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FlightGear expo checklist: Difference between revisions
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Add wiki links, fix external link, add T-shirt.
Martin.spott (talk | contribs) (The "Presentation Recipe" is not "more detailed", it's about a different topic. Don't confuse readers.) |
(Add wiki links, fix external link, add T-shirt.) |
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This | This article is intended to collect and sum up people's experience demonstrating [[FlightGear]] at expos and elsewhere, so as to provide a resource for others planning demos. | ||
As well as simply things like "don't forget to pack the silver screen for the beamer" and "how to prepare multi-display-setups", it is also intended to include proposals on merchandising articles and what to bring for which type of exhibition. | As well as simply things like "don't forget to pack the silver screen for the beamer" and "how to prepare multi-display-setups", it is also intended to include proposals on merchandising articles and what to bring for which type of exhibition. | ||
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== Preparation == | == Preparation == | ||
=== Booth Equipment === | === Booth Equipment === | ||
==== Technical ==== | ==== Technical ==== | ||
* Have (a) digital projectors(s), so our graphics look a bit more impressive than on a 17" TFT screen. This is particularly important if you have lots of people trying to see what's going on. | * Have (a) digital projectors(s), so our graphics look a bit more impressive than on a 17" TFT screen. This is particularly important if you have lots of people trying to see what's going on. | ||
* Bring network and power cable, contact exhibition staff wether public network is available. | * Bring network and power cable, contact exhibition staff wether public network is available. | ||
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==== Decoration ==== | ==== Decoration ==== | ||
* Bring table clothes to improve the apparent of your booth. As an alternative, get a banner printed to go around the front (maybe the sides of the table. If you are wrapping the banner around the sides of the table, make sure it does not need to be seen too make sense. | * Bring table clothes to improve the apparent of your booth. As an alternative, get a banner printed to go around the front (maybe the sides of the table. If you are wrapping the banner around the sides of the table, make sure it does not need to be seen too make sense. | ||
* Find someone to design posters and flyers, find someone to print these. | * Find someone to design posters and flyers, find someone to print these. | ||
* Prepare nameplates for booth staff. | * Prepare nameplates for booth staff. | ||
* Consider ordering a bunch of [http://www.cafepress.co.uk/fgfs/ FlightGear T-shirts], to be worn by the booth members. This makes your members distinctive as "crew" for the visitors. | |||
=== Handy tools/add-ons/ideas for setting up the booth === | === Handy tools/add-ons/ideas for setting up the booth === | ||
* Bring adaptors to connect real aviation headsets to our equipment - this might prove to become tricky, as the 'real' headset's microphone impedance won't match the usual PC-style stuff. See [http://www.flightsim.com/main/howto/adapter.htm headset adaptor] for an example. The web is littered with other examples. | |||
* Bring adaptors to connect real aviation headsets to our equipment - this might prove to become tricky, as the 'real' headset's microphone impedance won't match the usual PC-style stuff. See [http://www.flightsim.com/ | |||
* Gaffer/Duct tape is always useful. In particular, taping down power/network cables reduces the chance of someone tripping on them. It is safest to cover the cord totally rather than using short strips of tape to stop the cable from moving. | * Gaffer/Duct tape is always useful. In particular, taping down power/network cables reduces the chance of someone tripping on them. It is safest to cover the cord totally rather than using short strips of tape to stop the cable from moving. | ||
* Prepare and - if possible - test settings for multiplayer- and/or multiscreen-setups as well as VoIP-equipment _before_ heading for the show. | * Prepare and - if possible - test settings for [[Howto: Multiplayer|multiplayer]]- and/or multiscreen-setups as well as VoIP-equipment _before_ heading for the show. | ||
* Make sure you _really_ know how to disable screen-savers before you head for the show !! | * Make sure you _really_ know how to disable screen-savers before you head for the show !! | ||
* Make sure you'll have the required hardware for the show, start contacting possible supporters months, not only weeks before the show. | * Make sure you'll have the required hardware for the show, start contacting possible supporters months, not only weeks before the show. | ||
=== How to let your booth staff survive the show === | === How to let your booth staff survive the show === | ||
* Check if you are allowed to bring your own water kettle to prepare tea. | * Check if you are allowed to bring your own water kettle to prepare tea. | ||
