I imported some powerpoint slides anticipating that the sound files would travel along with the pictures and that automatic transitions would be maintained.  Looks like it does not work that way.  Can I  make transitions happen automatically, either by time or at the end of the audio file?  If so how?

the powerpoint import tab will import your powerpoint as a series of separate screens, and will add all of the powerpoint components to the library for re-use elsewhwere, but it loses powerpoint animations and transitions. The idea of this function was for you to import the powerpoint content and then transform it into a more interactive course by editing and inserting additional screens.

 If you want to retain those Powerpoint effects and keep it as a presentation, you need to convert the powerpoint to a Flash movie, which you can do with any one of dozens of powerpoint to flash converters on the market. A good one that is free is ispring from http://www.ispringsolutions.com/

 You can then put the resulting flash presentation into any of the templates, most likely the full screen media template in the "basic" screens.