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Back in High School physics class we studied light waves with something called a wave table, which was basically a large white table with a shallow, water-filled glass tray elevated about two feet above it. A bright light shone downward over the assembly, and when you caused a ripple in the water, the waves were clearly visible on the white table surface below. It was a beautiful way to illustrate the properties of light waves as they traveled and interacted with various objects.

Touch the surface of the water at any point, and ripples would immediately spread out, only to be reflected back by the sides of the tray, eventually filling the entire tray with complex patterns that could be quite beautiful to behold. It became even more complex when you placed various-shaped objects in the tray for the wave to reflect against. It was times like this that really ignited my interest in the physical sciences.

You can often observe the same ripple effect on the Internet as well, and not just about big events, like the war in Iraq or Mel Gibson’s latest faux-pas. For instance, lately there’s been a buzz of comments (practically a fist-fight, really) traveling around the blogosphere about Microsoft PowerPoint. (I’ll bet you were wondering where I was going with this. So was I.)

It seems odd that this particular set of ripples is going around again. I haven’t been able to determine what set it off. The arguments I’ve found on both sides of the PowerPoint issue (at least those referenced in the current discussions I’ve seen) are at least several years old (see here and here). And yet, like a fish popping up out of a still pond, the ripples begin yet again. So what the heck, I’ll toss my hat in the ring as well. Why not?

Perhaps the best guidelines I’ve found so far are here, by Darren Strange. Here’s another, completely different take from Guy Kawasaki. And for a really radical style (at least to me), check out any of Tom Peter’s slide sets, freely available at his website. Finally, here’s a good ongoing blog at Presentation Zen (where you’ll also find the hilarious Darth Vader vs Yoda PowerPoint Styles). And who could forget the Gettysburg Address as a PowerPoint presentation?

Having used PowerPoint myself, I have to admit that, at least for me it’s very easy to get hung up on what the program can do. I love all the fancy bells and whistles. But when you get right down to it, the most important thing is that it’s really about communication. Here, Darren’s advice on making your point says it best:

I used to say, know your three points and make them. Now I think people only remember one thing from your presentation - and that’s if you do a good job. So be sure what that one thing is and be sure they get it!

I’ve had some people tell me it’s a crutch. Others have said it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. What’s your opinion? After yesterday’s landslide poll question response (three votes, so far), let’s try another one. Maybe this one will be easier.

C’mon, it’s just a little click!

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