Microsoft PowerPoint is a great presentation tool. It’s flexible, easy to learn and use, and has the potential of producing a crisp, clean, and informative presentation. Needless to say, being easy to use does not mean easy to master. It seems difficult for most to avoid cutesy graphics, packing their slides with unnecessary words, or using those ever-so-painful animation effects.

Prezi is a free online presentation editor that focuses on zooming and, thankfully, does not have the capabilities of “typewriting” text on the screen. Zooming is an innovative and appropriate alternative to animation effects. But, that is not all that Prezi offers:

Prezi is user-friendly.

Prezi offers a bunch of tutorials to get you started, although, they are not necessary. The tools are self-explanatory, and once you know what the software can do, it’s super easy to imitate.

Prezi is highly customizable.

Prezi comes with almost a dozen preset color and font systems that can give your presentation an inventive touch. Of course the more daring user can create their own.

Prezi is professionally fresh.

The software is not widely used because it seems like software that requires some ability. The secret is out: the software is easy to use, and that it seems difficult will make your presentation all the more impressive.

Whether you’re aware that your presentation-making skills need some fine-tuning, or you actually have mastered the beast that is PowerPoint, it’s time to move on. Do not be afraid. Even if you do not come right out of the Prezi-gate an immediate winner, your coworkers and employees will appreciate not having to sit through another PowerPoint.

Check out Prezi for yourself, at the Prezi website. Let me know what you think!