“ Fiddlicious ”

1. “Fiddlicious” • Adjective (a JB original), used to describe any technology or situation that doesn’t always work as you expected but can usually be fixed given courage, patience, and the right tools. • Examples: • Anything wireless • Phone • Remote controls • WiFi • Interpersonal relationships • PowerPoint projector connections • Anything to do with computers

2. Yes, But Will It Work? How to Be an Projection Expert CPTE 109 9/25/2012 John Beckett

3. The Problem… • Somebody brings their PowerPoint to an event • It doesn’t work • “Does anybody know how about projectors?”

4. Do Both • Give yourself that critical 15 minutes before the event • Set up proper resolution: 1024x768 • Have proper resources in place • Hardware/software platform • Connections • Use good methods • See below • Take careful note of results • On paper if necessary • Make sure defective items are not re-used until thoroughly tested Preventing Problems Fixing Problems

5. Two Troubleshooting Approaches • “When it does this, it’s usually that.” • Set of rules and actions • Solves problems quickly • Can’t handle… • Multiple problems • Unknown problems • “What isn’t working?” • Start at the source • Make sure it works at each stage • Takes longer • More robust Knowledge Base (KB) Follow-the-Path

6. Note Problem A Third Approach • “When I change this, it does That” • Hypothesis, Test, Experiment • Solves problems slowly • Builds knowledge of system • Requires time and spare equipment • Capable of solving very difficult problems • Not very useful for quick solutions for PowerPoint projection problems Develop Hypothesis Design Test Evaluate Results Perform Experiment Fixed? Scientific Method

7. Which Approach to Use? • Simple problems • Things that have happened before and that have been solved • You don’t understand underlying technology • Complex problems • You understand something about the underlying technology • Particularly good for problems involving linear data flow – like projectors Knowledge Base Follow-the-Path

8. Understanding Resolution • Pixels are individual dots of material on the screen • Aspect Ratio is horizontal divided by vertical • Since 1948 or so – 4x3 • Recent “widescreen” – 16x9 or similar • How aspect ratio mismatch is handled is determined by • Video driver in PC • Projector settings • Historically, problems with 800x600 • Use 1024x768 • Wide-screen may present problems in the future

9. Why Load Before Running? • PowerPoint is designed to work from a hard drive • CD drives are slow • Good reason to have a copy on USB drive • PowerPoint (or you) might give up if it takes a long time to load a presentation • Warning: Some people don’t have spare disk space – My Computer..C: before loading

10. Lightweight • Large-file presentations slow things down • If it takes 25 minutes to start PowerPoint, you might think something is wrong or your time might be up • Omit unneeded material, especially videos • Compress Pictures 1 – Click picture 3 - Compress 2 - Format

11. Compression Options • We saved over 50% on this picture. • In an overloaded computer, that could save 90% of load time!

12. Simplify Your Life • Don’t have junk on your computer that doesn’t belong there! • Music-sharing programs • Movie downloaders • Disable Instant Messengers, Skype, etc. • Anything you really, really don’t want your audience to see • Why? • Because it clogs up your computer • Delete it • Because you don’t want to distract your audience • Place it in a separate folder like “Later”

13. Follow-The-Path • Identify the links in the chain • Verify success at each stage • “I lost my keys!” • “Where did you see them last?”

14. Steps in the Projection Path • Do you have it? • Is it on the this computer? • Does it talk to proj? • Damaged, unplugged? • Wrong button at PA? • Set to “computer?” • Burned out? • Deployed, visible? • Presentation file • PowerPoint program itself • Video Driver • Cable • Distribution • Projector Input • Lamp • Screen

15. Presentation file • Is it actually with you? • Remember the forms: • Your laptop • USB drive • CD • Floppy disk • Downloadable from Internet • Webmail • Dropbox.com • Load on the computer itself, don’t try to run from CD • USB drive is not quite as good as hard drive • “Desktop” is part of the hard drive

