I thought it would be useful to have this video on-hand for when we begin uploading screencasts on our plone website. More of a reference for me than anything else, but all the better if others also find it useful.

Here is the video explaining how to publish multimedia on a plone website:



Also a link from the plone blog re: updates since the video. Very interesting stats on the adoption of multimedia on the web. There is mention that screencasts would have improved the knowledge transfer - we couldn't agree more!

Prototypes and screencasting

pro·to·type

1. An original type, form, or instance serving as a basis or standard for later stages.
2. An original, full-scale, and usually working model of a new product or new version of an existing product.
3. An early, typical example.

After numerous crashes and bug-fixes at the end of my latest project, I'd like to share an important lesson I picked up on the way. The latest screencast I was doing with Camtasia 4 became very heavy near the end, causing numerous crashes. My partner suggested creating a prototype before advancing any further to see the best way to complete the project.

The prototype took about 4 hours to complete, but what it saved in time and effort was well worth it. I was able to see how the final result would best be presented using an example that was simplified in content yet similar in form. Following this process spared me the crashes in my real project and helped me build a better tutorial. That makes prototype the new word of the day here.

Screencast tutorial update

We haven't had much to report as we have been working tirelessly to meet a deadline for a series of screencasts. Tomorrow, we should have one of them ready for the client and then move to the second one. Alas, the only news I've been able to share is screencast related - Using Techsmith's Camtasia and Snagit software for this project has been an enjoyable experience. I was glad to join the screencasting group on Facebook and plan to add some podcasts/screencast when I have some time to do non-client work. We will be presenting a family video for my mother's birthday bash in Greece later next month (shh, I hope she isn't reading my blog before then) and perhaps can include some clips from that.

Will try to join back with you soon with more DITA news. To date, I have received word from a salesperson at Ixiasoft and she has reported that DITA is breaking ground with medium-sized enterprises, even with, and I quote, "documentation teams of 3-4 writers". I will be looking at the finer points of Ixiasoft's CMS (content management system) in the fall. No question that CMS is the way to go to leverage all of DITA's benefits.

New trends in technical communications

I am inspired by the In Plain English videos produced by Common Craft that have recently appeared on the web. The videos embody the power of effective technical communication: know your audience and communicate using a style and language to match that audience. The success of the videos says that they have accomplished this feat. The In Plain English podcasts remind me of the For Dummies guides in their approach to communicating key information in an easy to follow format. Great job guys!

Wikis in Plain English:


RSS in Plain English:


Social networking in Plain English:


I know it's a lot, but thought they were worth showing. In fact, right now I am using info from a For Dummies guide to create a video. My guess is this will be an important way to transfer knowledge in the years to come.

Using Mediawiki for knowledgework wiki

We changed our business wiki from wikispaces to mediawiki today. As a background, we have been experimenting with a wiki and have found it quite useful. In our case, my partner and I work in different locations, so it is helpful to keep information stored on one site. We have been using the wiki to collaborate about ideas and information related to marketing, technology and other topics pertinent to knowledgework.

Some of the ways I have been using the wiki for work have been to store information I am learning via webinars, reading material and podcasts in one site. I add links, type and capture screenshots of key information and store it for future reference. This definitely beats saving info in files on my computer!