On Cliff's website, there is a 15-page free download called Five ways to reduce PowerPoint overload (pdf). Good stuff, mostly. No doubt many people will make do with the free download, and won't get around to buying the whole book.
But I am afraid I found Cliff's blog extremely off-putting. Every post seems to be about HIM.
- Join ME for a no-cost web seminar
- Please participate in MY survey
- LA Times writes an article about ME
- Microsoft Press is publishing MY book
- Check out the recording of MY seminar
Other useful sources on PowerPoint include Edward Tufte and Seth Godin.
Bill Gates has been widely criticized for his poor presentation style [summary]. At Mix06, he abandoned PowerPoint and spoke without slides [review]. A distinct improvement, although he is never going to be a natural speaker like Steve Jobs [video links]. But then Steve Jobs was sometimes criticized for his weak strategic thinking [comment]. Which is more important - smooth presentation, or strategic thinking?
Like any tool, PowerPoint needs to be regarded as a means to an end, not an end in itself. Sometimes the right thing is not to use it [Garr, Seth]. Microsoft certainly understands this better now.
Related Posts: The PowerPoint Collection
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