PowerPoint file viewer Windows CE 5.0 aberrations/limitations/blah blah...

[Mike M.]

I am testing the PowerPoint file viewer on Windows CE 5.0. I created a
simple presentation with a couple of slides with not much on them. I set to
advance each slide after a few seconds. I also set the show to run in Kiosk
mode and I tested Loop until escape also. The problem I am having is that
the slide show does not loop after the last slide. It just sits there with
a silly look on it's face. Anyone tried this on CE 5.0?

TAI

 

[Sonia]

Have you tried it without the Kiosk setting?

 

[Mike M.]

Yes. I also tried with just Loop Until Escape. They all work fine one time
through but we mount these in kiosks and they need to loop.

 

[Sonia]

My totally uneducated guess would be that the available viewer is very limited
in its functionality and doesn't recognize the looping or Kiosk. I can tell you
that on my Pocket PC Pocket Slides does not loop a two slide presentation that
is set to loop continuously. I'm running on Windows Mobile 2003.

 

[Mike M.]

Ooh, that's not good. We had looked at Windows Mobile which is really just
an extension of CE (4.2 I think). When I first saw the problem I had one of
those, "Oh No" feelings in my stomach. It just seems like something that
was left out. I read the intention was to allow the connection of a PDA
type device to a projector for on the road presentations. I guess they
didn't think anyone would use it in a Kiosk. We make intelligent signage
that includes a full blown computer and are looking to make a cheaper
version with a computer on a board running CE. All our content is built by
automating PPT. I have a sinking feeling I am going to be asked to, "just
turn it into html" so it will run in the browser. Or maybe, "just turn it
into flash". We all know how that will go especially since I need to do it
all programmatically with no humans involved.

Thanks for the test results Sonia.

"The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out...." ;-)

 

[Sonia]

Well, Pocket Slides was written by someone (third party). Maybe contact a
developer who could build you a better viewer. <G>