INTRO TO TECH FOR PRESENTING:A CRASH-FREE COURSE IN GETTING YOUR FPPE PRESENTATIONS STARTED

Kate Anders, CBCC, CPDT-KSA, Tech Guru (at least for today)

prettygooddog.com

• I am the internetz

• I can install a new printer, work a card reader with my phone

• I’m comfortable with the basics, but get nervous about new things

• I’m already freaking out because you’ve said the word technology

How do you view your tech skills?

COUCH-TO-PRESENTING: IN 5 EASY STEPS!

• Pick a device (laptop is easiest – but phone, tablet, or iPad are options)

• Download (and practice) the presentation

• Pick a projector

• Test it all together

• Schedule a presentation

PICK A DEVICE

Laptops:

PC / Windows machine VS Mac

• Designed to run Office

(Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Have more accessibility if things

don’t work right.

• Far less expensive

($100-300 for basic machine).

• More expensive.

• Designed to automatically run things

you plug in.

• Often called “intuitive” to use.

• Known for high quality.

PICK A DEVICE

Alternatives to laptops:

• Smart phones -

very portable, many need more effort to work

• Tablet/iPad -

very portable, may be more expensive/less versatile than laptop

DOWNLOAD (AND PRACTICE):

• Presentations found on FPPE Google Drive.

• Got Facebook? You can link to the drive from the FPPE Facebook group…

• Or here’s a link straight to the presentation folder:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwYUKEVyuAshbjEzT2g5N0JEYTQ

PICK A PROJECTOR

The special situations first -

• Mountable projector:

You have a facility, want a permanent solution

• Pico projector:

Very tiny (smart phone size), needs a

dark room, for in-home consults

PICK A PROJECTOR: PORTABLE PROJECTOR 101

• Cost $160-400 for a basic models – $300 is a good expectation

• Weigh 3-6 lbs

• Available at Amazon, office supply stores, Best Buy, etc.

• Project onto a white wall or screen (mountable or portable)

PICK A PROJECTOR: LUMENS

• Definition: How bright an image the projector produces

• 2,000 – 3,000 lumens is probably perfect for you

(for under 100 people with some ambient light)

• For reference:

Movie theater: 20,000 lumens

lecture-hall with moderate light: 5,000 lumens

Pico’s mostly 1000 lumens or less

PICK A PROJECTOR: CORDS AND CONNECTION

VGA (older, becoming less common) HDMI (most common)

Two most common types:

HDMI mini

vs HDMI

(Male)

(Female)

(Male)

(Female)

VGA HDMI USB

USB

ADAPTORS: COST $5-20

(Your projector uses a VGA

cord, but your laptop only has a

HDMI port)

Female VGA/Male HDMI adapter

Female

HDMI/Male

VGA Adapter (Less common)

Also has

HDMI mini

port

PICK A PROJECTOR: OTHER DETAILS

• Resolution: the detentions of the image

(SVGA 800 x 600 common and fine for almost everyone)

• Throw Ratio: How far the projector is from the screen and how wide the projected image

• Short throw projectors: For when the projector has to be close very to the screen

• Contrast Rate: just ignore this entirely

All you need to remember:

• Lumens: 2,000 minimum (and up to 3,000) is perfect

• Bulb life (the longer the better – should be 4,000 hours or better)

• Does it have the port that works for my computer? (VGA or HDMI)

TROUBLE SHOOTING

• Most devices are “Plug-and-Play”: Plug in the cords. Turn on the power. Done!

• What if it doesn’t automatically project?

• What if the projected image is funny looking?

• What if I want to add sound?

ON A MAC…

You have fewer options to trouble shoot, sorry.

ON A WINDOWS MACHINE (PC)

• Images are from a Windows 10 machine, but Windows 8 looks very similar.

• Even when Windows updates – the general process and places to look remain

the same. Be brave.

Duplicate: projects exactly what’s on your screen

Extend: notes on your screen, slide show projected…

KEYSTONE ADJUSTMENTS

SOUND

• No sound, no problem.

• Build in speakers on your laptop (just make sure your volume is turned up)

• External speakers

FINAL TIPS/HINTS

• Use tape or white out & sharpies to label your cords

• Keep a check list with your tech bag listing all the cords you need

• Pack an extension cord with enough outlet holes for laptop and projector

• Consider a back-up bulb or even a spare projector

• Always arrive early to set things up and make sure everything works!

Be Brave.

Technology was designed

for normal, average,

everyday people to use it.

And you can always ask

The Google

for help…

Google me this…

how do I change the bulb in my Infocus IN112 projector?

Kate Anders

kate@prettygooddog.com

PrettyGoodDog.com

PrettyGoodDog.com/FPPE2016

(for the slide from this presentation)