The comments here are intended only for those interested in enhancing the readability of their presentation.

Transparencies:

(1) Handwritten: Avoid the use of pastel or earth tone colors. They are usually impossible to see.

(2) Typewritten pages or photocopies of journals are very difficult to see, especially at the back of the room. The following is quite useful (our office staff will assist you if given sufficient notice). After photocopying each page, cut off all the margins. Then slice the page approximately in half horizontally.

Each half may then be enlarged to nearly fill the projection screen in "landscape view", that is, 8.5-9 inches high by 11 to 11.5 inches wide.

Computer slide show:

This is risky if not well thought out in advance. The following tips should prove useful:

Tip #1: Bringing the talk on your own portable computer:

This the least problematic, but things can still go wrong. The following is based on real problems that I have experienced both as a presenter and a listener.

(1) Computer falls to sleep: This can be almost as embarrasing as the audience falling to sleep. On a Mac Power Book in "System Preferences -> Energy Saver" there is a "presentation" mode which should be selected prior to the presentation. On a Windows PC go to Control Panels -> Display -> Screen Saver -> Power Settings and select an appropriate "stay awake" time.

(2) Screen resolution: Be familiar enough with your computer to adjust the screen resolution. Also you should know how to select "mirroring". This projects the same image on the projection screen that you see on the computer monitor. On a Mac Power Book this is done in System Preferences -> Displays. While in that window, it is a good idea to check the box "Show displays in menu bar" for easy future access. On a Windows PC mirroring is selected by using an "F" key in "function" (fn) mode. Practicing this using a spare monitor in place of a projector does not give an accurate idea of the actual situation at the conference since some monitors are not detected by Windows unless plugged in and running at startup or reboot. You are strongly advised to contact one of the organizers on the first day to arrange a quick dry run on a projector.

Tip #2: Bringing the talk on portable media: (CD, Zip Disk, Floppy, USB memory stick)

Well before the conference let me know if you plan to bring your talk on portable media. I will avoid scheduling your talk too early in the conference so that any "kinks" can be worked out. Include all information about the talk: Platform (Mac, PC Windows or PC Linux), Software (Power Point, LaTeX, Acrobat, ...), Software Version used to create the file.

(1) PDF Format: This is the safest, but be sure to "embed the fonts" when saving the file if given the option. It always helps to bring the source file used to create the .pdf file.

(2) Power Point: This can be very problematic, especially when using MS Equation Editor to create the mathematical symbols. You can insert the mathematics in .pdf format by going, in Power Point to Menu -> Insert -> Picture -> From file... and then navigating to the .pdf file to be inserted. However, be aware that when you create the .pdf file you must use a VERY large font to render the text and the math readable.

Be sure to run your talk off the CD before you leave for the conference to make sure you have included all the supporting files, if any.

If you are doing a computer presentation for the first time you may send the file to me before the conference as an attachment to an e-mail, I will make a dry run for you.

Good luck. Bob Sacker