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What Changes Would You Like to See Made to Project14?

tariq.ahmad

Its been a long time since we've made any kind of changes to the format of Project14 but its due for an upgrade.   Its natural for programs to evolve overtime and things can't stay the same forever. We've experimented with different things with the program and some have been received more enthusiastically than others.   I'm starting this thread to see what kind of changes you would like to see us to make with this program.  What shouldn't be touched,  what would make things more exciting, and how do we grow the program without turning it into something different?  Should it be something different?   Where does Project14 fit in with the larger community?  Before getting this conversation underway, I would like to stress that the goal is to improve not diminish the program.  My managers have been very supportive from the beginning of this program and I want to reward their confidence.   Some of these changes are workload related.  Others are business related.  I'm open to all ideas and suggestions.

 

Topics on the Table:

 

- Launch Themes Every Other Month or Keep them Monthly?

- Shorter Contests or Longer Contests?

- If we have fewer contests Is there Stuff We Can Do In-Between?

- How Can We Make It Easier For More People to Participate?

- Should We have Bigger Prizes?

- Should we have a giveaway before we launch every contest?

- Most Importantly How Do We Make These More Fun?

  • in reply to Jan Cumps

    I should probably see if SparkFun has anymore of those scrap pcbs, I have some qfn chips and I'll probably see if there's any scrap pcbs...

  • in reply to Fred27

    Ah, a remix challenge.

     

    Those are fun.

  • in reply to 14rhb

    Hello I'd like to hire you as event-namer-in-chief

  • in reply to 14rhb

    These are some really great ideas.   What I am wondering though is do some of these warrant a different program or are there other areas of the community that it would make sense to place things under?   Or,  would these be separate activities that we have scattered throughout the year and let them separately evolve as to how long they last?

     

    Based on this conversation here are my takeaways:

     

    • Launch Themes Every Other Month or Keep them Monthly? - Monthly themes (a different theme every month) sets the right pace and variety. Do not change.
    • Shorter Contests or Longer Contests?  -  2 months is the ideal time to not only order parts if you need to but to produce something decent.   Do not change.
    • If we have fewer contests Is there Stuff We Can Do In-Between?  - It would be cool to have occasional activities that center around workshops, weekend builds, novices/beginners, mentors/build-alongs, bag of parts /experimenting with low-cost parts, team builds.  No member left behind.  New initiative.
    • How Can We Make It Easier For More People to Participate?  -  Not an issue. there are no commitments, no applications, relaxed atmosphere, island of creativity, and Freedom. Do Not Change.
    • Should We have Bigger Prizes?  - Occasionally would be ok as could lead to bigger and complex builds.   Something we already do.  Do not change.
    • Should we have a giveaway before we launch every contest?  - Giveaway not the right word, projects for project proposals.   Instead of bigger prize we could encourage comments on the monthly theme doc by having members list parts from our stores and sponsor their project and they can build their projects using the parts in their proposal.  New initiative.
    • Most Importantly How Do We Make These More Fun?  -  Project14 is already awesome.   Do not change.   image

     

    I have a better idea of what we're looking for.  I will propose that instead of bigger prizes we have more opportunities to win parts from our stores (keep this product focused) and more badges (and how about handing out the existing badges?) is definitely an area in need of improvement.

  • I should let this go, but... I like the Top Member program.  I like that there is a diverse group of seasoned participants that have input to the Community.  Uh... Surprise!  We know who most of them are anyway.  I also know that they are better than me at some things.  So what?  They are sharing their knowledge, insight and creativity.  And in the process, I'm getting better.  The badge does remind me that I should put some stock in what they have to say.  They have walked the walk.  That status has been earned, not given.

    Every Project14 competition is a new opportunity.  Given that the community votes on the winners, I would argue that the playing field is level to start.  I'm not afraid of , or .  I'm afraid of lazy .

    The Top Members inspire me.

  • in reply to hugohu

      wrote:

     

    I should probably see if SparkFun has anymore of those scrap pcbs, I have some qfn chips and I'll probably see if there's any scrap pcbs...

    Don't order scrap. It's available for free. In the things you usually throw away. Or ask your local computer or electro shop if they have a few PCBs they were going to throw away.

  • in reply to Jan Cumps

    Good idea. I'll check if there's any of my old stuff I can see that uses QFN. Thanks!

  • in reply to tariq.ahmad

    One key to a vibrant forum is high tempo content additions. If you are looking for a new higher tempo program, how about this....

    • element14 decides on a prize (shopping cart or some kit like an Arduino nano)
    • members suggest topics in the comments that they would be willing to do a project on for the prize
    • members select "Like" for any of the suggestions that they would definitely create a project for
    • after 2 days, the topic suggestion with the most "Likes" becomes the topic for the contest
    • If there are fewer than some defined number of Likes, the project does not go forward, or multiple topics could be included in the contest.
    • the projects are due 6 weeks later

    This provides a pretty good idea how many projects will be submitted, and names of those who "Liked" are known.

    This format allows element14 to spawn a new contest anytime they detect a lull in activity or when they want to boost activity or possibly when they want to promote a new product.

     

    So if this is attractive, what might this program be called?

  • Project14 Speedrun: 1 week contest, that is impromptu and no one knows the topic until the announcement.

     

    Unless you're willing to spend 100 dollars on custom PCBs and next day air, you'll be stuck with what you have at home image