> I could not disagree more with your first line. For one it's utter fantasy.
The lead up from call for papers to actual conferences is usually 4-6+ months. Assuming you submit a talk without any content prepared yet and spend the first two months procrastinating, that leads 2-3 months for put together your outline and slides.
> For tech talks where you need to present results, sometimes results dont arrive until the morning of.
That's a specific case and hardly the norm. Plus you likely know the direction of the results without know the final 7 decimal points. The latter you fill in as it comes.
> Secondly, there should be a measure of proaction - gauge the audience and adjust the talk accordingly. In fact, I'd go the complete opposite, keep adjusting your slides until you're comfortable. But yes, do time yourself.
Definitely play the audience but if you haven't practiced your content you have to spend more time coming up with phrasing rather than shifting over, or dedicating more time to, a section.
> Generally IMO a minute per slide is a good ballpark. This means your slide is not too empty or too full, and you can talk about the material in the slide without reading the slide out.
I vary widely from 20 seconds per slide for a quick succession of minor points to 3-4 minutes when there's a code sample to talk through.
This is also why practice is so important as you get a feeling for where you can spend more time if you have it and where you can cut out if you don't.
The lead up from call for papers to actual conferences is usually 4-6+ months. Assuming you submit a talk without any content prepared yet and spend the first two months procrastinating, that leads 2-3 months for put together your outline and slides.
> For tech talks where you need to present results, sometimes results dont arrive until the morning of.
That's a specific case and hardly the norm. Plus you likely know the direction of the results without know the final 7 decimal points. The latter you fill in as it comes.
> Secondly, there should be a measure of proaction - gauge the audience and adjust the talk accordingly. In fact, I'd go the complete opposite, keep adjusting your slides until you're comfortable. But yes, do time yourself.
Definitely play the audience but if you haven't practiced your content you have to spend more time coming up with phrasing rather than shifting over, or dedicating more time to, a section.
> Generally IMO a minute per slide is a good ballpark. This means your slide is not too empty or too full, and you can talk about the material in the slide without reading the slide out.
I vary widely from 20 seconds per slide for a quick succession of minor points to 3-4 minutes when there's a code sample to talk through.
This is also why practice is so important as you get a feeling for where you can spend more time if you have it and where you can cut out if you don't.