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Node.js screencasts : Nodecasts.org

nodecasts.org

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Re: Node.js screencasts : Nodecasts.org

#2
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.

Re: Node.js screencasts : Nodecasts.org

#3
post #2

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…

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

Re: Node.js screencasts : Nodecasts.org

#4
post #2

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…

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

Re: Node.js screencasts : Nodecasts.org

#5
I enjoy screencasts, but I really can't understand what Mr. Macedo is saying in his screencast.

I enjoyed the RoR screencasts because I didn't really need to watch them, I could just listen and work in another window.

This would be a great idea if Mr. Macedo spoke in better English, it's not something he can control but it's a big deal from a final product viewpoint.

Re: Node.js screencasts : Nodecasts.org

#7
I generally like screencasts because they're small tidbits and I usually remember the gist of how something is done.

As an aside, you can use -O with curl to save the file as the filename, instead of having to redirect the output and rewrite the filename

So instead of this: curl http://nodejs.org/dist/node-v0.2.3.tar.gz > node-v0.2.3.tar.gz

You can just write this: curl -O http://nodejs.org/dist/node-v0.2.3.tar.gz

for the same effect.

Re: Node.js screencasts : Nodecasts.org

#8
post #7

I generally like screencasts because they're small tidbits and I usually remember the gist of how something is done. As an aside, you can use -O with curl to save the file as the filename, instead of having to redirect the output and rewrite the filename So instead of this: curl http://nodejs.org/dist/node-v0.2.3.tar.gz > node-v0.2.3.tar.gz You can just write this: curl -O http://nodejs.org/dist/node-v0.2.3.tar.gz fo…

curl http://nodejs.org/dist/node-v0.2.3.tar.gz | tar xzvf -

Re: Node.js screencasts : Nodecasts.org

#9
post #2

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…

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.

Re: Node.js screencasts : Nodecasts.org

#10
post #2

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…

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.

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