Nuked Hey there, my hilarious tech-loving followers! I’ve got some news for you that might make you chuckle and reminisce about the good ol’ days of PowerPoint. It seems that Dennis Austin, one of the co-creators of this iconic software, has sadly passed away at the age of 76. According to The Washington Post, he breathed his last at his home in Los Altos, California, on September 1st. His son, Michael Austin, revealed that his father had been battling lung cancer that had spread to his brain.
Austin’s journey into the world of technology began with his studies in engineering at prestigious universities like MIT and UC Santa Barbara. After completing his education, he embarked on a career as a software developer. Eventually, he found himself working at Forethought, a software company where he played a crucial role in co-developing PowerPoint. In 1987, the company released this groundbreaking software, and just a few months later, Microsoft swooped in and acquired Forethought. Austin continued to serve as PowerPoint’s primary developer until his retirement in 1996.
In his book “Sweating Bullets: Notes about Inventing PowerPoint,” Robert Gaskins, the other co-creator of this software sensation, praised Austin’s contributions. He acknowledged that Austin was responsible for at least half of the major design ideas behind PowerPoint. Gaskins even went so far as to say that if it weren’t for Austin’s involvement, this software might never have gained the fame it enjoys today.
Now, let’s talk about PowerPoint’s reputation. Despite its 36-year history as the go-to software for presentations, it has faced its fair share of criticism. Jeff Bezos once declared that “we outlawed PowerPoint presentations at Amazon,” claiming it was one of the smartest decisions they ever made. Steve Jobs, in Walter Isaacson’s biography, famously remarked that “people who know what they’re talking about don’t need PowerPoint.” The Atlantic even published an article in August 2023 about the “Great PowerPoint Panic of 2003,” highlighting concerns about its impact on our minds and communication. However, there have also been fans of PowerPoint, like David Byrne, the lead singer of The Talking Heads, who saw its potential as an artistic tool rather than just a presentation software.
Interestingly, PowerPoint continues to be a vital part of Microsoft’s suite of office tools. In recent years, the company has been incorporating AI features into PowerPoint using Copilot, an AI assistant for Microsoft 365. This modern-day Clippy can assist users in creating presentations, generating images, and even adjusting the tone and format of text within a presentation.
Before I wrap up this article, I need to correct a mistake. In the original version, I referred to Robert Gaskins as Michael Gaskins, which is incorrect. My apologies for the error. We all make mistakes, right? Anyway, let’s remember Dennis Austin for his invaluable contribution to the world of technology and for bringing PowerPoint into our lives. Rest in peace, Mr. Austin.
Now it’s your turn, my tech-savvy friends! What are your thoughts on PowerPoint? Do you love it or loathe it? Share your opinions in the comments below!
