Don't get me wrong: I *sincerely appreciate* the effort put into
producing tutorial videos. And I *admire* the required enthusiasm and
discipline.
Video makers are heroes!
Completely agree.
However, I think that the required effort stands in no justifiable
relation to the benefit. And I'm sorry to say that. Here's why:
Software evolves. And while it's already difficult to keep text based
documentation in sync with changes in software, this is exceptionally
difficult for videos. In the best case it's only menus moving to
other places, in the worst case a concept is modelled completely
different in a new software version.
Very valid point
Text can be searched. And thus can be found by your favourite search
engine. There is no full text seach for videos (and I don't know
about a usable search function for audio), so unless the video is
heavily annotated with metadata and a transcript (more work!) it will
be quite painful to find the section in the lengthy video that covers
what you're looking for. Or to find the one among a collection of
many short tutorials that you're looking for.
Indeed - text is better for search and absorb easy. The drawback is that
some times what is explained in a text is difficult to be understood.
Also, you can easily skim through text. I find it hard to do so in
video, jumping in steps of, say, 5s, is already pretty fine
granularity for a longer video, but still likely to just miss the
short information you're looking for. And it's tedious.
This is true but it is more applicable to a lengthy videos - if a video
is 30s to 1m it is a good reference point
Good videos need a script, a good speaker, and a clear concept. They
need to be concise and to the point. Missing one of these (or any
other issue, like a cough or deviation from the topic, missed-out
paragraph from the script, break in the storyline, bad audio quality,
or a mumbling speaker) cannot be edited easily afterwards. You need
to know exactly what you're doing, before recording.
Is there a way to produce a video in a collaborative effort? I don't
know, but I have collaborated in writing texts, different people
adding their ideas and refining the text, improving it further and
further. I assume that you're pretty much alone when producing a
video (and I bow to those who do).
Maybe there are places where a video is just the right media to
present an idea (e.g., to show how tie one's shoes), and maybe a
textual tutorial about DT (which will, of course, contain images)
could even benefit from a video here or there. But in general I'm
convinced that videos are not the right thing to teach software.
So, I'm happy that the DT team provides a manual, instead of putting
time into producing videos. Again, I bow to those making videos, but
I'd rather see that time and effort being spent on improving the
manaual. It could need a hand here or there.
What I would like to see is the DT manual to have some sort of
capability to be edited by users. Like a page feedback or wiki based
with approval process. This way users can collaborate and contribute to
the manual. They may not know the complete program but they may be very
good in a particular area or module. Incorporating very short videos
would be good like 30s - 1 min or so - just to demo some very specific
areas. Besides - the videos don't need to auto play. Just a link to it
is good.
Drawback of the you tube videos - they are scattered between many people
so each time we search for them. While they are good as a reference they
are not organized much. On the other hand - the manual is organized and
search-able (but has no links to videos)
Also - as good as youtube videos are - some are quite long - 15 min and
above. They are good as a tutorial - comprehensive one but not as a
reference.
The manual does not need to be static. It can constantly evolve....
Regards,
B
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