Screencast it’s a digital recording of computer screens, full screens or screen regions and usually comes with an audio narration to describe on-screen actions. The term screencast dates back to 2004 with an interesting history.
In 2004, a columnist Jon Udell invited his blog readers to come up with names for the emerging genre. In all suggested terms, Udell selected screencast, which was proposed by Joseph McDonald and Deeje Cooley. its “Dieresis of heavy metal” screencast is a well known example, which explains how Wikipedia works.
http://weblog.infoworld.com/udell/gems/umlaut.html
Since then, the term screen has been known to more people and the use of screencasts has become more popular. Currently, the new trend of screencast is the making of documentary films from software-based social networking services such as Wikipedia, del.icio.us. or digg.
In this article
1.Types of screencast
2.Screencasting tools
3.Guidelines for making a screencast
Screencast types
1.Product tutorials:
The screencast tells users how to use a software application or service by displaying introductions on the screen. There is usually a recorded voiceover to walk through the steps.
Look at the examples to be continued.
WEB decryption in 10 minutes
[http://userportal.iha.dk/~02882/Whoppix-wepcrack.swf]
2.How to do it briefly:
This type of screencast is usually short and shows a simple guide or gives tips and tricks for solving a small problem or delving into a product feature.
See example below
Better use of Windows search function
http://weblog.infoworld.com/udell/2005/01/25.html#a1157
3. Conversational Demonstrations:
Conversational demos are more focused on conversion than on screens. Usually there are two voices for the screen. Often one asks questions about the screen and another the answer.
4.Software review:
If you are asked to write a software review, you can always screencast to highlight some features.
5.Demonstration produced by the user:
Some software applications are difficult to use, and sometimes unexpected problems arise. Doing a screencast to explain will help you a lot when you talk to tech support. You can even do a problem-solving demo to share with your friends and family.
Of course, there are more types that have not yet been included in this article.
Screen projection tools:
1.For Windows users
Windows Media Encoder – Free but with high system requirements
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/Windows_Media_Encoder
Wondershare DemoCreator – Flash based screen recorder
http://www.sameshow.com/demo-creator.html
2.For Mac users
Snapz Pro X
http://www.ambrosiasw.com/utilities/snapzprox/
Guidelines for making a screencast
1. Know what you want to present
First of all, you will need to have an idea of what you will be presenting and you will need to figure out which platform to use. Knowing your purposes for making a screecast is the first thing to come.
2. make it real
Always to make a real and substantial on-stage screencast. For example, it is for a software demo or network monitor, then work with the software or live network.
Of course, for logistical or security reasons, this is not always possible. But the more real we can do it, the better.
3. Interactivity is important
The interactivity draws viewers through the demonstration. If your screencast is screen-to-screen only, your viewers will be leaving soon. You can and I would say you should record the narration or insert background music into the screencast. Usually some screencasting tools like DemoCreator allow you to add some visual aids to captured screens like callouts, shapes, annotation buttons, and animated images. Keep in mind that when a screencast is interactive, it will engage viewers in conversation that will take them to unexpected areas.