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Transcript from March 2, 2011 to March 3, 2011

All times are Pacific Time
 
March 2, 2011
1:04 am jeffreytmoore: actually on #TCchat tonight....
3:45 am ms_marques: RT @peterkretzman: Can't take having to watch 10-min video with content that'd take me 1-2 minutes to read in text form < food for #tcchat
3:46 am ms_marques: @theitskeptic tomorrow's #tcchat is about creating videos... how timely!
3:46 pm TC_Chat: Today's #tcchat is in about an hour. Topic: video. #techcomm
3:46 pm 2moroDocs: Today's #tcchat is in about an hour. Topic: video.
3:48 pm robocolumn: RT @2moroDocs: Today's #tcchat is in about an hour. Topic: video.
4:00 pm content2000: amen RT @peterkretzman: Can't take having to watch 10-min video with content that'd take me 1-2 minutes to read in text form #tcchat
5:00 pm 2moroDocs: Hello everyone! Welcome to today?s S1 of #tcchat. The topic is the use of video.
5:01 pm 2moroDocs: Reminders: Add #tcchat to your tweets. Avoid using the techcomm tag as it will overwhelm. Thx! Also, no proprietary info!
5:01 pm 2moroDocs: I will post main questions/discussion points using @TC_Chat. Then you can open that feed & easily see current questions #tcchat
5:02 pm 2moroDocs: I think video more impt due to increased use, that YouTube now 2nd largest search, seeing videos everywhere #tcchat
5:04 pm 2moroDocs: Weird. I'm not seeing the #tcchat tweets showing up. Anyone seeing them?
5:07 pm 2moroDocs: I'm seeing a lag time in tweets showing up. This is interesting... #tcchat
5:09 pm techcommdood: @2moroDocs I'm not seeing any, search or no. It's lunch time on the east coast. ;) #tcchat
5:09 pm 2moroDocs: I'm not seeing other tweets, so am going to jump off, but I'll watch & see if some come through - #tcchat
5:10 pm robocolumn: @2moroDocs I've got them. Using the http://tweetchat.com/room/tcchat URL though. Does that make a difference? #tcchat
5:11 pm 2moroDocs: @techcommdood Yeah, that's a busy time of day. #tcchat
5:13 pm 2moroDocs: @robocolumn Glad you're seeing them. I'm seeing them on TweetChat, but a good 5 mins after posting. #tcchat
5:14 pm content2000: @2moroDocs sorry was distracted by shiny objects! I see your #tcchat posts
5:14 pm robocolumn: @2moroDocs There's a dleay here too but then the UK is a long way away :-) #tcchat
5:15 pm 2moroDocs: For me, they're showing up in Twitter proper, but no clients #tcchat
5:15 pm 2moroDocs: Guess we could try it if you guys are game. Definite lag from my end. #tcchat
5:16 pm 2moroDocs: There must be some big news story. What's trending? #tcchat (must be video...)
5:19 pm content2000: Am seeing more internal push to create video/screencast content, but haven't seen those requests coming from customers yet #tcchat
5:19 pm 2moroDocs: @robocolumn not so far - #tcchat
5:19 pm 2moroDocs: I'll toss out a ques, just to see #tcchat
5:20 pm content2000: (products are not very visually entertaining - command line mostly) but can see a case for video/screencast for GUI products #tcchat
5:20 pm robocolumn: @content2000 I'd have said the same up to a year ago. Now we are finding users want it more and more cont... #tcchat
5:21 pm TC_Chat: Q1: Does anyone have tips for making videos? Ex: what is max time length? #tcchat
5:21 pm 2moroDocs: (jumping over planned ques due to lag time issues) #tcchat
5:21 pm robocolumn: @content2000 A lot has to do with the fact that we've started adding video as a matter of course and the users love it #tcchat
5:22 pm 2moroDocs: Reminds me of the #tcchat when everything went down right after first posts. That was interesting. It is live, and therefore unpredictable.
