Mmmmm, pie chart!

[ladyvyola]

I wouldn't be surprised if some of you have seen this before ::eyes av_lad:: but I found it absolutely fascinating:

PowerPoint Does Rocket Science

Basically, when PP becomes the reporting tool of choice for scientific and engineering information, accuracy and credibility go down the drain. The implications of its wholesale adoption at NASA is depressing and mind-boggling.

As someone who has created a lot of PP presentations (no technical info, thank heavens!), I can see where I have always tended to fight against the rigid hierarchy PP tries to impose. I've fooled with font size, changed default spacing, un-orphaned the last words of paragraphs, etc. It really tries to turn everything passive and plays into the all-too human impulse to rank everything and, that done, consider each ranked list equivalent to the others.

Comments

Completely OT, but...

[psu-jedi.livejournal.com]

are we meeting you on the 19th for a viewing of the latest Potter squee??

Re: Completely OT, but...

[ladyvyola.livejournal.com]

As far as I know, we're on.

In a week or so, we can firm up exactly when the latest matinee is, who exactly is going (I think Tom and Eileen want to go so the kids will need a keeper), what we're wearing (I'm fine with the W robes), and arrange for ticket purchases.

Re: Completely OT, but...

[psu-jedi.livejournal.com]

Sounds fine with me, as long as you're comfortable waiting the week before getting tickets...I'm only assuming that a mat on Sat is going to sell out pretty quickly, but there are plenty of theaters in your area, so we might not have to worry.

Looking forward to it!! (And thanks for playing cruise director!)

Re: Completely OT, but...

[borgmama.livejournal.com]

Tom and Eileen definitely want to go. Now comes the job of finding the voluntary grandparent babysitters. (eek) Ishyko had mentioned this last weekend and we'd decided for sure on a Saturday matinee. I say we just firm up the time and buy the tickets as soon as we know which showing we want to go to. I assume we'll be going to the Regal in Manassas. Sound good to you, Vyola?? :D

You guys better appreciate this! ;-)

[psu-jedi.livejournal.com]

I'll have you guys know that I'm missing Penn State's season finale for you!!! (Not to mention, a possible Big Ten Championship if they beat MSU!!)

The game's at 4:00. The only way I'd get to see the second half (the one the counts *g*), is if we do an earlier matinee rather than a later one. But I know you guys couldn't care less about football, and since you have the childcare thing, I'll defer to your schedules here. :-)

I'll DVR the game and watch when we get home (which means we can't stay until our usual 2:00 AM! ;-)--and avoid all TV/Radio/Etc. until I'm able to get home to watch it.

Yes, I know I'm crazy. But you can't say anything, you costume-wearing freaks, you! ;-)

Re: You guys better appreciate this! ;-)

[ladyvyola.livejournal.com]

You're a prince(ss).

And you get the icon keyworded I'm a pretty pretty princess (shut up).

A Prince(ss)?

[psu-jedi.livejournal.com]

Goes along with being hot.

;-)

Re: A Prince(ss)?

[ladyvyola.livejournal.com]

I knew that.