For those who need a refresher on the "cardinal rules" list for creating PowerPoint slides, here it is:

 The networked connection to the imaging film recorder in AV is usually working. When you have created your file, place it in the N:\Photopath file ("public" \photopath for MAC users) and then CALL US to let us know to send it (684-3984). Email notification is very unreliable for the timely receipt of that information. Make sure if you leave a voicemail that you tell us the name of the file, what to charge it to, and if there are any special considerations (e.g. more than one copy).

 Some important pointers for your slide creation:

 ** Make sure that you have selected "35 mm slide" from the File/slide setup menu at the very beginning of your slide making session. The slides cannot be imaged unless they are in that proportion, and if you left the "on-screen show" default size, the look of your slide will change, at the least. At the worst, the switch of formats will move alignment of data/words. If the shifting requires fixing later, you will be charged to re-image the slides.

 ** Writing will be MUCH easier to see if you use BOLD on ALL of your text, both titles and text.

 ** Templates - Try to stay away from the fancy templates that are in the PowerPoint arsenal. They usually end up being a distraction and often hinder the composition of your data. A plain or ramped background shows the data best and keeps the slide uncluttered. There is a template you are welcome to use in the N:\photopat file called "use_this.ppt".

** Master Slide - Start with a slide master for your slides: go to "view/master/slide master" to create a slide master to enable global changes in your slides. If you do not use a slide master, changing fonts, colors, and footers will need to be done on each individual slide.

 ** File names - As far as file names, it would be ideal if you called it your name, like "reeves.ppt", then we know whose is whose. Since you can do a "save as" in order to get the file into the N: drive, just save that version as your name, and the version to your hard drive as whatever identifies the data for you. After a day or two we delete the files from the N: drive, so things don't stay for long: make sure you have saved it on your computer.

 ** Fonts - The Dicenet system does not recognize unconventional fonts. Stick to the standards like Arial and Times New Roman. If you require symbols, use the "Symbols" font in PowerPoint.

 ** Colors - The basic dark blue, yellow, and red will reproduce fairly accurately from the color palette. Other colors may be seen differently by the film recorder. If you are doing a presentation using unconventional colors, it would be a wise idea to send up one as a test. You are charged for all slides that are imaged, regardless of whether or not you like your choices.

 ** Space around the edge - The box that PowerPoint shows you for composition is the area of the entire piece of film. The slide mount will cover the edges of your box, so be sure to leave a blank border around the edges.

 ** Scanned files - At current, we can image inserted files in any format or mode. (They no longer need to be RGB .tifs).

** Drawings Objects - If you create a drawing in PowerPoint, group together all the elements before making a slide. Sometimes ungrouped elements shift in placement.

 ** Turnaround time - Although the Dicenet can provide turnaround times in the same day, there are often problems with the transmission and sometimes with the system needing repair. It would be prudent to plan your receipt of the slides for the end of the next day.

 ** Please let us know if there is anything we can help you with in creating your slides for presentation. Just call or come by and we'll try to help you as much as we can. Please remember that we are only the middlemen in this process - you are responsible for the slides you create: their color, composition, and content. We are available to create your slides on a charge-per-hour basis.

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