Quick Links What Is Scribe AI and How Does It Work? Creating Simple Tech Support Guides for Family Members With Scribe AI How to Use a Scribe AI Guide Limitations on Using Scribe AI For Tech Support

Are you the go-to tech person for your family? If so, you know the frustration of walking someone through a computer issue over the phone or waiting until you visit to fix it in person. Scribe AI is a game-changer for this problem. This tool allows you to create easy-to-follow, step-by-step guides so your family can handle issues independently, even when you're away.

What Is Scribe AI and How Does It Work?

Scribe AI is a smart documentation tool that simplifies the creation of step-by-step guides. This AI tool makes it easier to record your actions on a computer and turn them into detailed instructions, complete with screenshots and explanations. Instead of manually typing steps and taking screenshots, Scribe AI does it all for you.

Here are some useful features that I find useful when using the Scribe AI smart documentation tool:

Automatic Process Capture: Saves time by recording your actions to create a guide. Annotated Screenshots: Provides visual cues to make instructions easier to follow. Customization Tools: Edit guides to suit your audience's technical knowledge. Privacy Options: Redact sensitive information to protect your personal data.

By taking a little time to record tasks and share guides, you'll free yourself from repetitive tech support while still being the family hero.

Creating Simple Tech Support Guides for Family Members With Scribe AI

One of the most common computer questions I often get from friends and family is how to set Dark mode on Google Chrome. So, let me demonstrate how I use Scribe's AI smart documentation tool to make a simple tutorial on how to find and activate Dark mode on Google Chrome. Let's begin!

Step 1: Install Scribe AI

Before creating guides, you'll need to install an extension. Scribe uses this extension to have access to your browser so it can record and take screenshots of what you're doing.

Download: Scribe AI for Google Chrome (Free)

Once installed, go to Scribe's official workplace website and create an account.

Step 2: Launch the Scribe Recorder

Create a new project by clicking on New or the plus icon below Recents, then selecting New Tab.

Step 3: Perform the Task

A new tab and a side panel will automatically open. This tab is where you will demonstrate your tutorial.

Now, demonstrate the task you want to create a guide for. Scribe's AI documentation tool will automatically capture every action you do. The captured actions will be shown on the side panel.

Step 4: Complete Capture

Once you've completed the task, click Complete Capture. The tool will immediately process your actions and generate a guide.

Step 5: Review and Edit the Guide

Open the generated guide to ensure it accurately reflects the task. Here, you can:

Edit text for clarity (e.g., replace technical jargon with simpler terms). Highlight important steps. Use the redaction tool to blur sensitive information. Update image alternative text. Add additional Steps, Alert, Header, and GIF.

Basically, you can tidy up and make sure each step is streamlined and accurate.

Step 6: Test the Guide Yourself

Before sharing, run through the guide to ensure it works as intended. A quick test helps you catch errors or confusing phrasing.

Step 7: Share the Guide

After finalizing the guide, you can share your work by clicking Copy Link and sharing it with friends and family.

How to Use a Scribe AI Guide

What I particularly like about Scribe guides is that it makes it easier for people to follow your guides.

To use the guide, open the link/slide/PDF provided. You can then click on Guide Me to open a sidebar. The sidebar will provide intuitive instructions with pointers and images for you to follow along with.

The side panel can be narrow and hard to read. To expand the sidebar, navigate your mouse pointer at the edge of the bar until your pointer changes to a split arrow. You then click and drag your mouse to resize the side panel to your preferred size. If the images aren't clear enough, you can zoom in and use your mouse to drag on the image and view finer details.

If you're accessing the tutorial in your browser, the sidebar will automatically scroll and follow you step-by-step until you finish the guide! Otherwise, you will have to scroll through the tutorial.

Limitations on Using Scribe AI For Tech Support

While Scribe AI is an incredibly useful tool, it's not perfect. While making a guide, I experienced quite a few limitations, especially using the free version of Scribe. Here's a few of them:

Accuracy Depends on User Actions: The tool captures exactly what you do, so any mistakes or skipped steps will appear in the guide. You must be careful during recording to ensure your guide isn't full of fluff and mistakes. Privacy Considerations: Scribe records your screen, which might capture sensitive data like passwords or personal details. Always review guides and use the redaction tool to hide sensitive information. Best for Simple Tasks: Scribe works best for straightforward processes. However, for complex workflows with multiple windows or apps, you may find it faster to write and record everything manually. This is especially true if you are using this tool for free. With the free version, you can create guides outside your web browser, export guides as PDFs and slides, and use advanced features such as Blur. Lacks Generative AI: Although Scribe uses AI to help you make use of and use guides, I do feel that its use of generative AI in writing instructions wasn't as useful as I thought it would be since many generative tools in the market do exactly that. Browser-based Guides Only: Unless you upgrade to Scribe premium, you're stuck to recording and sharing your Scribe guides only through the web browser.

Helping your family with computer problems doesn't have to be a never-ending cycle of phone calls and remote sessions. Scribe AI enables you to create professional-quality, step-by-step guides that your family can follow anytime. With features like automatic process capture, customization options, and simple sharing, this tool is a must-have for any tech guru.