This web site was developed to assist Master Gardener's in preparing PowerPoint presentations. To my knowledge, very few differences exist between the PC and Mac versions of PowerPoint. However, whether or not a PowerPoint presentation created on a PC will work on a Mac and vice versa I do not know at this time. Perhaps a few of the web sites listed below will provide a clue. In any event, I'll be looking into that aspect in the near future. Until then, it may be wise to assume that they will not.
Web Site #1
Excellent starting point for learning PowerPoint. While this series of tutorials has been designed for PowerPoint 2002, you should be able to adapt these tutorials to older versions. This site also includes an excellent series of video tutorials to help you along. At the very least, it will allow you to become familiar with PowerPoint terminology.
Web Site #2
Here are some "Gotchas!" Covers the many things that can happen when switching between versions of PowerPoint. (Well, the stuff on sound isn't really about different versions, but it's still a Gotcha.) Check out this web site to be aware of the many things that can happen once you've created a PowerPoint presentation.
Web Site #3
"Distributing PowerPoint Presentations - Pitfalls, Panics & Pleasures." This site deals with what happens when you try to distribute PowerPoint presentations. It also provides solutions to many of the problems associated with the different versions of PowerPoint. There's even a mention about Mac PowerPoint presentations and compatibility.
Web Site #4
A commercial site. It does offer quite a few demos, free stuff, as well as hints and tips. Use with caution.
Web Site #5
I've also included "Downloadable" PowerPoint study guides and/or Web-Based Tutorials in PDF format for the many versions of PowerPoint listed below. You will need "Adobe Acrobat Reader" to be able to read PDF files. For those who may not have the "Adobe Acrobat Reader" I've included a link to Adobe's web site that will allow "Adobe Acrobat Reader" to be downloaded and installed into your computer. "Adobe Acrobat Reader" is free and works on both PC and Mac computers. If desired, PDF files, once downloaded, can be printed -- complete with graphics.
Internet For Classrooms -- A great source for PowerPoint resources, tutorials, demos, etc. Use with caution.
Adobe Acrobat is an application that converts files produced in other applications, for example Microsoft Word, into a Portable Document Format. This PDF file is more compact than the original, is "platform independent", meaning it will run on all operating systems, and only requires the free Adobe Reader to view.
The PDF file, listed below, is a PowerPoint "Tutorial". I was unable to ascertain to which version of PowerPoint this tutorial applied. Nevertheless, it will introduce you to PowerPoint via PowerPoint's "Common Commands". Commands which apply to all versions of PowerPoint including those of the Mac.
Indicates a PDF file available for downloading.
PowerPoint For PC's and Mac's: An Introduction
The following "Study Guide", in two parts, is included for those who have PowerPoint 97. If you have PowerPoint 97, it will get you started toward creating presentations.
PowerPoint 97 - Part I: An Introduction
PowerPoint 97 - Part II: Formatting and Design
A comprehensive "Study Guide", in three parts, for PowerPoint 2000. If you have PowerPoint 2000, not only will it get you started, but Parts II and III will introduce you to some of PowerPoint's advanced features.
PowerPoint 2000 - Part I: An Introduction
PowerPoint 2000 - Part II: Formatting and Design
PowerPoint 2000 - Part III: Formatting and Design (Cont'd)
If you liked the above 3 part "Tutorial", more information may be obtained from the NSU web site (listed below). This is the web site from which the above 3 PDF files on PowerPoint 2000 were constructed. This web site not only contains on-line documentation for PowerPoint 2000, but also for Word 2000 (Wordprocessor), Excel 2000 (Spreadsheet), Access 2000 (Database), as well as a large variety of other software titles. Check it out at the Nova Southeastern University Web Site. Click on "Documentation" on the NSU "Menu Bar" for Parts II and III as well as other on-line documentation.
If you liked what the above "Study Guide" had to offer, then download the PDF file version that Colgate University has
How to Create a PowerPoint Presentation A PowerPoint presentation entitled, "How to Create a PowerPoint Presentation". It is the same PowerPoint presentation shown at the November WMMGA meeting in East Longmeadow. If you have PowerPoint -- any version -- you should be able to view the Custom Animations, Slide Timings, and Slide Transitions I used. Composting Also included is the PowerPoint presentation on "Composting" Again, it is the same PowerPoint presentation shown at the November WMMGA meeting in East Longmeadow. If you have PowerPoint -- any version -- you should be able to view the Custom Animations, Slide Timings, and Slide Transitions I used for this one. Common PowerPoint Commands Basic Concepts - PowerPoint 2000 
A very basic, but very good, PowerPoint 2000 "Tutorial" can be found at the Indiana University Web Site
A very basic introduction to PowerPoint 2000 "Tutorial" can be found at the Bay City Public Schools Web Site
Video "Tutorials" on PowerPoint 2002 -- mostly "Hints and Techniques" -- can be found at the
Computer Based Training Cafe. Requires "Quick Time" to view.
An excellent introductory "Study Guide" to PowerPoint 2002 can be found at the Colgate University Web Site
provided. It is listed below.
A very good "Getting Started" PowerPoint 2003 "Tutorial" can be found at the University of Texas Web Site
A very good introductory PowerPoint 2003 "Tutorial" can be found at the Rutgers University Web Site
This will keep you from accidentally using features that won't work in earlier PowerPoint versions.
Unfortunately it won't help much if you've already created the presentation.
Also, for anyone that did not receive the "Common Menu Bar Commands" handout, the handout is available in ".PDF" format. An excellent 13 page "Tutorial/Study Guide" on PowerPoint's "Basic Concepts" is available for downloading. It is in ".PDF" format. Upon downloading you may either view or print it for further study.