Video Resumes

 I had a mixed views on video resumes. Finally I wanted to give a try on that. So I made a movie (thanks to www.xtranormal.com) about myself, my education, expertise areas and work activities that I do. I have embedded that video my “About me” page. Please let me know your comments if any.  🙂

My First Video Movie on Technical Writing

Xtranormal.com is a website that gives an option to convert your text into a movie, that too free of cost(ok, ok)..You just need to choose your actors(max 2) and type your script, the site will take care of camera shots and recording. I have created a movie on the multiple roles that Technical Writers play in a development environment. Here is the link:

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7859593

Note: You can embed the video directly by publishing it in YouTube.

My First Prezi on DDLC

Vodpod videos no longer available.

My First Prezi on DDLC, posted with vodpod

 

I created my first Prezi on Document Development Life Cycle(DDLC). I feel still there are enough rooms to enhance my prezi. Maybe I will groom much better in my next attempt.  I am curious to know your feedbacks and critics.

How to add your Prezi in your WordPress blog

I created a sample Prezi (wait, final touches are going on) and I just explored the prezi site for finding a way to add my sample prezi in my space. WordPress usually don’t encourage third party components, java scripts (like web counter). They believe in self help is the best help. 🙂

When I went through the prezi community forum, I got the solution which I wanted to share here.

1. Visit this site: http://vodpod.com/wordpress/ . You will see a “Post to WordPress” button on the left side.
2. Right click on that button and add it into your browser Favorites (just in case for re-usability).
3. Now from the Favorites, open that script (yes, it is a script). A pop-up window will open.
4. Paste the Embed code in the Video Preview column that you copied from your Prezi  earlier.
5. Fill-in your wordpress blog address, User name and password in their respective fields.
6. If you wish, fill-in the Post details.
7. Click the Send to Blog editor link. This will take you to your wordpress blog editor mode.
8. Do the necessary edits and publish the post.
9. You should see the Prezi created in your wordpress blog.

Present yourself with the Prezi

Are you

• bored with static (with limited animated) Presentations..?
• looking for some innovative techniques to present in a better way..?
• interested in keeping your audience awake rather than snoozing during your presentation..?

If your answer is YES, then I would strongly recommend you to create an account for yourself with www.prezi.com

1)  Sign up with www.prezi.com and go through few basic lessons on how to create a prezi.

2)  Give a try by creating your own prezi (of course, with a lot of trial and errors).

3) If you really liked it and most importantly if you have a budget, go ahead with a licensed one. No, no, I am not paid by the Prezi to endorse their product.  🙂

Check out this video for knowing the Prezi in a nutshell. 

Note: Very soon, I will create one Prezi and upload in this space.

Correlating the things

I am sorry for not updating this space for quite some time. I was really busy with little personal stuffs, frequent weekend travels, blah blahs. I really ask sorry to those thousands of this blog readers (just kidding).

I really cherish those moments when I watch television ads with my son (18 months old), who likes ads than cartoons. I really surprise on his skills the way he correlates real things with those comes on television. One fine day, I showed a bottle of Dettol hand washer kept near the wash basin when the same product ad appeared on the virtual screen. After a day, same ad came on the screen (of course they sponsor a lot of programs in different channels). He quickly pulled my hands and showed the same bottle kept aside. I was on a pleasant  surprise. He is able to recognize that product colour, shape and that ad sound of course.

Now as a Technical Writer, I am correlating this incident (anecdote) with the user experience. Rather than writing hundred pages user manual, it’s really a good idea to present them with video tutorials, and captivate demos to explore a particular feature of a product. The User will grasp the new things easily by these kinds of visuals than reading hundreds of pages. Of course, it’s human brain’s tendency to correlate things visually than reading or learning by themselves.