Google just released an online presentation app to go along with its Docs and Spreadsheets applications. I just began to play with it, but so far I am quite impressed with the interface. The app can import from PowerPoint documents that are uploaded to the system which is very cool. It also comes with many different design templates and layouts which look very professional. Working with text and other media objects on the slides seems very easy. As with Docs and Spreadsheets, collaboration is allowed which makes it possible for multiple people to work on a presentation which is great and much easier to do in this environment rather than working with just one file and trying to merge the changes.
I see this app having great potential when used in conjunction with an app like SKYPE or Google Talk because it would allow meetings to take place online without the need for expensive specialized services. The presenter can start a show and then give people the url of the 
presentation. From there, users can login with their Google accounts and watch the presentation that is controlled by the presenter. There is even a chat feature built into the presentation window so that people can give you feedback even if you choose.
The only con that I see to this system so far is that there currently is no way to save a presentation file out of the app yet, so once it is in the presentation app, you are pretty much stuck to staying with it this way.
I hope that in the future export options are made available and I also hope that this can somehow integrate with Google Talk to make this a really great online presentation system.
Check it out at www.docs.google.com
The system does require you to signup for a free Google Account which I recommend everyone do because Google has many great services that everyone should take a look at.
General
Windows Live Writer is an application that is not well known in the Microsoft Live offering. It is buried in the Beta’s section of the website.
Today I am reviewing Microsoft Live Writer, an application that helps you post to blogs of various technologies including Moveable Type, WordPress and Microsoft’s very own Spaces platform. This application is very simple to setup and use and that’s why I think it’s an excellent application to feature. In fact, Microsoft Live Writer is my writing tool to post to the BeardmoreWeb blog.
After a very simple installation the software opens with a setup screen that asks what type of service you will be using. In my case I choose “Another weblog service” because I run a WordPress blog.
After that, it brings me to a simple page that asks me the url of my website and my username and password for the system.
Once you have entered in your login credentials, Live Writer automatically detects and analyzes your blog to determine how it will post data.
Alright then, now you are good to edit your blog with this awesome interface which allows you to add files, pictures, hyperlinks and even pictures from Microsoft’s Virtual Earth system.
The program is great for making quick posts to your blog without having to worry about logging into the blogging interface. The thing that I like so much about this app is that it makes it easier for a writer to imbed items into their blog post. For instance, when I want to add a picture to a WordPress blog, first I have to upload the picture, then I have to try to remember how to insert it into my blog post, then after that it is still only a thumbnail. With this app, I can easily customize an image, make it just the right size and also do some neat effects from right within one application!
I look forward to the final release of this app and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a much better way to post to their blog.
You can find this app at www.live.com
Applications
presentation. From there, users can login with their Google accounts and watch the presentation that is controlled by the presenter. There is even a chat feature built into the presentation window so that people can give you feedback even if you choose.
