Patent Publication Number: US-2010132020-A1

Title: Presentation Management System and Method

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation-in-Part of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/052,154, filed 16 Jan. 2002 and entitled “Method of and System for Composing, Delivering, Viewing and Managing Audio-Visual Presentations over a Communications Network”, which claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/262,127, filed 16 Jan. 2001. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to presentation management systems and, more particularly, to presentation management systems that allow for the distributed creation of presentations. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Due to today&#39;s fast-paced global economy, the standard practices associated with distributing business information are rapidly being antiquated. For example, a product manager in the past would traditionally have a face-to-face meeting with their product sales team and/or product manufacturing team. Traditionally, these people all worked in a common location, or at facilities that are relatively close by. However, due to the continued globalization of the economy, products are often designed in a first country and manufactured in a second country. Further, sales teams and distributorships may be located in several different countries. Accordingly, for various reasons (e.g., dispersed geographic locations, variations in time zones, and variations in national/regional holidays, for example), it is often difficult (if not impossible) to arrange face-to-face meetings. 
     The Internet has evolved into a tool that allows for network-based meetings/presentations that can be viewed at remote locations. For example, NetMeeting™ or LiveMeeting™ by Microsoft™ or WebEx™ are tools that allows for web-based meetings in which documents can be shared and modified. Unfortunately, all meeting attendees must be simultaneously available in order for the web-based meeting to occur. Some service providers (e.g., Brainshark™ of Burlington, Mass.) allow users to author “on-demand” presentations that can be viewed at a later date, thus reducing the problems associated with varying time zones and attendee availability. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an aspect of this invention, an online presentation authoring method includes allowing a primary author to perform a primary set of tasks concerning at least a primary portion of an online presentation, and requesting that a guest author perform a secondary set of tasks concerning a secondary portion of the online presentation. 
     One or more of the following features may also be included. The online presentation may include a beginning portion, a middle portion, and an ending portion. The primary portion of the online presentation may include the middle portion. The secondary portion of the online presentation may include the beginning portion and/or the ending portion. The primary author may perform the primary set of tasks concerning the secondary portion of the online presentation. The guest author may be prohibited from performing the primary set of tasks concerning the online presentation. 
     The guest author may be two or more guest authors, and requesting that a guest author perform a secondary set of tasks may include: requesting that a first guest author perform a first portion of the secondary set of tasks, and requesting that a second guest author perform a second portion of the secondary set of tasks. The first guest author may be prohibited from performing a portion of the second portion of the secondary set of tasks, and the second guest author may be prohibited from performing a portion of the first portion of the secondary set of tasks. 
     A message (e.g., an email) inviting the guest author to perform the secondary set of tasks may be authored. The message may include a link that directs the guest author to a screen display that facilitates the guest author completing the secondary set of tasks. The secondary set of tasks may include uploading one or more presentation files, and the link may direct the guest author to a screen display that facilitates the guest author uploading presentation files. The secondary set of tasks may include providing audio narration clips, and the link may direct the guest author to a screen display that provides the guest author with pertinent information that facilitates the guest author providing the audio narration clips. The guest author may be allowed to provide the audio narration clips using a standard telephony device. 
     The guest author may complete the secondary set of tasks, and the primary author may be allowed to review and/or edit the secondary set of tasks completed by the guest author. The guest author may complete the secondary set of tasks, and the primary author may be required to review and/or approve the secondary set of tasks prior to the online presentation being made available for viewing. Control of the completed online presentation may be granted to the guest author once the secondary set of tasks is completed. Whether the primary author can request that the guest author perform the secondary set of tasks may be regulated. The guest author may be required to provide a username and/or password prior to performing the secondary set of tasks. 
     The primary set of tasks may be chosen from the group consisting of: defining a presentation name; defining one or more presentation keywords; defining whether a view receipt email is required; defining whether a viewer of the online presentation is required to provide a username and/or password; defining whether the online presentation is password protected; defining whether the online presentation is downloadable; defining an expiration date for the online presentation; defining the availability of attachments; defining the availability of a guest book; and defining the availability of a FAQ section. 
     The above-described method may also be implemented as a sequence of instructions executed by a processor. 
