Dimdim - free web conferencing

Dimdim is an internet based service that allows anybody to share their desktop, show slides or documents and communicate using audio and public or private messages. Unlike other open source software you don't need to worry about downloads and the package can even be customised if you are willing to upgrade and therefore pay for access.

The lowest level package is free for up to 20 participants to meet without limiting the number of times they can meet and also gives access to features that aren't even available in some paid for web conferencing tools such as video etc.

Dimdim is as easy to use as http://www.gotomeeting.com/ but without the annual charge, although they are obviously hoping you will get so enthralled that you will upgrade to Dimdim Pro which does have a monthly charge. Sign up is really quick without the hundreds of personal details that you usually have to give in order to get something for free (you know, name, age, address, favourite colour, favourite holiday destination etc etc)

Why don't you take a look? If nothing else you can make a decision as to whether web conferencing is for you without having to pay for the privilege.

http://www.dimdim.com/

Amazing presentations and no death by PowerPoint

http://www.prezi.com/ is described as 'the zooming presentation editor'. Intrigued - so was I. The idea behind Prezi is that a 'normal' presentation (as in one created in PowerPoint') is linear and therefore your presentation can only go in one direction, following your own trail of thought rather than that of your audience. The idea of Prezi is that in order to make a presentation more interesting you have to be able to match the presentation to the direction of your audiences trail of thought - and that is often not linear.


I'm probably not describing this very well! Try this - imagine that instead of looking at a PowerPoint presentation you are instead asking your audience to look at a poster which shows a picture of what you are talking about. The audience can ask for further information on which ever area sparks there interest when they notice it rather than having to wait for you to get there - 50 slides later! Prezi is designed to replicate this idea.

You design your presentation as a mind map with pictures, text and routes showing the connections between ideas. You can set the presentation to follow a specific route or simply zoom in to areas as you talk about them or as your audience asks questions. This enables you to present the ideas that are of most interest to your audience and therefore your presentation becomes more natural and less dull.

Prezi is pretty easy to use and there are a number of online videos taking you through the basic steps of how to design an amazing presentation. There are three options when thinking of purchasing, each bringing various advantages. The lowest option is free to use! I suggest you go and have a play and make up your own mind as to what you think, however I predict that the next time you are asked to do a presentation on the new accounting system or whatever other interesting subject you can offer your first thought will be 'fab, I get to try Prezi' rather than 'how many PowerPoint slides before my audience is snoring...'

GIMP vs Photoshop Elements

When I was asked to try out GIMP (the GNU Image Manipulation Program) as an alternative to Photoshop Elements, I've got to admit I was really looking forward to it. GIMP is free software which is available from http://www.gimp.org/.

The plus points; It's FREE! GIMP has a lot of similar features and tools to Elements such as a full suite of painting tools including brush, pencil, airbrush, clone, layers and channels. It's FREE! It also has some really good features that are available in full Photoshop package but not via Elements such as the healing brush tool, which allowed me to fix photos in a way Elements does not. It's FREE! GIMP supports the reading and writing of Adobe file formats including .psd and .pdf and Paint Shop Pro .psp and many more also, did I mention, it's FREE!

The minus points; GIMP's interface is confusing and it takes a long time to work out where everything is. The programme is not as powerful or capable as Elements and can't be compared to the full Photoshop package.

In conclusion... GIMP is a great starting point for beginners who are looking for free software to design small projects and as a free alternative for people who are very used to Photoshop and can therefore transfer their knowledge however I think I'm going to stick with Elements!

Posted on behalf of Deby Walker.