Dojo #7 was the first time I witnessed a screencast/SkypeCast/IRC chat live. I was blown away. What you've hit upon with the dojo format is the ultimate cool teaching tool. Way cooler than anything I've ever seen or imagined. Respect and kudos to the people behind this.
I immediately started thinking about how to leverage the format. At the upcoming OSCMS Summit, how feasable would it be to do my session on Drupal search in the dojo format? I could wear a headset to Skype broadcast what I'm saying, and I could have VNC and Snapz Pro turned on, and I think it would be a good idea to have an IRC channel for each physical room at the conference; that's all we'd need, right?
How hard is this to set up? What needs to be done before we could host a conference where every presentation was done dojo style?
Really amazing things happening here. I think the Drupal dojo is going to be the big news of 2007.
Comments
VNC
Hi Robert, glad you could make the Dojo yesterday. I have to give props to Bindu for coming up with this idea after a somewhat shakey initial run using WebHuddle for the first Dojo. (http://sourceforge.net/projects/webhuddle/). VNC is being 'scaled' using an OSS tool called VNC Reflector http://sourceforge.net/projects/vnc-reflector/. There are a few other apps out there for the same purpose (a VNC proxy on high bandwidth server). As it stands, it just runs all the time, several instances on several ports. With some talent and love, the tool could be automated, scheduled and manually controlled using a web-based control writing config files and sending start/stop commands.
My only gripe with Skype/IRC/VNC is that there are too many technologies involved. It might be nice for those who don't have headsets or any need to use a microphone to listen in without having to install another tool. One nice thing about WebHuddle was that it had chat, voice, screen-capturing and even slideshows, eliminating the need for anything other than a web-browser that supports java to present or attend a conference.
The main drawback from any of these tools is that management is less than desirable. DimDim, which seems to be a branch of WebHuddle (or is a wrapper to the same Java library or something) seemed like the best solution integrating meetings scheduling/listings and attendee email notifications.
However, we did not test DimDim enough to rule it out entirely.
Anyways, I hope that helps somehow. Maybe we would benefit from having a Drupal web-conference group focused on technology solutions for online meetings.
mixed feelings about the technologies from a presenter
I agree about it being a lot of technologies - but that's the "Drupal way" right? Lots of little utilities working together that are best in class rather the "one big app" to rule them all that is just mediocre at each of the subfunctions.
It's actually pretty easy to get the setup working to broadcast. rdouglass - if you need help getting setup ask in #drupal-dojo or JoshK and I (among others) will be at the Drupalcon and we can help you get setup.
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Yes, I'm also in
Yes, I'm also in #drupal-dojo and #drupal-support most hours if anyone wants to test out DimDim or VNC or anything, and I agree it is easy for us, but not for everyone. I wouldn't call DimDim mediocre in any way.
mediocrity and thanks
my comment about mediocrity comes from absolutely zero experience with those other pieces of software - but a general dislike of "do it all" applications.
Also, we all owe you, webavant and bindu and david shaal for your assistance getting the infrastructure setup and keeping it going for each meeting!
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Okay, I take that back, now
Okay, I take that back, now that I reflect more, there were some minor quirks I recall. I did not mean to sound discouraging or convoluted in any way, but I definitely think that any online simulcast, (if you will), will benefit from and run a lot more smoothly if we have a team behind the server technology rather than just poor little old me.
In any case, more shall be revealed!
Settling the Stack
I think we're still settling out the stack, and the process gets tighter bit by bit. Having done the whole webex thing, I think what we're doing is cooler in many ways, and certainly more flexible and interactive.
I think trying to run sessions from OSCMS dojo-style is great. I plan to start doing outreach to folks in the Drupal who might want to do something similar, or perhaps may want to try out their OSCMS material in the dojo first. It tends to be a low-pressure/informal environment, and it can be a good way to rehearse for a more formal presentation.
Anyway, I'm glad to hear you like it. I think it really has a chance of taking off!
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Lullabot
Consider doing this for the ridiculously expensive, and often hard to get to, Lullabot training sessions. Give them away for free, or even selling them. I'd buy the one I was interested in. :P
Just a thought.
doing all drupalcon lessons as drupal dojo would be fantastic
Hi Robert,
Thanks very much for offering to do your drupal con lesson as a drupal dojo lesson. it would be just fantastic if all of them can be done that way! I am really looking forward to watching your lesson or participating live online.
it'd be good if there is a short 20 line step-by-step guide for all potential teachers so they know what is involved in teaching a lesson.