16. The Program • Is it really PowerPoint, or is it some alternative? • Apple Keynote • Word Perfect Presenter • OpenOffice.Org Impress • Don’t “diss” other programs if the issue is that you weren’t prepared • Just makes you look dumb • If you have an Apple laptop and it’s your job to service people bringing in presentations, you can handle all of the above thanks to Boot Camp Good reasons to save as .ppt (Office 2003), or make an alternative version

17. Video Driver • Software module in the computer • Provided by the video chip maker • Multiple-monitor handling varies • Use function-F keys • Toshiba, HP, Compaq: Function-F5 • Dell: Function-F8 • List at http://unitedvisual.com/2tips/2tvp111.asp • Or: R-click on screen..Properties • Or: R-click on screen..Personalize..Disp Sett • Or: close and open the lid (Apple) • Windows 7: Right-click on the battery icon (?!)

18. Cables • VGA – 15 tiny pins • Are the pins bent? • DVI • S-Video • HDMI

19. Cables & Adapters • The fact that it fits and plugs in, doesn’t guarantee success • Connectors are sometimes used for unusual purposes and have unexpected signals in them • This problem is gradually becoming less prevalent, but will never go away • VGA is usually compatible • Always carry whatever is required to connect your laptop to a VGA jack (plus gender-mender) • DVI has several variations, some of which incorporate VGA in them • If your laptop is not standard VGA (e.g. Apple), always carry a VGA adapter with you! • Apple seems to change video connector designs more often than some people change their socks! • The VGA standard is being replaced by digital alternatives • If you are in charge of projectors, collect Apple adapters.

20. Distribution over a distance • Thick cable is better than thin cable • Exception: Cat-5e or Cat-6 is currently best, but uses expensive adapters at each end • Repeaters or wireless distributors may be used • Always be prepared to connect with standard VGA • Are you speaking? Bring your own VGA cable

21. Does the Remote Work? • To test an infra-red remote control, use any electronic camera • Camcorder • Digital camera • Camera Cell Phone • Usually flashes

22. Projector Input Names • Computer • RGB • Actually VGA is one of many types of RGB signals • Video • Composite • Might work in a pinch if you have the right converter – but quality is much lower Watch For This Not This

23. Projector Concepts • OSD – On-Screen Display • Used for setup • Keystone • Adjust for projector angle so the picture isn’t a trapezoid • Most projectors can do a great job of this • Proper keystone setup makes you look professional • Not a “dangerous” thing to attempt • Bumping • Bumping a projector while it’s on reduces lamp life (sometimes sharply!) • Beware of cord-trip syndrome • Never use “Duct tape” if you want to remain friends with facility managers – use “Gaffer’s tape”

24. Lamp • Projector lamps have limited lifetime • Projector should be turned off when not in use for over 15 minutes • Spare lamps are: • Expensive ($300+) • “Important”

25. Screen • Blank wall works in a pinch • Portable screen • Do you know how to put it up or have somebody to do it for you? • If it’s a large screen, can you erect it without injuring yourself? • Manual permanent mount • Can you reach without looking stupid? • Do you know how to keep it from rolling up-bang? • Motor-driven permanent mount • Do you have access to the controls? • Is there a hidden switch that disables it?

26. “Frogging” • Variant of Follow-the-Path • Switching two parallel paths and noting results can help you solve problems • Beware: it can be confusing • Telephone repair people do this a lot • The words you use can vastly reduce confusion • “I Swapped cables, and the problem followed the cable” • Doesn’t absolutely mean it was the cable’s fault • Probably means it was the cable’s fault • Meanwhile, you’re up and running

27. The Bottom Line • Troubleshooting is a common-sense activity • Know the three fundamental methods • Knowledge Base, Follow-the-Path, Scientific Method • KB requires a robust “platform” • 1024x768, disk space • Don’t compromise on performance • Disk space, memory • FtP is ideal for debugging projection • Understand the stages along the path • Understand “Frogging” (keyword: “Follows”) • Use VGA, or at least have adapters for it