Don't forget when creating Videos

I have always wanted to enahnce our product documentation by including a a series of short (1-2 minute) how-to videos using Captivate. However, the primary user interface for our product is the command line (CLI.) It obviously does not lend itself very well to how-to videos. Or maybe I am limited in my imagination as to how I show our product users as to what to do with our product. In any case, it is a dream, and I hope that one day it will come true.
In the meantime, here are some problems that people face when creating videos, and a list of tips that folks have shared to be kept in mind when creating videos to improve their usability:
A video set is not seen as an effective help-system because the user/learner will have to manually hunt through dozens and dozens of videos to find what they want. The idea is to have a more genuine help system that's easy to use and easy tosearch.
One can combine the power of videos with that of an organized help system by creating a basic HTMLHelp help system or even a simple collection of interlinked HTML pages, with each topic having one or more "click here to watch a video of how this works" links. This provides a structure to turn a random collection of video clips into an integrated, organized help system.
The biggest problem with videos is that they typically run too fast, particularly for long procedures, so one is forced to view and review and re-review the video multiple times.
To avoid this, here are a couple of tips:
First, include a written summary of the steps before the link to provide an overview of the procedure that "primes" the viewers so they know what they'll be seeing.
Second, make sure to record the video at a slower rate than you'd actually do the work.
If you are recording voice narration* (or text subtitles), make sure to stop at least briefly after each step (or provide video controls that let viewers do this themselves) so viewers can perform that step before continuing.
If you do use voice, add subtitles too or make this an optional setting. Some of your audience will be deaf or hearing impaired, will lack speakers on their computer, or won't be able to hear the narration over the noise in their office.

Killing ourselves by murdering our conscience

Governments have nuclear weapons. Individuals have bombs and guns. Governments sit by impotently while individuals rage wars. Our hatred knows no bounds; it has been legitimized. We kill a person in our country, and we "might" be called murderers. Killing a person in another country "might" make us terrorists. It usually depends on the color of your skin and what you have on your face. If you are fair enough, you are fair enough. If you are dark, of course you have been designed with dark thoughts. To have a gun and use it, you just need a long beard or a large bindi. The state of our world is perhaps at its bleakest. But we still find time to crack jokes about terrorists.

A trip, a travel, and a journey

Feelings packed, oh-so-ready,
The emotional universe beckons me.
Rainbows of smiles, seas of tears,
Let's see what else this trip offers me.

Tired I will get, I expect,

Pause my travel, sit and reflect.

On flights of thoughts, I make my discovery,

I seek no other, finally, I find me.

Living until my journey ends one day,
I go on, not afraid to age.
Will not stop, continue to strive,
No fun in dying when I can be alive!

Writer's block

A block is a term that we are all extremely familiar with. Writers choose to call it their own. Their ownership on blocks is, however, not as complete as they would like to believe. Blocks can exist everywhere, in our minds, on the roads, down the drainpipes, and even on a little kid's play mat! The worst kinds are the ones that we plant, at times too firmly, into our minds and refuse to let them out to get some air. Walking in open air is really good exercise. Even for our thoughts. And believe me, ifwe don't let our thoughts out for fresh air once in a while, and renew them, they become really stale. So, before your thoughts rot, air your views, exchange ideas, refresh your thinking, realign yourself. Question where you are headed. don't blame the people around you for a particular situation. Don't call yourself a victim of circumstances. You always have a choice. And that choice must be exercised.

Taking the salt out!

Have you ever tried to keep the salt out of your food? My grandmom did that once. She didn't take any salt for two whole years. I tried eating her food a couple of times and really couldn't manage more than two bites. But now I've done it. I've taken the salt out of my life. Forever. Maybe. No, definitely, forever.
When you force yourself to take out something so essential, you need a lot of willpower. And it's shaken everytime you look around. Try going out to the market. suddenly everything will start screaming out the name of the one thing you've removed. Not just a reminder, mind you. Sometimes, it just shouts "Pick me up"!
What can one do in such a situation? You can't pick it up, because the entire sordid dilemma will start again. One can imagine the emotional turmoil behind such a decision. You don't decide something like this, just for the heck of it!
So, what do I want now? Do I want approval and admiration for having had the courage to take this decision? Or, do I want people's sympathy because it's such a loss?
And am I allowed to grieve for this loss? Not in public I know. But in my solitude, can I shed the tears without guilt?
How in the world do you get over this? That missing ingredient is gone from your life, forever. even the crumbs are gone. No hope, no future. To whom do I complain? Who do I blame? I am the one who took this decision. I am the one who is blamed for moving on. God, I wanted complete ownership of my decision. But never this kind.
I have taken the salt out of my life. I know nothing will ever replace or compensate. Nothing can ever take its place. The piano will never play the same again. The keys are broken, and cannot be mended again. Take care is all I want to say! Bless you is all I can pray!