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Google Code-in 2014/Phabricator screencasts

From mediawiki.org
Introduction to phab-01.wmflabs.org is an example of a screencast made in GCi
How to fill your profile, another example.

https://phabricator.wikimedia.org is a new collaboration platform used by the Wikimedia Community. (Instructions are to be completed, we are focusing on the basics currently). We have Phabricator/Help , however, wouldn't it be great to just show how to do something, instead of describing it step by step with text only.

Instructions

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Each screencast (see w:Screencast) video will focus on a single task and aim to have less than 1 minute duration. For the specific single task to cover in your screencast, please see the summary of this GCI task.

No need to agree any script in advance, just look at the written instructions, play around yourself, and record the screencast (preferably in a quiet place so your voice can be heard clearly when you are describing what you are doing in the video). The worst thing that might happen is that we give you feedback and you have to repeat the less-than-a-minute video again.

You will have to upload the screencast to Wikimedia Commons in a free video format - see c:Commons:Video#Video_formats for more information.

You might need to play a bit with Phabricator first to understand it before you create that screencast - please see the existing written documentation (we also have a test instance of Phabricator, for example).

Students are required to read Wikimedia's general instructions at https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Google_Code-in_2014#Instructions_for_GCI_students first.

Useful feedback

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Based on our comments to GCi students.

  • Focus on the features unique to your screencast. The rest is probably covered in other screencasts.
  • Write down in a piece of paper (or here) the main talking points, and have them in front of you when recording the screencast.
  • The beginning is important. Your first sentences need to introduce the topic to a newcomer.
  • Avoid running the whole screencast showing always the same screen.
  • In general, you want to use bigger font sizes. Viewers don't need to read plain text, but bigger fonts help them understanding what is going on. Please try to avoid showing trademarked logos (for example the logo of your operating system) if possible.
  • These real Wikimedia screencasts. There is no need to add Google Code-in or MediaWiki branding at the beginning/end of the video. Just share your screen with Phabricator.
  • And your voice is going to be the voice of Wikimedia. Casual language is good, your own words are good, just avoid slang, swearing, etc. Speaking a bit slower than usual makes it easier for non-native speakers to follow your voice and actions.

List of screencasts

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Screencasts needed: