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The Assembly 2004 DVD Compilation
Managing a Volunteer Project
What is a Demo?
Demo- A freely distributed real-time multimedia demonstration typically consisting of visual effects that are calculated in real-time as it runs; a soundtrack of music and sound effects; as well as still images of graphical artwork.
NOT a trial version of commercial software!
Demos and games
Similarities Real-time effects Highly optimized code Synchronized soundtracks Technical tricks
Key differences Demos are almost always non-interactive Demos are freely distributed
Freeware vs. Open Source
Distributed free of charge Small fees for cost of media or added value (i.e.
user interface) acceptable
Demo source code not always releasedCode and tools may be proprietaryArt, music, code may be copyrighted
The Demoscene
Demoscene - A loosely-organized computer culture based on the creation and enjoyment of demos.
Gradually evolving phenomenonBegan some time in the early 1980s
First generation of home computer users/gamers
The Demoscene
Origins in the software cracking scene Groups broke copy protection on popular
games and software Introduction (intro) sequences added to claim
credit for the cracked version and to boast Early intros very small due to memory and disk
space limitations
The Demoscene
Larger stand-alone intros to show off skillsLate 1980s: legal and illegal sides of
cracking scene drift apartIllegal side moves undergroundLegal side develops into demoscene
Intros become more advanced and elaborate, first big demos
Demoparties
Demoparty – a large gathering or festival where participants in the demoscene can meet and compete with each other (Gruetzmacher 2004).
Usually open 24 hoursLength can varyHeld annuallyPlanned around school holidays
Demoparties
Competitions vary by party Traditional competitions
Demo 4k and 64k Intro Music Graphics
Prizes for winners Biggest and most active parties:
Breakpoint (Germany, held at Easter) Assembly (Finland, held at the beginning of August)
The Assembly Demoparty
First Assembly held in 1992 700 visitors Held at a school in Kaunianen
Assembly 2004 was the 13th party Held at Hartwall Arena Over 4600 whole weekend visitors Over 1300 single day visitors Over 350 competition entries Over 35 000 euros worth of prizes
Assembly TV highlights
Short look inside Assembly 2004
Previous Assembly CD and DVD Compilations
The Assembly CD (1994) All competition entries File launcher menu interface Limited appeal: not very user-friendly
eRave (1995) and eRave 2 (1996) Similar to Assembly CD Limited file space: no photos or extras
Assembly 2002 DVD
Number and file size of entries too large for CD-ROM
2-disc setAll DVD-ROMHTML-based navigation interfaceCompetition entriesVideo recordings of seminarsHighlights from AssemblyTV
Assembly 2003 DVD
Similar interfaceDisc 1
DVD-ROM Competitions and highlights
Disc 2 Mixed disc Seminars (DVD-ROM) DVD video Top demos as video
Assembly 2004 DVD
Same structure as 2003 DVDAll photos and images displayed in image
galleriesTop intros also included as videoSee for yourself
Production Process
Tools and SystemsLook and FeelContentTesting and debuggingMastering
Tools and Systems
Specifications for new PTN (Party Ticket.Net) HTML export feature
New features added to PTN by Flemming Frandsen
Navigation treeSelecting codecsDVD video menus and navigation
Look and Feel
Look and Feel adapted from Assembly 2004 website by Margus Holland
Creating page templatesPhoto gallery designDVD video menu design by Stefan Rimaila
Content
Production Creating new HTML pages i.e. for new competitions or
events Creating photo galleries
Management Reviewing and updating existing content
Adaptation Content gathered from other sources Converted to HTML pages for DVD Capturing and editing video clips
Testing and Debugging
Planned to have 3 rounds of testingPre-party testing
Testing with all pre-party content in place
Post-party testing Testing with competition entries and other party
content added
Final testing Testing with all content in place
Testing and Debugging
Total of 91 bugs found and corrected during two rounds of testing
Sent out 20 sets of test discsReceived bug reports from 7 testers (3
active testers)
Mastering
Masters for both discs delivered to Assembly Organizing on 20.4.2005 Exactly one year from the writing of the project
plan
Discs to be replicated by MPO in GermanyDiscs will ship with Assembly 2005 tickets
Planned to ship by Christmas
Quality, cost, schedule: choose 2
Quality goal: a perfect production (but they might settle for a merely excellent one)
Cost goals: No official budget
Schedule goals: Original project end date 19.10.2004 Master discs to Assembly Organizing by
1.11.2004What went wrong?
Volunteer Management
Selection process should screen volunteers Volunteer pool very limited No screening Failed to consider the needs of volunteers
(what’s in it for them?)
Volunteer Management
Motivation issues No pay for volunteers Experience should offer volunteers something
they value (valued outcome)
Communication issues Main threat to volunteer projects Distributed projects especially vulnerable Clear definition of project and expectations
needed
Volunteer Management
Time constraints Paying jobs and “real life” come first when time
is short (Michlmayr 2004) Students have exams, work projects may be
due Many volunteers have families
Solutions Keep tasks small, break large tasks down Follow-up frequently with volunteers
Suggestions for the Future
Implement a redundancy scheme Designate more than one individual for critical
tasks
Volunteer selection and motivation Interview volunteers before selection Determine valued outcomes Choose volunteers who are likely to complete
their work Try to provide valued outcomes
Suggestions for the Future
Communication Be sure volunteers know what is expected of
them Clear specifications for distributed work Follow-up frequently Use “polite perseverance” to overcome lack of
repsonse
Works Cited
Heberger, Joan, and Karen Thomas. “Volunteer Management Mistakes to Avoid”. Hotsheet (2004) <http://www.socialworkmanager.org/Hotsheet%20August%202004.pdf >
Michlmayr, Martin. “Managing Volunteer Activity in Free Software Projects”. July 2004.
PC Demoscene FAQ. Thomas Gruetzmacher. 16 June 2004. <http://tomaes.32x.de/text/faq.php>.