What type of tutorials do you prefer?

Anyone can post in this thread and vote in the poll, even if you're not registered. But registering is recommended.

Static - easier to dip into and do at my own pace. Though ideally a video overview then a text based tutorial is best I suppose for complicated stuff, so both :p :)

Depends on what you're teaching.

Learning from observing others is without discrimination.

Offering the opportunity to observe is less discriminating, learning has nothing to do with discrimination. If I was mandated to teach I'd use video, if appropriate, yes, but by choice I prefer to learn from text and still images.

John - I believe you have taken me out of context..
But this is not the place for a debate. :)

Quite possibly - sorry :)

Text and graphics are best in my opinion. Video overviews are very nice but not easy to review specific step by step information.

I didn't vote because I like to have BOTH. I like watching the videos to see how something is done. But I also like the static tutorials when I am actually doing it.

I like both too. But I think that videos should be big clear, and mouse movements should be slow and easy to follow.

I like both. A video overview to get an idea of what's going on and step-by-step instructions with pics to actually DO it yourself.
it's easier to re-read a written page than to find your place in a video tutorial. :D

I prefer the vids

(just lazy I guess):D
regards Jon

Hmm - althought I voted for videos (which are well done by Xara) I actually prefer both for different reasons. Videos quickly show the workflow and text/static graphics allow me to move slowly and perhaps to get more detail and options.

Maybe we need another option "both"

I use video tutorials for a general overview of procedures and static graphics for more detailed instruction - which I can take at my own pace.
Saludos,
Bob.

The videos for ver 4 were great. People learn in different ways, I just happen to prefer 'visual'.

While we are on about videos, could we please have a depository other than YouTube ? somewhere where they are easily downloadable so that we can play then over again if need be ? Some parts of the world are still on dialup and waiting for those videos to load is excrutiating:(

Yvonne

Text and screenshots usually work better for me. Having the whole "timeline" in front of your eyes at once is nice thing - easily done with text, difficult with video.

As a prodominently visual person I fing reading through reams of text a bit of bind. The videos in Xara products are icing on the cake for me:D

Tip: To please us all why dont you put some screen shots and text in the videos so those tht want them can pause at that point...just a thought;)

For just learning knowledge, such as hints, tips, keyboard shortcuts, procedures, or for getting an overview of the process or of a software package, and covering a lot of ground in the most time-efficient manner, I prefer video (which is why I have a Lynda.com subscription).

But, for actually doing tutorials, working through them step by step, I think that the static format is better. Otherwise, you're just basically converting a video to static anyway as you stop and start it while working through the tutorial, n'est-ce pas? :-)

One advantage of video in this regard is that steps are seldom left out, which is distressingly not the case with static, where too often I find that the expository image has changed between instruction steps in ways that are completely unaccounted for by the instructions up to that point. You're left scratching your head, thinking, "Hmm, OK, did this, did that, I'm OK up to here, now what happened between here and here to make it look like that?" With a video you see the process occur, or the result doesn't appear on screen.

cheers,
scott

I have voted for Static web-based text and screenshot tutorials as I am profoundly deaf and I have yet to find a video that comes with subtitles!

Text and Screenshots, however video would also help if they were a little slower.

I like both, but if it is a video I prefer to have a slower paced one WITH audio. I hate it when you view something on YouTube and there is only video w/ no sound or it moves so fast its hard to see some of the details.

chuckray

I like Gary's web based tutorials he has the format right. I get frustrated with the Computer Arts mag based versions with the lack of content as they only have so much space allowed. Some video work reasonably well in explaining tools or features of a programme like in Adobe TV but most bore me to death. There is one chap on U tube who does AI tuts who can send me to sleep in about two minutes! Why can't people who have drawing talent spend more time showing how and less time talking. If you get a good vid on a design problem you watch it through and then you have to go through it again, pausing the vid. till you catch up and then viewing the next section. No on the whole I much prefer the web based tuts. as you can copy and paste the graphical elements into your drawing to make sure you have it right.

Thanks to Gary who has given us a wealth of topics and help.

I think a PDF or text file is almost always better. You can follow through at your own pace while working on the computer.

A video is great as an extra bonus and can be very valuable, but I think it should be an addon to a text file.

With a video you are held hostage by a slooow talker, a fast talker, a talker with a strong accent, etc.

Also some people may only have one monitor and it may be harder to run the video and program at the same time.

Often I have to painstakenly watch a video and pause, rewind, play and continue to take notes. Go back see what I missed. Then type it in WordPad ( I have bad handwtiting :)) Print it out or whatever4.

I just had to do this recently with a tutor on Xara site.
That's my take anyhow...

Lambert

Video tutorials with sound for the novice

There's that 'Old School' side of me that likes to install software by CD, crack open the manual or print out the tutorial to follow the recipe as I work through the tut.

On the other hand, a video tutorial can be quite effective IF . . . it's paced out and presented in a detailed fashion. I've seen great ones and lousy ones.

There are a lot of members at TG who gladly volunteer their time and effort to describe a method or show a tip by whatever means they feel comfortable with. It could be graphically or textually represented or by live action video with or without audio. It could be a simple tip or a mini-tutorial.
Often these postings are in the first instance for the benefit of the OP though of course it's possible for anyone to be enlightened from them.
Very few people here are professional media presenters - this should be kept in mind when considering the rating you give to the efforts of a fellow member.

Video, except when very carefully planned, produced, and post-edited, is inherently inefficient for conveying technical instruction.

The vast majority of video "tutorials" which nowadays glut every user forum or "how to" search results are just intollerable.

Well-written static material is much preferred.

JET

I prefer step-by-step text for the simple stuff and video for the complex stuff.

As a writer, I'm always appreciative of anyone who can write a good, easy-to-follow manual. Those people are golden. :)

I prefer video tutorials, they are such an efficient way to pick the brain of great artists. You get much more teaching put into less time and the author can give all the little important tips&trix while drawing.

I was using Inkscape before Xara and I have spendt many hours watching and learning from the HeathenX videos. I would like to watch more Xara videos teaching basic vector drawing methods and 'productivivy'.

best regards

JimR

I can use both, although Andrew Kramer over at videocopilot.net does a great job using video tutorials to break down tips and tricks for After Effects, and Nick Campbell at greyscalegorilla.com does great video tutorials on Cinema 4D and even does 5 second project contests every week for motion artists. I have learned a ton from their style of teaching.

Another fatally flawed poll, I fear. I prefer for somebody waaaay better than me to come round to my house and spend hours and hours at no cost to me and teach me, at my pace, how to master all aspects of the programs. However, in the absence of this possibility, I prefer to have the CHOICE of a text/graphic tutorial or a video tutorial, not one OR the other. How about adding the following choices to such a poll:

3. Both
4. Neither
5. Other (pls elaborate in your post)

Who is 'webmaster' anyway? :rolleyes:

Hi,
For me I want a video tuturial its because its easy for you to understand if it is visible...


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