Creating L10n screencasts

Everyone learns differently. Some are able to read through wiki pages and capture every piece of information within them. Others need a more visual form of learning. And others still need a form of interactive learning.

If you're on this page, it's because you want to help localizers learn how to be successful with the large list of l10n tasks they'll regularly need to perform. To accomplish this, we'll create screencast videos on performing small, common l10n tasks. These will be uploaded to our YouTube channel, where a localizer can find them all and watch them in succession, should they want to do so.

How do I create a L10n screencast?

Hold on to your seat, cause this is gonna be fun!

1. Look through the tasks listed here and select one that has not yet been taken by adding your name next to it.
2. Review the steps for completing the task in the MDN or WikiMo doc.
3. Write a script for your screencast based on the wiki doc. Practice both vocally and by walking through the steps on your computer.
4. Download a your favorite screencast tool and become familiar with how it works.
5. Make your video!
6. Once you've made your video, edit it (if you want), and send it to XXXXXXXXXXX. And boom! You're done!

Now, I know you're excited and want to jump in. Take some time to read the rest of this wiki page first. Believe me, you'll be glad you did!

Basic guidelines

A L10n screencast video must:

• be recorded in English.
• be a tutorial on accomplishing a single task.
• be based on already documented tasks. This ensures that the audience has a external, written point of reference that they can frequently use. That means that if you want to create a screencast video tutorial for a task that has not yet been documented in either WikiMo or MDN, start writing :-).
• be brief, not exceeding five minutes.
• be scripted. This reduces the chance of error while recording.
• be creative and fun! If you can add some flair to your video, we want to see it! Remember that humor and an engaging speaking manner do a lot to liven up a video.

Audience

Target: Existing and new localizers whose learning style is based on visual stimulae. As our localizers are very diverse and difficult to target simply based on background, these videos must be based on already written documentation found in the two L10n wikis: MDN & WikiMo. This will help maintain consistency in addressing audiences between all learning platforms.

Content

• These videos are meant to orient the audience through a common L10n task. A list of these tasks can be found here.
• Be sure to write a script and walk through the task's steps a few times before recording. This reduces the chance of something going wrong during your recording.
  • The script should not be restrictive. Personality makes videos interesting. Use the script as a guideline but do not follow it rigidly.
  • A script should contain (but not be limited to) the following:
    • An introduction (introduce yourself and the task).
    • List of prerequisites to completing this task (e.g., accounts, software, etc. you need to perform this task).
    • Introduction to the tool you're using.
    • Step-by-step walkthrough of the task.
    • Concluding words of encouragement and support.

Tools

• Freeseer is a good open source option that's supported on Windows.
• Jing is a good free option and it's supported on Windows and Mac.
• Wink is another good open source tool and is even supported on Linux!

Next iteration of videos

Once we have a comprehensive library of screencast tutorials created by L10n community experts, we will begin combining their content and tasks into longer, more interactive videos. By doing so, we will help localizers whose learning style requires a more dynamic approach.