Asynchronous Communication for Remote Workers

In a time where remote work has become the norm, I find that asynchronous communication on platforms such as GitHub and Slack has become an essential factor in determining whether or not work can be accomplished efficiently.

Personally, I was not very good at remote communication. Therefore, I was searching for ways to collaborate effectively.

During this process, I noticed something and it eased by CleanShot X, which I will introduce here.

CleanShot X is a paid (one-time purchase) screenshot extension tool. I have been using it for a while and recommended it to friends. Recently, they started an affiliate program, so I thought I'd write an article about it. Purchases made through the links in this article will give me a 25% kickback.

Combining Images and Videos in Communication

Communication isn't just about words

As developers, we write code and documents daily, but I believe that remote worker’s asynchronous communication is only 50 points if it is only based on text. In other words, communication has aspects of mixed martial arts; we should use everything available to us. (This is even more so for me as I develop in a non-native language environment)

Conveying messages by combining images and videos not only reduces the burden on the reader but also provides a specific visual, preventing misunderstandings.

Work Efficiently Using CleanShot X

For example, when pasting a screenshot in GitHub Issues, there are times when you want to edit it to mask personal information or depict reproduction steps. You can easily achieve this as shown below. Moreover, images are saved to the clipboard, so your desktop won’t be cluttered with screenshots.

I want you to use it and experience the smoothness and high UX. It’s truly easy to use! They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so I encourage you to try it out with the intention of getting a refund...!

I find it very useful for various tasks including creating documents, using Slack and email, creating slides, etc., both for work and personal use on my PC. I use it daily.

I especially love and frequently use the following features:

• Quick Access
  You can quickly capture and edit after taking a shot. It's modeless and offers the highest UX.

  

• Convenient annotations that can't be done with Mac's preview app

  • Mosaic
    You can hide personal and confidential information using the mosaic feature.

    

  • Numbering
    It's handy when creating step-by-step explanations or instructions.

    

• GIF, MP4 (including 4K) recording possible
  You can easily screen record, including mouse clicks, keystrokes, and even include your face, which is great.

  

As you can see, CleanShot X facilitates communication using images and videos and is a useful tool.

Actual Valuable Use Cases

Development

For instance, adding a video eliminates the need to write reproduction steps and can significantly avoid misleading information.

Example:
https://github.com/pdfme/pdfme/pull/196#issuecomment-1640880711

Conveying the usefulness of attaching screenshots and videos to teammates, a screenshot culture naturally emerged in the pdfme repository.

Example:
https://github.com/pdfme/pdfme/pull/230

Communication costs have reduced, and collaboration has become easier. It’s truly helpful.

Documentation

To prevent readers from losing interest, utilizing visual elements (images and videos) to convey information is extremely effective, along with keeping paragraphs short.

Example:
https://pdfme.com/docs/getting-started#template

Also, GIFs can easily convey UI movements and behavior within documents, which is very convenient.

Example:
https://pdfme.com/docs/getting-started#designer

Training

Video content creates a sense of familiarity and enables efficient training.

CleanShot X’s screen recording can include camera footage at the corner, highlighting mouse clicks and keystrokes.

I usually create code explanatory videos using iPhone and CleanShot X. If you're interested in that, please check out my past presentation materials on "DevRel video production".
https://www.docswell.com/s/hand-dot/58GV1E-2023-05-09-175645

Conclusion

Visualized communication is a technique that can easily cover weaknesses such as being poor at communication, not being able to explain things well, and operating in a non-native language environment.

Of course, this technique can be practiced right away even without using CleanShot X.

And the greatest advantage of visualized communication is that it reduces the burden on the recipient.

This is especially the case if your written message, proposal, or comments are being seen by many people. The more recipients there are, the more you can confer this benefit.

I would be happy if this article encourages you to skillfully utilize screenshots and screen recordings to facilitate smoother communication.

CleanShot X is available here!

That's all for now.