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Comment on slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations by Christopher Jones

Christopher Jones — Sun, 20 May 2012 18:29:17 +0000

101 of 125 people found the following review helpful

Emperor's New Old Clothes, November 25, 2008

This review is from: slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations (Paperback)

I had high hopes for this book. It looks very nice. It has the right nods to Tufte early on. But...

But the true content is very thin, includes a load of chart junk (the anti-Tufte - I guess the true cue is in the title, this is a PowerPoint book) and page after page of abstract diagrams demonstrating "flow" - much like the woeful second half of "Say it with Charts" which is about 50 pages of arrows.

Very very disappointing indeed.

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Comment on slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations by David Field

David Field — Sun, 20 May 2012 18:27:17 +0000

270 of 316 people found the following review helpful

Yet another designer's book, September 12, 2008

David Field (Groveland, MA USA) -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations (Paperback)

I have to rain on the parade of this book and Garr Reynold's book (and other ones).

The message is "I'm one of the best slide designers in the world (which is true) and I'm going to show you WHY."

The message should be "I'm one of the best slide designers in the world and I'm going to show you HOW."

You'll see plenty to interest you, but unless you're a full-fledged graphic designer you'll never recreate these slides. Imagine putting this book (and the Reynold's book) into a room with some of your worst slide creators, or even yourself. Would you see an improvement in their skills? I doubt it.

You might as well become a painter by reading books that have the world's greatest pictures in them. Even though there is explanatory text here it isn't enough to bridge the gap.

To see a book written for its audience, try the "Before and After" books by Jon McWade which deal with desktop publishing. Unfortunately John has not yet tackled slides, but you can see an page layout idea and make it yourself in minutes.

So, sorry about this, because both this and Reynold's book are "nice" books. The energy has gone into the book's design and production rather than the content. But that makes them coffee-table books, and unless you have a coffee table in your office I'd advise that you give both of them a miss.

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Comment on slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations by D. Farmer

D. Farmer — Sun, 20 May 2012 17:48:42 +0000

307 of 343 people found the following review helpful

Overrated, extremely light on content, January 22, 2009

D. Farmer (Reno, NV USA) -

This review is from: slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations (Paperback)

I rarely review books, but this one was such a waste that I'd feel guilty if I didn't at least TRY to persuade you not to buy. The main problem with the book, as other reviewers have alluded to, is that it sort of tries to BE a design masterpiece rather than teach you. The design is interesting, but it is to the point that the content is subordinated to the design. There are maybe 5 pages worth of useful content.

Another irritant to me is that this is by far the most commercial book I've ever seen (more ads than a magazine). It seemed that every few pages I was being told to buy this book, or buy all of some other guys books. There is a two page section that is taken from Guy Kawasaki's blog. The whole thing is incredibly derivative (but shallow).

Finally, and this I can take responsibility for, it didn't meet my needs because I am not Al Gore, nor am I the CEO of a company. If I gave a presentation in the style of this book I'd be laughed out of the office. I'm an analyst, and the warm and fuzzy slides would not be good. Duarte's advice on data intensive slides? "Both [of Stephen Few's] books should be on your shelf along with everything Edward Tufte has written."
I have two Tufte books and they are virtually identical, I don't see myself buying his others (and they suffer from the same lack of relevance to corporate analysts). Disappointing.

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Comment on What are my chances of getting into an Ivy such as Brown? by Aylene

Aylene — Sat, 12 May 2012 18:03:20 +0000

Impressive! you have a good chance. Best of luck!!

