Need some "technology" help please!

[KarenB]

Our DSs, ages 12 and 14, have been little technology buffs for some time now. They, especiallly the youngest, have been interested in a digital camera for the past few years. I have been old fashioned and stuck on the film and camera idea. I would get my film developed, frame a few, send some to relatives, and toss the rest in a box.

Well....

My cousin took a trip to WDW and they sent us a CD that had Lion King music, 55 slides they took and put on Power Point, and a fun Disney background with characters popping about the screen. WOW!!!!! Has my view changed! We all really enjoyed looking at their photos and memories this way.

SO....

Where do we start? We have a decent computer, but basic. We don't have power point but DS and I know how to use it, what kind of software do we need to make a CD like my cousin had, we don't have a CD burner......

Also, I am student teaching in January, so I would like to be able to use this in a classroom as well.

Where do I begin ????

Sorry this is so long and thanks for any information!
Karen

 

[Kermit]

Your computer is probably fine, as long as it's not really old. You can always try it, and if it is a little slower than you'd like, you can get a new one. Prices are so low right now that I wouldn't really recommend upgrading it unless you have a techy person around who could tell you specifically what you need and do the work for free.

You'll need to decide if you want a good photo-quality printer. You can send your pictures out, but it's nice to be able to print them at home. There are great printers available for around $200. You can get one that will do a suitable job for closer to $100, but you won't be able to print to the edge on 4x6 paper, and the resolution won't be quite as sharp.

If you want PowerPoint specifically, you'll need to buy a version of MS Office that has it. You'll get photo editing software with a digital camera, and if you get a photo quality printer, you'll probably also get software with it. I don't know if any of the ones typically offered will allow you to make slide show presentations.

If you want to send people files on CDs, then you will obviously need access to a CD burner. You can e-mail files, but a lot of those PowerPoint presentations are simply to large to e-mail with most e-mail providers. You'll have a maximum file size that you're allowed to send, and your recipient won't be able to receive files over a certain size.

Is that the kind of information you were looking for?

 

[KarenB]

Thanks Kermit! That is exactly the kind of information I need to get started. There is so much out there and it is easy to become overwhelmed, especially when trying to get a good product for a reasonable amount of money.

Karen