YouTube, DVD or both? Getting started videos for tools.

[TheTassieBFG]

I voted for both (though I'm not in NA) as there are still some people out there who do not have ready access to the net (though i would assume most people buying festool would have it.  I'm another who would endorse Paul Marcels approach. 

Andrew

 

[sancho57]

Along these lines,

Id like to see festool , have Steve produce a video of what is essentially the festool essentials class.

I for one would buy one as it covers the basics of the basic festools everything from setting up a MFT to using the domino on a mitre joint.

Its just a outstanding class.

The same could be said for the other classes.

 

[richy3333]

Hi all. I'm new to the site and also to Festool

I'm sure our situation isn't unique, but we live in a remote location and have to access our internet via a satellite and it doesn't work the same as regular broadband. That places severe restrictions on us like not being able to watch things such as YouTube if we don't want to wipe out all our data allowance for the month! I'd happily pay for a DVD or series of DVD's because that would be far cheaper than the cost of paying for more data on our satellite broadband.

DVD's pleeeeeease

 

[wow]

Hi all. I'm new to the site and also to Festool

I'm sure our situation isn't unique, but we live in a remote location and have to access our internet via a satellite and it doesn't work the same as regular broadband. That places severe restrictions on us like not being able to watch things such as YouTube if we don't want to wipe out all our data allowance for the month! I'd happily pay for a DVD or series of DVD's because that would be far cheaper than the cost of paying for more data on our satellite broadband.

DVD's pleeeeeease

[welcome] to the FOG!

And - based on your avatar - it looks like congratulations may be in order as well?

 

[SittingElf]

YouTube or other online video site for updates, but I would personally prefer a DVD as well, with ALL of the Festool products, that would include setups, tips, operation, manuals and supplemental manuals. All in one place. (That might also increase some sales, because people would have ready access to info on tools they don't already own, including descriptions, use, operations, and manuals). [smile]

I have that sort of DVD from other manufacturers of various products, and I find them extremely helpful. An additional PLUS is that I could reference that material when I'm working in Nigeria, where trying to stream video...even video Skype, is nearly impossible!. [sad]

Cheers,

Frank

 

[peter halle]

The poll is locked to changing your vote, so I will have to change my thoughts here only.  I would change my vote to both.

When I originally voted I fell into the trap of thinking that everyone had the luxury of high speed internet available to them.  Or even dependable service.  There are indeed places where dial up service or worse is the norm. 

Case in point - there have been three Moderators here.  Forrest, just before he stopped being a Moderator relocated to an area that didn't have internet service unless he went into town.  Seth, up until a year or so ago had to rely on dial-up service or had to drive to the library with his laptop in order to see videos.  Talk about dedication.

Peter

 

[Zacharytanner]

Both can't find the poll

 

[Zacharytanner]

Helps if I login

 

[RC]

I'm with Paul-Marcel on the app - its more today than just a youtube/vimeo/website channel and can be easily taken to the shop to watch while touching the tool vs. trying to get a TV & DVD hauled there.

To solve the bad reception problem an app approach would also solve that issue with per item selectable local caching on the tablet device. That way you can download what ever is relevant to your tablet and then go into your basement shop without internet connectivity.

Just make sure to make the local caching toggleable because every device will run out of storage space if video rich apps want to keep every video local. Downloaded some yoga and pilates apps that happily dumped 4GB of video on my iPhone... they didn't stay long...  [scared]

Another benefit of an app approach could be to integrate the manuals in ebook format and possibly provide some nifty calculator/converter-type features or even go a step further and develop cutlist integration, etc. in to the app. Sort of like the Bosch app does, but take it to the next level.

Also more videos of workflow with the use of multiple Festools vs. per tool instructions to highlight how they work together as a system would be nice. Nothing fancy, but for example something like erock's cabinet build video series even thou it was primarily about the LR32 system, but could be expanded to cover material prep from lumberyard to finished product. There are many small projects in the German Holtzidee magazine that Festool DE used to publish from sleds to planters that would be cool to have as video.

 

[jbasen]

I voted for both.

Especially given how sparse the current Festool manuals are I personally would pop in a DVD to watch when I purchased a new tool.  It essentially becomes the missing manual.  

To me, a card with a reminder to look at YouTube for more info on operating the tool feels more like the same "checkout our web site" advertising that many companies include with their products.  I realize it isn't meant this way by Festool but I think many people would ignore it because of the way that other companies market to purchase additional products.

While I work in software development (woodworking is a hobby) I am old enough to have started in that field long before there was an Internet.  Younger people that grew up with the Internet may toss the DVD and jump straight to YouTube as their preferred way of viewing video.  

For tools I own, this poll, if nothing else, is a good reminder to checkout the Festool YouTube channel again to look for any new videos

My $.02

Jay

 

[SittingElf]

Reiska,

With respect, the app idea alone is NOT the way to go in my opinion. 

