I've forgotten already where I stumbled across it - might have even been somewhere on twitter - but it's called Prezi. I did have a fear that I would instill motion sickness onto my audience, but after some initial feedback with a prototype I decided to go for it.
My topic was Oracle APEX Performance, and I originally presented it as a powerpoint slide deck at last year's AUSOUG conference in Perth (Nov 3-4 2011, btw).
So I updated and converted it to the Prezi format, which can be found here:
http://prezi.com/gfmw8q_gstcl/n-methods-to-improve-apex-performance/
A link to the PDF version of my powerpoint display can be found here. Yes, in writing that it does seem a little strange, I'm not sure why I didn't publish the PPTx version - not that there would be much difference.
I certainly learned a few things from the experience - things that worked and things that didn't. I have plenty of visual ideas for the topic I'm doing in November, to try and further embrace the prezi style instead of thinking "slides".
I don't think the technique will work for everyone. Connor certainly has a unique style, similar to Larry Lessig and further pioneered in IT by Dick Hardt. A great write up can be found here. If you've never seen Connor present, you must make it happen. He makes powerpoint his own and will rip through a zillion slides in less than one hour - and you'll come out very much entertained!
I don't think Connor could adapt his slick style to the prezi format, and I think many technical presentations would be difficult to translate. I found when converting my original presentation I had trouble "forgetting" the powerpoint way of thinking. I think when I do my next one, since it will be fresh I'll be able to plan the layout a little better and provide something more fresh & creative. I found myself jotting ideas down as I listened to people speak at Insync. It will be on APEX 4.1 security.
If you come along to our Perth conference you can experience it first hand! ;-)
Now, to start writing it...
Scott
nice work!
ReplyDeleteit was me via twitter!
glad it went well. it's definitely different, but can, at times, give you a different way to think about how you present.
chet
Well how about that - ask a question and the intertube responds!
ReplyDeleteI remember now, cheers for the idea. I'll wait to see how round 2 goes before deciding whether to stick with it more often.
I haven't used a second time, but I'm not prone to giving presentations.
ReplyDeleteIt would be kind of fun to revisit my old one to see what I think of it 10 months on.
Nice.
ReplyDeleteIt was first mentioned to me by an acquaintance who was using it in his marketing presentations. :)
I do think it has a lot of potential in our field, but as you say it requires some effort to get into the mindset.
Cheers
Tim...
I could see marketers drooling over a technique like this. Adapting it for something "as dry" as a presentation on bulk binding might be difficult.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll pick and choose when to retain the old powerpoint.
I just remembered, doing presentations as a mind-map seems to be getting traction recently