     The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system including a presentation management system; 
         FIG. 2  is a detailed block diagram of the presentation management system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart of a method of preparing an online presentation using the presentation management system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4   a  is a screen shot of the upper portion of the “Edit Presentation Data” screen of the presentation management system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4   b  is a screen shot of the lower portion of the “Edit Presentation Data” screen of the presentation management system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart of a method of recording audio narration clips using the presentation management system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6   a  is a screen shot of the upper portion of the “Record Audio for Presentation” screen of the presentation management system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6   b  is a screen shot of the lower portion of the “Record Audio for Presentation” screen of the presentation management system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a screen shot of the “Send Guest Author Audio Request” screen of the presentation management system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a screen shot of the “Send Guest Author Create Request” screen of the presentation management system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a screen shot of the “Upload Presentation” screen of the presentation management system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a screen shot of the “Add Your Audio” screen of the presentation management system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a screen shot of the “Set Campaign Name and Launch Date” screen of the presentation management system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a screen shot of the “Set Advanced Customization” screen of the presentation management system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a screen shot of the “Upload Presentation” screen of the presentation management system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a screen shot of the “Request Core Audio” screen of the presentation management system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a screen shot of the “Manage Audio Requests” screen of the presentation management system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a screen shot of the “Merge Presentations” screen of the presentation management system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a flow chart of a method of viewing a presentation using the presentation management system of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 18  is a screen shot of the presentation viewing screen of the presentation management system of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a presentation management system  10  for authoring, delivering, viewing and managing audio-visual presentations over a communications network. Presentation management system  10  includes host system  12 , one or more viewer systems  14   a , 14   b , one or more composer systems  16   a ,  16   b , a system administration system  18  and a company administration system  20 , all connected to a common communications network  22 . While two viewer systems  14   a ,  14   b  and two composer systems  16   a ,  16   b  are shown, this is for illustrative purpose only and the number of viewer systems  14   a ,  14   b  and composer systems  16   a ,  16   b  may be varied based on need/application. 
     Presentation management system  10  typically resides on and is executed by one or more computing systems (e.g., host system  12 , viewer systems  14   a ,  14   b , and/or composer systems  16   a ,  16   b ) connected to network  22  (e.g., a local area network, a wide area network, an intranet, the internet, a wireless network, or some other form of network). The instruction sets and subroutines of presentation management system  10  are typically stored on a storage device connected to one or more of the computing systems (e.g., storage device  24  connected to host system  12 ). 
     Storage device  24  may be, for example, a hard disk drive, a tape drive, an optical drive, a RAID array, a random access memory (RAM), or a read-only memory (ROM). A system administrator  26  typically configures, accesses, and administers presentation management system  10  through a desktop application  28  (e.g., Microsoft Internet Explorer™, Netscape Navigator™, or a specialized user interface) running on system administration system  18 . Further, a company administrator  30  may locally configure, access, and administer a portion of presentation management system  10  through a desktop application  32  (e.g., Microsoft Internet Explorer™, Netscape Navigator™, or a specialized user interface) running on company administration system  20 . 
     Host system  12 , user systems  14   a ,  14   b , composer systems  16   a ,  16   b , system administration system  18  and company administration system  20  are each typically a personal computer (e.g., such as an IBM PC or IBM PC compatible system), although a mini/mainframe computer system may be used. Composer systems  16   a ,  16   b  may also include a standard telephone, which is separately connectable to host system  12  via standard telephone lines. Additionally, viewer systems  14   a ,  14   b , composer systems  16   a ,  16   b , system administration system  18 , and company administration system  20  may execute a windowing operating system (e.g., Microsoft Windows™, or Linux, for example), and host system  12  may be configured as a web server, executing a network operating system (e.g., Windows NT Server™) and web server software (e.g., Windows Internet Information Server™), thus allowing host system  12  to host/serve webpages in HyperText Markup Language (i.e., HTML), via a protocol such as the HyperText Transport Protocol (i.e., HTTP). 
     In addition to web services, host system  12  also includes streaming media services/servers and Interactive Voice Response (i.e., IVR) services/servers. In addition to HTTP web servers, streaming media servers may use different protocols (e.g., MMS and RTSP), in addition to HTTP to stream audio &amp; video media. Viewer systems  14   a ,  14   b , composer systems  16   a ,  16   b , system administration system  18 , and/or company administration system  20  typically include software to allow viewing of webpages (e.g., Microsoft™ Internet Explorer) that allows for the viewing of webpages hosted/served by host system  12 . Further, viewer systems  14   a ,  14   b , composer systems  16   a ,  16   b , system administration system  18 , and/or company administration system  20  may be any wired or wireless communication device that is connectable to network  22 , such as an interactive television system (e.g., WEBTV™), a personal digital assistant (i.e., PDA), or a data-enabled cellular telephone. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , composer system  16   a  includes a computer  50 , which is connectable to the host system  12  via network  22  for the purpose of sending and receiving data to and from host system  12 . Composer system  16   a  also includes a telephone  52 , which is also connectable to the host system  12  (via public switched telephone network  54 ) for the purpose of sending and receiving voice signals to and from host system  12 . Alternatively, pre-recorded audio can be uploaded (via network  12 ) from composer system  16   a  to host system  12 . 
