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Ask Slashdot: How To Give IT Presentations That Aren't Boring?

Posted by Soulskill on from the napalm-can-liven-up-any-presentation dept.

Dmitri Baughman writes "I'm the IT guy at a small software development company of about 100 employees. Everyone is technically inclined, with disciplines in development, QA, and PM areas. As part of a monthly knowledge-sharing meeting, I've been asked to give a 30-minute presentation about our computing and networking infrastructure. I manage a pretty typical environment, so I'm not sure how to present the information in a fun and engaging way. I think network diagrams and bandwidth usage charts would make anyone's eyes glaze over! Any ideas for holding everyone's interest?"

11 of 291 comments (clear)

  1. Everyone loves... by clutch110 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Car analogies, lots of them!

    1. Re:Everyone loves... by gmaslov · · Score: 3, Funny

      On the other hand it might also be fun if you stuff dozens of car analogies into the presentation, get them all going really fast, and watch them crash into each other.

  2. Just hire... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...strippers. Problem solved.

  3. Simple. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Fire one person at the end of every presentation.

    1. Re:Simple. by Opportunist · · Score: 3, Funny

      And make it the person who can't answer a question about the topics just presented. I swear, they'll hang on your lips. They might even take notes.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  4. Logfiles are fun! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'd show your firewall logs. Most people have never seen them, and it has the added benefit of showing management that you are vital to protecting the system.

    Of course, there's a chance they may freak and insist on a 100% cracker-proof network... Only you can judge what sort of people you work with.

  5. Bingo by ISoldat53 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Play buzzword bingo. Give prizes for winners.

  6. Re:Being entertaining is not a requirement. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    What I remember the most from that speech is that he is batshit crazy.

  7. Re:Prevent Death-By-Powerpoint by Darinbob · · Score: 5, Funny

    It should say "Slide 1 of 2". Then people will sit up and pay attention, hoping for a short meeting. Then next slide says "Slide 2 of 2". Then the next slide says "Slide 3 of 2" and everyone laughs. And so on.

  8. Re:Prevent Death-By-Powerpoint by jordanjay29 · · Score: 4, Funny

    For IT workers, shouldn't it be Slide 0 of 2?

  9. Bring The Internet with you by Zibodiz · · Score: 3, Funny

    You know, as long as The Elders of The Internet will approve.