The best change from powerpoint

[Mattofact]

The best change from Power Point is to Proclaim church presentation software. It's simple for volunteers and still has some new features like being cloud-based and letting you have signals tied to slides that go out to mobile devices. Has anyone tried it?

[Dan Rector]

I tried it back in November. I actually did the weeks layout in it along with the regular layout in Media Shout. The learning curve wasn't bad, although there are some workflow issues that could be better (too many clicks to get something done). It has a surprising amount control for each slide, but its spread across multiple dropdowns.

I would have used live that week if it were not for the video background performance. It stopped dead especially when transitioning from one slide to another (within the song).

I'll admit I'm not running on the latest and greatest hardware, but its not terrible either, and this seemed to be more of a software issue vs that of the hardware not keeping up.

I think currently it would be an excellent step up from Power Point, especially if you don't need text over video. I don't think its quite ready to take on the Media Shouts and Pro Presenters et al. yet, but it may be good enough for smaller needs.

Perhaps with better hardware that would work better too. Power Point takes surprisingly few resources so it may not always be an easy transition to move to something else when you've been using it for a while.

[[Director] Joseph B]

Gee, sounds like Proclaim isn't living up to the hype. Maybe that's one someone had to create an account just to put a couple of posts up pushing it.

[Esoteric]

That is exactly what I thought Joe. Think I will stick with PP.

[Chkurgrnd]

Looking back on the poster, he works for Logos.com which is releasing Proclaim. I hope it works for some ppl.

[wogster]

Originally Posted by Chkurgrnd

Looking back on the poster, he works for Logos.com which is releasing Proclaim. I hope it works for some ppl.

That would be considered SPAM under the rules I used to use for a Yahoo Group I ran, which was promoting the purchase of a product for personal or employer gain. For that group it would get you banned, meaning you could never come back......

The cloud is promoted for a lot of stuff, these days where it's not really needed, for me, I do the Powerpoint, then dump it up to a Skydrive, then go to the other computer, and pull it down again.... Takes about 30 seconds on both ends, I leave it there in case I need it again later, otherwise I delete it after a week or so....

[Dan Rector]

I think the concept is ok, I especially like the collaboration potential. Its the implementation that falls short especially for anyone already using presentation software. I think it would work well for anyone using Powerpoint today and looking for something more.

I ran across another program that is internet based called Praise Beamer. The interesting thing about it is that it claims support for embeddable content such as YouTube videos, Picasa web albums, Flickr slideshows, Slide Rocket presentations, Prezi presentations. My initial testing made it seem pretty much in the beta category and the embeds didn't work as advertised.

[Mattofact]

Joe, Are you a reseller for Media Shout?

Yes I do sell Media Shout. I don't push it and I always suggest that people looking for worship software try out the free demos and go with what works best for them. Media Shout isn't always the best solution (especially since I've switched to MAC).

A non-platform based web program that the smallest church could afford would be wonderful. There are loads of free windows based programs out there now.

I'm definitely a "try it and see" guy though, even if it does cost me a few sales.

[Mattofact]

Originally Posted by Chkurgrnd

Looking back on the poster, he works for Logos.com which is releasing Proclaim. I hope it works for some ppl.

Thanks Chkurgrnd.

[Dan Rector]

I think the biggest issue isn't so much the issue of talking about a product - but the lack of disclosure that you are working for the company whose product you are promoting while at the same time it looks as if you are giving an opinion of 'just another person'. Honestly, I welcome the input and opinion of your product, and I think you could do so within the bounds of the forum. I've seen other reps here talk about their products, so I don't see a reason you couldn't too within that context - just disclose next time.

[wogster]

Originally Posted by Mattofact

Wogster,
Not spam Wogster, just letting users know of the product. Here to answer questions and hopefully get good insight and suggestions from knowledgeable media users as yourself. It might not be right for you, but I do appreciate the feedback and thoughts on the program. With Proclaim just being out of Beta a little over one month, the response has been high. It's filling a huge need for some churches.

So why didn't you say that, that you worked for the company that produces Proclaim, and that anyone who has any questions about it, you are available. Often when company reps make themselves available on groups, it's welcomed. BTW, any thoughts on a Linux version? Dumping images on a screen is a good use for a slightly older computer, it doesn't take much to run a lightweight windowing environment like XFCE, and your not paying the latest Micro$oft Tax.

[[Admin] danroth]

http://www.churchmedia.net/forums/announcement.php?a=18