Alpha Tutorial Videos

[bobalston]

Re: Alpha Tutorial Videos

I suggest that there be an overall structure to the videos and content in them. Perhaps develop a tree diagram. Start with one node on desktop basics and another on web basics. Then below each have severate nodes covering topics of interest for the "next level" of learning A5. If you do this on paper (or visio) and view it and have various people comment on it, I think you can end up with somewhat shorter but more focused videos on the various topics.

(And yes I know that exists a structure to a log of short, focused videos that to a beginner seem to be on very advanced topics.)

Even on a topic such as grids I would see an "Advanced Basic", "Intermediate" and "Advanced". When you get to the advanced they probably should be "Advanced - xxxxxxxxxxxxxx" where the x's is a specific topic or capability.

I also think that there should be listed prerequisites for each topic. If it were delivered from choosing off such a structure, the prereqs might be obvious. Buy instead of explaining some basics, as mentioned above, in a more advanced topic, the trainer could simply mention that "In this course you need to already know......." If you don't go back to some of the earlier material and perhaps reference some earlier training that covers those topics.

As a new user/evaluator I found learning even all the basics I needed to know to get a working sample web app running daunting. I have read various posts expressing "daunting" sometimes using different terms.

I got past my initial understanding issues by listening to (most so far) of the Steve Working video Volume I. But for a beginner/evaluator I do not believe that one should have to pay additional $ for learning that.

Just my thoughts. YMMV

Bob

[Ted Giles]

Re: Alpha Tutorial Videos

Makes me wonder how we managed with just a big manual and trial and error with the early versions.
Just get stuck in unless your living depends on delivering apps.
The videos are great and informative IF you have tried something and failed or are looking for a different way of doing something.
You have to view them from something slightly better than casual interest.
The content on this Forum shows that there are so many ways to do something that it can be frightening.
I had a comment back recently that the thread starter knew little about data definition and requirement definition.
While this is something a casual developer might ignore, people paying for app. might bite you of it goes wrong.

[mjfunnell]

Re: Alpha Tutorial Videos

Mr Workings et al - moving over to web based application development has been "interesting" - help / tutorial content that would seem to be useful would IMHO be:-
methods to get / set grid data and properties
grid refresh methods
commonly used javascript code
use of session variables to pass data between grids / web pages

I am sure that it has been asked before but a fairly complete list of the "e" object data properties would be useful.

Anyway these are the ramblings of an "aged" database application developer who cut his teeth in the DOS days and is now trying to take SQL, HTML and Javascript on board.

[Ted Giles]

Re: Alpha Tutorial Videos

Anyway these are the ramblings of an "aged" database application developer who cut his teeth in the DOS days and is now trying to take SQL, HTML and Javascript on board.

Bit like a lot of us if the age demographics are to be believed!

[mjfunnell]

Re: Alpha Tutorial Videos

Pass the Sanatogen Ted !

[webcommerce]

Re: Alpha Tutorial Videos

....we have put together a nice collection of longer videos at http://alphadevnet.com/video.a5w. They include formal training videos by A5 Masters, Application Showcases, and some are shorter videos covering single subjects.

Here is an index of what is there at present:

• Introduction to SQL
• SQL Reporting
• Alpha Five Web Applications - the Basics
• Alpha Five Desktop Applications - the Basics
• Introduction to CSS for Alpha Five Applications
• Javascript progress bar (silent)
• Dynamic Linked Content Areas ("Tab Groups")
• Filter Records by UserID
• Wendy Welton Showcase - Home Plan Sales
• Jeff Walczak Showcase - E-Truck Biz
• Steve Wood Showcase - Facility Mgmt System. (Presentation being made to client)
• Pat Bremkamp Showcase - ASQ
• Canadian Wireless Showcase

Note - login is required.

I realise a year has passed since this post but has this list ben deleted? I have visited the IADN site and tried to view the videos listed, keep getting a browser error message. Has the video access been changed?

[Steve Wood]

Re: Alpha Tutorial Videos

They seem to all work.

[webcommerce]

Re: Alpha Tutorial Videos

They seem to all work.

Yep, just revisited the list .. they do work. Must be the weather here -- or early onset of dementia!!
Thanks for taking the time to reassure me Steve.

Ron S

[Steve Wood]

Re: Alpha Tutorial Videos

I should update a few that are out of date and I have a bunch of new ones.

[Paullm]

Re: Alpha Tutorial Videos

Observation: some of those IADN videos (i.e. the "showcase" category) would be great to have mentioned/linked via the AS site!

[Steve Wood]

Re: Alpha Tutorial Videos

I have a conversation with Richard coming up and we are working on a bit more 'coordination'.

[Paullm]

Re: Alpha Tutorial Videos

Good to hear!

Wendy Welton/Home Plan Sales: "I'm not a professional developer; I'm an architect".

Priceless!

[SNusa]

Re: Alpha Tutorial Videos

Here's a thought:

When presenting all these videos, wouldn't it be beneficial to present them not in a flat list, but in a hierarchical tree list. (So as to help users "connect the dots" as they study/learn.) ~ And then label them with attributes regarding the "difficulty levels."

Tables lead to sets, sets lead to layouts, and on each topic, have nodes that expand to encompass the different features and capabilities, along with "how-to's" and other relevant info. ~ "Build it like a tree." In most cases, the further out on a branch/node you go, the more "in-depth" (advanced) the material is likely to be.