     User  56  may use composer system  16   a  to generate presentations slides  58  using any of a variety of applications, such as Adobe™ Acrobat™ and Microsoft™ Powerpoint™, Word™, Excel™, or Visio™, for example. Presentation slides  58  may includes text, graphics, photographs, animations, and/or any other form of visual data that enable user  56  to describe the subject matter of the presentation being prepared. Once a group of slides is generated, each slide is assigned a slide title and the group of slides (i.e., a presentation) is saved in the memory of computer  50  under a unique presentation name. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a method  100  of composing a presentation. Composer system  16   a , when used by user  56 , establishes  102  a connection between the computer  30  and host system  12  via network  22 . Host system  12  provides composer system  16   a  with a webpage that provides user  56  with several options (e.g., composing a presentation, editing a presentation, and publishing a presentation, for example). If user  56  selects the “compose” option, host system  12  serves a webpage to user  56  that prompts user  56  to provide the filename of the slideshow to be used to compose the presentation. Once the composer provides the filename, the group of presentation slides  58  (or other file type) is uploaded  104  to host system  12  via network  22 . 
     Alternatively, user  56  may choose to select a single slide “template” presentation provided by host system  12 , which eliminates the need to upload files to host system  12 . These templates allow user  56  to enter text onto a default template slide, select a font, and continue the design process as if user  56  had uploaded a single slide presentation. 
     Upon receiving the uploaded content (e.g., presentation slides  58 ), host system  12  converts  106  each slide into a graphic image file  60  that is capable of being easily transmitted over the internet and displayed on one of the viewer systems (e.g., viewer system  14   a ). Host system  12  saves each graphic image file in a file directory, where each file is identified by its title and assigned a number according to the order in which the file was received by host system  12 . Host system  12  typically extracts the title of each slide and stores each slide title in a database for later use (i.e., during playback of the presentation) in an active table-of-contents. The active table-of-contents is selectable by the viewer  34  of the presentation and allows the viewer  34  to navigate from slide to slide during playback of the presentation (as described below in greater detail). 
     Host system  12  typically transmits a confirmation screen to computer  50  to inform user  56  that the presentation slides have been successfully received and converted to graphic image files. In order to enable user  56  to add an audio portion to the presentation (as described below in greater detail), host system  12  generates a Presentation Edit Session Identifier (PESI), which is used by user  56  to identify the presentation to be modified. 
     Referring also to  FIGS. 4   a  &amp;  4   b , once presentation slides  58  are uploaded  104  to host server  12  and converted  106  into graphic image files  60 , user  56  may modify  108  various properties of the presentation (using the “Edit Presentation Data” screen  150 ), such as: the presentation title  152  (which is indexed and searchable); the presentation folder  154  (which identifies the location of the presentation as well as helps to define the security permissions for the presentation); the free text description  156  (which is indexed and searchable); keywords  158  (which are indexed an searchable); the viewer question e-mail address  160 ; the viewing receipt e-mail address  162  (which enables an automatic e-mail to the specified e-mail address when the presentation is viewed); the email receipt request  164 ; the default view  166  (determines whether the host server  12  by default uses small or large slide images on playback); the presentation security level  168  (i.e., levels may include public (accessible to anyone with the URL) and private (requires user name and password)); whether the presentation is downloadable  170 ; whether the presentation is password protected  172  (i.e., an additional password required by viewers in order to view the presentation); and the substitute URL  174 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , in order to add audio to the uploaded presentation slides, user  56  establishes  110  a voice connection between telephone  52  and host system  12  via public switched telephone network  54 . Alternatively, telephone  52  may be a wireless telephone (e.g., a cellular telephone) that is wirelessly coupled to host system  12 . Host system  12  typically includes IVR system  62  (e.g., Dialogic™ IVR systems), which is configured to receive audio (i.e., speech) input from user  56  and provide speech-based audio instructions to user  56 . IVR system  62  typically includes hardware and software that enables it to respond to input received from user  56  via the touch pad (not shown) of telephone  52  and to record audio input from user  56 . Once a voice connection is established, user  56  records  112  audio narration clips  64  for one or more of the graphic image files  60 , each of which represents a slide to be included in the presentation  66 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 5 , the detail and subprocesses of one embodiment of recording  112  the audio narration clips  64  for the graphic image files  60  of presentation  66  is shown. Continuing with the above-stated example, once user  56  is connected  200  to the IVR  62 , IVR  62  plays  202  a “Welcome” message to user  56  and prompts user  56  to input  204  the PESI, thus insuring that user  56  is accessing the proper presentation and providing host system  12  with the information required to retrieve the appropriate graphic image files  60   
     Once the PESI is validated  206 , system  10  accesses  208  the first slide (i.e., Slide #1) of the presentation, and the recording main menu is provided  210  to user  56  (via speech-based instructions broadcast by IVR  62 ). 
