Lately a few of us at C2 have been checking out our online presence and in the process looking at others resources on the web.
While perusing tutorials and sites toting “experts” I noticed that there were some fundamental flaws with either the instruction or the expected outcome (not due to operator error). The web is open to anyone with a blogger account and time. This does not make them an expert or their tutorial a great catch.
So – what makes a good online tutorial?
Here’s my benchmarks and what I look for when I find a tutorial (in no particular order):
Design. Believe it or not, this is a big one for me. Is it easy to read? Does it include screen shots? If the site looks like it came from someone that can’t design their way out of a paper bag, then what kind of advice are they giving you? Also bonus points if they are posting on a reputable site and not just on an advertising pushing, pop-up heavy site.
The age of the posts. With the fast paced world of digital media, updates and advances in the software means that we have to try and keep up as well. If you see a really cool post but it is from last year, take it with a grain of salt because things may be different when you try it.
Resources. Do they include a file for you to practice along with? If not, do they at least explain if the technique has limitations? A lot of times I find that a process may work on file type A, but then you try it again on file type B and the results are not as pleasant.
Terminology. If I hear one more person refer to the Selection Tool in Illustrator as “The Black Arrow” I swear… Just kidding. But seriously, if you get a tutorial where they refer to items such as the “thingy” be warned. “Thingys” are bad.
The Author. Again, anyone can post if they have the time, but this does not make them an expert. Check their creds. Are they Adobe Certified? Are they posting on a reputable site? Are they published or referenced anywhere else outside of their own posting?
These few things run through my head each time I see another tutorial pop on my radar. The best advice I can give is that if you follow the directions specifically and the results are nowhere near what you expected, don’t try try again.