5:23 pm robocolumn: @TC_Chat Depends. If a tip, I'd say no more than 30 secs but if a simulation, then it could be longer. Interested in other opinions #tcchat
5:23 pm cherimullins: Anyone have experience with quality systems auditing? #tcchat
5:23 pm kmdk: +1 RT @content2000/ @peterkretzman: Can't take having to watch 10-min vid with content that'd take me 1-2 min to read in text form #tcchat
5:23 pm content2000: @robocolumn do your products have a visual component? #tcchat
5:23 pm 2moroDocs: @robocolumn @content2000 Do you actively ask for feedback, or do users just comment abt it? #tcchat
5:24 pm robocolumn: Yes we are a GUI environment so understand it fits well RT @content2000: @robocolumn do your products have a visual component? #tcchat
5:24 pm content2000: @2moroDocs do a bit of both and minimal demand so far. Need to dig into metrics to see how popular the few vids we have are #tcchat
5:25 pm 2moroDocs: An issue I always think of is maintenance. Do you make decisions re video for specific tasks based on that? #tcchat
5:26 pm content2000: @TC_Chat A1 - mostly a personal preference, but under 5 min on video length. Idea is to see something done, then go repeat it. #tcchat
5:27 pm 2moroDocs: Do users ask for specific videos for specific tasks, or do you use general feedback to support, etc? #tcchat
5:27 pm cherimullins: There definitely is a place for video in TC--as one medium of many. Video does not replace text, though. #tcchat
5:27 pm kmdk: @2moroDocs Last place I worked started to plan videos. Made medical devices. Videos handy to explain use. Requires much planning. #tcchat
5:27 pm content2000: .I watched 20min vid on how to put up my kiddie pool & loved it. Made the written instructions easier to follow during actual setup #tcchat
5:27 pm seanb_us: @cherimullins It's too linear. #tcchat
5:29 pm content2000: yes! RT @cherimullins: There definitely is a place for video in TC--as one medium of many. Video does not replace text, though. #tcchat
5:30 pm content2000: @seanb_us linear nature of video is side effect of how produced. Can have TOC to jump around just like text doc #tcchat
5:30 pm kmdk: @TC_Chat A1: I think length depends on topic. Does How to assemble the Whatsit take 5 min or 30 min? #tcchat
5:31 pm 2moroDocs: @content2000 I've def seen vids higher in search results. Mayb a gd place 2 ck, too? If users putting UGC out? Make docs listed 1st? #tcchat
5:31 pm cherimullins: Many physical task instructions can be enhanced with video. Video for screen interactions are distracting, IMO. #tcchat
5:31 pm content2000: Content of video is critical, as seen by # of RTs on not wanting 10min vid for 2min of content #tcchat
5:32 pm TC_Chat: Q2: Do you see a scenario where you'd have planned, polished vid as well as quick impromptu types (such as using Flip cam or phone) #tcchat
5:32 pm robocolumn: @2moroDocs Interesting question. Don't think of maintenance until too late! Always factor in changes to project plan though #tcchat
5:33 pm kmdk: @TC_Chat A1: Must have captions/transcript so people can revisit & search quickly. Lynda.com does this beautifully. #tcchat
5:34 pm TC_Chat: Q3: For those that have made screencasts, tutorials, interviews, etc etc: what tips do you have? What problems? #tcchat
5:34 pm kmdk: @seanb_us What's too linear? Text? Ctrl+F fixes that. :) #tcchat
5:35 pm 2moroDocs: (I'm just tossing out questions cuz of lag time. See convos, so keep going on any of them.) #tcchat
5:36 pm content2000: @TC_Chat A2 - impromptu vids would work well on a community/blog where informal is the rule. On corp website, has to be clean/pro #tcchat
5:36 pm 2moroDocs: @robocolumn Focus more on features most likely to be frozen? How does agile fit into maintenance issues? #tcchat
5:38 pm 2moroDocs: @content2000 Agreed. I tend to jump ahead using sliders. What abt putting time listings up front so ppl could jump to a spot? #tcchat
5:38 pm kmdk: @2moroDocs Medical device industry can use vids to train staff how to clean devices - tho they often don't have device for viewing! #tcchat
5:38 pm cherimullins: Videos seem appropriate for visual inspection, detail or tasks not otherwise apparent or easily described. Others? #tcchat
5:39 pm 2moroDocs: @kmdk Good to know. Thx for that. Any good examples wld be helpful, for sure. #tcchat
5:39 pm kmdk: @2moroDocs Therefore, in addition to making videos, must consider whether they can be viewed!! #tcchat
5:39 pm 2moroDocs: @kmdk How do you set it up to add captions? #tcchat
5:41 pm PattyBlount2: #tcchat Late to party. Tip: get script approval first. Too time consuming to keep reshooting especially if syncing audio to video.
