What would you like to see more of with element14 presents?

This format is not for me, as I don't like watching videos for technical information. The info to time ratio is too small and it is mostly not searchable. 

This format is not for me, as I don't like watching videos for technical information. The info to time ratio is too small and it is mostly not searchable. 

What kind of content would you prefer?

Text + pictures - blog posts, forums

wolfgangfriedrich said:

The info to time ratio is too small and it is mostly not searchable. 

If it was longer, and bookmarked with linkable chapters, does that begin to address it? Or are there other factors?

I often think that a video with an accompanying blog can work, but there's definitely a trend of more content digestion leaning heavily on video.

cstanton said:

I often think that a video with an accompanying blog can work

It very much depends on the content, the production and what the viewer is trying to get out of it. Video is a very linear format so can be a very time consuming format to obtain information from it.

In comparison, with text + pictures, you can usually quickly scan through to the bits you are interested in and then slow down to extract the detail where required. Also you can quickly take a snapshot of the relevant section and file it for later reference. The text format is usually easier to search than video content.

Video however has its strengths in being able to demonstrate stuff that is otherwise difficult to show in text + pictures. It's also hands-free viewing so ideal if you are watching whilst running on the treadmill and don't want to have to constantly be scrolling through a document viewer.

In some respects we appear to be going backwards in technology here by sticking with single frame video format that mimics the  television broadcast format rather than adopting mixed media interfaces to get the best of both worlds. Early 2000's and there was lots of experimentation going on with synchronised mixed media formats however difficult to give a consistent cross-platform experience.

For me, I think one of the more frustrating aspects is when code is being shown in video. For code you really want to be able to pause the video and be able to quickly scroll back and forth through the relevant parts of the code at your own pace before resuming playback from where you left off.

This also applies to other supplementary information, such as data sheets, 3D models, schematics, etc. as you really want them to be accessible there and then alongside the video so as you can pause and dive in to the relevant information before resuming playback.

From an educational perspective then making more use of linking to related content could also be very useful. If a certain display, sensor, microcontroller, protocol or technique is being used, then being able to follow a link to another tutorial or blog that provides more detailed information on it could enhance the overall experience.

You could also perhaps link this into projects / challenges - you've watched the video, learnt more about the technology; now come up with your own project and blog about it for a chance to win some e14 community swag...

It is true. A video has other strength. Storytelling, showing how to do something. And hopefully also entertainment value.

cstanton You are spot on about the videos.  Dare we delve into the social sciences?    My technicians are accustomed to getting their information through video - so that is the media they choose.  Their expectation is that there is a YouTube video for everything.  As they get more seasoned, they discover the value of the manual - and the schematic.  Still, they watch the videos for the answers to life's questions.

Since I didn't grow up with YouTube, I tend to watch videos for the application or for entertainment - because my video exposure was TV.  If I'm intrigued, I will read the data sheet, application notes, blogs and forums, etc. - because that is how I am used to getting my information.  In my world, I derive the answer to life's questions based on my research and previous knowledge.  Is one better than the next?  Maybe.  Maybe not.

Whether we like it or not, video is ingrained in our culture.  It's another tool in our kit bag and it is the flavor du jour.  If we don't embrace it, we could lose generations of electrical and electronic enthusiasts.

kmikemoo said:

My technicians are accustomed to getting their information through video - so that is the media they choose.  Their expectation is that there is a YouTube video for everything

Yep, I find this every time I help someone in a technical discord server that I am in. As soon as you mention anything where you have to follow something step by step, they cannot wrap their head around it and immediately ask "is there a video guide?" or "can you jump into the discord call chat and share your screen and talk me through it?". It's very time consuming of a request.

If only video wasn't rasterised.

Linkable chapters would be a good idea and a text-based chapter list with short description of the content. That sounds useful.

Another huge factor for me is the chain of events (for the lack of a better term). Almost all videos start with an empty workbench and then the creator shows how everything is put together. If you are lucky there is a informative demonstration of the finished thing at the end. For me the ideal storybook would be to show the result first and then spend as many hours as you want showing how it came to life. I don't care. After reading a teaser article about the thing I want to see it in action, that is what was teased. The build process is secondary and mostly for people how do something similar. Did I say that I hate time-laps sequences of things get screwed/glued/cut. You cannot see anything useful.