Recommendation for a good powerpoint reference book?

[Elliott Alterman]

As a newbie to the list, I am interested in finding a good reference book
for Power Point.

Can anyone offer a recommendation?

TIA

 

[B]

Depends on what you want to do with PowerPoint, Elliot.

For instance, it makes a lousy cup of coffee and is definitely second rate
at taking over the world.

But there are several things it can be exceptional at:
- Business meetings
- Photo-presentations
- Looping stand alone displays
- Self directed learning stations
- Announcement boards
- Interactive game show emulations
And many, many more.

Some of these require programming skills, some artistic awareness, some
common sense. What did you want to do with it, so we can suggest an
appropriate level reference?

B

 

[Elliott Alterman]

The first two items pretty much address my immediate interests - business
presentations (albeit in this instance it's for a non-profit org) and the
use of photos.

Thanks

 

[Austin Myers]

Not a book but a great place for the beginner to start.

http://office.microsoft.com/trainin...ID=CR061832731033&CTT=6&Origin=RC010738341033

Watch the line wrap. (Copy paste the URL in your browser.)

Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

 

[B]

If you are using PowerPoint for your Church, like I do, then:
http://www.usingpowerpointinchurch.com/index.html is an excellent starting
point.

http://www.powerpointers.com/
http://www.presentersonline.com/ and
http://www.indezine.com/index.html
all have good PowerPoint information, too.

Of course the www.PPTFAQ.com is an inexhaustible well of information. It is
well worth spending a couple of days checking it out. Sometimes you'll see
something you didn't know you couldn't live without.

As far as PowerPoint paper-based books, I use them mostly for leveling the
projector. The on-line stuff is all you'll really need and it is somewhat
less expensive. (Just in case any person with an overactive PC gland reads
this, I do love to read books for enjoyment and reference. I just haven't
seen any exceptional ones on PowerPoint. Perhaps one of the MVP's have and
will forward their recommendations.)

A further reading list may be a good addition to the PPTFAQ, but like I
said, I haven't come across any in my trips to the bookstore that I would
spend 25 USD for.


By all means, the best resource you will ever come across is this News
Group. They are open with information and help, advise and opinions,
solutions and pointers. It could serve as the model for all community-based
support news groups.

B

--
Please spend a few minutes checking out www.pptfaq.com This link will
answer most of our questions, before you think to ask them.

Change org to com to defuse anti-spam, ant-virus, anti-nuisance
misdirection.

 

[John Clements]

I bought Rick Altman's
Microsoft Office PowerPoint for Windows 2003
by Visual Quick Start

Well written, not verbose, nice diagrams, and some well placed "Tips"

Very basic but much easier to follow than the online help.
Good for beginners or, like myself, people who have used older versions of
PowerPoint but have not used it regulary and need to find out what has
changed.

 

[Elliott Alterman]

Thanks to all for some very good recommendations!