5:42 pm radvas: Some feedback rec'd from ESL viewers is that they GREATLY prefer video without speech-based audio. #tcchat
5:43 pm 2moroDocs: One thing I wanted to try was 4 manufacturing: have vid on computer screen right at machines. Wld help w/safety, I think #tcchat
5:43 pm kmdk: @TC_Chat A2: planned and impromptu both good, but depends! ;) Consider appropriate tone for topic/audience: casual, polished, etc #tcchat
5:43 pm 2moroDocs: and this is cool. There are roll-up screens & screens to put on clothes. Wouldn't it b neat to have vid instructions on your arm? #tcchat
5:44 pm 2moroDocs: will post a link 4 that #tcchat
5:44 pm radvas: They say that watching and mentally translating from English is too hard to do in real time. (about 2/3 of my audience is ESL) #tcchat
5:45 pm cherimullins: Made new-product intro videos for support teams at Dell. Effective overview of systems. High end and very expensive. #tcchat
5:46 pm kmdk: @2moroDocs Download my SlideShare slides for notes on adding captions to YouTube vids. (Search Mardahl, techcomm, inclusion) #tcchat
5:47 pm 2moroDocs: Flexible screens: http://bit.ly/15Rtox . Fold-out screens: http://cnet.co/6MAS1y #tcchat
5:48 pm PattyBlount2: am recording videos right now! #tcchat Biggest problem? Scrolling in source interface.Shrink or scroll is trade-off.
5:48 pm cherimullins: Videos also good for mixed-language and non-native speaker audiences. Audio and captions are challenges. #tcchat
5:48 pm kmdk: @2moroDocs (on a train w/o multitasking abilities to grab a URL!) #tcchat
5:49 pm 2moroDocs: A full-color screen that bends http://bit.ly/f7IcrU #tcchat
5:49 pm 2moroDocs: Those links are from 2009. Need to research again to see what's happening with that now. #tcchat
5:50 pm 2moroDocs: @kmdk Thx for checking from the train. Wow! Impressive. Will search for your link now. #tcchat
5:52 pm kmdk: @radvas Why not subtitle in appropriate languages? #tcchat
5:52 pm cherimullins: Made software UX videos for an Austin dotcom (long gone). Not as expensive, and value not proven. #tcchat
5:54 pm 2moroDocs: @kmdk Karen's preso on tech comm, inclusion, including captions http://bit.ly/ahAJlQ . #tcchat
5:54 pm kmdk: #tcchat Captions on videos also good for people in noisy environments or place where no sound permitted. (Been there, done that.)
5:55 pm kmdk: #tcchat I argue that captions not a problem for planned video with script. Pro how-to videos have storyboard/manuscript.
5:56 pm kemulholland: @kmdk #tcchat Captions are also wonderful for understanding narration by someone whose accent is unfamiliar to you.
5:57 pm 2moroDocs: @kmdk Good point. Also, assume u need to minimize content per screen (or whatever) for shorter captions? #tcchat
5:57 pm techcommdood: Subtitles create lesser experience. Ideal is same experience. RT @kmdk: @radvas Why not subtitle in appropriate languages? #tcchat
5:57 pm GlobalScript: Subtitles create lesser experience. Ideal is same experience. RT @kmdk: @radvas Why not subtitle in appropriate languages? #tcchat
5:57 pm kmdk: @2moroDocs Yup. Following #tcchat on train only way I can make it sometimes. May "enhance" time delay for tweets. ;)
5:58 pm cherimullins: Would that mean a different video for each language? RT @kmdk: @radvas Why not subtitle in appropriate languages? #tcchat
5:59 pm 2moroDocs: @pattyblount2 Thx, Patty. Good point about syncing. #tcchat
6:00 pm cherimullins: Ok, signing off #tcchat. Twitter delay is unnerving. Made for a Babel-like chat.
6:01 pm kmdk: Must download my preso on tech comm, inclusion, including captions to get crucial instructions in notes. http://bit.ly/ahAJlQ #tcchat
6:01 pm 2moroDocs: @cherimullins Makes me wonder: seems more possible now to make quicker, less-polished walkthroughs of tasks. Will polished go away? #tcchat
6:02 pm 2moroDocs: Where I am right now, it's 10:00. Haven't any idea where some convos at due 2 lag time. Officially closing, but feel free 2 continue #tcchat
6:03 pm kmdk: My preso on tech comm, inclusion, including captions is in an article in STC Intercom January issue. Accessibility special issue. #tcchat
6:04 pm 2moroDocs: @cherimullins Thx for hanging in there. It was difficult 2day. Appreciate your helpful comments! #tcchat
6:07 pm cherimullins: All TC wanes & waxes. @2moroDocs: quicker, less-polished walkthroughs of tasks [possible]. Will polished go away? #tcchat
6:08 pm kmdk: @2moroDocs For brilliance on captions (layout, size, etc), check @seanzdenek's blog: Accessible Rhetoric. Smart Texan. ;) #tcchat
6:09 pm kmdk: @cherimullins Subtitles are in separate data files. (Should be.) Then you can switch. #tcchat
6:10 pm 2moroDocs: @robocolumn @content2000 @cherimullins @kmdk @GlobalScript @techcommdood @kemulholland @radvas Thx for convos 2day at #tcchat
6:11 pm 2moroDocs: @PattyBlount2 @seanb_us Thx also for convos at today's #tcchat
6:11 pm kmdk: @techcommdood @radvas mentioned no audio at all as preferred by ESL people. Influenced by bad experiences? #tcchat
6:12 pm 2moroDocs: I have to jump off (mom duties). Thanks everyone for staying through the tech difficulties today - #tcchat
6:14 pm kmdk: @techcommdood I'm surrounded by subtitles in my country. Can't manage without them! Dislike dubbing intensely. #tcchat
6:17 pm kmdk: RT @kemulholland: @kmdk #tcchat Captions are also wonderful for understanding narration by someone whose accent is unfamiliar to you.
