounds, and Effects: Listening and Watching - The Sound and Video Stuff; Moving On with Animations and Transitions
Part 4 - Communicating Beyond the PowerPoint Program: Interactivity and Linking; Exchanging Information; Preparing and Delivering Your Awesome Presentation
Part 5 - The Part of Tens: My Ten Favorites PowerPoint Tips; Ten PowerPoint Problems
What's On The CD-ROM; Index

I've put together my share of PowerPoint presentations, and I normally know enough to get the basics down.I'm a firm believer in "just because you can doesn't mean you should", and I try to stay away from font and animation overload.All of that is well and good, but it usually means my slides can lack a bit in the "pizazz" department.Bajaj has written a book that starts beyond the "what is PowerPoint" mark and starts to delve into all the features that can make your presentation stand out.Yes, there is plenty of time spent on how to animate things and such, but he also offers the caveat that too much activity is distracting, not informational.Use with caution.All versions of PowerPoint from 2000 through the current version are well-covered, so you're not shut out totally if you haven't bothered to keep up with Microsoft's latest offerings.

On top of just learning about features you haven't played with before, the author offers up insights and tips based on his extensive experience with the product.You'll learn how best to avoid corrupted PowerPoint files, what features work well (and what features don't), as well as some hidden gems you probably don't know about.For instance, did you know that you can create a basic PowerPoint presentation using Notepad?Neither did I, and it's an intriguing way to get your thoughts and structure down "on paper" before you get distracted by all the PowerPoint bright shiny objects.This is also one of the few books which quickly ended up with a broken seal on the CD container.The full version of Camtasia 3 that's offered gratis is something I've long wanted to play with.Just in time for January's Lotusphere session...

I usually get *something* out of most every book I read.Some books offer up more than a few "somethings".This one ended up in the very upper range of value for my time and money...Very good stuff...

Product Description
Use these great ideas to help you make your point

Create PowerPoint presentations with Flash(r) movies, Excel(r) charts, and more

Okay, you've PowerPointed before, right? And you knew there must be more cool things you could do? Here they are! This handy guide gives you pointers on what makes a powerful presentation, tips on using the right formats and templates, and directions for dressing up text, wowing 'em with color, adding action, and much more.

Discover how to
* Tweak and streamline PowerPoint
* Get the most from color
* Avoid amateur mistakes
* Use shapes, fills, and 3D effects
* Add photos, soundtracks, and DVD video
* Deliver your presentation with punch

From the Back Cover
Use these great ideas to help you make your point

Create PowerPoint presentations with Flash® movies, Excel® charts, and more

Okay, you've PowerPointed before, right? And you knew there must be more cool things you could do? Here they are! This handy guide gives you pointers on what makes a powerful presentation, tips on using the right formats and templates, and directions for dressing up text, wowing 'em with color, adding action, and much more.

Discover how to

• Tweak and streamline PowerPoint
• Get the most from color
• Avoid amateur mistakes
• Use shapes, fills, and 3D effects
• Add photos, soundtracks, and DVD video
• Deliver your presentation with punch

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