Ever feel like explaining a simple process takes longer than actually doing it? I've been there. Countless times, I've painstakingly documented steps, captured screenshots, and formatted guides, wishing for a magic wand to speed things up. Well, it seems that the magic wand might just be powered by AI.
Recently, I embarked on a little experiment. Could I really create a comprehensive how-to guide in a mere 15 minutes using AI? The contenders: Tango and Scribe, two platforms promising to streamline this very task. Intrigued, I opened my trusty Chrome browser, one tab for tango.ai, the other for scribehow.com, ready to put them to the test.
The initial steps felt familiar. Both Tango and Scribe asked for an email registration and the installation of a browser plugin – a small price to pay for potential time-saving superpowers. As a first-time user for both, I was greeted with helpful walkthroughs, which I politely (but eagerly) skipped, itching to dive straight into creation mode.
Let the Capture Begin!
For Tango, I navigated to the web application I wanted to document (in this case, Tango itself – a bit meta, I know!). Then, I clicked the Tango plugin and hit "Start Capture." Like a silent observer, Tango began recording my every click and move within the application. I meticulously went through the steps, focusing on the crucial actions and call-to-action buttons. What surprised me was how Tango automatically generated descriptions and captured screenshots as I went. Of course, I couldn't resist adding my personal touch, refining the descriptions to make them clearer and tidying up the screenshots for a polished look. A quick drag-and-drop allowed me to rearrange steps to ensure a logical flow. Once I'd covered everything, a simple click on "Stop Capture" ended the session.
Switching gears to Scribe, the process felt remarkably similar. I opened the target web application, clicked the Scribe plugin, and initiated the capture. Just like Tango, Scribe diligently recorded my navigation, automatically generating descriptions and capturing screenshots. I found myself tweaking the text and cropping images, ensuring the guide was both accurate and visually appealing. Rearranging steps was also a breeze. Hitting "Complete Capture" signaled the end of the recording.
The Grand Reveal: Reviewing the Guides
Tango whisked me away to a new page showcasing the draft of my how-to guide. It was impressive! I could still fine-tune the descriptions, reorder steps, crop images, and even add extra visuals. Then came a neat feature: the "Preview Guide Me" button. Clicking it gave me a fantastic visual representation of how the final guide would look. From a blank slate to this near-final version in roughly 15 minutes – color me impressed!
Scribe also presented me with a draft on a new page, offering similar editing capabilities: description tweaks, step reordering, image cropping, and the option to add more images. However, I noticed the absence of a "Preview Guide Me" button, which Tango offered. Despite this, the entire process with Scribe also clocked in at around the 15-minute mark, assuming familiarity with the application being documented.
Sharing is Caring: Downloading and Publishing
With my Tango guide ready, I had several options. I could share it via a simple link, perfect for quick collaboration. Alternatively, I could download a PDF version, ready for uploading or emailing. What stood out was the ability to customize the PDF format to match company branding. Even cooler, Tango allowed embedding an interactive version of the guide directly into the platforms my team uses daily.
Scribe offered a similar set of sharing options: a shareable link and PDF download with branding customization. But it went a step further, offering exports to HTML, Microsoft Word, and even Confluence. Like Tango, it also supported embedding an interactive version, and even threw in options to embed it as a video or a slide, adding another layer of engagement.
My Takeaway: AI - Your New How-To Sidekick
Creating how-to guides with both Tango and Scribe was surprisingly smooth and, yes, incredibly fast. The key, as the AI assistants implicitly reminded me, is to be systematic and have a solid understanding of the application you're documenting. You still need that human touch to guide the user effectively, ensuring the instructions are detailed yet easy to grasp.
I genuinely enjoyed watching these tools transform my clicks into clear, step-by-step instructions. Integrating this into workflows could be a game-changer for team efficiency, reducing those repetitive questions and clarifying processes instantly.
While both Tango and Scribe are powerful, I found myself leaning slightly towards Scribe. Its broader range of export options and the added flexibility for interactive elements, including mobile support, edged it out for my specific needs.
Ultimately, I don't see AI replacing the need for skilled employees. Instead, it acts as a powerful enhancer, freeing up time and energy. In my experience, I still needed to refine descriptions and select the most effective images – tasks that require human creativity and critical thinking.
Want to see a Tango example in action? Take a look here: link
Feeling overwhelmed by the thought of creating your how-to guides? Let the human experts at JWay lend a hand! We're here to help you transform complex processes into simple, easy-to-follow guides.