Creation of video tutorials and democlips.

New Prices

2008-04-04T02:23:00.000-07:00

Text - $ 0.006 for 1 symbol including spaces.

Screenshots - $ 0.2 for 1 screenshot from your samples.

PDF - $ 1.5 for 1 A4 page.

Portfolio

2007-01-17T09:51:00.000-08:00

You can see my works here:

http://www.todolistsoft.com/download/

The links to Video Tour. I hope, I will present orders from other developers in the near future.

By the way, if you are a small software development company, you will definitely like their VIP Task Manager (http://www.taskmanagementsoft.com/). It allows multiple users simultaneously access the common database for adding, editing and tracking tasks.

Prices and Help files

2007-01-16T09:31:00.000-08:00

Posted announcement about video tutorials making at RSDN.ru and received some questions. Here are the answers:

The price depends on video's time. Requirements specification is also important. If there is no requirements specification, it is created for additional pay. Requirements specification is an exact consequence of actions in video tutorial and comments for each step (the format of the comments and callouts: font, size, color, background, etc.). The more specific the requirements specification is, the quicker the video will be made, and the less difficulties there will be, when the work is approved by the client.

The first minute of video tour costs $30 USD, each following minute costs $10 USD. Each minute of the next video costs $10 USD.

Help files, or Helps. Why are they called "files"? Because the are files in CHM format. As a rule. Formats may vary, however, this is the most popular format on PC. Why are they called Helps? Because sometimes they really help. :)

As I don't only write texts of Helps, but also create the structure and format the files to CHM, I write that I create Help files.

I can not give exact prices for making Help files as this is a unique piece of work for each application and has different requirements and amount.

So the price is agreed. As an example of the price I can say that Help files for Visio costs about $3000 USD. Without animated tutorials, publishing to PDF or compilation of Help to Macintosh. Just a CHM file. However the size of this file can be up to 15 MB. Can you imagine how much text and how many screenshots are there in it? That's why the price is quite reasonable.

Software for making video tutorials (demos)

2007-01-15T09:56:00.000-08:00

I use Camtasia 3.1 for editing video and SnagIT 8 for making and editing screenshots. I love these tools. I know that many demo makers use Adobe
After Effects, still I think it is too much for my needs. I believe, that software tutorials and advertising video require minimum of special effects, otherwise they will distract user from the software itself.

The end products are in AVI, MOV, SWF formats. Though I can convert them to more exotic formats if needed. Who knows what format is the most popular now?

Software for making Help files

2007-01-15T09:54:00.000-08:00

For making help files I use Macromedia Dreamweaver and Help&Manual. In fact, I could use Help&Manual only, because it allows to create CHM, HLP and even PDF (though PDF is not of the best quality), however MacOS X Help require HTML files and Dreamweaver is a better tool for making them. So here is the process: I make files in HTML, then I import them to Help&Manual, where I restore their structure, check the anchors and create CHM. The thing is that our company develops cross platform (Mac&PC) applications, moreover Macintosh gets more attention.

What is this blog about?

2007-01-12T08:59:00.000-08:00

I work as a technical writer in one of software companies. I make any kinds of software User's Guides, User's Manuals, Reference, Help files, etc. Now the software installation size allows to add extra 10-20 MB without any problem. Also they can be published on developer's website as advertisement. IMHO, video tutorial is much better than a static screenshot.

So what is this blog about and why did I created it?

First of all, money is never enough. It would be nice to make some more. :) Second, nobody is perfect, and the way to perfection never ends. I can do many things, however, I am ready to learn new things and correct my mistakes, if there is anyone who will point at them. I mean technical mistakes, not grammatical ones in callouts of demo. :)

If any of you need such a content for software (shareware, developers, etc.), I can help you for a reasonable pay. Also, I welcome any comments from 'brother in arms'.