     Referring also to  FIGS. 6   a  &amp;  6   b , host system  12  also transmits an audio recording screen  250  to user  56  that displays the current slide (as well as other information) on computer  50 . Audio recording screen  250  includes a slide window  252  for displaying the current slide for which an audio narration clip is being recorded, a contents window  254  in which the title of each slide within the slideshow presentation  66  is displayed, and an IVR navigation window  256  that illustrates how each key of the keypad of telephone  52  may be used to navigate through an audio narration file recording session. 
     If host system  12  determines  206  that the PESI entered by user  56  is not valid, a “Not Found” message is transmitted  212  to user  56  through IVR system  62 , and IVR system  62  enters a loop  214  that prompts user  56  to reenter the PESI. The login session is terminated if user  56  fails to enter a valid PESI within an administrator-definable number of times (e.g., three times). 
     Once the PESI is validated  206 , Slide #1 of slideshow presentation  66  is accessed  208  by host system  12 , and the recording main menu is played  210  for user  56 , informing user  56  of the function of each key of the keypad of telephone  52 . As shown in IVR navigation window  256 , the function of the keys of the touch tone keypad are as follows: Key #1 initiates the audio recording process for the current slide; Key #2 initiates the recording of audio for the current slide and all subsequent slides; Key #3 plays the audio narration clip for the current slide; Key #4 enables user  56  to jump backward one slide in the presentation; Key #5 enables user  56  to jump to a specific slide in the presentation; Key #6 enables user  56  to jump forward one slide in the presentation; Key #7 enables user  56  to erase the audio narration files for a single slide in the presentation; Key #9 enables user  56  to save the presentation and end the audio recording session; and the pound (i.e., #) key enables user  56  to end the recording session for the current slide. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 5 , user  56  is presented  210  with the recording main menu, and host system  12  transmits the graphic image file of Slide #1 to composer system  16   a  to be viewed by user  56 . By then pressing Key #1, user  56  is able to record  216  the first audio narration clip to be associated with Slide #1. The audio narration clip is recorded  216  by host system  12  as user  56  speaks into telephone  32 . When user  56  has completed the audio narration clip for Slide #1, user  56  may press the pound key to end the recording process for the current slide. Upon pressing the pound key, user  56  is presented  218  with a recording sub-menu (similar to the recording main menu) that enables user  56  to choose further functions by pressing certain keys of the telephone keypad. From the recording sub-menu, user  56  may choose to play  220  the recorded audio narration clip, in which case the audio narration clip is played by the host system  12  through IVR  62  and telephone  32 . After listening to the audio narration clip, user  56  may choose to rerecord the audio narration clip, in which case the previously recorded clip is deleted  222 , and system  10  allows user  56  to record  216  another audio narration clip for the slide. 
     Once user  56  is satisfied with the recorded audio narration clip, user  56  can choose to save  224  the audio narration clip (this happens automatically when the user either hangs up the phone or presses Key #9) in e.g., VOX format and subsequently convert the clip to a streaming format (e.g., Real™ Audio, Microsoft™ Media Player, or Macromedia™ Flash™ formats) once user  56  has completed the recording process. The completed audio narration clip is then stored on host system  12 . When an audio narration clip is recorded for a slide, the audio narration clip is synchronized  114  with the slide, and saved  116  with its associated slide on host system  12 . 
     At this point, IVR  62  typically returns to the recording main menu, and user  56  is allowed to select the next function from the recording main menu. If user  56  presses Key #3 (i.e., play the audio narration file for the current slide), the audio narration file for the current slide is retrieved  226  from database  68  and played  228 . If user  56  presses Key #4 (i.e., jump backward one slide in the presentation), the system retrieves  230  the previous slide (i.e., assuming that the current slide is not the first slide) and transmits the graphic image file of the previous slide to computer  50  for viewing by user  56 . Selecting Key #5 (i.e., jump to a specific slide in the presentation) enables user  56  to retrieve  232  a specific slide within the presentation (which is chosen by pressing the appropriate number on the keypad). Further, if User  56  presses Key #6 (i.e., jump forward one slide in the presentation), the system retrieves  236  the next slide in the presentation and transmits the graphic image file of the slide to the computer  50  for viewing by user  56 . Selecting Key #7 (i.e., erase the audio narration file for a slide) enables user  56  to erase  238  the audio narration file for a specific slide within the presentation. Once user  56  has completed the audio narration clip recording process, user  56  may select Key #9 from the main recording menu. 
