shownotes_MCM20120115

How-to Helpers
  These are some of the apps, tools, and tricks that I use to help make it easier to help explain to others how to do stuff on their Macs or with their iOS devices
Text Expander
  Anytime that I've found that I've shared the same tip or bit of information more than once I will tend to save it into a TextExpander snippet
  So when I realize that I'm repeating myself, i.e. writing the tip for a second time, I finish writing it out and then
    Select All (Command+A)
    Go under the Text Expander menu in the menubar
    Choose, 'Create Snippet from Selection…' (You'll need to make sure this Service is enabled in the System Preferences > Keyboard >Keyboard Shortcuts in the Services section). Enable 'Create TextExpander 3 Snippet.
  Then give it an abbreviation you think you'll remember.
  Consider using a common "prefix" scheme for your snippet abbreviations, something you would not type in normal typing ',ht-' for example.
  Your snippets can include images.
  $34.95 USD and $4.99 for TextExpander Touch
Skitch
  Free and available for Mac and the iPad
  Great tools to help you add annotations to your screen shots and images
  Vector object so they can be moved and re-sized even after you place them.
  Save a history to use later.
  Supports opacity so you can use it for highlighting
  Circle + white fill + number to create call outs.
  Hold down Shift to take a "countdown" screenshot
  Hold down shift key when adjusting size slider to get finer increments
  Rectangle + fill outside with transparent black to create a focus area. (no fill in iPad version)
OmniGraffle
  Used for creating diagrams
  Great for visualizing workflows and communicating complex ideas
  Built-in stencil sets
    Network topologies and symbols
    Flowcharts
    Download additional sets
    Integrated with Graffletopia
  Drawing tools
    Can create callouts
    Use text tools
    Line tools that anchor to objects with various arrows and endpoints
    Vector based, so you can import your own objects and create your own stencil sets.
  I've created entire project documentation in OmniGraffle
  Very powerful tool, so it's not cheap. USD $99.00 for Standard and $199.00 for Pro. $49.99 for iPad
Camtasia for Mac
  Screencasts
  Easily lets me capture and record the screen
    Can do a portion, a single window, or the entire screen
  Can capture screen and iSight to do a picture in picture style video.
  Use external mics and audio sources
  Built in timeline editor to add additional polish
    Zooming and focus. Can zoom in to show detail and pan to make sure people are focused in the right area
    Call outs, arrows, and cursor highlighting
  There are also titles and transitions and other standard options
  Video and tilt effects allow you to combine videos and images and text. Add drop shadows, mirror and other effects and get a professional look.
  Share options
    Can export to MPEG-4 format. Can even have it generate the HTML code if you plan to upload and share it on your own server
    Can share on YouTube or Screencast.com (Camtasia's service) 2GB storage and 2GB bandwidth for free
    Can send to iTunes if you plan on sharing on an iOS device or Apple TV
Dropbox
  Sharing documents, especially video files and be tricky
  You can't typically send them in an email because they end up being too large
  Dropbox is an invaluable tool
  If it's just a one time link I simply add the file to my public folder and then create a share link
    Right+Click or Control+Click and choose 'Copy public link'
  For times when I know there will be back and forth. Collaborative documents for example then I create a folder and share that folder
    Right+Click or Control+Click and choose 'Share this Folder'
    In the web interface enter the email of those you want to share the folder with.
    They will have to sign up for a free Drop box account.
  Dropbox is also my preferred way to get stuff on and off my iPad
    integrated with so many apps
    Can use the Dropbox app along with the 'Open In…' option from the 'Action' button