We've noticed that a lot of speakers forget that their eentsy tiny fonts are unreadable by the audience in the back row (sometimes even the front row!). So, whether or not you're doing screen capture, please increase your font sizes, OR run Windows Magnifier.

    If you need a Mac or Linux magnifier, contact us at:
john@laptopacademy.net

    Windows Magnifier is built into Windows XP, Vista, and 7. It displays a zoom pane at the top of your screen, which automatically tracks your mouse and typing. This will be really be appreciated by your audience, so they can better see what you are typing. It will also improve the readability of your screencast.

    Note, before turning on Magnifier, you might want to rearrange your desktop icons so there are no icons along the top of your screen. Otherwise, Magnifier will push down and rearrange your desktop icons to make room for itself, and when you turn off Magnifier your icons may remain a bit scrambled.

• Click Start Menu>All Programs>Accessories>Ease of Access ("Accessibility" in XP)>Magnifier.
• Check on "Minimize on Startup" to minimize the magnifier control panel the next time you launch Magnifier.
• Scale factor of 2x is best.
• Docked on top is best for presentations. In Windows 7, try full-screen mode, you might prefer it.
• Make sure all items are checked under "Tracking": Mouse, Keyboard, and Typing.
• Minimize the magnifier control panel, otherwise it will stay on top at all times.
• Get in the habit of ignoring the magnification area during your presentation, otherwise it may distract you, and you might even try to type inside it!
• Close the magnifier control panel to close the magnified pane.