You have to admire the makers of the above video which explains in general terms the development of the internet since its inception in 1957. So popular is the clip that it has been downloaded more than a million times and is used as a teaching aid in classrooms around the world. I would find it particularly useful in teaching English as a second language.

It succeeds as a fluid commentary, never losing the continuity of its simple animation and voice-over. It is an example of how we can communicate effectively online where time and space are at a premium.

The video is also reminiscent of the kind of short public information and teaching films that were popular before the internet even existed, when graphics served only to support a central message.

The closing credits state that the video was achieved by using freely available graphics and a narrator hired from a voice-over pool. If you’re going to project a complex set of ideas via your blog or website, it’s advisable to beg or borrow the simplest and best tools available within your budget. Video is only a substitute for good technical writing if it is concise and to the point.

Tags: graphics, history, internet, technical writing, video, voice-over
Categories: blogging

This entry was posted on Friday, March 27th, 2009 at 3.04 am and is filed under blogging. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.