     In addition to presentation slides and audio narration clips, user  56  may upload addition information files to attach to the presentation. As described above, these files can include Acrobat™, Word™, Excel™, or Visio™, for example. These files may be uploaded by user  56  to provide additional information to the viewer  34 , who is able to access and download the files using e.g., viewer system  14   a.    
     While system  10  is described above as if user  56  creates both the presentation slides and the audio narration clips for each slide, other configurations are possible. For example, system  10  may be configured to allow for guest authoring, in which e.g., a first person creates and uploads the slides, and a second person dictates the audio narration clips. 
     Typically, whenever a slide is displayed, the audio narration clip associated with that slide is played in its entirety. Additionally, it is possible to trigger an event at various points within an audio narration clip. For example, if a slide contains an animation (e.g., the sequential displaying of bulleted items), it is possible to time the displaying of the individual bulleted items based on the playback position of the audio narration clip, such that e.g., at a certain point within the audio narration clip, a bulleted item associated with that point is displayed. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 7 , a “Send Guest Author Audio Request” screen  350  is shown. As stated above, when using the guest authoring feature of system  10 , once user  56  finishes uploading  104  the presentation slides and modifying  108  the image properties, the presentation slides are stored within database  68 . Since user  56  did not yet record any audio narration clips, none of the slides included in this presentation have any audio narration clips associated with them. Since (as described above) only a telephone is required to associate audio narration clips with presentation slides, no specialized equipment is required to narrate a presentation. Accordingly, the guest authoring feature is convenient, as it allows audio is to be easily added (via a standard telephone) by a person who, for example, lacks the requisite computer skill (e.g., the ability to configure a computer-based microphone) or specialized equipment (e.g., a computer capable of recording speech) required to prepare the entire presentation. 
     Continuing with the above-stated example, assuming that user  56  is allowed to delegate tasks to guest authors and further assuming that user  56  is preparing an end-of-fiscal-year corporate report for mid and upper level management, it may be desirable to have the audio narration clips dictated by the CEO of the company or (alternatively) a person who specializes in voice-over work. Accordingly, using guest authoring screen display  350 , user  56  may: prepare an email  352  to guest author  36  ( FIG. 1 ) that provides the guest author with the information required for them to gain access to the presentation and add the audio narration clips. Typically, email  352  includes: the email address  354  of the guest author, the email address  356  of the user; a subject line  358 ; and a message body  360 . In the message body of email  352 , the information provided (i.e., concerning the presentation for which guest author  36  needs to dictate the audio narration clips) includes the presentation name “Eng status  3 / 26   b ” and a hyperlink (i.e., a URL)  362  that typically links the email to a webpage that allows the guest author to narrate the presentation. Additionally, if the presentation is password protected (i.e., requiring a guest author to log into system  10  prior to adding the audio narration clips), email  352  would typically include the required user name(s) and password(s). 
     Additionally or alternatively, guest author  36  may be allowed/required to perform additional tasks (e.g., upload presentation slides). Accordingly, if guest author  36  is to provide both slides  58  and audio narration clips  64 , user  56  may only be required to define the properties and attributes of presentation  66 . Examples of these properties and attributes include: the presentation name; the presentation keywords; whether a view receipt email is sent and to whom; whether a viewer is required to login; whether the presentation is password protected; whether the presentation is downloadable; the expiration date of the presentation; the availability of attachments (i.e., supplemental files); the availability of a guest book; and the availability of a FAQ section. Guest author  36  would then perform the reminder of the tasks associated with preparing the presentation, e.g., upload the required number of slides and provide audio narration clips for each slide. 
     One or more additional guest authors may be used to author various portions of the presentation. For example, a first guest author may upload the required number of slides and a second guest author may provide audio narration clips for each slide. Referring also to  FIG. 8 , there is shown an example of an email  380  (authored by user  56 ) that instructs a guest author (i.e., either guest author  36  or a supplemental guest author, not shown) to create a presentation (i.e., upload slides). Typically, any email produced by user  56  includes a URL  382  that is linked to the webpage at which the recipient of the email (i.e., guest author  36 ) can perform the requested service. For example, as email  380  requests that guest author  36  upload slides, URL  382  provides a link to the webpage that allows guest author  36  to upload slides. 
