Foreword In 1987 my wife, Nancy, was pleading with me to send out my resume and get a "real" job. She wasn't too convinced that my business idea of creating graphics on my brand new MacPlus 512k personal computer would ever take off. But much to our surprise it did. Up to this point business presentations were delivered in 35mm format and created by specialized profes- sional designers. Presentation software was developed intentionally to cut the designer out of the process so presentations could be created by anyone with a computer. Including us. The software was indeed a great invention. But elimi- nating design from the mix was a mistake. Like Thoreau said, "We've become the tool of our tools." My daughter Rachel created the story to the right to help articulate in pictures what the problem is with presentations today. This fabulous story breaks down The tool isn't going away and the corporate stories that need telling today are some of the most innovative and inspiring in history. Yet these stories get buried in a pre- sentation framework that challenges patience instead of stimulating creativity. For this cause, Nancy has put her heart and soul for over two years into writing this book. It's been pasted up around the house, and pored over when "on vacation." I often woke up in the middle of the night with her side of the bed empty, able to hear the faint clicking of her keyboard while she hammered out just one more idea for the book. From the earliest draft I saw, I thought, "this book is bril- liant." It will change you as a presenter if you take to heart the principles contained within. slide:ology is destined to become the desk reference for building effective presenta- tions and is a must read for all who present. I'm immensely proud of what Nancy has accomplished.