Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the performance of a graphics intensive software program for graphics acceleration hardware. This system and method encompasses a procedure that validates the different functions of a 3D acceleration capable video card, decides whether to use the acceleration hardware and optimizes the software application to selectively use the functions that work on the specific video acceleration card. Functions checked include sub-pixel positioning, opacity, color replacement and fog. If these tests are successful, then the graphics acceleration is used by the software application. However, if the tests are not successful the decision is made not to use graphics accelerator. Those with ordinary skill in the art will realize that it is not necessary to perform all of the tests in a specific order.

Abstract: A computer-based system and method of updating and viewing an electronic slide show presentation is disclosed. The method includes storing a local version of the slide presentation file and an indication of the most recent update to the slide presentation. When a user launches the local slide presentation, the date of the most recent update to the slide presentation is retrieved, and used to determine whether a new update is advisable. A dialog window queries the user as to whether to perform an update of the slide presentation. If the user responds affirmatively, the slide presentation program automatically retrieves a version of the slide presentation from a remote computer on a network. After updating the local version of the an slide presentation file, an electronic slide show is automatically launched utilizing the remote version retrieved from the network.

Abstract: A computer-based system and method of recording and playing back audio narration to accompany an electronic slide show presentation is disclosed. The method includes a slide show recording session, during which a series of slides are sequentially displayed. During the recording session, a segment of audio input corresponding to the display of each slide within a slide presentation is recorded and digitized. Each digitized audio segment is stored and associated with its corresponding slide. Audio data may be embedded within a slide, or alternatively stored in a file and linked to a slide. During a subsequent performance of the slide show, when each slide is displayed, its corresponding audio segment is retrieved and played back. The method also stores timings corresponding to each slide during the slide show recording session, and optionally uses these timings to advance slides during the subsequent slide show presentation.

Abstract: A computer-based system and method of updating and viewing an electronic slide show presentation is disclosed. The method includes storing a local version of the slide presentation file and an indication of the most recent update to the slide presentation. When a user launches the local slide presentation, the date of the most recent update to the slide presentation is retrieved, and used to determine whether a new update is advisable. A dialog window queries the user as to whether to perform an update of the slide presentation. If the user responds affirmatively, the slide presentation program automatically retrieves a version of the slide presentation from a remote computer on a network. After updating the local version of the an slide presentation file, an electronic slide show is automatically launched utilizing the remote version retrieved from the network.