Training Video

brucec · Post by **brucec** » 2004 Nov 10, 08:56

First off may I say how helpful the tabs are on the new version. How did I ever do without them ... oh, yes, I had opened half a dozen X2s.
The new manual is getting bigger and bigger. Has any thought been given to producing a training video. There is so much good stuff in X2 that I will need a degree to operate it. It's just a thought. It would make life easier, and I it could be a way to generate more income. And I'm sure there are some enterprising long-term members who would know how to do it at a resonable cost. Thanks again for such a versatile program.

narayan · Post by **narayan** » 2004 Nov 10, 09:13

You mean Jane Fonda type instructional video? How much would be the demand, I wonder....

Yes, the manual is big, and half of the pages are actually devoted to how to extract the most out of x2 (which is quite different from basic operating instructions).

But then the manual is for the thinker type user, who can afford to put his feet up and enjoy his reading. But if a user is familiar with Windows Explorer, he could get down to work straight away, without bothering to refer to any docs at all.

As pointed out in the UM, the bare minimum reading should be the warnings (in red). Once you understand them, you are through.

But we could post short videos (AVI files) at the website, which are generated by a screen-capture utility.... I know people have done it for GIMP.

Post by **nikos** » 2004 Nov 10, 13:43

one of the ideas i got in my newly enterprise-minded guise is having monthly (or weekly?) newsletters that can among other things present mini-tutorials, each time concentrating on a different aspect of the program
plus all my marketing plugs of course

chp · Post by **chp** » 2004 Nov 11, 10:17

If such "vivid" presentation of tricks (features!) would attract more customers - why not use it?

Although it's easy to make and share videos (screen-captured, "lossless", streamable media is only 200-300kb/min), a series of screenshots combined to a Flash animation would be an elegant, illustrative solution as well.

Post by **nikos** » 2004 Nov 11, 11:56

because i don't know anything about making videos!
not to mention that these things are huge and i can hardly find hosting for the program

a video describing all of x2's capabilities would be a full-length 3h movie

chp · Post by **chp** » 2004 Nov 11, 13:16

Kewl! Sell teh DVD separately then ;)
Have you thought on title already? "X2: from drive A to Z", then "X2: return of 2X", "Making of X2".. Don't forget about special editions:"Explore the x2, National Geographic edition". Oops, X2 is taken - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0290334/

Seriously, moves - not to replace manual but to appeal better than screenshots. Making - easy, no skills and tool$ required.

Post by **nikos** » 2004 Nov 11, 18:57

the dvd could contain extras like "making the x2 video", auntie's bloomers and bugs during the development and such gems

narayan · Post by **narayan** » 2004 Nov 16, 05:18

I tried CamStudio (a freeware from Rendersoft that is taken over by Macromedia and made available freely, provided you register and get an unlock code).

The problem is, I have tried several times, but the expected email bearng the code never arrived.

Does anyone know how to unlock this thing, (or any other freeware that can do the screen-capturing+ conversion to AVI file)?

chp · Post by **chp** » 2004 Nov 16, 10:06

Are you sure CamStudio still supported? They've got new product to sell, so my guess it isn't.

How to Capture screen:

Get MS Movie Maker 2 or Windows Media Encoder 9 Series (both ~10mb, freeware)
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/usin ... lters.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... layLang=en

Turn Display/Advanced/Troubleshooting/Hardware Acceleration - None

Resize x2 to 800x600 or less (screen captured videos (codec) better be played unresized, so make sure your video fit most people's screen)

In Wizard/QuickStart chose Screen Capture, specific window (x2) and tick audio if needed. Pick window, filepath, chose Medium profile and write copylefts info. Say aloud "Aaand action!" and hit start button ;) X2 will get in focus. Recording stops when you pick WME/MM2 in taskbar.

If you need check/tweak it deeper - hit Properties, where you can create a custom profile with.. say 8fps/15secs keyframe video and better voice only compression etc.

Hope it helps

chp · Post by **chp** » 2004 Nov 16, 11:03

Few tips:

- You can edit & convert (and stream) video/audio there as well.
- Five-eight fps is best. It will give 200-400kb/min video.
- Windows Media Video Screen 9 has only 256 colors (which is great for size), so switch desktop to 16bit (better to 256) colors before capturing (window title and file icons will look better then). In quickview show gifs, not photos.
- Reduce scrolling to minimum, as it makes too much of video-data. Use keys instead.
- Plan your action, but don't hurry explaining something - static picture takes little space (voice is 12kbps)

narayan · Post by **narayan** » 2004 Nov 16, 12:42

Thanks for the leads. You might be right: the line is dead at the other end!

Actually I have used an earlier version of CamStudio, which works without any authentication. I will fish it out..

Who knows, two years down the line I might win Oscars (documentary category).

TroyGates · Post by **TroyGates** » 2004 Nov 17, 14:27

I do software training for my company and have used a great free program called Wink to create flash videos for our company intranet. Take a look at it here http://www.debugmode.com/wink/.

narayan · Post by **narayan** » 2004 Nov 18, 04:53

Thanks.. I had tried it earlier, but then somehow found it a bit difficult to use. Actually I should have tried it again, learning from my experience with GIMP: my first brush with it was a disaster, but then a later (improved) version turned out to be just great. I will try it again.

Now on to the needs:

What do you think should be the topics for these training videos? (Note that there is nothing like "end-to-end use" here: x2 caters to multiple needs.)

Another thing: try the latest manual (there was a minor update: now the hyperlinks in the manual work) and let me know if there are any missing topics.

Two additions are already slated for the next version:
1. Index (for those who like to take a print)
2. Use of tabs to re-organize your collection

longfellow · Post by **longfellow** » 2004 Nov 18, 21:52

narayan wrote:What do you think should be the topics for these training videos?

As scraps are probably x2's most "arcane" feature, they should probably go on the short list.