The beamer LaTeX class can be used for producing slides. Its functionality is similar to Prosper but does not need any external programs and can directly produce a presentation using pdflatex. Beamer uses pgf for pdf/ps independent graphics. Frames are created using \frame{...}, and a frame can build multiple slides through a simple notation for specifying material for each slide within a frame. Beamer supports bibliographies, appendicies and transitions. Short versions of title, authors, institute can also be specified as optional parameters. A \plainframe{} allows a picture, for example, to fill the whole frame. Support figure and table environments, transparency effects, a \transduration command, animation commands, a pauses environment. Beamer also provides compatibility with other packages like prosper. The package now incorporates the functionality of the former translator package, which is used for customising the package for use in other language environments.