Monday, 2 November 2015

Only answer the question being asked.

My first video is a simple one which shows how to install and run non-apple programs on mac OSX Mountain Lion. You might wonder why this is my first video. Well, I was originally going to start into a series on OpenOffice, but before I could even begin I found I was unable to get into the program because of my computer's permissions. I immediately realised that this was a common issue, and that I could potentially loose a significant portion of my OpenOffice audience if viewers on MACs were unable to install the program in the first place.

I did not want the installation of the application to be a part of the overview tutorial. I have seen a lot of other tutorials out there that put the installation and overview (or first impression, or whatever) in the same video. I think this is a patently bad idea. Lets disregard the fact that this is a way of installing for only one type of operating system out of the many that will use OpenOffice. Installing something means that you are already sold on it. If you're watching an overview you're probably not sold yet on the product. If you are sold on it and you are watching an overview, you want to see the program working. Either way, this in no way relates to solving a problem in which you can't get the program to work. You will have two different groups searching for two very different questions relating to your product. Giving them the same answer to both questions will lose audience on both sides. Interested viewers will immediately see flaws in your product. Viewers who have already committed to downloading the program will search an answer, see a 10-20 minute video, and decide to go elsewhere to get their answer.

It doesn't really matter which video is posted first, so long as viewers of my overview tutorial can quickly and easily find the installation tutorial immediately. I decided to put this one up first, because I have another post idea planned for the overview tutorial.

If you have any comments or suggestions please get in touch through the comments here or on my youtubechannel. I'm always open to different view points and constructive criticism. And if you want a professionally made tutorial, e-mail me here.

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