http://blog.websolvers.com News and commentary regarding Web design, Web development, social media, and interactive marketing. Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:42:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc en hourly 1 http://blog.websolvers.com/screencasting-gains-momentum/ http://blog.websolvers.com/screencasting-gains-momentum/#comments Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:45:09 +0000 mcerto http://209.208.39.47/?p=163 Screencasting isn’t a new phenomenon. It’s been in use for several years, actually. Jon Udell of O’Reilly Media has a good rundown on the concept from a couple of years ago. But I seem to be seeing more and more of the application in use on Web sites as a quick way to show a user/audience how a software tool or a Web site works.
Basically, the idea is to show a mirror image of a software concept or tool while the demonstrator narrates his/her actions. Check out this screencast demo from 37 Signals showing how one of their software tools works. It’s a great alternative to simply creating a laundry list of bullet points and calling it a ‘feature list.’ Both tools have their use, but I love the simplicity of the screencast application. I got a kick out of Josh Hallett’s screencast showing his frustration with finding information on a Web site. This example shows that screencasting isn’t just for software demonstrations. The concept can be used to communicate in a way that words and pictures alone can’t do.
There are lots of tools available to produce screencasts. It’s worth considering when you have a communication objective that fits.

]]> http://blog.websolvers.com/screencasting-gains-momentum/feed/ 0 http://blog.websolvers.com/playing-defense/ http://blog.websolvers.com/playing-defense/#comments Mon, 29 Jan 2007 13:47:23 +0000 mcerto http://209.208.39.47/?p=147 I’d hate to be running for office in the age of YouTube. First, there was John McCain taking a snooze during President Bush’s State of the Union address last week. Now, it appears that Hillary Clinton’s singing voice was caught on tape during the national anthem during a recent appearance. This is nothing new, of course. Howard Dean had his fair share of difficulties a few years ago for the same kind of thing. One could argue that his scream did irreparable damage to his political career.
Politicians need to think defense at all times when it comes to what they say and do. Putting out a hundred press releases (i.e. offense) doesn’t get you a fraction of the impact that one of these does.
As the YouTube effect continues to proliferate, corporations will need to do more and more to follow suit.

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