Comment on August LP109M – Wireless Presenter with Laser Pointer – Red Presentation Laser Pen with Remote Powerpoint Controls for Next and Previous Slide, Wireless Mouse and Shortcut Keys by Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:18:00 +0000

the product stopped working on the second day of use, April 10, 2012

Claudio -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: August LP109M - Wireless Presenter with Laser Pointer - Red Presentation Laser Pen with Remote Powerpoint Controls for Next and Previous Slide, Wireless Mouse and Shortcut Keys (Electronics)

the product stopped working on the second day of use, only the laser works. Return is more expensive than the same product, so it is better to buy another product. I regret having bought the item. I recommend not buying this brand

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Comment on August LP109M – Wireless Presenter with Laser Pointer – Red Presentation Laser Pen with Remote Powerpoint Controls for Next and Previous Slide, Wireless Mouse and Shortcut Keys by Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 11 May 2012 04:37:58 +0000

I love this!, April 12, 2012

Sherry Rosenblad -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This remote has worked flawlessly from day one. I love the ability to play and pause videos, obviously use it for powerpoints, but also use it as a mouse! It is small, but not too small and I can keep my memory stick in the case with the remote. I am a first time teacher this semester and this remote has been invaluable to me.

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Comment on August LP107T Red Laser Pointer / Presentation Pointer & 2.4GHz RF Remote Presenter with Timer / Page Changer / Screen Black & Resume Keys by Jason Camp

Jason Camp — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:57:53 +0000

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Excellent Alternative to Logitech, May 1, 2011

Jason Camp -

This review is from: August LP107T Red Laser Pointer / Presentation Pointer & 2.4GHz RF Remote Presenter with Timer / Page Changer / Screen Black & Resume Keys (Electronics)

I am a teacher and enjoy using this presenter. It easily allows me to move about the room - up to 30 feet or more from the transmitter. I especially enjoy the timer as it vibrates in 5 minute increments letting me know the time left. The laser is also strong and emits a good beam across the room. Seller provided timely shipping and followed up.

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Comment on August LP107T Red Laser Pointer / Presentation Pointer & 2.4GHz RF Remote Presenter with Timer / Page Changer / Screen Black & Resume Keys by Macau Man

Macau Man — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:44:53 +0000

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

It was a great hope, September 16, 2011

Macau Man -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: August LP107T Red Laser Pointer / Presentation Pointer & 2.4GHz RF Remote Presenter with Timer / Page Changer / Screen Black & Resume Keys (Electronics)

I was so excited to see this clone of a discontinued Logitech remote. I had the Logitech for over 5 years and the laser stopped working. Logitech discontinued production and their new units are bulky and (IMHO) ugly. So I ordered this clone with high hopes. I received the package and opened it. When I saw it it was like seeing an old friend. It even had a zipper case! Did notice that digital display was crooked though - bad sign.
Put the receiver in laptop - nothing. Put up the Powerpoint - nothing. DOA. Very disappointed and sent back for refund. Too bad.

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Comment on is there a difference between a video movie projector and a presentation projector? by tjbfwb

tjbfwb — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 03:46:06 +0000

The biggest difference will probably be that presentation projectors will show a “normal” TV 4:3 sized screen whereas most home theater projectors will show a widescreen 16:9 format.

Comment on is there a difference between a video movie projector and a presentation projector? by Genesis Climber

Genesis Climber — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 03:14:08 +0000

data projectors may have higher resolution specs in order to deal with greater visual info say from a laptop or pc and also brighter but it will may be too bright for home theater use.Bright in way that it may make the picture looked washed out or unatural and could also be hard on the eyes.Depending on how bright,it’s like watching a really bright tv up close in the dark- that kind of strain.They are brighter because they are meant to be used in boardroom meetings with light in the room whereas home theaters are darker by nature..huh-lo ‘home theater’ -duh! The natural aspect ratio is also 4/3 squarish instead of 16.9 widescreen

Movie projectors have special dedicated processors and higher contrast to make it more natual looking and similar to film,which is easier on the eyes then a glairing bright projected image.I owned both before and the movie projector is by far a better image,though the data projecter was a little sharper in image being that it was1020x720 where as mine right now is 720×480 though I have it set on 1080×1020 compressed but it still looks WAY better then just standard 480p by far.If I were you get a dedicated 720p dlp with hdmi capabilites,it’s worth it.480p even upconverted to 1080i is still a softer image then true 1080i let alone true 720p or 1080i/p. Though if you want something strictly for pc,i’d go for a high res data projector.
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