Two More OpenOffice 2.0 Book Chapters: Creating Good Spreadsheets and Good Presentations

Hi all,

I've had a little more time due to publisher-related stuff, so I'm still refining the book chapters. I've posted a couple today that I'd like additional input on: how to do good spreadsheets, and good presentations.

• Good spreadsheets
• Good presentations

These aren't really OpenOffice.org-specific of course, but I think it's a good idea. Their cohort, the Good Text Document chapter, definitely brings out some things that make text document creation much easier.

So if you have time this week or into the next, let me know if you have additional tips for how to make good spreadsheets and good presentations. I'd like to lean toward the technical side, things specifically related to what you do in the software, but if it's important, let me know regardless.

As always, when you read  the chapters you agree to not republish it under your own name, not to reuse the content in another presentation, to credit the book/site if you distribute it, not to use the pages in your MFA final project, etc. ;>

Thanks!

Comments

[Bill Harris]

Here are two things you might add to the spreadsheets page. First, test your results! Make sure your spreadsheet is giving correct answers.

Second, never, ever, no matter how tempting it is, change the formula in the middle of a range of cells to another formula or a constant "just to see what the effect might be." That's bitten organizations I've been in, and it's apparently bitten others, too (http://www.facilitatedsystems.com/weblog/2006/03/more-on-spreadsheets.html , http://facilitatedsystems.com/weblog/2006/02/when-easier-is-harder.html, and http://facilitatedsystems.com/weblog/2005/12/spreadsheets-dangerous-to-your.html).

[Solveig Haugland]

Hi Bill,

Thanks! Good point; "trust but verify."

And just because you have a golden hammer, everything ain't a nail. (I.e. spreadsheets are powerful but not for everything, as you mention in one of your posts.)

Solveig

[Sarah Haim-Lubczanski]

For presentations, can I add some tips :
* 3 V rule (in French, it works fine) : Visual (eyes), Vocal (ears), Verbal (brain)

* have some slides of back pocket : hide the slides, but link them. If you have too much time, you can click on links and expand your presentation.

* print your presentation with annotations : you will not have to rewind, if someone asks on N-2 slide, and create a summary page, with links

* use different types of bullets to insist on your opinion, or conclusions (green checks, red crosses, blue arrows, ...)

Hope this helps !
--
Excuse my bad english, I need more practice !

[Solveig Haugland]

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for the tips, those are great. I do use the summary page thing but had forgotten to put it in the book; thanks for the reminder.