* Bring your own mug and probably a plate, so you won't starve or dry up on the booth. Bring some snack bars with you in case you can't get away for meals. | * Bring your own mug and probably a plate, so you won't starve or dry up on the booth. Bring some snack bars with you in case you can't get away for meals. | ||
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=== Souvenirs - Merchandising === | === Souvenirs - Merchandising === | ||
* Have the World Scenery available on DVD for sale. | * Have the World Scenery available on DVD for sale. | ||
* Have various versions of FlightGear (source, binaries, scenery, base package) for sale as well. | * Have various versions of FlightGear (source, binaries, scenery, base package) for sale as well. | ||
* It might be a good idea to have printed a few copies of some of the technical reports that have been presented for FlightGear and related or constituent parts. Don't present the papers more than pointing over to a stand with printouts for those interested in the technical details. This will give the necessary background info to the few advanced visitors to the booth and will not overstrain the others... | * It might be a good idea to have printed a few copies of some of the technical reports that have been presented for FlightGear and related or constituent parts. Don't present the papers more than pointing over to a stand with printouts for those interested in the technical details. This will give the necessary background info to the few advanced visitors to the booth and will not overstrain the others... | ||
* Print lots of business cards with the FlightGear web-address. Place them in a holder prominently at your table(s) and hand them over to people that stop over at your booth. | |||
=== Misc === | === Misc === | ||
* Check the power consumption of the computers you prepared to bring; see if it matches the expected power supplies - modern multi-CPU machines are rated at up to 1 kW! | |||
* Check the power consumption of the computers you prepared to bring; see if it matches the expected power supplies - modern multi-CPU machines are rated at up to 1 kW ! | |||
* See if you can arrange a slide show on a separate system to show prominent detail while kiddies are busy crashing the sim. | * See if you can arrange a slide show on a separate system to show prominent detail while kiddies are busy crashing the sim. | ||
== Designing an | == Designing an interactive demonstration == | ||
To make the demo more interesting for the visitors (as opposed to the exhibitor!), you may want to create a simple interactive demonstration that the visitor can try. | To make the demo more interesting for the visitors (as opposed to the exhibitor!), you may want to create a simple interactive demonstration that the visitor can try. | ||
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* Disable all the controls you don't want them to use. Otherwise the user _will_ press the wrong button and mess up your scenario. | * Disable all the controls you don't want them to use. Otherwise the user _will_ press the wrong button and mess up your scenario. | ||
* Maximize the A/V experience. Use a digital projector and/or multiple displays if possible. Bigger is better as it allows more people to watch from further away. Use pre-recorded audio to provide instructions (rather than TTS), and big speakers and subwoofers for lots of jet-noise (if appropriate). If space is tight use the biggest LCD monitors that you can borrow and slave one to a single projector. | * Maximize the A/V experience. Use a digital projector and/or multiple displays if possible. Bigger is better as it allows more people to watch from further away. Use pre-recorded audio to provide instructions (rather than TTS), and big speakers and subwoofers for lots of jet-noise (if appropriate). If space is tight use the biggest LCD monitors that you can borrow and slave one to a single projector. | ||
* Use the locality to make the demo relevant. Landing an aircraft the user has just seen for real, at the location the demo is taking place is much more interesting than the | * Use the locality to make the demo relevant. Landing an aircraft the user has just seen for real, at the location the demo is taking place is much more interesting than the [[Cessna 172|C-172P]] at [[KSFO]]. | ||
* Network, if possible. Two people flying in the MP environment while sitting side-by-side is much more interesting than flying separately. Set up a MP server is worthwhile as you may be able to guarantee the network connectivity. You might also consider adding a custom terrasync server to minimise the likely hood of someone flying off the edge of the map. Otherwise pre-sync the tiles around the home airport. | * Network, if possible. Two people flying in the MP environment while sitting side-by-side is much more interesting than flying separately. Set up a MP server is worthwhile as you may be able to guarantee the network connectivity. You might also consider adding a custom terrasync server to minimise the likely hood of someone flying off the edge of the map. Otherwise pre-sync the tiles around the home airport. | ||
[[Category:List]] | [[Category:List]] | ||