Powerpoint??

[intertext]

As you may guess, having been going along blithely thinking "yay - I'm going to San Francisco - this is going to be FUN," I'm now starting to suffer from pre-conference jitters.

Remembering what tree_and_leaf was doing before her recent conference paper, I was suddenly struck (and this, of course, literally at 3:00 am) by the question - is everyone going to be using Powerpoint? It's not a huge problem, if so, because I'll have my trusty LT with me and can throw something together quite easily. Only question is should I arrange some kind of adapter for my trusty Mac laptop, given that hookups to data-projectors tend, in my experience to be the old printer connections (can't remember the technical term) and not USB... or should I worry, given that this IS, after all, a huge conference in a huge hotel and no doubt they can accommodate me, or should I tip off the moderator of my panel, who did ask if I needed any special equipment... ?????

Yikes.

The last academic conference I went to was in 2001, the Virginia Woolf, in Bangor, and there wasn't a ppt in sight. But things have changed a lot since then.

Comments

[tree_and_leaf]

Don't do what I did, and take it on a data stick, assuming that a Powerpoint file will port unproblematically from Mac to Windows. All my formatting went wrong, and I lost my special characters (luckily, I checked in the lunch break before hand, so had time to fix it, but it wasn't ideal!)

I'd ask about laptop connectors. They did ask...

ETA: I don't think you absolutely need one, but I find it helpful for quotes, as people can still look at you rather than the handout. I also think it's a good idea to put up the plan of the paper/ section headings - you can put them up as you come to them. It helps people keep up! But anything is better than the sort of ppt pres where people just read the slides (not that you'd do that, but it's disturbingly common).

[intertext.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Actually, it had not occurred to me to use ppt, but given the option I think it might be a good idea for the reasons you mention. Also, I tend to treat these things more like a short lecture than a "paper" per se - I can't bear listening to someone just read a paper and try not to do that myself - so since I use ppt in my own lectures it makes sense to use it this time, too. Good for organizing, as you say, and to highlight technical terms or quotes.

Handouts. Hadn't thought about that, either.

I guess there's likely to be somewhere I can print things on site??

I'm glad I'm not on the first day. I've got time to suss things out and see what other people are doing.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

There should be a copy shop nearby? Every conference my husband goes to, he ends up needing to find a place to print stuff, and somehow he always manages.

How about going retro and using an easel and sheets of paper, rather than PowerPoint? I'm only semi kidding... I really detest PowerPoint presentations, but that's because my experience of them comes from the business world, where you'll get someone putting up a slide with, say, three bulleted points which he then proceeds to read to you...

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

DLPs usually have a range of input options including S-video which your Mac should have. FWIW very few PC Laptops have the old RS232 connectors either these days.

[majrgenrl8.livejournal.com]

Most people still don't use powerpoint and if you didn't specify that you needed special equipment when they asked, then you can't get it now.

I always used handouts (or dvds, You should see Buffy when I'm talking about her).

[intertext.livejournal.com]

Thanks - on the conference website, it says that apparently we have monitors and dvd players in the room, but it's byo computer.

[noveldevice.livejournal.com]

I took handouts. Mine last year said "We have to rent the digital projectors so don't ask unless you honestly need them!" I mean, someone in your panel might have one already, but if you haven't asked they probably haven't made provision for you.

However, you would need the little cable that came with your mac notebook that has a standard video connection on one end and a mac-friendly video connection on the other. It will hook to the regular video cord of the projector.

[intertext.livejournal.com]

Thank you :)

[inaniac.livejournal.com]

You need one of these (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/canadastore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=MTUzNTM&fnode=home/shop_mac/mac_accessories/cables&nplm=M9320G/A).

I use mine frequently (I always take my mac to class for presentations).

On the subject of powerpoint presentations. I use keynote (the mac version). It's a bit nicer. I've also been known to use webpages in preference to powerpoint.

If you do use powerpoint, use a picture to stimulate what you want to say, rather than dot points. I hate dot points.

I should find that video on how not to use powerpoint. It's brilliant. I'll also be uploading a video based presentation for our class this week (which we lose to foos friday) and I'll link you to that if you're interested.

[intertext.livejournal.com]

Yes, I have Keynote, too. I like it a lot. And I managed to procure a converter thingy so I can if I want, or not if I don't. I think I might, if only because it helps to keep me organized.

I have a really good article somewhere which is about how Powerpoint is Evil. Seeing as I am, after all, a tech education specialist, I ought to be able to do Powerpoint (or Mac equivalent) that isn't Evil :)

[lidocafe.livejournal.com]

I am writing primarily to say I have no explainable opinion on this matter and thus am useless. However, I do not doubt for a second that your genuine interest in the topic and your years of experience in front of the class will carry the day and provoke thought.

Also, haha, it strikes me as a great opener to talk about your decision to use or not to use powerpoint at the conference--interpretive community, perchance?

[intertext.livejournal.com]

Heh. My dear, you are never useless :) And yes, I am rather amused by that concept of the interpretive community.

Footnote: AV did not have the connector gadget that I needed, but were prepared to lend me a LAPTOP (PC) for the weekend!!! I procured the connector gadget at London Drugs, and am now ready and able to do Powerpoint (or Mac equivalent) if necessary.

After talking to you, I rehearsed my topic with Jodi, whose eyes didn't glaze over, and who remarked about how organized and clear I seemed. So I think I'm okay.