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Web App of the Week: ScreenToaster

David Murphy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:10:45 -0600

Ever have one of those moments? You know the one: When it's so difficult to teach someone how to accomplish an everyday task in a particular application that you up and grab the keyboard and mouse yourself and just get 'er done, as it were. Isn't that frustrating? Doesn't your passionate rage for simplifying the art of attaching files to email terrify your coworkers, friends, and loved ones? Wouldn't you like a better way to show someone how to accomplish desktop tasks, one that doesn't actually require you to get up from your chair or, better yet, even pick up a phone?

In a move that's sure to sooth the savage beast that's been identified as a computer expert by his or her flock of advice-seeking peers, the Web app ScreenToaster is a perfectly packaged solution for showing people how to get stuff done on a PC. It does this by taking a live video (complete with audio, if you so choose) of whatever it is you're doing on your desktop, straight out of your Web browser--no additional software installation is necessary, save for a requisite click on the "accept" button for a piece of Java.

But surely the app can't be just that easy? There has to be another catch! Only, there isn't. You don't have to sign up for the Web app in order to use its recording functionality, which is ideal for those that want to give things a test run before spending time crafting the perfect how-to video. You can even select what portions of your desktop you actually want to record--ideal if you don't want your coworkers to see you surfing Maximum PC in a side window. When you're finished with your masterwork, merely create an free account on ScreenToaster to unlock the service's distribution features.

With but a click of the mouse and a few extra keystrokes, you can save a Flash-based version of your video on either ScreenToaster's site or YouTube. You can also download your movie as a .mov or .swf file, which is especially useful for those who want to keep an offline archive of their video advice for future use.

Every Thursday, Maximum PC picks a new Web App as its favorite of the week. Have a Web App that you can't live without? Twitter David Murphy @acererak with your latest suggestions.

Microsoft's Windows Guides Help You Help Your Friends

Mark Edward Soper — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:17:34 -0600

The economy might be down, but Microsoft's betting a lot of your technology-challenged friends and relatives still bought or received new PCs this Christmas. Want to give them a helping hand - and give yourself more free time to get back to your favorite deathmatch or chat session? Tell them to surf over to Microsoft's new Windows Guides website and download - or email - some help.

Redmond has put together a nice assortment of simple guides for various chunks of the Windows Vista computing universe. Whether your family and friends have questions about Windows Media Center, gaming, working on the go, PC and family security, photo editing and sharing, or just getting started with the Windows desktop, adding new hardware, networking, printing, or getting remote assistance, there's a guide for them.

You can download guides in industry-standard PDF or send them via email. The guides provide easy step-by-step instructions and good illustrations, and, with most guides weighing in at less than 2MB each, they won't put undue strain on low-end DSL or cable broadband connections. The first page of each guide lists the contents of the guide and the versions of Windows and any additional software or hardware needed for the tasks covered. The site offers a feedback form, so if your or your uncle aren't satisfied, you can sound off.

You may still get panicked calls from your aunt or your brother-in-law about some of the more esoteric things that Windows can do, but these guides should help get your not-so-nerdy friends and relatives off to a good start with their new PCs.

Great Moments in Technology Instruction

Tom Edwards — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 16:04:55 -0500

At my past job, I was the tech guy; not because of my deep tech knowledge but because, I kid you not, I could copy and paste in a Word doc—and teach this skill to my boss. Let me tell you, few things are more disconcerting than sitting next to a guy who is pulling down six figures a year and teaching him how to highlight text.

I take that back.

What’s more disconcerting is sitting next to him while he practices and watching him as he says, “Click… highlight….” and then lets out a “Wheeeeeeeee!” as he highlights a line of text.
I’m sure many of you have experienced similar situations, which I’d like to collect in a semi-regular feature titled “Great Moments in Technology Instruction.” Leave your best in the comments.

As a bonus, I’ll also throw in this exchange we had one day:
Boss: Tom, do we sell our product on both the Internet and the Web?
Me: Well, I’ve got the Internet covered, but the Web is a bit more difficult. Give me a couple weeks.
Boss: OK, let me know when you finish.