Murphy was an optimist. (Or was that 'optometrist'?)

We know three things about Murphy:

1. Murphy said, "Anything that can go wrong, will."
2. Nobody knows who Murphy was or what he said, if anything.
3. Regardless of point 2, Murphy must have spent a lot of time giving presentations.

Case in point:

There I was at VizThink, thirty minutes before my talk, happy that I had so much time to set up my fancy new tablet PC, connect it to the projector, and test out a few quick sketches.  (With the tablet, I can draw directly on the PC's screen and everything is projected for all to see, just like a huge whiteboard.)

Of course, since Murphy was in the room, neither I nor the harried A/V guy could get the screen to 'mirror' on both the tablet and the projector. It had worked before, and it would work later, but it was not going to work that day with 60 people watching.

The problem was this: I had left many of the pages of my PowerPoint blank, intending to use the tablet pen to draw in the pertinent details before the audience. Cool. Except that now I could choose either to see the pages on my little PC screen only, OR have everyone see them up on the big screen -- leaving my PC screen dark.

Remember how I said I has thirty minutes? Not anymore. The room was full, the crowd was getting agitated, and I was getting ready to sweat big-time. The PC-projector combo was having none of it: nothing worked. Finally I had to make a decision: leave the room and never return, entertain the audience for my ninety minutes by slowly strangling the A/V guy, or believe my own rule:

"If you've got a good idea and a good whiteboard, you've got a great presentation."

I went for it. Balanced between half a PowerPoint and a whiteboard, the wonderful audience and I kept each other laughing (and learning) beyond our alloted time. If you were in that audience that day: THANK YOU!

What else did Murphy say: "The show must go on?" Had to be Murphy. That guy knew his stuff.

Comments

[Lora]

Sounds like the audience was satisfied.

Nevertheless, I'm sure it's disappointing that you weren't able to get it connected as smoothly as you'd like. Mirror external display is useful! If it has happened again, check your presentation settings within the Mobility Center (Windows + X), as well as PowerPoint (SlideShow, see if Use Presenter View is checked and corresponding presenter settings). Maybe something got clicked there while you were rehersing.

[dan]

Sounds from the back bench?! More like sounds from Amsterdam, you mean. YOU try cntrl-Alt-delete in front of 60 people. :-)

And how do you know about cntrl-Alt-delete anyway, you MAC-only guy, you?

[titus vegter]

Shouts from the backbench: "Try Control-Alt-Delete!"

[Dan Roam]

And again Tom, thanks -- your words are better than mine. Can I copy?
- Dan

[Dan Roam]

Thanks Tom,

Glad you didn't notice Murphy lurking back there in the corner... or was that Nigel Holmes? :-)

- Dan

[Tom Tiernan]

Hi Dan

I attended your session at VizThink and didn't even notice Murphy's presence.

I want to thank you for an engaging breakout session. I really like your philosophy about if it can fit on a napkin then you have boiled down a concept into a workable form. My words not yours.

I look forward to your book release. Good luck.

[Tom Tiernan]

Hi Dan

I attended your session at VizThink and didn't even notice Murphy's presence.

I want to thank you for an engaging breakout session. I really like your philosophy about if it can fit on a napkin then you have boiled down a concept into a workable form. My words not yours.

I look forward to your book release. Good luck.