What is (or is not) a Tutorial

[John Rostron]

I have made a number of posts in this Tutorials forum on how to do various things, mainly involving Distort > Equations. Many have also provided a macro that executes the operation. I have realized more recently that posts such as these, which are mainly presenting a macro would better fit in the Resources forum. 

I would welcome some guidance from moderators as to choosing the appropriate forum. My feeling is that a post that is mainly explaining a procedure, a 'how to' is best as a Tutorial, whereas a post presenting a finished product (a macro) is best as a Resource. There could be appropriate cross-referencing between the two if needs be.

Just to blur the issue, I note that the Tutorials forum often has posts which are asking for 'how to' explanations, which should perhaps belong in  the Questions forum.

Perhaps the mods  would include a sticky Guidelines for Tutrials at the top of the forum?

John

[Patrick Connor]

@James Ritson

Any comments?

[Madame]

I think the headline "Tutorials" is self-explanatory. Some of the posters are asking for a tutorial I think.
Yes, maybe a sticky post, but I don't think it would help much.  (And now we are using the forum for discussing it, not posting a tutorial..  )

I think the moderators are generous, not pointing it out all the time. It contributes to a kind and gentle tone in the forum. Allthough the posters would get more attention to a post, posting it in the right forum. 

Just some thoughts from me. 

[v_kyr]

Quote

Internet

Internet computer tutorials can take the form of a screen recording (screencast), a written document (either online or downloadable), interactive tutorial, or an audio file, where a person will give step by step instructions on how to do something.

Tutorials usually have the following characteristics:

• A presentation of the view usually explaining and showing the user the user interface
• A demonstration of a process, using examples to show how a workflow or process is completed; often broken up into discrete modules or sections.
• Some method of review that reinforces or tests understanding of the content in the related module or section.
• A transition to additional modules or sections that builds on the instructions already provided. Tutorials can be linear or branching.

While many writers refer to a mere list of instructions or tips as a tutorial, this usage can be misleading.

Quote

Computer-based tutoring

In computer-based education, a tutorial is a computer program whose purpose is to assist users in learning how to use parts of a software product such as an office suite or any other application, operating system interface, programming tool, or video game. There are three kinds of software tutorials: 1) video tutorials that the user views, 2) interactive tutorials where the user follows on-screen instructions (and—in some cases—watches short instruction movies), whereupon he/she does the tutorial exercises and receives feedback depending on his/her actions; and 3) webinars where users participate in real-time lectures, online tutoring, or workshops remotely using web conferencing software.

 

[John Rostron]

@v_kyr, I thank you for an up-to-date summary of online tutoring. I retired twelve years ago, but the latter part of my career involved much on-line tutoring. I have to admit that the online tutoring world has moved on considerably since my day. Personally, I prefer a static web-page tutorial to a video-based one. I could do interactive, but not on these forums.

John

[John Rostron]

2 hours ago, Madame said:

(And now we are using the forum for discussing it, not posting a tutorial..  )

A nice point (as the lawyers are fond of saying). And here I am compounding it!

John