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Re:My Web is Text Based by KaiP on Thursday February 19, 2009 @06:56PM (#488071)
The main problem I have with video over text is that it takes much longer to convey the same information. I can read about 5 times faster (450-500 wpm) than most video (90-100 wpm). So other than special cases where video is crucial, I much prefer text.
Re:My Web is Text Based by bk on Thursday February 19, 2009 @07:11PM (#488079)
On top of that you can't scan, skim, skip, and search it nearly as well. It's thus much harder to assess the value of video/audio content up front.
Re:My Web is Text Based by jacquesm on Friday February 20, 2009 @01:48AM (#488422)
My response to video links is to simply ignore them (which is quite ironic, given my background).

If you can't find the time to at least accompany your video with a textual representation then I'm not interested, I think the choice of medium should lie with the recipient, not with the producer.

Re:My Web is Text Based by access_denied on Friday February 20, 2009 @05:13AM (#488554)
The choice of medium will lie with the recipient. That's the promise the web holds for us. I hope it fullfills it.
Re:My Web is Text Based by jkkramer on Thursday February 19, 2009 @09:58PM (#488237)
Sometimes I like watching videos precisely because it's slower: the delivery has nuance; I can ruminate a bit; things stick in my memory. A good speaker can really amplify the meaning and memorability of information.

Really, it depends on the situation. Speed isn't always the most important thing.

Re:My Web is Text Based by whatusername on Friday February 20, 2009 @09:45AM (#488709)
"A good speaker can really amplify the meaning and memorability of information." I think a lot of the TED talks prove this point!

(still - i'd love to see transcripts)

Re:My Web is Text Based by jimbokun on Friday February 20, 2009 @10:48AM (#488789)
I have the same issue, generally preferring text over video, but I make an exception for espn.com. Usually I want to pick and choose game highlights to watch (such as seeing what kind of freakish dunks LeBron unleashed last night). I don't even get the ESPN cable station, but I find the user experience of watching highlights of any game played whenever I want, and switch back and forth between highlights, write-ups, and box scores, to be a far superior experience than just watching Sports Center.

Now, watching the talking heads instead of just reading a write-up, I do not get at all. It always confuses me to see a lot of the talking head videos near the top of the "most watched" lists.