Upgrades

[Chris Watts]

I currently have Powerpoint 2000 running underXP.
I am considering upgrading. Do I have to go as far as PPT2007 or are
PPT2003 and PPT2002 upgrades still available? Can somebody point me to a
review that shows the merits/demerits of each?

TIA
Chris

 

[Chris Watts]

Very good question, Steve.
I guess that was why I was hoping for a comparative review somewhere!
I can do virtually all of what I wish to do with 2000 - which is always a
good reason not to upgrade! I just feel that I am not at the cutting edge.
But having said that I frequently get praised for the standard of my ppts -
and surprise when they realise that it has been achieved with such an old
version!

I think that I am hoping for a little more sophistication in the area of
animations (in the widest sense). Better facilities for incorporating
videos (file types especially) and more sound options (file type especially
and volume control).

Although I do give papers at conferences, and so seek a high standard, I am
an amateur and money is an issue - no commercial source of funds!

Compatability is another issue as I often travel and use other peoples
machines and they tend to have someting more recent than 2000.

cheers
Chris

 

[Chris Watts]

Oh - and multi-monitor view so that the presenter can see upcoming slide.

Chris

 

[Chris Watts]

Thanks Steve.
From what you say in your two messages, it looks like 2003 would be a good
choice.

I will keep an eye out for a remaindered copy. Our computer fairs here in
the UK have these from time-to-time.

But does the real PPT 2003 (as opposed to the Viewer) have that infuriating
warning when you follow a link or use a macro?

Many thanks
Chris

 

[Chris Watts]

2007 offers a lot of very pretty eye-candy effects as well, but if you
need to
exchange files with users of previous versions and/or can't be sure that
2007
will be on the computers at conferences, I can't honestly recommend it.

Are you saying that the Save as previous version is not very good?

cheers
Chris

 

[Chris Watts]

It's very good at preserving the *appearance* of the original PPT
presentation,
but it's not going to give you a version of the presentation that's fully
editable in 2003 or previous. You don't get the new PPT 2007 features
magically
applied to older versions for free ;-)

Thanks Steve. I always try to keep those issues in mind when I have to go
backwards.

Many thanks for all your wise advise.

cheers
Chris