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I still don't understand the benefit (for the user) of the screencast format for programming tutorials vs plain old text and code snippets/screenshots. In some

by blehn 16y ago

I still don't understand the benefit (for the user) of the screencast format for programming tutorials vs plain old text and code snippets/screenshots. In some cases, the screencast might be helpful as a supplemental format, but otherwise I find them to be frustrating. For example, if I want to study some code for a longer duration than the author allows, I have to pause the screencast. But, of course, I often pause too late and have to scrub backwards and/or rewatch portions of the video to find that point again. With a text tutorial, I can follow at my own pace, quickly find where I left off, copy+paste code, etc. Edit: All that said, anyone who takes the time to teach others, regardless of the format, deserves a lot of credit.

icey 16y ago
Some people learn more easily by watching / listening to a presenter than they do reading on their own.
inovica 16y ago
I never thought I would, but I really enjoy screencasts. Sometimes they are useful to just watch in an environment where I can't actually practice, so it gives me the opportunity to go learn a little... get an overview. I see screencasts as complimentary to the normal text/book format
thibaut_barrere 16y ago
Disclaimer: I run learnivore.com (and nodecasts will appear up there). For most people who appreciate screencasts (I surveyed my ~ 1500 users), it's mostly a casual way to get familiar with a given subject before diving into it through books or articles or blogs, or a way to keep up to date (eg: railscasts). It seems to be really appreciated while commuting, for some reason. But there are also people that cannot stand screencasts at all, too. At the end, I believe it's really more a supplemental format, yes.
petercooper 16y ago
I still don't understand the benefit (for the user) of the screencast format for programming tutorials vs plain old text and code snippets/screenshots. Emphasis on the word "I." Some people don't "get" books. Some people don't "get" e-mail newsletters. Some people don't "get" movies. Some people find in-person, live presentations useless to learn from. Different strokes for different folks. Video has an interesting psychological effect for many users. Most of us have grown up watching a fair bit of TV and, often, watching a lot more TV than reading books. There can be some comfort and ease with video versus reading, at least to build motivation and to "get going" with a topic. But, of course, not for everyone.

by blehn 16y ago

icey 16y ago

Some people learn more easily by watching / listening to a presenter than they do reading on their own.

inovica 16y ago

I never thought I would, but I really enjoy screencasts. Sometimes they are useful to just watch in an environment where I can't actually practice, so it gives me the opportunity to go learn a little... get an overview. I see screencasts as complimentary to the normal text/book format

thibaut_barrere 16y ago

Disclaimer: I run learnivore.com (and nodecasts will appear up there). For most people who appreciate screencasts (I surveyed my ~ 1500 users), it's mostly a casual way to get familiar with a given subject before diving into it through books or articles or blogs, or a way to keep up to date (eg: railscasts). It seems to be really appreciated while commuting, for some reason. But there are also people that cannot stand screencasts at all, too. At the end, I believe it's really more a supplemental format, yes.

petercooper 16y ago

I still don't understand the benefit (for the user) of the screencast format for programming tutorials vs plain old text and code snippets/screenshots. Emphasis on the word "I." Some people don't "get" books. Some people don't "get" e-mail newsletters. Some people don't "get" movies. Some people find in-person, live presentations useless to learn from. Different strokes for different folks. Video has an interesting psychological effect for many users. Most of us have grown up watching a fair bit of TV and, often, watching a lot more TV than reading books. There can be some comfort and ease with video versus reading, at least to build motivation and to "get going" with a topic. But, of course, not for everyone.