Cutting Edge PowerPoint For Dummies [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...

The author of this book sent me a sample chapter to include at my website and I was so intrigued by it, I decided to read the whole book, and was very impressed.

Do yourself a favor and forget the "dummy" in the title. This book offers great insight into some of the not-so-obvious workarounds that can be used to get the most out of your presentations. So, it's not only helpful to people who are newer to PowerPoint, but also includes lots of goodies for the advanced PowerPoint user. I learned lots of ways to fine tune stuff that I've had to take outside of the program before to get the result I wanted. Geetesh shows lots of alternative ways to get the job done within the program.

And, the texture files and other great stuff included on the CD are fantastic. The CD, itself, is worth the cost of the book.

If you want to see a sample of the AutoShapes chapter, the full chapter is here at my website:

http://personal-computer-tutor.com/geetesh/cepptfull01.html

I believe you will agree with me and follow-up on this sample tutorial by buying the full book ... and I doubt you will be disapppointed. This is a much-needed guide into some of PowerPoint's secrets.

Linda Johnson

Linda's Computer Stop

This book should have been called Great PowerPoint for the Wise. The title makes it seem as if the book is all about glitz and special effects, but I was so impressed with the insightful knowledge. I know PowerPoint pretty well but I learned something in the first chapter. The author offers a great deal of useful advice that you can take advantage of immediately as you design and organize your PowerPoint presentations. Also, the CD is incredible!

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