Diffrences between Powerpoint 2003 for PC and Powerpoint 2004 for Mac?

[jromeo07]

Basically, I need to teach myself Powerpoint 2004 on the Mac, but I
can only find resource books for Powerpoint 2003 in the PC.

Would it be safe to assume, that since Powerpoint 2003 is the latest
version before the Mac version, that if I bought a resource book on
Powerpoint 2003, I would be able to teach myself? I am a novice
Powerpoint user, but apt Flash designer, Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark
etc. and I have been told I should pick up Powerpoint quite easily. Is
this true?

Thanks

 

[Jim Gordon MVP]

Hi jr,

I think most people can teach PowerPoint to themselves, and I agree that if
you have background in the products you mentioned that you will find
PowerPoint an interesting and fun working environment.

When you open PowerPoint 2004 you are taken to the Project Gallery. Click
the LEARN tab in the gallery. On the left side click the Discovering Office
section and also the PowerPoint samples. This information will get you going
quickly.

When you are working remember to right-click on stuff so you can see the
contextual menus. Also keep an eye on the Formatting Palette, which is also
contextual.

Take some time to explore the Drawing toolbar. It's no Illustrator, but
there is a basic set of drawing tools.

Experiment with the items on the Insert menu, as well.

Mac only features:
Soft shadows can be put on just about everything
Selection and special effects tools on the Picture toolbar
Presenter view (you see one previews & notes, the audience sees your slides)
Preview window

If you are familiar with the motion paths - the Mac can play motion paths
and has pre-set motion paths but can not edit motion paths.

Also, visit this site often:
http://pptfaq.com/index.html

-Jim Gordon
Mac MVP

Basically, I need to teach myself Powerpoint 2004 on the Mac, but I
can only find resource books for Powerpoint 2003 in the PC.

Would it be safe to assume, that since Powerpoint 2003 is the latest
version before the Mac version, that if I bought a resource book on
Powerpoint 2003, I would be able to teach myself? I am a novice
Powerpoint user, but apt Flash designer, Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark
etc. and I have been told I should pick up Powerpoint quite easily. Is
this true?

Thanks

--
Jim Gordon
Mac MVP

MVPs are not Microsoft Employees
MVP info

 

[Jim Gordon MVP]

It's late and I'm sleepy, so I forgot to mention some stuff I was thinking
about before clicking the send button.

If you like Flash (and you have a Windows environment in which to create
WPF/E objects) you might like WPF/E better. Macs can play WPF/E objects:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/asp.net/bb187358.aspx

You can make them with Expression Blend:
http://www.microsoft.com/expression/products/overview.aspx?key=blend

Closing eyes now.

-Jim Gordon
Mac MVP

Basically, I need to teach myself Powerpoint 2004 on the Mac, but I
can only find resource books for Powerpoint 2003 in the PC.

Would it be safe to assume, that since Powerpoint 2003 is the latest
version before the Mac version, that if I bought a resource book on
Powerpoint 2003, I would be able to teach myself? I am a novice
Powerpoint user, but apt Flash designer, Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark
etc. and I have been told I should pick up Powerpoint quite easily. Is
this true?

Thanks

--
Jim Gordon
Mac MVP

MVPs are not Microsoft Employees
MVP info