     As stated above, the email (i.e., either the email requesting that the guest author upload slides or add audio narration clips) received by guest author  36  typically includes a URL pointing to the webpage at which the guest author can perform the desired task (e.g., upload the slides and/or add the audio narration clips). When the guest author clicks on (i.e., executes) this link, the guest author is taken to e.g., a webpage (e.g., webpage  390 ,  FIG. 9 ) that allows guest author  36  to locate a local slide file for uploading or a webpage (e.g., webpage  392 ,  FIG. 10 ) that provides guest author  36  with the information required to add the audio narration clips. Once accessed, webpages  390 ,  392  allow guest author  36  to upload slides and/or record audio narration clips in a manner essentially the same as that employed by user  56  (as described above). 
     When utilizing a guest author (e.g., guest author  36 ), user  56  may restrict the use of the guest author to a distinct portion of a presentation. For example, for various legal and strategic reasons, assume that the mangers of a corporation require that all presentations shown to potential clients of the corporation include boilerplate core information that cannot be modified. Unfortunately, standardized presentations are usually not as effective as personalized presentations. Accordingly, when preparing a presentation, user  56  may allow a guest author (e.g., the leader of a sales team) to personalize (i.e., modify) one or more portions of the presentation, while prohibiting any modifications to the “boilerplate core information”. 
     When preparing a presentation, the presentation may be broken-down into components or portions. For example, the first portion of the presentation (e.g., the first two slides) may be considered the introduction portion, the core portion of the presentation may be the “boilerplate core information”, and the last portion of the presentation (e.g., the last two slides) may be considered the conclusion portion. Therefore, when configuring a presentation, the guest author may be allowed to personalize the introduction portion (e.g., add the logo of the potential client, for example) and the conclusion portion (e.g., add sales bios, contact information, and photographs, for example.). However, the guest author will not be allowed to modify the core portion (i.e., the “boilerplate core information”) of the presentation. When personalizing presentation  66 , guest author  36  may e.g., add audio narration clips and/or upload slides. However, as discussed above, user  56  ultimately controls which, if any, tasks (e.g., uploading slides, adding audio narration clips, etc.) are performed by guest author  36 . For example, user  56  may allow guest author  36  to upload the first two and the last two slides of a presentation. Additionally, guest author  36  may be allowed to provide audio narration clips for the entire presentation. Further, user  56  may provide “default” audio narration clips for each slide in the presentation, such that the guest author has the option to overwrite one or more of these “default” audio narration clips and provide a replacement audio narration clip. 
     Accordingly, when using guest authors, system  100  enables user  56  to allow a guest author to: perform a narrow task for an entire presentation (e.g., adding audio narration clips to each presentation slide within a presentation), perform broader tasks for one or more portions of a presentation (e.g., adding audio narration clips and uploading slides for the introduction and conclusion portions of a presentation), or somewhere in between. 
     When user  56  utilizes a guest author to generate a portion (e.g., an introduction portion of a presentation, a slide, audio narration clips, etc.), user  56  may wish to verify the quality/accuracy of the work performed by the guest author prior to the presentation being made available for viewing. Accordingly, once a guest author has completed the tasks assigned to them, user  56  may be notified so that the user can review and authorize the presentation prior to making the presentation available to third parties. This approval process may simply allow the user to either accept or reject the presentation. Alternatively, user  56  may be allowed to amend the guest author&#39;s work (e.g., overwrite various audio narration clips, delete uploaded slides, etc.). 
     System  10  may also be used by user  56  to manage presentation campaigns. Continuing with the above-stated example, when preparing the presentation discussed above that includes an introduction portion, a core portion, and a conclusion portion, assume that instead of preparing the presentation for one sales team, the presentation is being prepared for thirty sales teams. Accordingly, it is probable that thirty unique presentations would need to be generated, with the core portion (i.e., the uneditable portion) prepared by user  56  and the introduction and conclusion portions prepared by guest authors specifically for each sales team. These guest authors may be e.g., the leader of each sales team or a graphics/voice subcontractor. Accordingly, user  56  may use system  10  to request guest authoring services from (in this example) thirty guest authors, such that each guest author generates the unique introduction and conclusion portion of their sale team&#39;s presentation. Each of these unique introduction/conclusion presentation portions are then combined with the generic “core” portion to form thirty unique presentation (i.e., one for each sales team). When preparing a campaign, user  56  may quickly create unique presentations by simply inserting identifying information concerning the sales team for which the presentation is prepared. For example, user  56  may simply insert (into the unique introduction/conclusion presentation portions of the presentation) information that identifies e.g., the name, address and telephone number of the sales team supervisor. 
