Your input requested - does ShowMeDo need 'how to make a screencast' videos?

[Ian Ozsvald]

Hi all.  Whilst building up my Screencasting Handbook site recently I've started work on some 'how to screencast' screencasts.  The first one is aimed at absolute newbies and it teaches them how to use the free Jing to get a simple screencast on the web quickly:
http://thescreencastinghandbook.com/blog/first-handbook-screencast-making-a-screencast-in-the-next-30-minutes-using-jing/

I've had a good response to it, my gut feel that many people didn't know how to start screencasting has been validated.  I'll be making more screencasts on 'how to screencast' which will reference the ebook I'm writing, what I'm wondering is whether we need more of that kind of content here in ShowMeDo?

I'm particularly interested in answers from anyone who *hasn't yet screencasted for ShowMeDo*.

1) Do you need tutorials on 'how to screencast'? 

2) If so, what platform are you on?  Windows/Mac/Linux?

3) How much money would you spend on software?  Free/FOSS-only is absolutely fine as an answer but there's definitely some good editing software if some money can be spent

If you're interested in the idea of the Handbook, I'll be releasing a discounted early version in a couple of weeks to everyone who is on the mailing list.  The first 10,300 words are written, there will be 4-5 chapters in place when the first proper release is made.  Sign-up here to get on the mailing list, you'll see a full table of contents embedded in the homepage too:
http://thescreencastinghandbook.com/

Cheers!
Ian.
ps. for the observant - I've changed my email from i...@showmedo.com given that I check this Handbook account far more regularly than the other official account nowadays...

--
Ian Ozsvald (Professional Screencaster)
i...@ProCasts.co.uk

http://ProCasts.co.uk/examples.html
http://TheScreencastingHandbook.com
http://IanOzsvald.com + http://ShowMeDo.com
http://twitter.com/ianozsvald

[dennis]

I think you read my mind, I was going to ask if there are some videos
on how to do free screencast that young or older people would
understand. I may be joining a youth genealogy society as a mentor &
it would be great if I can get the kids or the mentors to make
screencast to help each other.

Platform would probably be all, but most would be windows. Free would
be best but some of the low cost software would be ok.

Dennis

[Gary]

Howdy. I'm catching up by going over the last few posts and

I have not screencasted for ShowMeDo.
I did some tests with Camtasia 4 and 5 a while ago. I just found out
about Jing and gave it a very short try after seeing the pointer on
http://thescreencastinghandbook.com/
I also did a little testing in Linux a while back and will be
following up with at least recordMyDesktop
http://recordmydesktop.sourceforge.net/about.php

We use Windows and Linux. I intend to move as much as I can to Linux
but use what works.

Free/FOSS is my favorite. We bought Camtasia 4 AND 5 and Sony Vegas
for some video editing.

I want to know how best to create screencasts.

Your handbook is an ebook. I am interested in presenting information
with a combination of video and text. Much of what I have seen in the
way of screencasts has been mostly video. I would love to learn more
about ways to help people learn.

Gary