Ideal -ible FORMAT??
Back in the day, I read Popular mechanics all the time. They had a page for nifty home projects. Kind of the instructables of the time. As I recall, the whole idea was conveyed in 1 pic. If you knew how to use tools, you could do it.
I find myself annoyed with having to click through pages of steps in instructables. But maybe that's just me. Maybe that's a better format for a generation without shop class and scoutmasters.
I'm looking for feedback here. Am I the only one who likes all the instructions on 1 page? Do my -ibles with 1 big block of text and "refer to fig 3" work for you guys? (it would be nice if photo -ibles could have figure numbers on pics) But maybe that's too old school. http://www.instructables.com/id/HarpoonGrappling-Hook-Gun/
One of my buddies said my format would make printing it up easy. Usually I like to have directions on paper if I'm gonna refer to them while turning a wrench and gettin filthy.
As far as a typical reader on -ibles, what's the best format?
I find myself annoyed with having to click through pages of steps in instructables. But maybe that's just me. Maybe that's a better format for a generation without shop class and scoutmasters.
I'm looking for feedback here. Am I the only one who likes all the instructions on 1 page? Do my -ibles with 1 big block of text and "refer to fig 3" work for you guys? (it would be nice if photo -ibles could have figure numbers on pics) But maybe that's too old school. http://www.instructables.com/id/HarpoonGrappling-Hook-Gun/
One of my buddies said my format would make printing it up easy. Usually I like to have directions on paper if I'm gonna refer to them while turning a wrench and gettin filthy.
As far as a typical reader on -ibles, what's the best format?
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Now the creator of an instructable can add tags to the images. The idea is by reading the instructable you an easily figure out what picture is being referred too. But it is great when people openly label and reference there images.
Sometimes in reading for comprehension, I scan back and forward in text. So sentence 10 might raise a question in my mind: "Didn't you say to use CARBON steel?' Scanning back a few sentences, I see that, NO... they wrote STAINLESS steel." It's tough to do that with multipage format.
That said, the clarity or thoroughness of an instructable is a reflection of the skill of the author. You may have a high expectation of what an instructable should be but many times that goal may not be met. By commenting on the instructable you can provide feedback and get any questions answered.
It really depends on what kind of project it is or how experienced you are. I guess I have read through so many mold/cast/fiberglass/etc. that I can do with a one page photo ible. But sometimes you want to see greater detail or want to skip the page where someone goes through the screenshots of using some software. As long as someone decides to share what they make, it's all good.