This would not only address the "redundancy issue" (what & where to begin explaining), but would also make it much easier to "navigate" and hone in on "material(s) of interest." ~And of course, with this basic structure in place, you could always "cross-link" nodes to get from one spot/concept to another related one. Essentially you'd be building an "online brain!" (And thus would presumably end up with a bunch of extremely short (easy to plan & produce) videos which which could also be quickly "absorbed" by the "student" in a logical order.)

If course material was built around this structure (and not the other way around) there would be a "built-in road map" to not only follow, but to use as a reference too!

IMHO, the problem is not really the existing availability of content. It's the way in which it is organized. It needs structure. (And to do it "right", much of it has to be re-done.) Most of the stuff that Selwyn has created could be directly embedded into to a/this hierarchical tree list. But there's a lot of filling in. (The course material in the long video courses, most of which I have watched) would have to be included. (Some of which would need to be "re-done.") ~ Although much of this existing material could be edited into small "chunks" and thus be preserved.

A reference like this is the kind of reference that should be readily available to subscription holders and/or available to anyone else. But for others, a premium for access to this caliber of material could easily be justified! (and probably should be)

PS: The existing in-depth online training courses are great by the way! You just have to commit a ton of time, and be willing to deal with a lot of redundancy amongst these courses to "absorb the material."

[webcommerce]

Re: Alpha Tutorial Videos

Here's a thought:

When presenting all these videos, wouldn't it be beneficial to present them not in a flat list, but in a hierarchical tree list. (So as to help users "connect the dots" as they study/learn.) ~ And then label them with attributes regarding the "difficulty levels."

What a great idea Robert, that makes perfect sense to me. I think a 'tree' approach is exactly what is needed to collate all the available instructional and informative material. However, there also needs to be some sort of 'primer' as to the start point depending on version. I'm relatively new to Alpha but already a fan. My greatest difficulty with it is trying to make sense (if that's the right word) of the available information out there. I know there's a lot but the sheer volume of available material together with a 'newbies' ignorance of title/subject meaning makes it near impossible to decide on a logical progression. Then again, it's also mixed up with the various versions. I am learning that you can benefit from earlier version tutorials and videos as these are built on in later release versions, but it's not immediately obvious.

Tables lead to sets, sets lead to layouts, and on each topic, have nodes that expand to encompass the different features and capabilities, along with "how-to's" and other relevant info. ~ "Build it like a tree." In most cases, the further out on a branch/node you go, the more "in-depth" (advanced) the material is likely to be.

This would not only address the "redundancy issue" (what & where to begin explaining), but would also make it much easier to "navigate" and hone in on "material(s) of interest." ~And of course, with this basic structure in place, you could always "cross-link" nodes to get from one spot/concept to another related one. Essentially you'd be building an "online brain!" (And thus would presumably end up with a bunch of extremely short (easy to plan & produce) videos which which could also be quickly "absorbed" by the "student" in a logical order.)

If course material was built around this structure (and not the other way around) there would be a "built-in road map" to not only follow, but to use as a reference too!

IMHO, the problem is not really the existing availability of content. It's the way in which it is organized. It needs structure. (And to do it "right", much of it has to be re-done.) Most of the stuff that Selwyn has created could be directly embedded into to a/this hierarchical tree list. But there's a lot of filling in. (The course material in the long video courses, most of which I have watched) would have to be included. (Some of which would need to be "re-done.") ~ Although much of this existing material could be edited into small "chunks" and thus be preserved.

A reference like this is the kind of reference that should be readily available to subscription holders and/or available to anyone else. But for others, a premium for access to this caliber of material could easily be justified! (and probably should be)

PS: The existing in-depth online training courses are great by the way! You just have to commit a ton of time, and be willing to deal with a lot of redundancy amongst these courses to "absorb the material."

I've reentered this discussion because I'm in need of help myself. Learning Alpha along with maybe HTML, CSS, MySQL, server management etc can be a daunting task, whatever the degree of starting knowledge or experience. I have found already the strong support offered by keen Alpha developers (in particular, Steve Wood) on and off the forum. The problem is, when they offer advice they have no way of knowing one's level of experience or understanding of the subject (or related) matter. They tend unconciously to assume their own level of expertise which is not always easily assimilated.

I spend a lot of time with Steve Workings excellent tutorial videos, have now created my own 'index' of material for referral. Prior to doing this it was a real 'pain' trying to locate specific items of interest. Perhaps it would be a good idea to separate and group these according to main topic eg "first things", grids, security, etc - this may also take care of some of the redundancy issues. They can then be incorporated into the appropriate 'tree' position. This would apply not only to Steve's course, and of course, subject to his approval and with his able assistance.

Why not someone willing to act as 'coordinator' to start a thread whereby a hierarchical tree list gets built? Then anyone who's interested can contribute to the growth of the tree. Maybe it can be our 2013 'green' project!!

There could be benefits to everyone arising from this. I know I would find it of immense interest to see the tree develop and I know it would provide an immediate first point of reference when I strike a problem or need further clarification. I really hope my thoughts here strike a chord with others in a similar position - if so, why not tell everyone and just maybe it will happen!!

Ron S

[Steve Wood]

Re: Alpha Tutorial Videos

if someone wants to draft this tree structure I have new software that can hang video or documents at the end of each node. Keep it simple.