I can't seem to figure out how to get the slides to change of their own accord, like after a certain time. The most I can get is for the effects to happen on their own, but now the slides. Help would be great.
custom animation sets the timing of when the animation occurs, not when the slides change..
excellent - thanks paulhig (sp?) =P

Select 'Slide Transition' from the 'Slide Show' menu, and you can select whether slides transition on mouse click or automatically on a timer, or both.

In PowerPoint 2003, which I use, you do this in 2 steps as far as I can figure it out:
1. On the main menu go to Slideshow > Rehearse timings. The slides open and you then click the slides to advance them at a pace you think is appropriate
2. Go to Slideshow > Set up show. In the dialog that appears under Show type select browsed at a kiosk (full screen)
Alternatively for step 2 you can select show type > presented by a speaker and under Show oprtions > loop continously until 'esc'

that depends on the version of your powerpoint. but usually you can set the timing by going to the custom animation.