Powerpoint is an easy way to illustrate lectures and talks, and many birders use it when presenting their photos and observations to bird clubs and interested gatherings.
82 : Microsoft Powerpoint
1990
Powerpoint is an easy way to illustrate lectures and talks, and many birders use it when presenting their photos and observations to bird clubs and interested gatherings.
The nationwide network of local bird clubs and RSPB members’ groups provides a small but enthusiastic lecture circuit where acknowledged field experts or local birders back from trips at home or abroad can present their photographs and findings to a sometimes appreciative audience. But those who have suffered the frustrations of a temperamental slide projector, upside-down images or a paper-shuffling, mumbling presenter will be grateful for Microsoft’s introduction of Powerpoint as one of its cornerstone software packages.
Powerpoint was originally designed for Apple computers and launched in 1987, but it was soon acquired by Microsoft and relaunched alongside Windows 3.0 in 1990. It was at this point that its revolutionary capabilities to make presentations well illustrated and bullet-pointed became apparent to a wider public. The ability to compose ‘slides’ containing graphics, photographs and words saved a lot of time for presenters and lecturers, and provided much more well-presented and succinct content for an audience.
Commonly used by both teachers and students in schools, the program has now widely replaced whiteboards, blackboards, slide projectors and long-winded and convoluted lecture notes in classrooms, as well as for audiences of birding talks. Other advantages are that a presentation’s entire content is now easily transportable on a small USB stick and playable on almost any computer, and handouts of talks are easily generated.
Laser pointers are often used in conjunction with Powerpoint, and these tiny and powerful devices also have a controversial use in the field; many bird tour guides have taken to pointing out birds at roost or nest at night or in dark undergrowth or forest with these intense light beams. However, there is a danger of damaging an animal’s eyesight with such devices and birds can be frightened away by the beams (hummingbirds are notoriously easily spooked by laser pointing). Used judiciously, laser pointers can be very useful in field birding situations as well as the lecture hall.