The last time we professed love for a website was a big old gush about moo. We even went mini card crazy at BETT 08 so we are still devoted fans.
(True story…my hand holding our Moo “golden ticket” card for some reason comes out 2nd and 3rd in a Google image search for “moo card”. Sorry, Moo!)
Today we love… Commoncraft.
For those of you not familiar with Commoncraft they make short instructional videos on a range of (mostly) technology subjects and tools that otherwise confuse, infuriate or alienate most “non-techies”, such as Wikis, Twitter, Blogs and RSS feeds.
If any of those words sound like jargon a) you are missing out on some really useful and interesting technology and b) keep reading to find out why.
In their words: “Our product is explanation. We use video and paper to make complex ideas easy to understand. We present subjects “in plain English” using short, unique and understandable videos in a format we call Paperworks.“
You may not recognise the terms in the videos below, or you may have heard them mentioned and been too intimidated to admit you don’t really get them. Nothing wrong with that. Everyone has to start learning somewhere.
Why do we like Commoncraft so much to give it our coveted “Who do we love today” link?
- Each video looks (deliberately) amateur and therefore removes that psychological barrier that often exists between trainer and trainee.
- Each video doesn’t last long so you can give it your full attention.
- They allow you to embed the videos under their creative commons licence.
- Recently, in an ode way, they’ve started to sell each “little bit of explanation” as a business tool for those that want higher resolution versions.
- They make learning enjoyable without being patronising. Not as easy as it sounds.
I wish I could have shown people these videos when pitching ode. Perhaps then there would have been slightly less blank stares when I mentioned things like “I am going to do a blog”.
Yep, ode would be proud to sell Commoncraft video to schools and colleges.
Wikis in plain english
Blogs in plain english
RSS in plain english
Google Docs in plain english
4 comments
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April 25, 2008 at 10:35 am
Mike
Totally love this. Thanks for pointing it out.
Today we all live in a world of technology. The word ‘technology’ alone can scare some people as they immediately fear it is only for ‘techies’ to understand. This fear needs to be squashed as computers and processes continue, and need to, help us in our lives.
Think of how much your granny uses a computer, or your ‘non-techie’ friends, who have barely got email accounts let alone RSS feeds or Blogs!
I would love to show them Commoncraft. It proves that they need not fear computers and processes, but actually embrace them.
Young children too could massively benefit. Perhaps Commoncraft should be compulsary in all school lessons?? Imagine a world where all kids leaving school know how to share documents properly or share online through blogs and wikis. Wow!
I work for a company who supply really technical equipment, (Hilti UK Ltd), and it’s taken me many months to get to grips with all of it. During this process I have compiled a bunch of presentations and documents written in very plain English so that when somebody new joins our team I can get them up to speed faster and reduce their initial fear of learning what is a massive amount of technical information.
Just like Commoncraft, I am hoping that by simplifying the information into ‘bite-size’, clear aids everyone can get trained.
I think that people seem to be attracted to over-complicating things somethimes. Like it almost makes them feel empowered by understanding difficult subjects others do not.
In actual fact I strongly believe that the people that can actually simplify something technical are found to be the true masters of a subject….
Nice post once again Mr.B.
All the best
Mike
April 25, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Mr B
Thanks Mike! How good would it be to commission Commoncraft to build Paperworks videos on concepts and technologies that effect you at work?
For example we have internal systems that at first glance seem complicated. I always absorb and embed learning when I am told why as well as how.
So a set of Papercraft explanations of these internal applications would certainly break down the barriers + save people time in training costs and help minimise mistakes.
It would be quicker to collaborate with Commoncraft and get them to build your training video than do it yourself.
May 1, 2008 at 12:50 pm
MrW
@ Mr B, have you seen the 5min site? IT is kinda along the same lines…UGC about how to do stuff.
http://www.5min.com/
May 2, 2008 at 10:55 am
Mr B
@ Mr W – yes, I’d seen that before but not for ages. They’ve really increased the feature set recently. The internet has always been full of “how to” stuff, but thanks to streaming video there’s a real explosion happening.