     In order to aid in the distribution of presentations, user  56  may maintain a distribution list (e.g., an email distribution list) on database  68  of system  10  so that any presentations generated for a campaign may be distributed to potential clients as an email attachment or a embedded URL locating the online presentation. Alternatively, the distribution list may be maintained and provided by a client and system  10  may modify the distribution list (e.g., to include the URL locating the online presentation), which is provided back to the client so that the client or third party (e.g., an email distribution house) can distribute presentations. Typically, the URL locates the online presentation that was customized e.g., by the sales representative responsible for the recipient of the online presentation. Additionally, the URL may also include a unique identifier that allows the recipient&#39;s interest in the online presentation to be gauged, by monitoring e.g., the amount of time that the user spent reviewing the entire presentation, the number of slides reviewed within the presentation, and the amount of time spent on each slide of the presentation. 
     Typically, when preparing a campaign, the campaign manager is typically responsible for managing the entire campaign process and is trained to know the product. The campaign manager is typically responsible for: managing the presentation; preparing/uploading one or more portions of the presentation; sending out audio narration requests to senders (e.g., sales representatives) and experts (e.g., voice-over people or CEO&#39;s); merging content to create the presentation; and generating the distribution list(s), for example. The expert is typically a high-profile individual (e.g., a CEO, financial consultant, actor, or voice-over professional, for example) who is responsible for recording the audio narration clips for the core portion of the online presentation. Due to the structure and configuration of system  10 , the expert need not be highly computer proficient. The senders (e.g., the sales representative(s) responsible for the recipient(s) of the online presentation) are typically responsible for preparing the graphics and/or audio narration clips of the introduction and conclusion portions of the online presentation. 
     When preparing a campaign, a “Set Campaign Name and Launch Date” screen  400  ( FIG. 11 ) allows user  56  (e.g., the campaign manager) to define various campaign attributes, such as: the campaign name; the campaign launch date; the campaign expiration date; and the campaign manager email. A “Set Advanced Customization” screen  402  ( FIG. 12 ) allows user  56  to further define the campaign, including e.g., which slides of the presentation may be customized, the user (i.e., the campaign manager), the senders (i.e., sales managers, or salesman, for example). Once the campaign is defined, an “Upload Presentation” screen  404  ( FIG. 13 ) allows user  56  to upload the “core portion” of the presentation. User  56  may request that a guest author (e.g., an expert) provide audio narration clips for the core portion of the presentation using a “Request Core Audio” screen  406  ( FIG. 14 ). A similar screen (not shown) may be used by user  56  to request that other guest authors (e.g., senders) provide audio narration clips for the introduction and conclusion portions of each of the unique presentations. Once audio requests (i.e., core audio, introduction audio, and/or conclusion audio) are made, user  56  may monitor the status of these requests and reiterate requests using the “Manage Audio Requests” screen  408  ( FIG. 15 ). Once all audio requests are satisfied, user  56  may generate the campaign using the “Merge Presentations” screen  410  ( FIG. 16 ), which generates each of the unique online presentations by combining the common presentation slides (typically prepared by user  56 ) with the common core audio narration clip(s) (typically prepared by the expert) and the custom introduction and conclusion audio narration clips (typically prepared by the sender(s)), thus resulting in a plurality of unique online presentations. 
     Referring also to  FIGS. 17 &amp; 18 , there is shown a method  420  for viewing presentation  66 . When viewer  34  wishes to view a presentation, a data connection between e.g., viewer system  14   a  and host system  12  is established  422  via network  22 . If the presentation is not a public presentation, the viewer may be required to provide  424  (via viewer system  14   a ) a personal identification number (PIN) number to host system  12  that grants access to the presentation. Once the viewer&#39;s PIN has been approved, host system  12  transmits a presentation viewing screen  450  to e.g., viewer system  14   a . Depending on the PIN submitted, viewer  34  may be presented with a catalog of presentations available for viewing, or only a single presentation. Viewer  34  may (via viewer system  14   a ) initiate  426  a search for the desired presentation. This search may be performed by performing a text-based search, or by browsing through a catalog of presentation folders. 
     When the desired presentation is located, viewer  34  may select  428  the presentation for viewing. Once selected, host system  12  retrieves the first slide of the presentation and displays it in slide display window  452  and retrieves the audio narration clip associated with the first slide of the presentation. Host system  12  also lists the name of each slide (in the presentation) and the duration of the associated audio narration clip in the contents window  454 . The name of each slide is in the form of a link that enables viewer  34  to select and directly access individual slides for viewing. Once the presentation is retrieved, viewer system  16   a  automatically initiates  430  the presentation by instructing host system  12  to begin playing the audio narration clip for the first slide. Viewer  34  is able to navigate through the presentation using the presentation navigation buttons  456 , which enable viewer  34  to pause the presentation, repeat the presentation, and skip between slides of the presentation. 
