Hi Jim,
PowerPoint without the human interface for communication is not something I
am a fan of. I think our research here has demonstrated that PowerPoint is
hugely able to achieve change, and it is the combination of a few things:
1. PowerPoint allows us to transverse location, taking people to places we
could not normally take them,
2. PowerPoint allows us to transverse time. I can show people what the world
was like in the past, what it is like now, and a glimpse of what the future
might be.
3. PowerPoint, combined with a good presenter is supremely able to effect
change. But I'd suggest a good presentation is only as good as the
presenters ability to explain and answer questions on their topic!
Are some parts of PowerPoint tired? Of course. We all age. And no, I am not
a fan of the autocontent wizard either.
The article then references Mr Tufte, who: "derides the software for
limiting both the graphics capabilities of presenters as well as their
vocabulary". You don't blame a wrench for not being able to fix a car.
But perhaps what most people miss is that PowerPoint is a "vehicle" for a
lot of material from other programs, and should be. I would challenge anyone
to explain threats to the Great Barrier Reef, as an example, better than
with PowerPoint as a vehicle to take your audience there. And also as a
vehicle to use other programs to help visualise the issues. For example,
ArcGis.
PowerPoint allows us also to present "in person". As opposed to written
forms we have used previously to communicate, it is vastly superior. I put
that down to being able to visualise complex information, and present in
person.
Are there other programs that do a similar thing? Of course. And some will
have better features. But, instead of moaning about it, I try to contribute.
And if you are at a presentation that poorly given, and you hear someone
screaming from the back of the room, it will be me. It is people who commit
the PowerPoint Crimes.
Anyway, I enjoyed the writing style. But I would like to have been there
myself to form my own opinion of how the talk was received. The article is
like an editorial, or as Austin postulated, "one man's opinion".
--
Regards,
Glen Millar
Microsoft PPT MVP
www.powerpointworkbench.com
Australia
