Computer-Based Audio Visual Presentations

How to have ideal computer-based presentations

The most important point is: Please do not simply bring a “thumb-drive” with your materials on it and just hand it to you’re a/v support person. There is simply no time for the a/v support person to deal with this. Also, there may not be a computer available for this during your event.

• You will need to bring your own computer for your computer-based presentations. If you have a Macintosh computer, you must bring in the proper “Mac to AV adapter”. If you do not know what that is, or do not have one, ask you’re a/v support person at least a week before your event if they can bring a spare for you. At the time of this writing, there is no spare computer in Dalby hall that can be used for your presentations; therefore you must bring in your own computer. If you don’t have access to a computer, you can contact the IT dept to borrow one.
• It’s best if your computer-based presentations can be done “from the stage” by you. Do not expect that you’re a/v support person will be able to manage this “from the booth”. Experience shows that presentations done “from the booth” where the speaker calls out “Go to the next slide” and similar instructions is disconcerting to the audience members and doesn’t make for a good event. If you absolutely must have your presentation managed “from the booth”, please bring up this point several days before the event to you’re a/v support person to make the arrangements. If you do this, you will need to give extremely specific instructions to you’re a/v support person.
• It’s best to use only a single computer, and never multiple computers. The reason for this is: if you use more than one computer during your event, and plan to switch from one computer to another for your presentation, you will be taking a real risk that switching the video to the next computer will not go smoothly, and will cause an unwanted delay which is very distracting to the audience, and will not make for a smooth event.
• The computer should be pre-loaded and carefully tested with ALL presentation materials well before the event begins.
• Please do not have your computer tuned up so that it turns on many applications when starts. It should be tuned up so that when it starts, it opens no applications at all.
• Be sure to bring a working power supply for your computer (and all other devices) and use it during your event. In this way, you won’t have to rely on your computer’s batteries which may not be working properly during your event.
• Disable the “screen-saver” on your computer, if it is active.