This forum recently had the discussion about the new user experience of Darktable - I did not comment there, but my thoughts fit even better here.
Darktable is one of the hardest programs to learn. It surely is the hardest RAW development software.
Documentation is important as a reference for advanced users, but new users will usually not read it. Even if they do, this will not be a good experience either, i.e. the documentation of the pretty essential Color Balance RGB module straight up tells new users to go away.
Realistically Youtube is THE way to learn Darktable and the vibrant ecosystem of Youtubers is one of Darktable’s greatest strengths. Others had valid concens here, but I really think the synergy between the project and the Youtubers should be utilized more.
My approach would be this:
For each new release of Darktable ask a Youtuber with a good reputation to make “the official introductory video” for this DT version. This should be something like an hour long, teach the basics to new users and Lightroom-migrants but also have a section with the release-specific new features.
This video should be linked prominently in the software, i.e. on a welcome-screen.
The selected Youtuber would be someone else with each release (only repeat when all suitable Youtubers have done it once).
This would
be beneficial for Darktable, as it makes the software more accessible.
It would support the Youtubers, as they get more views. I am sure that many would be willing to contribute a significant amount of time/work with such an arrangement.
Youtube is indeed invaluable. For me, so is the documentation.
But, and the more a new user is into video rather than reading, the more true it is… Everybody knows YouTube. Everybody knows how to search youTube. There is no need for darktable developers to direct people.
People do want YouTube videos on specific aspects of darktable. People can search YouTube and find them. People (we) do just that and watch them.
It does not. It tells them this module is difficult, gives them two sliders to use, and even links to a very through reference on color to read. After reading that page, then the module should make sense.
Are you volunteering to organize and be a liaison between the project and youtuber?
Ideas are great, but action is greater. What you suggest is a non-trivial amount of work.
People are different. I tried exactly what you said, it didn’t make sense at all. I saw several YouTube video’s and then it made sense to. And also now the manual makes sense. I have a strong preference on learning through other means than reading. And I am far from the only one…
This module is not suitable for beginners with no prior knowledge of color theory, who might want to stick to the global chroma and global vibrance settings until they have a good understanding of the dimensions of color.
That seems pretty clear and, frankly, like an honest assessment, no?
Yes it is pretty clear. And that’s what I did. At the beginning I often only touched the global sliders and got nice results.
I think what is initial hard with the documentation, is that it very technical and very focused at ‘how does this and this work in darktable’. In contrast to - what most (new) users looking for: how can I get this and this result. Not every one is deep into color science. It’s is a different focuss and both are right.
The problem with results oriented things for the documentation is that it does not scale well, and often people are looking for something super specific (film simulation, or some LR preset stuff) and want direct instructions for that thing.
There is no possible way to cover all of them, and it seems people don’t watch things and take what they can from them generally, they’re looking for a recipe and not looking to learn what is behind that so they can make their own.
We document the recipe for getting a base edit, and its on the user to take it from there.