The dizzying array of online presentation tools was overwhelming for me. I am fairly well versed in using PowerPoint, which also has a free online version. My first thoughts, therefore, were why bother with these others when the near universal PowerPoint is available for free. I am not a huge supporter of Microsoft. I do use its software every day, and as a result, I am frustrated by its plethora of quirks and bugs every day. Perhaps this is the motivation that I need to try out its competitors’ software.
First I tried Prezi® since it was the first part of the course resources. The interface looked cool and was fairly simple to adapt for an old Microsoft user. I did like its nearly infinite expanse of space that is very adaptable to and takes advantage the web. The icon wheel seemed, though, a bit cumbersome to use, maybe because I am just not used to it. One of the main drawbacks was it did not seem easily compatible with PowerPoint. If I am to switch, I would like the ability for the files to be interchangeable with Microsoft files. The other main drawback was the lack of the right click button on the mouse. I always use the right click menus and see the lack of them as a huge disadvantage-not being able to work offline unless $60 per year is paid. In conclusion I don’t think its advantages outweigh is disadvantages. Especially since the cloud version of PowerPoint is free (so far).
280 Slides seemed like a good tool to check out next. There seems to be an easier means to have PowerPoint compatibility than Prezi®, which made me want to try it next. In fact, this tool seemed very similar PowerPoint sans the right click mouse. 208 Slides did not have the seemingly infinite “slide” space as Prezi®. Without the uniqueness of Prezi®, the lack of the right click and its similarity to PowerPoint, there is no compelling reason for me to use 208 Slides.
