What Screencasts/Tutorials Would You Like to See?
Taking suggestions
Tuesday, March 11, 2008 by Island Dog | Discussion: Community
I am very pleased with the response to the recent screencasts. I guess actually showing the features on a video is better than just looking at a screenshot. I have a list of topics I want to cover in both screencasts and articles sitting in my task list in Outlook, but since I do these for the community, I am seeking your input.
What tutorials and/or videos would you like to see? Please be as specific as possible and although I can't guarantee everyone will be done, I will try my best to include your suggestions in future features.
What tutorials and/or videos would you like to see? Please be as specific as possible and although I can't guarantee everyone will be done, I will try my best to include your suggestions in future features.
zakai1369
Reply #4 Tuesday, March 11, 2008 12:51 PM
Reply #4 Tuesday, March 11, 2008 12:51 PM
I know you are probably looking more along the lines of showing how to use various parts of various programs.
But being a newer member who has only been signed up here just under a year and who for the first 6 months of that didn't do much more than just sift through the site to see what I could find. I would think a really great screencast for the community, mainly as far as attracting and keeping new members, would be to have a screencast posted on the Wincustomize homepage.
My reason would be there are so many different things on the site and different ways of finding them all. Personally there were alot of different functions of the site that I never noticed because when I first came here I started searching through individual libraries listed on the sidebar. Being that my main goal was finding things I could use, I didn't really pay attention to all the different site functions and got stuck in the habit of just searching things one way. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has done this.
So I think it would be great for new users to see a screencast the first time they log onto the site that would show all the different ways to find the things you are looking for. It could also point out the usefulness of things like the forums and help pages for information on getting involved with skinning. And if you combine those things with the fact that you could make the screencast while logged on yourself and show people how the site looks without the ads and such once you subscribe, it could work, not only as a helpful tool to show people around, but also as an advertising tool to attract new subscribers.
But being a newer member who has only been signed up here just under a year and who for the first 6 months of that didn't do much more than just sift through the site to see what I could find. I would think a really great screencast for the community, mainly as far as attracting and keeping new members, would be to have a screencast posted on the Wincustomize homepage.
My reason would be there are so many different things on the site and different ways of finding them all. Personally there were alot of different functions of the site that I never noticed because when I first came here I started searching through individual libraries listed on the sidebar. Being that my main goal was finding things I could use, I didn't really pay attention to all the different site functions and got stuck in the habit of just searching things one way. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has done this.
So I think it would be great for new users to see a screencast the first time they log onto the site that would show all the different ways to find the things you are looking for. It could also point out the usefulness of things like the forums and help pages for information on getting involved with skinning. And if you combine those things with the fact that you could make the screencast while logged on yourself and show people how the site looks without the ads and such once you subscribe, it could work, not only as a helpful tool to show people around, but also as an advertising tool to attract new subscribers.
Island Dog
Reply #5 Tuesday, March 11, 2008 12:59 PM
Reply #5 Tuesday, March 11, 2008 12:59 PM
So I think it would be great for new users to see a screencast the first time they log onto the site that would show all the different ways to find the things you are looking for.
I think that is a fantastic idea.
Yes, ObjectDock and DesktopX would be great!
Sounds good. Anything specific about those apps?
zakai1369
Reply #7 Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:49 AM
Reply #7 Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:49 AM
cant believe this thread hasn't gotten more replies. 
ZubaZ
Reply #8 Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:01 PM
Reply #8 Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:01 PM
What Screencasts/Tutorials Would You Like to See?
I cannot answer this question because my wife might see it someday.
Bebi Bulma
Reply #9 Thursday, March 13, 2008 3:44 PM
Agreed, specifically showcasing the Breadcrumbs and how to use them, especially when in the galleries (ahem, like sorting between backgrounds, docklets, etc in OD and so on).
Reply #9 Thursday, March 13, 2008 3:44 PM
So I think it would be great for new users to see a screencast the first time they log onto the site that would show all the different ways to find the things you are looking for.
Agreed, specifically showcasing the Breadcrumbs and how to use them, especially when in the galleries (ahem, like sorting between backgrounds, docklets, etc in OD and so on).
victory99
Reply #10 Saturday, March 15, 2008 4:13 PM
Reply #10 Saturday, March 15, 2008 4:13 PM
IslandDog, your screencasts are wonderful! 
I just watched your WindowBlinds recoloring one yesterday. I wasn't using the eyedropper correctly. In just a couple of minutes you did a great job of explaining recoloring. Then I ran across your ObjectDock screencast. What a God send! I just purchased OD+ yesterday, and your screencast had me up and running and having fun with the program in mere minutes. Prior to that, I had searched around for the tutorials, but they kinda made it seem like the program was complicated, but you made it a breeze! I think zakai1369 has some good ideas for community related matters. If you take that a step further, it would be great if your links to screencasts were provided to new subscribers, as well as people who purchase additional products. I know this is a long-winded reply, but I just wanted to let you know that what you have done thus far has already been invaluable. Like the old saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words"! So to answer your question, it would be great if you could do screencasts for each product. You sure have a knack for it! I suppose IconPackager (specifically regarding when, how, and in what order to restore icons, rebuild cache, etc.) and IconDeveloper would be appreciated by most everyone. Please keep it up! I'm a happy camper!
I just watched your WindowBlinds recoloring one yesterday. I wasn't using the eyedropper correctly. In just a couple of minutes you did a great job of explaining recoloring. Then I ran across your ObjectDock screencast. What a God send! I just purchased OD+ yesterday, and your screencast had me up and running and having fun with the program in mere minutes. Prior to that, I had searched around for the tutorials, but they kinda made it seem like the program was complicated, but you made it a breeze! I think zakai1369 has some good ideas for community related matters. If you take that a step further, it would be great if your links to screencasts were provided to new subscribers, as well as people who purchase additional products. I know this is a long-winded reply, but I just wanted to let you know that what you have done thus far has already been invaluable. Like the old saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words"! So to answer your question, it would be great if you could do screencasts for each product. You sure have a knack for it! I suppose IconPackager (specifically regarding when, how, and in what order to restore icons, rebuild cache, etc.) and IconDeveloper would be appreciated by most everyone. Please keep it up! I'm a happy camper!
Island Dog
Reply #11 Monday, March 17, 2008 10:37 AM
Reply #11 Monday, March 17, 2008 10:37 AM
Thanks for the suggestions. All of them have been very helpful.
Feel free to add more.
zakai1369
Reply #12 Tuesday, March 25, 2008 4:25 PM
Reply #12 Tuesday, March 25, 2008 4:25 PM
Still surprised more people didn't have suggestions for this thread.
But not finding the function in the following picture until today, makes me think even more that we need one showing the ins and outs of the site.
Just never had the urge to click on the download numbers before I guess.
But not finding the function in the following picture until today, makes me think even more that we need one showing the ins and outs of the site.
Just never had the urge to click on the download numbers before I guess.
Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
- Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
- Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
- Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
- It's simple, and FREE!
Reply #1 Tuesday, March 11, 2008 12:07 PM
Island Dog, you have every right to be pleased, they are well done and presented in a manner that most new folks and old timers can understand.
Wow, this could open a big request stream. I think how you are doing it is fine. Take the most popular programs and do a upper level walk through, then you can hit some of the functions in detail. That should leave you with not time left in your busy day at all.
Great job you are doing, don't change a thing.