I am often asked whether or not you should include background music on your screencasts, and to be honest, it's a question that I never really know how to answer.

I have spoken to many people who say that all background music does is distract the viewer from what is happening on the screen. I can sympathise with this view given the aim of a screencast is to teach, so it is essential that the viewer is 100% focused on the screencast.

However, I have also spoken to people who tell me that background music is a must for all video, not just screencasts, and that it actually helps the viewer focus on the screen, especially in places where there is on-screen movement but no need for narration.

So, we figured at ScreencastCentral, it was time someone came up with the definitive answer ... and who better to ask than our viewers?

What we've done is to create two identical screencasts, one with background music, and one without. What we'd like you to do, is watch both screencasts, and then fill out the survey and comment box below.

Uninstalling Programs in Windows XP, using the Add/Remove Programs Wizard - With Background Music

Uninstalling Programs in Windows XP, using the Add/Remove Programs Wizard - No Background Music