5 Practical suggestions on how to choose a PowerPoint to Flash converter

I have come across many people who wonder why they they ever need to convert a powerpoint presentation into a flash file. At the oustart let me point out that this article does not focus on explaining why one should convert to Flash their powerpoint presentations. For an idea of the benefits you could visit MasternewMedia a blog focussed on flash conversions which gives 12 main advantages of PowerPoint converted to Flash format. On the blog you can find reviews; you can find some opinions on ppt 2 flash software: their features, functionality and quality.

A featured article on iSpring highlights 5 Practical suggestions on how to choose a PowerPoint to Flash converter tool:

Suggestion 1 : Quality of generated Flash content

As a first, and probably the main, key point we take Conversion Quality. Why? What is exactly involved into "Quality"?

We should say that PowerPoint to Flash conversion is complicated process. Converter should carefully transfer slide layouts, styles and all shapes to Flash movie keeping following parameters:

• Shapes geometry
• Positioning
• Autoshapes
• Text quality
• Text formatting
• Lists & bullets

Let’s to describe in brief how to examine key quality parameters when you are evaluating a powerpoint converter.

Shapes geometry and positioning. All shapes of your presentation should look the same in Flash movie and keep their positional relationship in every slide. The main trouble issue for this parameter is a distorted position of shapes at a converted Flash movie. If you, for example, have an array pointing to a triangle center, then at converted Flash presentation the array must point to the same place.

Text quality and formatting. All texts and their formatting are set in PowerPoint and Flash presentation should also have the same fonts, height and other formatting. The main point to pay attention to is if converter embeds all the fonts into the converted Flash presentation. If not, it will cause an incorrect displaying of all your texts.

Lists and bullets appearance. When you create a PowerPoint presentation you can use picture-style bullets, and this is a very specific only for powerpoint. A converter should carefully retain the original data structure, otherwise your Flash presentation will sprawl and presentation will become distorted and its quality will decrease greatly.

Slide transitions and animations effects. All PowerPoint animation features give a significant impact to your presentation. You can keep your viewers’ visual focus on important points of your presentation while describing it orally. A PowerPoint to Flash converter must keep all slide transitions and animation effects in the same way as you see them in PowerPoint. And remember, if a converter tries to emulate effect or to replace one animation effect with another, then this is an alarm for you, telling that this converter is not as good as supposed to be.

Often, problems with quality of generated flash content are connected with how deep and thorough a converter parses PowerPoint presentation.

Many tools make conversion process very simple: save every shape or even a whole slide as a raster image. Besides a quality loss, such an approach doesn't give any possibilities of using all advantages of Flash format.

What's the big deal about vector and raster graphics?

Raster graphics cannot be scaled to a higher resolution without loss of apparent quality. This is in contrast to vector graphics, which easily scale to the quality of the device on which they are rendered. What does it mean for you? The only and the main meaning is that your PowerPoint presentation should be converted to Flash with a really high quality.

So, it's up to you to decide whether you want your Presentation to be converted to be exactly the same as your PowerPoint presentation.

If PowerPoint to Flash converter is of high quality, then all flash technology advantages are highly involved. Alongside with Quality, converters should also generate compact flash files.

Suggestion 2 : Speed & Output file size

The second key point is Speed & Output file size. A sample presentation was converted for 60 seconds with usual Flash Converter. The fastest tool did it for 15 seconds, feel the difference? When you work with PowerPoint presentations every day, you will clearly understand that speed can be of great importance.

Output file size from the sample presentation is 600 Kb in average. Record-holder made it 292 Kb. Together with speed, file size can show you the difference.

Conversion speed is an implicit quality indicator. If all other parameters are at a high level, then most probably you have an excellent PowerPoint to Flash converter at your disposal.

Suggestion 3 : Support of animations and effects

What about PowerPoint Animations support? We think you won't be glad if you lose them after conversion. To have a perfectly converted Flash presentation, you need to have software with a total support for all PPT animations. Many PPT 2 Flash converters announce Animations support, and it's true sometimes.

What you should keep an eye on is to what extent implementation of Animation effect in Flash looks the same as in PowerPoint presentation.

All PowerPoint animation effects are unique, and this is a strange case: converter states 170+ effects, but in fact it's about 35, all the other animations are emulated by some other effect from those 35. Is it what you're looking for?

Let's say you want to use rather unique Animation effect "Comb", in fact a flash converter can leave it still, or without any comb-like movement.