     When viewer  34  instructs host system  12  to play the presentation, host system  12  plays the audio narration clip for the first slide in the presentation. As set forth above, the audio narration clips are typically encoded into a Real™ Audio, Microsoft™ Media Player™, or Macromedia™ Flash™ format or into a telephone-playback format. Prior to viewing, the viewer has the option to either: preloading all the slide images (i.e., for efficient delivery on low bandwidth connections); or loading slides on an ad hoc basis (i.e., at the rate in which viewer  34  views the presentation). Once the audio clip for the first slide is completed, the next slide in the presentation (and its associated audio narration clip) are retrieved from database  68  by host system  12  and transmitted to viewer system  14   a  for playing. This process is repeated until either the presentation ends or the viewer pauses/stops the presentation using presentation navigation buttons  456 . Additionally, viewer  34  may navigate forward and backward within a single audio narration clip by using slider control  458 . 
     If viewer  34  has a question about the presentation they are watching, viewer  34  (via Q&amp;A tab  460 ) may access a page that enables viewer  34  to send  432  a question to user  56  (i.e., the composer of the presentation) or view the FAQs (i.e., frequently asked questions) that have been posted and answered by user  56 . For example, viewer  34  may be able to send a text-based question (via email) to user  56 . Once the presentation is complete, viewer  34  may terminate  434  their viewing of the presentation. 
     Host system  12  typically includes security features that prevent unauthorized access to the presentations stored within database  68 . For example and as stated above, system  10  includes a system administration system  18  and a company administration system  20 . System administration system  18  allows for e.g., the creation and deletion of company accounts, and company administration system  20  allows for e.g., the creation and deletion of individual accounts within a company account. Further, company administration system  20  may create an individual account for each of its employees and assign unique privileges to each account (e.g., certain people within the company may only be allowed to view presentations and not compose them). Other methods of regulating access include: configuring one or more folder categories so that only certain employees within a company have access to the presentations within these folder categories; only allowing access to certain presentations by those viewer systems having an IP (i.e., internet protocol) address within a certain range of IP addresses; and only allowing access to certain presentations if the viewer gained access to the host system site through a link from an approved referral site. 
     Another feature of host system  12  is the ability to track various activities within the system and provide usage reports to system administration system  18  and the company administration system  20 , thus allowing for: accurate usage billing; efficient security monitoring; accurate planning of future system expansion(s); assurance that required presentations are being viewed, and accurate determination of the amount that each presentation is being viewed, for example. For example, when viewer  34  views an online presentation, the campaign manager and/or the sender may be notified that the viewer viewed the presentation. This notification may include providing the campaign manager and/or the sender with an interest level indicator indicative of the interest level displayed by the recipient of the presentation, such that the interest level indicator indicates e.g., the amount of time spent viewing the entire presentation, the amount time spent viewing each slide of the presentation, the time at which the presentation was initially viewed, and the total number of slides viewed, for example. 
     Host system  12  is capable of generating the following reports: Presentation Information Reports; Presentation Viewing Reports; Presentation Summary Reports; Composer Summary Reports; Viewer Summary Reports; and Viewer Detail Reports, which may be generated on screen or exported to a comma separated value (CSV) file, an HTML file, a Microsoft™ Excel™ file, and an Adobe™ Acrobat™ file. 
     Presentation Information Reports may include: the date and time that the presentation was created; the presentation identification number; the presentation title; the presentation author; the total duration of the presentation; the total IVR session time for all composition and editing sessions; and the total file size of the presentation and all supporting materials. 
     Presentation Viewing Reports may include: the identification of parties who viewed the presentation; the dates and times the presentation was viewed; the total time that the presentation was viewed; and the number of slides viewed. 
     Presentation Summary Reports may include: the total number of presentations created; the total number of hours of content created; and the total size of files uploaded. 
     Composer Summary Reports may include: the presentation identification numbers; the presentation titles; the date the presentations were created; the duration of the presentations; and the total IVR session time for all authoring and editing sessions. 
     Viewer Summary Reports may include: the total number of viewers accessing presentations. 
     Viewer Detail Reports may include: the presentation identification numbers; the presentation titles; the duration of the viewing sessions; and the number of slides viewed. 
     A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.