Friday, November 5, 2010

Thing #41

Loved the how to do it sites. All sites should be this easy to use! I went to Grasper, Instuctables, and Monnkeysee, and all had good points.

Grasper had more videos on the topics I looked at, or at least had more videos in small segments. Chineese calligraphy was well covered, and there were some lessons on copperplate, too. But the segments on knitting were plentifull. And some were very good, with slow motion and full screen options. I searched for the wider topics I was intersted in.

In Instructables I first used the tabs, and was impressed by the youthfullness of the projects, and the inventiveness and creativity. I did find the search box, and searched on knitting, and found more "how to" type instructions. I was a little disapointed that it was "slides" or "stop action", but when I thought about it, realized this was something that could be printed out and taken to where I knit--which isn't in front of the computer. And there were different ways to display the instructions, too. A little edgier, more fun site.

And the there was Monkeysee. First time I looked at it, I couldn't get rid of the live action ads, and they showed up on every clip I watched. Then there was a little add at the bottom, but there was a X you coul click for that one. The second time was much less ad intensive. This is video again, with stop action, slow motion and full screen. Fewer vids, again, but some that are very well produced. The calligraphy series I watched did advertise her studio, but shse was very good, and had very good advice.

I think these are very good additions to the do it yourself and hobby books that we own and have in our libraries. I know from time to time, I go through my books, and am still not certain what the magazine means by it's instructions, especially if it's a British magazine! But even the U.S. instructions can be confusing, taking for granted that you'll know to do_________ when you get here, in your knitting pattern.

I can see how some might go to them instead of the books, but I really can't think of them as replacing the books. Even a laptop can't be held in the lap while you're knitting--at least not for long, and let's not mention sewing, engine repair, cooking, etc. The laptop is fragile, overheats, doesn't respond well to hot/cold dusty/oily environments, or flour. Neither do our books, that's why for some hobbies, it's best to buy your own....still.