How do I avoid showing my personal information while presenting?

On Windows

Presentation mode is a built-in feature of Windows that can be activated to keep your computer awake and block notifications. It can also be used to turn off the screensaver, adjust the volume, and hide your desktop background image.

To activate presentation mode follow these instructions. They also include steps to create a shortcut to presentation mode on your desktop.

On Mac

Do Not Disturb is a built-in feature of Mac that can disable notifications while you present. Do Not Disturb is a setting within Focus Mode. Instructions can be found here

Use the Presentation Mac

The Presentation Mac is stored in the closet nearest the windows in Kathy's office. To request this computer for an event please contact the help desk.

The login account and password are labeled on the computer. Using this computer eliminates the chance of accidentally showing your email or other personal information on the screen when switching slides or demoing something on the web.

Present Google Account

There is a dedicated Google account for presentations, present@meadowbrook-ma.org, which is signed into Chrome on the Presentation Mac. The password for that account is also labeled on the computer.

You can share presentations and other documents with that account, and when presenting to an audience, by using that account, there will be no chance of any personal information getting displayed on the screen.

AV Mute

The Faculty Dining Room, MacDowell Dining Room, and Vinik Gym all have control panels with an AV Mute button. If that button is toggled, the screen will go entirely black. Toggling it again will restore the display from the computer. This can be helpful if you need to prepare something on the screen that you'd rather not broadcast to the audience.

Visiting Guests and Presenting

If we have a guest presenting, they can connect their laptop to a projector if they'd like. Most on-campus projectors support both HDMI (preferred) and VGA. Another option is to have the guest email a PDF version of their slides to present@meadowbrook-ma.org, and then open that PDF in full screen on the projector computer. A PDF is nearly universal and avoids any font/display/etc issues.

IT AV Event Support

As always, IT is ready to help and setup any AV needs. Please use the Event form to request AV support for an event.