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General discussionWhy does everyone make Video Tutorials?(65 posts)(65 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted November 11, 2015
high rated
Just a little rant here...

Why are all tutorials these days (for anything, programming, using software etc.) videos? What ever happened to typing out a nice simple set of instructions?

It's particularly infuriating with game design / programming stuff because half the time is spent going over the same rubbish all the other videos you've watched have already gone over, but you can't just skip it because you don't know if the useful bit you want is in amongst all the rubbish. And it means there isn't something you can refer back to easily or copy and paste (though the better websites will actually give you transcripts of any code written) to get you started.

I think it's half the reason I struggle with any project I start because when I go to find some resources to show me what to do I have to sit through six hours of video tutorials instead of skimming a few pages in 20 minutes.
Not only that, but 9 times out of 10 the person's voice and mannerisms are incredibly annoying so by the time you've finished one 20 minute segment you want to rip your own ears off...

I've just finished watching a tutorial about Unity and I literally ended up running it on 1.5 speed (chipmunk voice and all) because that was less annoying then sitting through the guy repeating the same instructions and concepts again and again. And there's another 17 videos in the series, which seems to be actually quite useful so I'm torn as to whether I can be bothered to finish it or not...

So why doesn't anyone write normal non-video tutorials and guides for things any more? Do people just not read these days? Maybe they're easier and more convenient to make, but they sure as hell aren't easier to use...

*sigh*
Rant over, thanks for listening!
Posted November 11, 2015
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adaliabooks:
I agree quite a bit - though - with certain software I can certainly see the need. With so many little icons there, it can be overhwhelming. Te be able to quickly learn / reference the bit you immediately need to get you going can be invaluable, and this is where a video can sometimes outshine even the best written manuals as people learn much better by watching and copying - where having to read four paragraphs of puffery to find out where "layer opacity" is hidden on the UI... thats just counter productive.

You can find much the same with most things - from learning how to play an instrument, to plumbing or even simply rewiring a plug - theory is bullshit without a practical demonstration at the very least.

I could also summarise:

You are all monkeys.
You see.
You do.
But I am ape!
...and I fling poo!

*flings poo!

Edit: or I could just say, for practical things, its practical to learn by watching and copying at times.
Post edited November 11, 2015 by Sachys
Posted November 11, 2015
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Sachys: I agree quite a bit - though - with certain software I can certainly see the need. With so many little icons there, it can be overhwhelming. Te be able to quickly learn / reference the bit you immediately need to get you going can be invaluable, and this is where a video can sometimes outshine even the best written manuals as people learn much better by watching and copying - where having to read four paragraphs of puffery to find out where "layer opacity" is hidden on thr UI... thats counter productive.

You can find much the same with most things - from learning how to play an instrument, to plumbing or even simply rewiring a plug - theory is bullshit without a practical demonstration at the very least.

I could also summarise:

[i]You are all monkeys.
You see.
You do.
But I am ape!
...and I fling poo![/i]

*flings poo!
I can certainly see that side of it.. and if it's a quick 5 minutes thing to show you one feature or something like that that's not so bad... but it's being forced to sit through literally hours of video that I could have read in text format in a few minutes that really infuriates me, and puts me off learning to use new software or different methods...

Maybe it's just because I'm a fast reader and learn quite well from books, but it annoys the hell out of me.
Posted November 11, 2015
True: I actually saw a VCR that came with a video tutorial on how to hook it up.

Try to get your head around that one. XD
Posted November 11, 2015
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adaliabooks: Maybe it's just because I'm a fast reader and learn quite well from books, but it annoys the hell out of me.
Thats more likely it than anything. You can always use videos with subtitles in another language and then translate them through a pocket Berlitz - and thus double your efficiency when being forced to watch video tutorials. ;D


My real issue with them is that if I'm forced to reference them... THEY SHOULD BE PART OF THE PACKAGE - NOT ON BLOODY YOUTUBE!
Posted November 11, 2015
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tinyE: True: I actually saw a VCR that came with a video tutorial on how to hook it up.

Try to get your head around that one. XD
*facepalm*

Is that like when they put the label saying "Do not turn upside down" on the bottom of a product?
Posted November 11, 2015
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tinyE: True: I actually saw a VCR that came with a video tutorial on how to hook it up.

Try to get your head around that one. XD
Thats probably an SVHS model from the early 90s where the tape was for the "technician" installing it.
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tinyE: True: I actually saw a VCR that came with a video tutorial on how to hook it up.

Try to get your head around that one. XD
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adaliabooks: *facepalm*

Is that like when they put the label saying "Do not turn upside down" on the bottom of a product?
tinyE has a label like that:
"do not eat, do not throw away"

(i guess the latter is because his nickname is boomerang!)

O____o
Post edited November 11, 2015 by Sachys
Posted November 11, 2015
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Sachys: Thats more likely it than anything. You can always use videos with subtitles in another language and then translate them through a pocket Berlitz - and thus double your efficiency when being forced to watch video tutorials. ;D

My real issue with them is that if I'm forced to reference them... THEY SHOULD BE PART OF THE PACKAGE - NOT ON BLOODY YOUTUBE!
Lol.

I usually end up watching them on youtube because at least then you get all the options (like a bigger player) even if it means losing whatever text / extras might have actually come with it (or at least having to swap between the two pages)
Posted November 11, 2015
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adaliabooks:
I hate it. :(
Posted November 11, 2015
Well, some of them are really instructive, like How to be a Computer Hacker
But in general, I share your frustration to be honest..
Posted November 11, 2015
Ad revenue from YouTube, probably is the reason.
Posted November 11, 2015
I have this book from 1895. Even though it is about drawing anatomy, it contains almost no illustrations. This would be unthinkable today. Over some time, we have had a gradual cultural shift from text to images. ... nevermind, I'm tired, goodnight! :-)
Posted November 11, 2015
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adaliabooks: *facepalm*

Is that like when they put the label saying "Do not turn upside down" on the bottom of a product?
Wouldn't matter. As the old saying goes, some people are just too stupid to pour piss out of a boot with instructions printed on the heel.
Posted November 11, 2015
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OldFatGuy: Wouldn't matter. As the old saying goes, some people are just too stupid to pour piss out of a boot with instructions printed on the heel.
Pff. Just turn those instructions upside down. Problem solved. :p
Posted November 11, 2015
I assume it is easier to make money on Youtube than by posting articles on a website.
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This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussionWhy does everyone make Video Tutorials?(65 posts)(65 posts)
(65 posts)