Spent most of today putting together a slideware presentation for a client tomorrow: I have to stand in front of approximately four hundred (non-software) engineers, and tell them what Confluence can do for them, and how.
The fact it took most of the day to come up with an hour's worth of presentation is testament to just how much of a time-sink trying to produce a halfway decent slide-show is.
I'm not sure how informative it is on its own. I tend to write slides to augment my delivery, rather than to repeat what I'll be saying anyway, and all the really important stuff is dealt with in the demo in the middle. On the other hand, there's some nice eye-candy going on, and having spent all day on it I want to show it off. Props to KeynotePro for their Duet theme.
Like all novices, I've used far too many transitions, but I had to keep myself amused somehow.
7Mb Quicktime Presentation (You need to click on it to advance each slide)
You forgot The Link:
http://www.edwardtufte.com/tufte/books_pp
And you need a better "Plan" :o)
http://www.keynotethemepark.com/content/pages/set5.html#plan
I've had a similar experience with Keynote. With PowerPoint, I just focused on the data. With Keynote, I find myself spending a lot more time on the aesthetics. But, I'll never forget the first Keynote prezo I gave, when there were 2 audible gasps from the audience. Folks were impressed... ;-)
Charles, the presentation looks great, the user icons in particular.
This request may be more appropriate for conf-user, but I'd love to see this presentation adapted to run without a presenter. My group has a very flat power structure; we have Confluence but I can't make them use it. I think a standalone version of your presentation would show them the light.
>we have Confluence but I can't make them use it
My biggest problem too. Getting developer buy-in to the process.
It's probably team social issues seperate to any product, - but if presentation material or the product could help, - great.
Also, - yes the slides are fantastic but I can't forward this to my team or boss or other divisions without a voice-over or somesuch! The slides are not stand alone.
Perhaps this might be an option for your presentations:
http://www.meyerweb.com/eric/tools/s5/