Also, we highly recommend you to pay attention to Transition effects. The situation can be the same as with Animation effect, though Transition effect can be much more important than Animation effects. Your PowerPoint to Flash converter should work with all effects precisely and with high efficiency.

Suggestion 4 : File size and structure of output (solid file or a set of files)

What people don't notice sometimes is what you have as a conversion result. We're talking now about Solid flash & set of flash file. What's the reason in making it separately? When you convert a single PowerPoint Presentation, you can expect a Flash file to be also single. What a surprise it'll be when you find .html, images and flash files in an output folder.

It's just great when a solid flash file embeds all external resources (audio/video/images) used for your presentation. We know that iSpring Pro embeds even a player into Flash presentation.

When you want to get a set of separate flash files, then this is also should be correctly realized by ppt 2 flash tool - every single slide should correspond to a single separate flash file.

Suggestion 5: Price

The last, but not the least comparison point is the Price. The average price range for PPT to SWF converter is from $59 to $800. This is not cheap, but actually not so expensive in comparison with expenses for flash development. Actually all the effective and high quality software starts from $200, this is the price we recommend you to start from when looking for a PowerPoint to Flash converting tool.

All the above mentioned comparison point can be general decisive moments when you're looking for a PPT to SWF converters.

Which tools do you use to convert ppt to flash. Share your experience ? Are there any practical suggestions that you would like to add to this list ?

Once Upon a Time .... Story telling in Organizations

All businesses big or small are always on a journey and, to achieve lasting results, people must be rationally and emotionally connected to that journey, becoming involved and empowered at every level. Storytelling is a powerful way to do this.

Storytelling has a long tradition of orally communicating ideas, beliefs, personal histories, and life-lessons. Most adults start their lives listening to and telling stories as children before they even begin to read and write. At one time or another, we have all been affected by the world of imagination created by a 'Story'. A film, play or book can bring on the deepest of emotions ( joy, anger, tears ) but how can this help in a corporate learning environment ? Lawyers are known to use story telling highly effective in bringing a case to life for the jury or the judge so as to make good, convincing arguments. The emotional 'buy-in' associated with storytelling makes it a useful ally for learning and development departments. Yet many companies have doubts about its actual benefits.

In classrooms and training environments where it has been used, storytelling has proved that in a blended learning situation, it's a powerful resource for any company. Creation of Business-led stories on topics such as increasing competitive advantage, improving service, efficient operations, service delivery and customer relationship management encourage staff being trained to identify, focus and relate their own experience to times when they have previously achieved these skills or how to they can achieve similar outcomes on a daily basis.

Stories in organizational learning can be used in three ways:
first, to illustrate
second, to stimulate a discussion and
third, to envision - to fast forward in time and think of the story that you want to achieve.

Storytelling can be a great tool for maximizing learning. Every time we understand a new set of data, learn a new skill, change an attitude, or share a part of ourselves with others, we do it through creating some sort of story. By using the storytelling process consciously, we can increase the effectiveness, appeal, and enjoyment of our training sessions.

It is important therefore for any story to have what is called a - story spine. Originally created by playwright Kenn Adams, is a tool for creating well-structured stories.

The platform : Once upon a time…
The catalyst : But one day…
The consequences : Because of that…
The climax : Until finally…
The resolution : Ever since then…

One of the best examples of how a mundane topic can be built into a story narrative is the official internet Storytelling FAQ at Tim Sheppard's Storytelling Resources for Storytellers

This is how it introduces FAQs on Storytelling to learners :

