How to Buy Presentation Software

You can make presentations without displaying text and graphics, but people have grown accustomed to also watching a show during a speech, and the lights, texts and colors can rivet their attention. You now can buy software to easily enhance your presentations.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Decide what sort of presentation software is best for you. Understand that a lot of people use PowerPoint, but it's not the only presentation software available.

2. Check online and visit electronics stores to examine various types before you buy presentation software. Compare products. Realize that some presentation software comes packaged with other software (e.g., PowerPoint in Microsoft Office or Sun's StarOffice 8, which can be run on different platforms).

3. Narrow down your selection. Limit your choices to software that's most popular, user-friendly and compatible with your computer as well as your presentation style and pocket book. Note product comparisons from reputable sources, such as "PC World" online and various consumer guides.

4. Ask for advice from electronics store associates and other people. Go by solid recommendations. Know that you can also download trial versions of software from several download sites via the Internet, as well as from product sites directly.

5. Try out the software before purchasing. Look for consumer rating symbols such as stars or cows ("TuCows" software download site). Understand that higher ratings, like five symbols, usually indicate a good product.

6. Check out websites, such as "Liquid Media" for presentation software that utilizes multimedia. Avoid buying software that's too involved. However, make sure you get what you need.

Tips & Warnings

• Let your words be the focus of any presentation. Avoid filling up displayed pages on a large screen with huge amounts of text. People aren't interested in reading; they're interested in what you have to say. Presentation software should highlight the points a speaker is making, not distract from them.
• Stay away from crazy graphics and animations. They might look cute on a small screen, but can annoy audiences, especially when they're repetitive. Remember that some people are sensitive to flashing lights. Some may be prone to seizures brought on by flickering or flashing lights.
• Beware of cookies, adware or spyware from free software. Besides using a program to check for computer viruses, use a program to remove cookies and adware/spyware.

Resources

• Presentation software by Sun Microsystems
• Liquid Media's multimedia presentation software.
• PC World on presentation software
• Compare presentation software