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>.