[Bsod-mentors] Blender SoD closed + evaluation

[bsod at hiddenworlds.org]

Heya Everyone,

You know, I think all said and done we all did a good job.  There were
definitely hurdles, and we had a bit of a bumpy trip, but this was the
first time we've run such a project, and so it was bound to be that way. 
Look at GSoC, which we kind of modeled from.  Their first time running it
was a mess (I know since I was one of those involved) but experience is
the necessary key, and I really think we could pull this off better if
Ton/the group decides its a worthy 'event' to try again.

A lot of the 'endgame' problems Eugene mentioned were communication issues
on all our parts, and I apologise ofr my lacking there, as the saying
goes, all good plans go to ruin, and family life intervened. I know at
least a couple of you guys also had issues of some kind or another.

I suppose in hindsight, I figured life would just kinda disappear once
this started, and I couldn't escape it myself so I don't really have a
right to expect it from you guys.  To that end, I think we need to have a
either a more flexible time frame next time, or simply extend it to reall
allow for circumstances. Again a lot of the issues we had in this
department could have been quickly and easily solved with simple
communication.

We also kinda rushed the organisation of things, which is definitely an
area we should look at next time, including looking at strategies for us
to have a much closer 'relationship' with each participant.

I think the major points we would need to look at in the future include:

a) Enforce a set communication pattern, as per BF's GSoC model - In the
least this should include at least some realtime meeting at least once a
week.  This way the group is up to date with anything new we mentors need
to get out to them, but more, it is a form of peer pressure, and peer
pressue is often an extremely powerful motivator.  This way participants
not getting on with it have to answer to the entire group, something most
people probably wouldn't relish.

b) Relaxing of time pressures - As I see it this can be done one of two ways-
     i) Make the time frame more flexible.  A possible scenario for this
would be setting out a two month work period over which the candidate
can choose a month block to do their work.  To some degree then the
participant can have control over outside events interfering with
their work.

    ii) Be completely hard line about time frames, then there is no room
for misinterpretation, it's simply a matter of, did you do the work on
time or not.

I prefer the first method, but either would be effective.

c) Progress needs to be monitored to a higher level - This ties in with
the first point, but further, I think having candidates completing a
detailed plan of the project before starting is a good idea.  This should
cover every topic that they plan to cover with a detailed break down so
that an overall idea of what will be completed when is available to us. 
This further helps with making sure students are on track.

As far as what we got out of SoD, I'm very pleased.  The range of topics
we had covered is impressive and the documentation is great.  So thanks
guys for your efforts, both writers and mentors. Blender's community is
definitely better for it. And an 85% success rate is pretty decent too
(Michael only gets 5% :) I don't think most other programs of this kinda
achieve those soughts of rates.

All in all, I'm happy with the resolution of BSoD, but there is definitely
room for improvement next time (hopefully there will be a next time).  So
start thinking about themes for the next iteration of BSoD :).

Once again thanks for all your contributions, without each and everyone of
you, this project would have fallen on its head.

Tim

> Hi,
>
> All contributors to the SoD project should have received a personal
> mail yesterday from me. If you didn't, please contact me.
>
> I'll keep this list active for a little while, but will remove it from
> our website in a couple of weeks, so you don't have to unsubscribe
> yourself.
>
> As last topic I'd like to get some feedback from everyone about this
> project. It has been an interesting first time, what can we learn from
> it?
>
> Thanks,
>
> -Ton-
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> --
> Ton Roosendaal  Blender Foundation ton at blender.org
> http://www.blender.org
>
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