I've been having great fun with Prezi a new web-based presentation software currently in private beta mode. (You can submit a request to be included in the beta.) Prezi allows you to easily create maps of texts, images, videos, PDFs, drawings and present them in a nonlinear way. The menu for adding elements has a very unique navigational approach. (Easier to experience than describe.) Once you've added your text and graphics you can define a path through the material. But you can also click on any element in the presentation and zoom until it fits the whole screen. Likewise you can zoom out to reveal the larger presentation canvas. Here's a link to the Prezi online manual.
Once completed the presentations can be saved on the Prezi server or downloaded to your computer as a fully functional file set for presentation. (Once downloaded to your computer the presentation is no longer editable.) Prezi will host your presentation to share with others via the web. You can set permissions open up or limit viewers. You can even collaborate by allowing group editing.
I've been working on a brainstorming Prezi (embedded below -click arrow to play). You can click on any element to fully enlarge. For example, click on the image of Ben Stein and the video clip will play. Click on any of the bracket or circle frames and the defined area will fill the screen. Hold down the "R" key on your keyboard and the left mouse will rotate the screen. Use your mouse wheel to zoom in or out. You can explore the presentation using your mouse to pan and zoom or use the path I defined by using the arrows in the lower right. There you will also find a fill screen icon. Here's a direct link to the presentation.
I have been trying to embed my prezi presentation on my blog. Can you offer any insight to help with my failed attempts? Thanks for posting this wonderful information!
Posted by: Kim | February 14, 2009 at 06:55 PM
Kim,
Good question! I answered in a new post - How to Embed a Prezi Presentation in Your Blog
Hope this helps,
Peter
Posted by: Peter Pappas | February 15, 2009 at 08:13 PM
I am trying to help my daughters local school with a Wii Whiteboard setup. Do you know what programs people are using as a whiteboard. ie is it just Paint etc or other programs
Posted by: scott | June 22, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Hi Scott,
Nice of you to pitch in at school. I recommend the Wiimote Project as a online community of users with lots of innovative ideas, discussions boards - good spot for Wiimote support http://www.wiimoteproject.com/
Cheers,
Peter
Posted by: Peter Pappas | June 23, 2009 at 08:04 AM
today I found your blog and decided to give a try ... Prezi is a nightmare ! A presentation in 3 minutes ? big joke ... you can't even choose the font type or color ... too much fireworks to distract the audience ...
Posted by: manoel | January 25, 2010 at 04:01 PM
Hi Manoel,
Sorry that Prezi didn't click for you. It does limit you to a few font styles / colors.
I think it works best when you exploit its non-lineal presentation features and the ability to zoom to scale and rotate.
Posted by: Peter Pappas | January 27, 2010 at 07:22 AM