6:28 pm lrmeyer747: RT @kmdk: My preso on #techcomm, inclusion, including captions is in article in STC Intercom Jan issue. Accessibility spec. issue. #tcchat
6:47 pm radvas: @kmdk We considered it, but didn't go that way for many reasons. Mainly, we felt resources were better spent improving the process. #tcchat
6:50 pm radvas: @kmdk @techcommdood re ESL: no, their complaint was "too hard to watch the video and mentally translate audio in real time." #tcchat
7:35 pm kmdk: @radvas Kudos if you make something top quality with no audio. Of course, then the blind can't follow! ;) #tcchat
7:59 pm sarahmaddox: I agree with @cherimullins #tcchat video useful for physical products. Less so for software user assistance.
8:01 pm sarahmaddox: Many people, me included, get impatient after 3 minutes of video instruction. Good for marketing and high level overview #tcchat
8:03 pm 2moroDocs: Agree w/both. RT @sarahmaddox: I agree with @cherimullins #tcchat video useful for physical products. Less so for software user assistance.
8:05 pm 2moroDocs: Another thought: video instructions for hw & home setup/installation of items. If on a video, ppl could view on iPad, etc. & pause #tcchat
8:06 pm 2moroDocs: For instance, installing faucets, etc. Could have screen right there, pause at a particular point, and then proceed to next step. #tcchat
8:08 pm 2moroDocs: @sarahmaddox I'm leaning more toward online screencasts/walkthroughs these days. But, I often jump ahead. #tcchat
8:10 pm 2moroDocs: Like someone said earlier, good to have both video & text. #tcchat Plus, I just think that there's UGC videos being made.
11:00 pm radvas: @2moroDocs re pause: you can have pre-built pause points. ie, playback auto-stops and they click to proceed when they are ready. #tcchat
11:04 pm radvas: @sarahmaddox re vid length, I found the most used vids were <= 1.5min. Use dropped off sharply as length increased. #tcchat
11:27 pm radvas: @kmdk nah, not top quality, useful was the goal. :-) The non-Eng audio bit was worth sharing because it came from so many folks. #tcchat
 
March 3, 2011
12:19 am sarahmaddox: @radvas #tcchat that's very useful research. Thanks!
12:55 am 2moroDocs: @radvas Thanks for all the info! #tcchat
12:57 am 2moroDocs: @radvas Perfect! Can u add caption to pop up when you jump to a point in timeline so ppl can skip through it? #tcchat
1:55 am 2moroDocs: No S2 of #tcchat today -
2:16 am radvas: @2moroDocs Think so. One of my devs did this with DebugMode Wink. Just an unpolished demo, but it did stop at points and prompt. #tcchat
2:50 am ms_marques: @2moroDocs sorry no S2 of #tcchat... I guess I will just look at the transcript
2:51 am ms_marques: @2moroDocs @radvas In Captivate, you can include a TOC, so that at any point, people can jump to the right point in the video #tcchat
5:30 pm 2moroDocs: @ms_marques Thx 4 pointing that out. I think u can insert slides & pause pts in various apps, which wld help ppl zip thru something #tcchat
5:30 pm 2moroDocs: @radvas Great! thanks for the info - #tcchat
5:37 pm kemulholland: @2moroDocs #tcchat Might be just me, but I think if you're making 5-yr plans your doc dept is doomed to irrelevancy.
