Saving for Multi-Users

[louisxiv]

Hi

I'm in the process of creating a PowerPoint presentation for use by a
number of schools in Edinburgh. I'm simply going to burn it onto a
number of CDRs for distribution. My concern is that I'm using
PowerPoint X for Mac. The schools will have PP but no doubt a mix of
Mac and PC versions of various ages/releases.

When I go to save the file the only option that looks likely to be of
use is Save As.. Microsoft PowerPoint Document (i.e. I can't save to
any earlier versions). Will this be a problem for users of older
versions or will they be able to open the file? How would people
recommend I avoid any potential problems?

TIA for any advice.

MA

 

[Guest]

Fraught with problems, I think.

If I was doing something similar for PC only, I would supply a copy of
PowerPoint Viewer with the presentation, such that the viewer takes on the
job of displaying the presentation and not the software on the computer.

The view is free from:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=048dc840-14e1-4
67d-8dca-19d2a8fd7485&displaylang=en#QuickDetails

but it is only for a PC.

I can't see how you will be able to have the presentation available for
Mac as well as PC unless it is converted into some other form that is
universal, such as Flash. Not having any experience with Mac, I can't
guarantee that would actually be universal! Software for such conversion
is available, but at a cost, I suspect.

Brian.

 

[louisxiv]

Fraught with problems, I think.

If I was doing something similar for PC only, I would supply a copy of
PowerPoint Viewer with the presentation, such that the viewer takes on the
job of displaying the presentation and not the software on the computer.

The view is free from:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=048dc840-14e1-4
67d-8dca-19d2a8fd7485&displaylang=en#QuickDetails

but it is only for a PC.

I can't see how you will be able to have the presentation available for
Mac as well as PC unless it is converted into some other form that is
universal, such as Flash. Not having any experience with Mac, I can't
guarantee that would actually be universal! Software for such conversion
is available, but at a cost, I suspect.

Brian.

Hi
Thanks for this. I may need to recreate the file on a PC and include
two versions (one Mac, one PC) on the disc. I'll add this too though.
Cheers
MA

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Hi

I'm in the process of creating a PowerPoint presentation for use by a
number of schools in Edinburgh. I'm simply going to burn it onto a
number of CDRs for distribution. My concern is that I'm using
PowerPoint X for Mac. The schools will have PP but no doubt a mix of
Mac and PC versions of various ages/releases.

When I go to save the file the only option that looks likely to be of
use is Save As.. Microsoft PowerPoint Document (i.e. I can't save to
any earlier versions). Will this be a problem for users of older
versions or will they be able to open the file? How would people
recommend I avoid any potential problems?

Since you have PowerPoint X, it's default save format will be the
PowerPoint 97-2003 format that any Mac or PC version of PPT from Windows
PPT 97 or Mac PPT 98 onward can read.

Since you also mentioned that all of the schools will have PowerPoint,
and since it's not too likely that they have versions older than 97/98,
I'd say you're in fairly good shape. All the more so if you're not
worried about getting the presentations to auto-run (something of a
dead-end dream in your situation in any case).

You'll want to stick to a basic set of fonts. If you use a font that's
not available at the other end, PPT will substitute its best guess at a
close match. For which read: All of your carefully formatted text
boxes will be packed up in a handbasket and sent on vacation to a very
warm place. Arial, Times New Roman, Courier, WingDings. The holy
trinity plus one. Safe as houses.

If you're pulling in graphics and pictures, avoid LIKE THE PLAGUE
copy/paste from other applications. Instead, use PPT's Insert, Picture,
From File. Use formats common to both platforms (PNG, JPG). If you
have to bring vector graphics in, ungroup them in PPT once they're
inserted. That converts them to (cross-platform compatible) PPT shapes.

Sounds, and even more so, Movies, can be a trial. If you don't need
'em, it'll save my fingers lots of wear and tear. If you do need to use
them, have a look at:

Sounds/Movies don't play, images disappear or links break when I move or
email a presentation
http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00155.htm

and on that same site, do a search for video for other suggestions.

Ah ... and there's this:

PC to Mac and Back
http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00281.htm

A bit out of date, but then so's PPT X. ;-)