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The PowerPoint Ezine - 25
by Geetesh Bajaj
Introduction
This is the 25th issue of the PowerPoint Ezine - and it's amazing
that I have been able to bring this so far! Having said that, let's
look at what we are discussing this time.
We first have an interview with Susan Berkley of Great
Voice, also known as the voice of AT&T. She speaks about
her business model, stage fear and PowerPoint - not necessarily
in that order.
We then take a look at the unveiling of the 'new look, new direction' ppted.com -
do visit the site and take a look. Ppted also announced
a new SuperSaver collection.
Neuxpower has announced a new version of its NXPowerLite add-in
- we discuss that followed by a listing of Quick News. We
then look at PhotoActiveFX, the wonder PowerPoint add-in
from CrystalGraphics that brings a little of Photoshop into PowerPoint.
We conclude with a look at PowerPoint MVP Jim Gordon's new
site.
 Focus
on Susan Berkley of Great Voice
Susan Berkley (pictured right) is a former radio personality
and a well-known voice on TV and radio commercials and phone lines.
Recently featured in The New York Times, The LA Times, Business
Week and on CNBC, she is one of the voices that says "Thank
you for using AT&T," and is the voice of Citiphone Banking.
Here are some excerpts from an interview she did with Indezine. Read
the complete interview here...
Geetesh: Why is public speaking so frightening for many people?
Susan: Several reasons:
- Public speaking is an act of affection-giving, sharing, motivating,
teaching -- and, as crazy as it seems, we are terrified of affection.
We unconsciously think it is somehow prejudicial.
- We are terribly critical of ourselves and we project our own
self criticism onto the audience, imagining that they will judge
us, when this judgement really comes from within.
- We are overly focused on ourselves, how we look, how we come
across, rather than on giving something of value to the audience.
All of these things create stress and a sudden adrenaline rush.
If you're not used to it, all that adrenaline can create some pretty
scary but basically harmless and short lived symptoms that we typically
associate with speech fright. I help people understand the reasons
why they become so stressed when they have to speak in public and
then give them some practical things they can do to help burn off
that excess adrenaline so they can feel more comfortable.
Geetesh: What do you mean by the hidden power of your voice?
Susan: There is tremendous beauty and power in the human
voice and most people haven't even begun to explore this potential,
let alone other explore the other talents and qualities they possess.
In my work, I give people not only solid, practical techniques,
but also the courage to explore the hidden, inner part of themselves
which is the source of confidence and inspiration, of true speaking
mastery.
Read the complete interview
here...
Thank you, Susan!
Back
New Look, New Direction for ppted.com
ppted.com launched
its new avatar with a 'New Look, New Direction' theme that
encompasses the entire site.
You can take a look at the
site here...
You can try, view and buy PowerPoint templates, backgrounds, add-ins,
books, textures, tutors, companion programs, clip media and more.
The coming weeks will see lots more happening. Watch this space!
Meanwhile, Ppted also announced a new SuperSaver collection.
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Neuxpower Announces NXPowerLite 1.5
Neuxpower has announced version 1.5 of its NXPowerLite program
that claims to squeeze as much as 90% off PowerPoint file sizes
in some cases.
NXPowerLite is compatible with PowerPoint 97 and above, running
on any version of Windows, from and including Windows 95. A full
functional, free trial is available from their site.
Tommy Powell from Neuxpower says that organizations currently
using NXPowerLite include Chanel, Diageo, Disney, Dupont, Hewlett
Packard, Hilton, Nike, Pepsi, Unilever and Virgin.
You
can find more info about the product here...
Watch out for an Indezine review of the product soon.
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Quick News
Microsoft's Mactopia site has added new PowerPoint templates
for PowerPoint on the Macintosh - however all designs can be used
on PowerPoint for Windows as well. Thank you, Mickey Stevens
for this link. More
info...
Wacom has extensive info about using their tablets with
business applications including PowerPoint, especially combining
the tablet, PowerPoint and the projector. More
info...
Amazing Visio is a new program from SoftApproach Corporation that
adds provides eye-catching shapes and templates for Microsoft Visio
- such content is often used within PowerPoint presentations. More
info...
Wildform has introduced Wild FX Pro, a new program
that creates everything from complex effects to complete title
crawls. Such content can be generated in a matter of minutes. Video
output formats include MOV, AVI, DV, and MP4. In addition, Wild
FX Pro outputs Flash SWF files which are ideal for websites, CDs
and presentations. More
info...
TechSmith has announced version 6.3 of their screen capture
tool - SnagIt. This version add a new toolbar for Microsoft
Excel. SnagIt 6.3 also gives you artistic Edge Effects to apply
to your screenshots, as well as many new file formats in which
to save all your screen captures. More
info...
CrystalGraphics has extended its PowerPlugs range of PowerPoint
add-ins to Excel as well. More
info...
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Exploring PhotoActive FX
PhotoActive FX is among the oldest PowerPoint add-ins I've
known. The product continues to fascinate - even after I have used
it for so many years.
For those who don't know, PhotoActive FX allows you to add image
and video effects to pictures right inside PowerPoint. Here's an
excerpt from a review I did recently:
"Adding some pizzazz to your next PowerPoint presentation
can be easy with PhotoActive FX from CrystalGraphics. This two
volume add-in for PowerPoint allows you to create photo effects
right inside PowerPoint. It also includes a video rendering engine
that creates customized video clips that integrate seamlessly within
your presentation."
Read the full review here...
You can also download a demo version of PhotoActive FX from the
CrystalGraphics website:
Download Demo...
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Jim Gordon's Site
Jim Gordon is a Microsoft MVP for PowerPoint (Mac) - his site
at http://www.agentjim.com/MVP/ contains
info about using PowerPoint on the Macintosh.
While there, you'll find reviews of PowerPoint 2001 and PowerPoint
X. In addition, look at Jim's new add-in for PowerPoint that offers
quick importing of pictures from files, folders, directories, mounted
volumes, digital cameras, scanners, RAM cards, and other image
sources. Images are added one at a time.
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Events & Seminars
Winning Presentations Seminar
September 24 and 25, 2003
Boston, USA
Claudyne Wilder, Wilder Presentations
http://www.wilderpresentations.com/
PowerPoint Live
October 12 to 15, 2003
Tucson, Arizona, USA
Rick Altman, R Altman Digital Consulting
http://www.pptlive.com/
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Credits
During the preparation of this issue of the PowerPoint Ezine,
I received assistance, content or feedback from Cathy Marxen, Mickey
Stevens, Nicole Ha, Susan Berkley and Tommy Powell (all in alphabetical
order). I would like to use this platform to thank them for their
help.
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