Yes, it's fine if you have a snappy internet connection to download the app and the various subjects...but it took three days for me to update Pages and Numbers on my iPad in Nigeria with it plugged in, and on the pitiful wi-fi we have in the residence there. We don't even dream about doing an IOS or OSX update there! I could load the base app while in Germany or the USA, but then when I want a particular subject for the app to display; to study or refer to, and it isn't on my tablet already, forget about it while in Africa....whereas, having a DVD with ALL of the available docs, videos, and instructions is much more portable.

Just my  [2cents]

Cheers,

Frank

 

[bkharman]

Reiska,

With respect, the app idea alone is NOT the way to go in my opinion. 

Yes, it's fine if you have a snappy internet connection to download the app and the various subjects...but it took three days for me to update Pages and Numbers on my iPad in Nigeria with it plugged in, and on the pitiful wi-fi we have in the residence there. We don't even dream about doing an IOS or OSX update there! I could load the base app while in Germany or the USA, but then when I want a particular subject for the app to display; to study or refer to, and it isn't on my tablet already, forget about it while in Africa....whereas, having a DVD with ALL of the available docs, videos, and instructions is much more portable.

Just my  [2cents]

Cheers,

Frank

From a guy that works knee deep in the industry... (my personal and professional opinion here)

I am down the middle on when is is proper to do a full blown app and when is it better for a mobile page.  First, the app.  When you build an app, there are a lot of things to consider, you have to worry about coverage within the mobile community as well as the companies that own/run them.  It is well known that I am an embedded with Apple both in my work and personal life and it has always taken front seat on our development efforts.  We don't wait 6 months to build the Android equivalent but it is not a same day release.  We have built a number of apps that allow you to download content to keep local.  I know this is still an issue if internet is horrendous in the first place, but it can be helpful.  One of the best examples here is Navigon.  They are a GPS/Mapping app similar to Google Maps, Apple Maps and alike.  They get you from here to there and they do it well... globally.  The nice thing with them is that if you travel in your own state (or province or country) you only need the map for that state.  If you travel in a region, download the other states.  Very simple and effective.

The other avenue is the mobile site.  I like it for its simplicity.  You can hit it from most mobile browsers and that is it.  It can't take advantage of all of the APIs from each OS vendor, but it is nice in a pinch.  Of course the major fallback is the internet connectivity again.  Without it, this option becomes non-existent.

There are apps i have used for several years and continue to use.  There are also many that I can't stand and have abandoned long ago.  I am not saying anything most folks don't already know here, but more just saying "weigh the options for yourself"... then think of the other billion mobile users across the globe and things become increasingly difficult.

With all of that being said, I would never vote for the physical media option.  I know I might offend remote users with that comment and I apologize, but it is the world I live and work in.  It is my paycheck (and my employees paychecks) that force me to believe it.  Physical media is on it's way out and there is nothing we can do about it.  It is a matter now of "how long".

Sorry for the long winded comment...  Cheers.  Bryan.

 

[BMH]

I agree with Paul Marcel, a basic app with links to the different videos or manuals would be great. The ability to scan the bar code on the product with you Iphone/Android and get the link to the product page and documentation would make it even simpler. The advantage of that, is it can be link to the appropriate language.

To make the app even better you can add over time calculators to convert metric to imperial, angle calculator etc..

Bruce

 

[Stone Message]

I think that YouTube wins for me. It has been mentioned above that one can use these videos to help inform the choice of tool.

This does not necessarily mean that someone might want to compare Festool to another brand - it may be that they are not sure (say) which drill to buy. This is a serious point because it is not easy choosing the right drill based on the Festool website information/terminology - something I am going to try and help with through my own videos.

Before I bought my first Festool tool I watched dozens of videos, many by Paul Marcel, and the more information one can get the better.

Peter (currently in a field in The Netherlands)

 

[lawhoo]

I voted for both.  I would generally prefer online, but we don't always have internet (or a good enough connection) for video.  It's the belt and suspenders approach.

 

[sancho57]

Shane,

I just had another idea, why not make them downloadable from the festool website?

 

[dltflt]

I voted for Yu Tube.  I don't have a DVD drive on my laptop so I would like it to be a USB drive.

 

[wow]

  I don't have a DVD drive on my laptop so I would like it to be a USB drive.

That's an excellent point, Don. Wish I'd have thought of it!

Apple hasn't shipped a laptop or desktop with integral DVD drive in 3 years now. Other brands are catching up and leaving them out as well.

With the low prices on USB 'thumbdrives' these days, I bet Festool could put the entire catalog on one for not much more than the price of burning a DVD. And there'd be no risk of scratching or abrasion damage like there is with DVD's. And I wouldn't be worried about using it in the shop.

Shane, if I could I'd change my vote to 'online' AND 'thumb drive' I would like to?!

 

[richy3333]

[welcome] to the FOG!

And - based on your avatar - it looks like congratulations may be in order as well?
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Many thanks WOW. We recently had twins, a boy and a girl. This is the other twin
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[FOGNewbie]

I would like both Shane. This would be helpful for those of us who want to use a tool we are not as familiar with on the road and have a laptop, but no internet access at the location we are at. I have actually been guilty of using a Festool or two on the road before being familiar with the tool.

Thanks for considering this!