Technology for technology's sake: the proliferation of PowerPoint

Microsoft's PowerPoint program is the most commonly used presentation software. Despite PowerPoint's popularity, many dislike the tool, accusing it of obscuring data and boring audiences. The current backlash against PowerPoint stems largely from Edward Tufte's criticisms in "PowerPoint is Evil" and The Cognitive Style of PowerPoint. Tufte believes that PowerPoint is abused at conferences, in meetings, and in classrooms more that it is used e3ffectively. Because most audiences, including attendants of IPCC's annual conferences, have come to expect PowerPoint in most if not all conference presentations, professional and technical communicators need to assess their uses of PowerPoint and whether or not this slideware program is most appropriate for their target audience and for the type of information being presented.