Changing PP while it's running

[dshippee]

Well...

I get back to the computer and I have a message from the pastor in my in box. Here's the main part of the message:

"Hair brain (give me the benefit of the doubt, huh?) idea:

Is it possible for you (or someone) to take a digital photo of the children during the children's sermon and then use that photo as a PP slide in the sermon? I have a digital camera at church, but the software would need to be loaded on to a computer to make it work.

If it can't happen--that's fine too. It's not crucial, but would make one of
my many brilliant points have an even greater impact! (And perhaps, thereby, keep a couple more people from napping!)"

So...

Any ideas? Can I insert a slide on the fly? I have never tied this.

Of course he wants to do this tomorrow morning. Yeah!!


Thanks,
Dave

[kbob]

couple of quick questions:

what OS and software do you use? Specifically, you obviously use ppt-which version? And do you use some form of worship software? One that would allow you to insert a quick photo into a schedule?

if not, then just create a separate ppt slide with the photo in it. Then switch to that ppt when he needs it, then re-launch the sermon ppt when he comes back to his sermon...

[jflash]

Since you need this tomorrow, I can tell you that using PPT 2007 under Vista (I know, I know... not my decision on the OS), if you are using presenter view in a dual-monitor setup, then you can just restore (as in, opposite of minimize) the main PowerPoint window and modify the slideshow there. IME, those changes should be reflected in the already-open show. That's saved my butt quite a few times when I messed something up on the announcements loop.

[katanna]

At our church, we don't use the "Presentation Tools," which means that on your main monitor you see the desktop / main PowerPoint window like normal (the "Presentation Tool" is the window that shows up on your main monitor that has the slides down the left and your program slide in the top middle...). It is easy to go in and make live changes with Presentation Tools disabled... just edit the file like normal, and the change goes live right away. To disable Presentation Tools, there is a check box somewhere under the Presentation menu or something... you know, the box where you can change information about the presentation.

Matthew

[madill]

Originally Posted by jflash

Since you need this tomorrow, I can tell you that using PPT 2007 under Vista (I know, I know... not my decision on the OS), if you are using presenter view in a dual-monitor setup, then you can just restore (as in, opposite of minimize) the main PowerPoint window and modify the slideshow there. IME, those changes should be reflected in the already-open show. That's saved my butt quite a few times when I messed something up on the announcements loop.

John, are you really just 14 years old?!?!?!?!?

[Lucas]

Originally Posted by madill

John, are you really just 14 years old?!?!?!?!?

There's more teens on this site than you think:

[jflash]

Originally Posted by madill

John, are you really just 14 years old?!?!?!?!?

Why yes I am. Well, that's assuming I can still do math - not a given what with summer break starting and all. My brain is resting for now.

[bpalermini]

Another idea is a, little used option on many projectors, the freeze function. You can freeze a image then do whatever you want on the computer, and then go back to whatever you want as the new, live image.

Many of us have images that stay up for quite a while, labeling parts of the service.

[dshippee]

It's a bit late in the day for these answers, but here goes.

The computer is a 1 month old Dell with Vista on it. Not the best OS, but I haven't had the thing totally screw up on me yet. We are still using our old copy of PowerPoint 2003, haven't updated to 2007 yet. No church presentation software. I am trying to get blood from a turnip and get a copy of MediaShout. No luck so far.

We are running dual screen. The monitor shows the regular PowerPoint set up screen and the projection system shows the presentation screen. Not sure what this mode is called. It works pretty slick for an MS product.

Thanks for the answers I have gotten so far. I may be able to use some of this and make this happen. I'll let you all know what happens.

I wish our church had some really computer savvy teenagers that were willing to take this over. As a married guy with two kids, a mortgage and a regular 40 hour a week job, this volunteer stuff can get overwhelming sometimes. Especially when it's Memorial Day weekend and I'm trying to get the yard in order. "You want me to do what!?"

Thanks,
Dave

[madill]

Originally Posted by jflash

Why yes I am. Well, that's assuming I can still do math - not a given what with summer break starting and all. My brain is resting for now.

John, you are quite impressive!

[[Director] Joseph B]

I've edited PPT's on the fly on occassion - I'd do a practice run first thing in the morning to make sure you can do it.
I'd also consider a reader so you could just download the pic rather then have more software (which could cause a conflict) running and trying to edit a PPT.

[jflash]

Originally Posted by madill

John, you are quite impressive!

Why thank you, madill. I'm honored.

dshipee - I'm least familiar with Office 2003 (I skipped from 2000 to 2007), but as far as I know, the same principles should apply. Someone else please back me up on that, though. If all else fails, try some of the other ideas pointed out. The idea of freezing the projector should work well. I don't know how you're set up, but if you have a switcher, then some of those will allow you to freeze the output as well.