Once upon a time, in the land of storytelling, came a young seeker new to the place. He searched confusedly through the myriad threads of words, until he came upon the dark, shadowy cave of Mr. Faq. He knew this from the small plaque at the entrance to the cave that read, "Mr. Faq, Frequently Asked Questions answered. Please ring the bell." "Mr. Faq," he cried, forgoing the bell, "What IS this place?" Stepping from the shadows, Mr Faq took a slow breath then began to speak in his deep, slow voice, "This is a place where those who spend their days and nights telling stories to others may gather. Here they exchange techniques and tips, let each other know of conventions, classes and concerts, and discuss storytelling - what it was, what it is, and what it is becoming. "And, of course, there are stories. There are always stories." Mr. Faq took a long, deep puff from his pipe, and waited for the next inevitable question. The seeker fidgeted and then burst out, "But Mr. Faq... why?" Mr. Faq sighed. "Storytelling is an age-old tradition that has existed since the dawn of time in every culture there ever was. Here we may discuss its roots and how they relate to the storytelling of today. It exists in many forms: the traditional tale around a camp fire, the scriptural stories told from the pulpit, in hypertext form on the Internet, with the roll of a die in a role-playing game, in the classroom, on the radio, television, movies, and in the pages of books... All these things and more are part of the grand tradition of storytelling. The seeker scrunched up his face and asked, "Well... what IS storytelling, Mr. Faq?" "Storytelling is many things to many people," Mr. Faq replied, "It is entertainment, a way of passing on a culture's history, or a way of teaching to both the young and the old. It is something that must be experienced and tried before you can fully understand it. More than anything else, storytelling is an art. An art that anyone can participate in. We all are storytellers, whether we realize it or not." The seeker was silent for a moment. Then, with a new and growing gleam of excitement in his eye he asked, "Mr. Faq, I like to tell stories! How can I learn more about storytelling?" Mr. Faq drew a long, tattered scroll from his cloak and handed it to the seeker. "Read this," he commanded. <<<<>>> The seeker handed the list back gingerly and it disappeared into the folds of Mr. Faq's cloak. Mr. Faq smiled at him and said, "You have sought knowledge and gained it. May it serve you well. "Welcome newcomer. May all your stories touch the heart." The smoke from Mr. Faq's pipe grew until it filled the cave. The seeker coughed, but before the smoke became unbearable, it slowly faded away. The seeker looked around, yet Mr. Faq was nowhere to be seen. The seeker turned and walked out of the cave. In the distance, he could see the flickering light of a campfire and the evening breeze carried the voices of the storytellers gathered there. Hurriedly, he made his way to join them... The Beginning...
Impressed ?? If you are interested in getting to learn more about Story Telling I highly recommend that you make a trip and visit http://www.timsheppard.co.uk/story/

There are also different ways that a story can be narrated to a learner - in the classroom, print materials (comics for e.g) for later consumption and through the medium of Digital Storytelling. Instructional Design tools -- computers, scanners, video -- can help update the ancient craft of telling stories and reach learners in the form of Digital Storytelling

So what is Digital Story Telling all about? Everyone has a story to tell. Technology now allows anyone to tell it in their own way. Digital storytelling uses the available tools of the computer and Internet, and morphs it with words and narration, with the final outcome being an interesting multi-media mix of images and voice. A Digital Story is a 3-5 minute "mini-movie" based on a real person's experiences, usually focusing on a single important event, object, person, etc. in that person's life. Digital Stories can combine the storyteller's own voice with images, music, and sound effects to grab the audience's attention and help bring the person's experience to life.

But more on this in my future posts. In the meantime here is a selection of books available out there to help you link existing stories to just about any situation:

• Goldilocks on Management, by Gloria Gilbert Mayer & Thomas Mayer
• Peanut Butter and Jelly Management, by Chris and Reina Komisarjevsky
• All I Need To Know In Life I Learned From Romance Novels, by Victoria M. Johnson
• Shakespeare On Management, by J. M. Shafritz
• Inside Out: Using Classic Children’s Stories for Personal and Professional Growth, by Myron J Radio & Rod N Johnson
• Real Power: Business Lessons from the Tao Te Ching, by James A Autry & Stephen Mitchell
• The Leadership Lessons of Jesus, by Bob Brine
• The Leadership Genius of Jesus, by William Beausay
• More Leadership Lessons of Jesus, by Bob Briner
• The Management Lessons of Jesus, by Bob Briner
• Moses on Management: 50 Leadership Lessons from the Greatest Manager of All Time, by David Baron
• Lincoln on Leadership: Executive Strategies for Tough Times, by Donald T. Phillips
• The Founding Fathers on Leadership: Classic Teamwork in Changing Times,Donald T. Phillip
• The Social Life of Information, by John Seely Brown, Paul Duguid
• The Springboard : How Storytelling Ignites Action in Knowledge-Era Organizations by Stephen Denning

Corporate Podcasting - Increasing Reach and Collaborative Learning

I recently got a chance to try out the latest invention to boost employee morale and productivity - SLEEP POD - the new worlds answer to the problem that as a society, at least 65% of us aren't getting any sleep ( the fact that I am writing this post at 4.22am substantially proves the theory right and puts me into the category of the '65%' :). I must say that the sleep pod sure is the answer that sleepy travelers and weary workers have been looking for.

