Digital Video Design and Production Tips for Technical Communication  

Technical communicators can expect to see an expanding role of video in product documentation, training, and marketing presentations. This is largely due to three factors: (1) digital video lowers the technology and cost thresholds to bring video to the desktop, (2) video makes sense for conveying information involving movement, and (3) video is a popular consumer medium. To technical communicators, video is a new medium in which visual communication is key. Narration and text are subordinate. Technical videographers must learn and apply video design principles and good production practices to create effective video that communicates the information.

Robbins, David B. STC Proceedings (2001). Presentations>Tutorials>Video

Digital Video in Technical Communication: Panel and Discussion  

Digital does not experience signal loss or degradation...what goes in, comes out.

Robbins, David B., Donald Van Erem and S. Martin 'Marty' Shelton. STC Proceedings (2000). Presentations>Multimedia>Video

Jump into Digital Video for Multimedia   

Digital video (DV) is relatively easy and inexpensive to produce and has an expanding role in technical communication. It is a powerful media for communication and can be included in favorite online formats such as WinHelp, HTML help, Acrobat (PDF), and web pages, as well as training presentations produced with tools such as Asymmetrix Toolbook and Macromedia Authorware. Delivery of DV spans a range of electronic media including CD, DVD, and the Internet. New technology offers the potential to synchronize the presentation of video, audio, and other multimedia forms. This paper introduces DV concepts. It gives practical tips for investing in DV equipment and producing video and audio.

Robbins, David B., Kathleen Wyrwas and Alice Davinich. STC Proceedings (1999). Articles>Documentation>Multimedia>Video

Usability Testing: Evaluation and Integration in the Document Development Process  

Support, teamwork, and process are the keystones of our renewed efforts to reap the benefits of usability testing. Best practices from the literature led us to adopt Nielsen's suggestion to build reliance on task-based scenarios, heuristic evaluations, and protocol-aided revision. But integrating usability testing with documentation development processes is crucial. Our approach includes getting writers involved in planning and conducting informal and formal usability tests throughout the development cycle. Implementation is based on ISO-compliant work instructions and product information guidelines. Usability measurements and process metrics help demonstrate results and added value.

Robbins, David B. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>Usability>Testing