5:37 pm 2moroDocs: Just curious. If making 5-year plans 4 your docs, are u making new tech/methods used by millennials & younger a higher priority? #tcchat
5:39 pm 2moroDocs: Why I'm asking. 1) article yesterday: tablets http://bit.ly/dXMeAb 2) pending retirement of boomers ... #tcchat
5:40 pm 2moroDocs: 3) Recently, we had to make a list. My thought: get a piece of paper & write it down. My son instead grabbed a phone & made it. #tcchat
5:41 pm 2moroDocs: So I'm thinking that, although writing has def been on the wall for some time, it's really going to hit during the next 5 yrs, IMO #tcchat
5:45 pm 2moroDocs: Plus, with all the planning that still needs to be done, esp w/tool choices, etc., it has to at least be on the list of requirements #tcchat
5:46 pm kemulholland: @2moroDocs #tcchat I suspect tech uptake will vary by org, as it always has. I often work for orgs on trailing edge of tech. :-\
5:50 pm larry_kunz: @2moroDocs Audience analysis shd always include a clear-eyed assessment of what devices & formats they'll prefer. #tcchat
5:50 pm larry_kunz: @2moroDocs You're right: I think that big changes are coming in the way many (tho not all) will expect to consume our content. #tcchat
5:51 pm 2moroDocs: @kemulholland So true. Wondering, since it can take so long 2 make chgs in orgs. Is talk of "5-yr plan" something orgs like 2 hear? #tcchat
5:52 pm kemulholland: @2moroDocs #tcchat "5-yr plan" sounds great to upper mgmt but think abt what we'd be doing if we were still on a 5-yr plan from 2007.
5:53 pm kemulholland: #tcchat 5-year plans are the antithesis of Agile. They're like walking thru the woods, correcting course only every 5 miles.
5:56 pm larry_kunz: @2moroDocs @kemulholland My experience is that too many orgs plan quarter-to-quarter. I'd like to see more long-range planning. #tcchat
5:57 pm larry_kunz: @2moroDocs @kemulholland Granted, a 5-yr plan that locks u into a specific tool or process is idiotic. But a 5-yr *strategy* isn't. #tcchat
5:57 pm kemulholland: @larry_kunz #tcchat Agreed - need to split the difference, or all you do is react to the last quarter's news & never get on top of things.
6:03 pm 2moroDocs: Maybe break it into pieces more? Need big-ticket items (like demographic chgs, xml) while allowing for constant chg #tcchat
6:04 pm 2moroDocs: Seems much harder to plan now, given all the changes in play. #tcchat
6:11 pm techcommdood: @kemulholland @2moroDocs If a 5-year plan locks you in and prevents change, you're doing it wrong. #tcchat
8:02 pm 2moroDocs: @techcommdood That makes sense. I just worry & wonder about plans for the huge demographic shift that closer than ever #tcchat On the radar?
8:21 pm techcommdood: @2moroDocs I'll have to catch up... not sure what shift you're talking about WRT 5 year plan #tcchat
8:37 pm radvas: @techcommdood "Plan" implies enough detail to accomplish a defined objective. If you change obj, you've changed plans. #tcchat
8:39 pm techcommdood: @radvas Only if your objectives are granular. A 5-year plan should be high-level and flexible to handle 5 years of unknowns. #tcchat
8:43 pm radvas: @techcommdood Part of the prob is that "plan" has a loose definition that says little about the level of detail involved. #tcchat
8:50 pm techcommdood: @radvas I must be missing details. Are you referring to a specific plan? #tcchat
9:35 pm content2000: Perhaps it's a 'vision' of where you want to be 5yrs from now, and then the plan is the steps to get there, yr, by yr #tcchat
9:36 pm content2000: agree some long-term thought has to happen now (or really needed to happen 2 yrs ago to be ready for today's transitions) #tcchat
9:37 pm content2000: maybe we should share what we see as those transitions we need to plan for? - mobile consumption of content, UGC integration, etc #tcchat
9:38 pm content2000: then think about what needs 2-4 yrs to implement/move toward -funding tool changes, writing style changes, adapting legacy content #tcchat
10:09 pm radvas: @techcommdood Not specific, to "5 year plans." Maybe I came in late to a conversation. 140 chars kills context sometimes. :-) #tcchat
11:53 pm 2moroDocs: @content2000 Yes! Exactly what I mean. #tcchat
11:53 pm 2moroDocs: @techcommdood Sorry; was away from my desk. Some info coming... #tcchat
11:57 pm 2moroDocs: Some history: there's been talk for years re demographic changes coming. Specifically, "digital immigrants" and "digital natives" #tcchat
11:58 pm 2moroDocs: My thoughts on that, from 2008 http://bit.ly/dMUhew #tcchat More links coming...
11:59 pm 2moroDocs: Info re digital natives - digital immigrants http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/ . #tcchat