OK! here I am with something new about blogging. Yeah its sketchcasting. I am sure this word is soon going to be added in standard dictionary as the idea has got the power to get success. By the time, I hope you have got the idea that sketchcasting is a word composed of sketch and casting. Means sketchcasting promises the casting of sketch. Casting in the the form of blog offcource. OK here is what official site says…

“Sketchcasting is a fresh entry in the world of blogging, introduced by Richard Ziade”

As the name suggests, Sketchcasting brings Sketching and Casting together. The process enables the blogger to present an idea, thought, plan or anything they want in an illustrative manner; means storyboarding your ideas more easily, more effectively. And best of all, present them to the worl. Publishing of sketches and storyboards more easy way!

“Sketchcasting throws open brilliant possibilities.”, the site boasts and yeah I see the tech going high in the market right now. However the site adds with the previous statement, “Through this site we attempt to bring together, the concept of Sketchcasting with all its Pros and Cons, along with feasible solutions.”Anyhow I am much excited about the technology.

So what Sketchcasting is really all about?

Not a big deal, yeah, sketchcasting is ” “draw-as-you-talk” blogging with whiteboards.” as defined by Richard himself. “ It’s podcasting with a sketchpad!.” So here is a youtube video that describes what this is all about.

Why Sketch Casting

1. It is ideal for bloggers who have to bring forward a difficult or complex idea. A text presentation may run the risk of confusing the audience. For instance, one can use it to introduce a new idea that will be difficult to understand otherwise.
2. An animated look, adds to the entertainment value without reducing the significance of the matter.
3. The visual effect holds on the attention of the audience longer and makes a deep impact.
4. More fun to work with rather then typing texts.
5. There is no need have any artistic skills, a person who can write can also draw in a tablet PC.
6. Writing a post can take more time selecting the right words etc or one has to hire a professional writer whereas it’s easier and quicker in case of Sketchingcasting, if you have the materials ready in hand.

But still there are still some negative aspects of it.

1. Equipments required to carry out the entire process can add upto a lot, particularly the tablet PC. A cheaper version of tablet PC can serve as a way out. Settle for it, if Sketchcasting benefits you in more than one way and getting it on your blog cuts down your effort to a great extent.
2. Drawing with mouse is difficult even for the expert bloggers. To make things smooth go for a digipen/pad that’s much cheaper and makes drawing simpler. You can also use it instead of a Tablet PC.
3. While for SEO purposes sketchcasting doesn’t do any good since Google doesn’t index videos yet. One way to negate the damage is to repeat the information in a text form.
4. Some viewers skim through a particular post to check if it’s of any use to them or no. This obviously may not be the case with a Sketchcasting unless the viewer lets the video download completely and then fastforwards in between.

Where Sketchcasting can be beneficial and where it should be used?

1. Solving Math Problems (yeah how easy it is that way, I am gonna give this tip to my old math tutor)
2. Business Strategy and Planning
3. Football or any other Sports game plans
4. Comic strips
5. Online Tutorials (the best way!)
6. Instructional Blogs (Off course)

OK I am ready for Sketchcasting; what do I need to Sketchcast? (How to Sketch Cast)

Tools Required

1. Microphone with speakers: Blogger can vocally explain the series of sketches for better understanding.
2. Screen casters: To record your activity in the PC.
3. Drawing Progam: Lets you do all the illustration similar to a white board.
4. Tablet PC: The drawing program and recording will be executed on it.

Procedure

1. Draw your idea using the drawing program with the speakers on for explaining the process.
2. Record the activity with a screencaster of your choice and save it as an avi file.
3. Finally, upload it on youtube or whatever other video hosting site you prefer.
4. Then simply add the link on your blog directing to the video.

Richard has explained in his second Sketch Cast video

 Anyhow keep your fingers crossed, I think there is much to do on this very technology (hmm I think it is right now a concept. There needs something to be done in order to make it easier and fun with little hassles.) . Keep thinking and keep working Richard, youare going to get something great done in the near future (my smart forecast! ;))

Fahd Murtaza