The PowerPoint® Blog Archives - Page 202 of 233

Make Your Desktop Presentation Worthy

This is one of the nifty features of Windows (XP) that no one seems to know about. Before a presentation, I use the “show/hide desktop icons” feature to hide every single item on my desktop. That way if I need to exit a presentation for any reason, the only thing projected is a my desktop wallpaper. After the presentation, I restore all in just one click.

1. Right-click desktop
2. Go to Arrange Icons By
3. Select Show Desktop Icons
4. Let the screen refresh (may take a few moments) and you are left with a completely clutter free view!

– Troy @ TLC

By TLC Creative Services, Inc.|2016-11-17T16:31:04-08:00October 12th, 2007|Tutorial|

Reorganize the Task Bar

If you have multiple presentations, several applications and numerous windows explorers open – the task bar becomes crowded and confusing. For just situations, I use the free application ‘Task Arrange.’

This lets me group all of my presentations together, slide outlook to the far left, etc. Or another practical use (this week in particular) is designing a multi-screen show and being able to move the presentation tabs to the visual order (ie. left screen appears on the left, center in the center and right screen presentation is the right tab).

Click here to go to Task Arrange’s download page.

– Troy @ TLC

By TLC Creative Services, Inc.|2016-11-17T16:30:36-08:00October 10th, 2007|Software/Add-Ins|

Download or View PDF?

This is a browser add-in that I recently was told about and I like it. The frustration is when you click on a link to a PDF it is up to your browser settings whether it opens the PDF or downloads it (and Adobe’s default setting is to open it).

If I know I want to download the PDF there are three choices:
1. Right-click the link and choose ‘save file as’
2. Click the link, have it open, then click the save icon
3. Install the “PDF Download” add-in

With ‘PDF Download’ installed, every time a PDF link is clicked a dialog asks if it should be opened or saved – brilliant!

– Troy @ TLC

By TLC Creative Services, Inc.|2016-11-17T16:30:04-08:00October 8th, 2007|Software/Add-Ins|

Rotate Pictures in Windows Explorer

If you have bunch of images to insert into a presentation, but some are rotated (ie. taken in vertical layout with a digital camera) they can easily be rotated BEFORE inserting into the presentation.

1. Open Windows Explorer
2. Set View to thumbnail or filmstrip
3. Select image(s) to rotate
4. Right-click and choose the rotation (clockwise or counter clockwise) needed

– Troy @ TLC

By TLC Creative Services, Inc.|2016-11-17T16:29:23-08:00October 5th, 2007|Tutorial|

Image Resizer

This free application from Microsoft has some great uses. Basically it does exactly what the name implies, it adds the ability to resize images. But this one is accessible from a right-click on any image.

It is a limited use application, in that it offers only four preset image sizes. If you click the ‘Advanced’ button it also offers the ability to set a custom size. Another nice feature is you can select multiple image files and convert all to a new size as a batch process.

You can get more info and download from here.

– Troy @ TLC

By TLC Creative Services, Inc.|2016-11-17T16:28:35-08:00October 3rd, 2007|Software/Add-Ins|

Favorite Shortcuts and Apps

I have mentioned before, but one of the wonderful aspects of my projects is always working with different people and interacting with a diversity of talented people. Recently a group of us started talking about favorite applications, add-ins and shortcuts. Everyone seemed to have something that none of the others (all highly experienced graphic designers) had not heard of before.

Taking my cue from that group discussion I have put together a series on some of my favorite Windows short-cuts and applications. Some may be useful, others not so much. And if you have one that goes with one of posts – send me an email – so this series may grow and help us all.

– Troy @ TLC

By TLC Creative Services, Inc.|2016-11-17T16:28:05-08:00October 1st, 2007|Personal, Resource/Misc|

Room With a View

Okay, to tie this in with the theme of the blog, PowerPoint, this occurred while traveling to review presentation content with my client.

I recently stayed in downtown Toronto which along with fantastic restaurants (I HIGHLY recommend the ribs at Baton Rouge) it has the SkyDome ball field. Over the course of three nights I enjoyed baseball games – without leaving my room. Click here to view a quick movie that explains all.

– Troy @ TLC

By TLC Creative Services, Inc.|2016-11-17T16:27:39-08:00September 28th, 2007|Personal|

Stupid Options

I am setting up a new Dell laptop and making sure I like its performance before purchasing a number of them for shows. Well I just ‘discovered’ one of the worst (ie. stupidest) factory settings/features.

Turns out that Dell has a power save feature, set as the default, that disables the network port (NIC). Worse, it does not notify you of it being disabled – it’s just not there! Needless to say I discovered this gem while I was without a power supply and needed to connect the internet. Add one more to my list of factory settings to change.

– Troy @ TLC

By TLC Creative Services, Inc.|2016-11-17T16:27:15-08:00September 26th, 2007|Personal|

Inflight MP3 Player

International flights are great. Larger planes and more amenities. Earlier this week I took this photo of the multimedia player that was on the seatbacks.

I was able to select from a large library of music, or could have watched one of the 30 movies. Still a long time to sit on an airplane, but tech novelties make it a bit more enjoyable. Also, note the USB port on the left.

– Troy @ TLC

By TLC Creative Services, Inc.|2016-11-17T16:26:50-08:00September 24th, 2007|Personal|

Office 2003 SP3 Release

Yesterday Microsoft released the largest Office Service Pack ever (SP3). It covers security, improvements, Vista compatability and interoperability with Ofifce 2007.

Here is some of the facts Microsoft sent me:
• Over 6000 fixes.
• Over 70% focused on security.
• Includes 600+ new hotfixes (including fixes to Watson crashes).
• Includes 50 public updates/security bulletins.
• Includes SP1 and SP2.
• Total of 77 languages and 398 distinct patches.

Easiest way to download is from Microsoft Office Update.

– Troy @ TLC

By TLC Creative Services, Inc.|2016-11-17T16:26:29-08:00September 19th, 2007|Software/Add-Ins|