Good tips from Mike Elgan on how to use your presentation laptop for good and not evil. Money quote (paraphrased):

…generic suit… (with) fake smile and a clicker stands uneasily… people who would rather be somewhere else. …He slogs laboriously through slide after boring slide, glancing at them to remind himself what he’s talking about… The audience fights narcolepsy… The slides… make a long series of points mainly irrelevant to the audience. The presentation exceeds its time, despite the fact that he glanced at his watch several times during the talk.

This account describes 90% of the PowerPoint presentations I’ve witnessed, and I’ve seen thousands.

So true. WHY? WHY? WHY?

Mike shares how to use your laptop as 1) a notes display, 2) a timer, or 3) a coworker cue system(think the neck slitting “wrap it up” gesture from the back of the room, without the neck slitting gesture from the back of the room), all while presenting your slide deck.

Hat tip: Steve Rubel

UPDATE ah-ha, Lifehacker found it too and as usual, there are some really strong ideas in the comments section.