1.1. SETTING UP YOUR EQUIPMENT1.1.1. The Slides Look CrookedTHE ANNOYANCE: I got the projector up and running without any trouble, but I notice that my slides are cut off at the bottom of the screen. THE FIX: You just need to adjust the height and distance of the projector. Either move the projector away from the screen, screw the projector feet out some, or do a combination of both. If you can't move the projector, or if the feet are as far out as they'll go, prop the projector up on somethinga folded piece of paper under each front foot will often do the trick.
1.1.2. The Slides Look All Skinny on the BottomTHE ANNOYANCE: I got the projector set up, but the slide image looks like a trapezoid on the wall. I mean it's wider at the top than at the bottom. What's happening? THE FIX: This trapezoidal look is called keystoning, and you can adjust it in the settings of most modern projectors. Simply hit the Menu button on your projector or its remote and look for the keystoning option. If you don't see a keystoning option on the projector, you'll need to raise the height of the projector by mounting it on some books or other objects. However, because keystoning is caused by tilting the projector away from a 90° angle to the screen, make sure you raise the entire projector, not just the front of it. 1.1.3. I Can't Hear the SoundTHE ANNOYANCE: I can't hear the audio. There's supposed to be music on this slide. THE FIX: If you're showing the presentation through a projector, check to see if the projector has speakers and make sure they're turned on. Also, make sure you have the proper audio cable with you to plug the laptop into the projector. You also need to turn on the sound for your laptop. Most laptops have a Function (Fn) toggle key and an F key with an icon that looks like a speaker. Hold down the Fn key while you repeatedly press the speaker key. Remember, there's no point in having audio if nobody can hear it. So plan ahead: make sure the audio-visual staff knows your presentation contains audio. And yes, you need not route the audio through the projector all the time. Often, the laptop output is routed through a sound mixer that in turn sends it to the sound system installed. This works best in dedicated conference venues and auditoriums. 1.1.4. Slides Won't Move ForwardTHE ANNOYANCE: When I press the Forward button on the remote during my presentation, the slide won't move. How embarrassing! THE FIX: Make sure you point the remote toward the remote receiver, not at the screen. For whatever reason, the tendency is always to point toward the screen. Most remotes have a limit on how far they can send remote signals, so also make sure you're close enough to the receiver for the remote signal to be picked up. Of course, always make sure you test and practice with the remote before your presentation. And don't forget to put fresh batteries in the remote before you begin your presentation. If all else fails, just use the keyboard to advance the slides. The right and up arrow keys, Enter key, spacebar, Page Up key, and the N (for Next) key all move the slides forward; left and down arrow keys, Backspace key, Page Down key, and the P (for Previous) key all move the slides backward. 1.1.5. Silence Is GoldenTHE ANNOYANCE: Ugh, this presenter is driving me nuts! He keeps saying "Um" and walking in front of the projector! THE FIX: Sorry, there's not much that can be done about this type of thing. Poor presentation skills can be overcome through coaching, though, especially if the presenter's willing to learn. One of the most valuable lessons I learned during a presentation coaching session was not to be afraid of silence. It's okay to look at your slide and gather your thoughts, but don't keep talking when you're doing it! The silent moment will seem long and awkward to you, but it will seem perfectly natural to your audience. 1.1.6. Image Doesn't Show on ProjectorTHE ANNOYANCE: No matter what I do, I can't get what I see on the laptop to show on the projector. THE FIX: Use the appropriate keyboard combination to toggle your laptop/projector display. You can usually control the following three toggle states using Fn in combination with an F key: projector only, monitor only, and both projector and monitor. Look for the symbol on the keyboard F key row and hold down the Fn key while you press the key with the symbol. On a Dell Latitude, for example, press Fn+F8. On a Toshiba, it's often Fn+F5. Always make it a point to arrive at the venue a little early to test your hardware. If someone else is presenting immediately before you, try to check your laptop the day before, during lunch, or during another break. |