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Best of the Net: Power Brokers
When it comes to presentation software, most users agree there's one clear standard. We've found some Web-based resources to help you make your point.
Published October 2002
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Love it or hate it, PowerPoint is here to stay.
Got any doubts? Do a quick Web search. You'll find hundreds of sites supporting Microsoft's presentation software. The selection of sites has jumped noticeably since last year's release of PowerPoint 2002, with its expanded animation technology, new tools for diagramming and rotating images, and improved ways to print and preview presentations.
Although PowerPoint isn't the only slide-show software on the market -- Harvard Graphics Advanced Presentations and Corel Presentations are among the others -- it is very much the king of its universe. Analysts consider PowerPoint the category killer; it accounts for at least 95% of the presentation-software market.
That's why, when we recruited several power users -- and one novice presenter -- to evaluate on-line resources for slide-show software, we sent them only to PowerPoint-related sites. We excluded sites that weren't business related or that seemed too technical or industry specific. Finally, we opted against rating Microsoft's own PowerPoint site.
What was left? A handful of sites that offer free templates, self-paced tutorials, or presentation advice and information. In some cases, of course, those materials are loss leaders, intended to entice visitors into buying, for instance, training programs or bigger collections of templates. But we asked our panelists to focus on the free resources available.
The sites that are reviewed here offer plenty of value for PowerPoint presenters, but -- as is often the case when you get something for nothing -- you may have to hunt around a little to find it.
"Don't be afraid to dig into these sites," says panelist Karina Shaver. "Some have wonderful information that isn't accessible or obvious from the home page."
Anne Stuart is a senior writer at Inc.
The Savvy Entrepreneur's Guide to PowerPoint Resources on the Web
Site
Digital Studio by Sonia Coleman ( www.soniacoleman.com)
What it's good for
High-quality templates, PowerPoint tutorials, presentation tips, and links.
Don't waste your time if
You want a searchable directory of templates or if you're looking for clip art or cartoons.
What our CEOs had to say
"I've bookmarked it," says Eva Rosenberg, praising the site's collection of "sharp, rich, and lustrous" templates.
What you should know
Judges all ranked Design Studio, by graphic artist Coleman, in either first or second place among the sites reviewed.
Site
PresentationPro ( www.presentationpro.com)
What it's good for
Templates, tutorials, links, and "power tips" illustrated in sample presentations.
Don't waste your time if
You want lots of freebies or if you object to registering before downloading those few giveaways.
What our CEOs had to say
"Geared toward the power user," says Karina Shaver.
What you should know
Site sponsor PresentationPro Inc. provides on-line help during business hours; it will even steer users to other resources.
Site
Presenters Online ( www.presentersonline.com)