Whilst, I slowly drifted into the power nap that I was supposed to I wondered what the 65% of the sleepy and weary learners would like when it came to stimulating their interests in learning a specific skill or acquiring a knowledge in a way that was fresh, quick, insightful, and sincere. - PODCASTING as an integral part of their learning experience be it formal or informal.

The term "podcasting" was first used in 2004, and since then, it has absolutely taken off. The benefits of pod casting are plenty. Since it is already on the verge to fully mature it holds lot of benefits to its users. For instance, at it's basic best, it is possible to be abreast of all the news with this technology. The business world has also discovered podcasting and its many practical applications that can basically be applied to any product or type of business and with a bit of creativity, campaigns geared towards certain products can reach a wide audience in the podcasting world. As always the action started in the Marketing world and has now slowly drifted and been accepted across the varipus departments, with the most recent converts being Training.

In the past corporations would have frequent needs to meet with various employees semi-regularly depending on the project, training, or for what ever it was they were trying to accomplish. Communications were desperately necessary, but were limited to phone calls, phone messages, HTML messages, emails, etc. Now, however, the new means of corporate podcasting has given corporations, large and small, a new, more efficient way of getting their message across.

Training is always a big problem in corporations - namely, how to give your employees, or staff the training they need without hurting your work force while they take time off for that training. The solution - business podcasts that allows the training to be done at the employees' desire. The podcasts can be listened to while commuting, taking a walk, on the treadmill, etc. Done right, it can be very effective, but is limited to training that can be done by listening only - no hands on experience given. But in recent times the evolution of this media has moved closer to experiential learning - especially learning from the experiences of others. We’re viewing the corporate learning world shifting from focusing on the parts to focusing on the whole, focusing on the individual to focusing on interactions, focusing upon systems outside the observer to focusing on systems that include the observer.

A major milestone in this regard has been the launch of FlockPod - the worlds first social interaction pod. Guaranteed to take corporate learning to the next level. A small place on any Web page where people get together on-the-spot, while staying on the page. The central idea of FlockPod is to provide a space on any web page for various users to collaborate and interact right on-the-spot, to share ideas, opinions, experiences, anecdotes or sometimes even to question, reason or debate.

Organizations can use FlockPod in a multitude of ways: They can invite debate and feedback on electronic documents, conduct spots polls and surveys of their employees and customers, allow knowledge workers to support each other, create mini-knowledge-bases, foster informal learning, collaborate on Web research, create online user communities, and so on. Considering the ever increasing need of training departments for content moderation in user-generated content, the FlockPod software also allows Administrators and Pod Managers a variety of privileges for deleting, archiving and blocking at source unwanted content.

So, what's the big deal ?
On-the-spot interaction. Guided interaction. Relevance-based display. Those are the three big things with FlockPod. First, your social interactions are on-the-spot, where the content is, right inside the content. You do not wander around by following outbound links. Stay within the content and interact. Second, the interactions are guided by templates. You will not feel lost in a long threaded discussion, or a blog which rambles on, or a wiki that links in a thousand different ways. You will enjoy a structured interaction, such as a debate with well-defined perspectives and points to support each perspective, for instance. Third, relevant information automatically bubbles up in FlockPod. This means, the power of social ranking and relevance calculation at your fingertips.

If you are interested in social networking and integration with learning you could look at Elgg. In essence it is an open source Facebook which you can download, install and configure. The good news is that it integrates with Moodle so you can use it along with the wiki, forums, chats and tracking facilities of Moodle. However, a lot of corporates are still nervous of letting staff free to publish material and participate in social networking and this is where FlockPod scores over since it allows Administrators and Pod Managers a variety of privileges for deleting, archiving and blocking at source unwanted content. Elgg is about creating your own social networking site. So it may be viewed as personal environment or eportfolio tool. It allows users to integrate their own weblog, file repository, online profile and RSS reader. It is more about social networking than social collaboration.

FlockPod works with any HTML content (blogs, wikis, forums, eLearning courses etc.), as long as these sites allow a single line of FlockPod code to be inserted in their pages.

The beta testing of the product is now over and new introductions have been made to the product based on trials and user feedback. Visit http://www.flockpod.com/whatnew.html to know more about the new release.

The million dollar question is if companies will catch up with the potential benefits of this form of collaboration ?