Demos Happen {Here}
Our National Demo Competition is starting to hot up, despite the seeming lack of activity on the Community Website, and I've been fielding a number of questions across the board. I thought it may be high time to post the most frequent, and attempt at least to answer these as best I can.
As ever if you have any thoughts, suggestions, questions or violent dissent, please contact me or the team directly, using your favourite medium (Email, IM, Twitter, even Facebook).
Here they are then:
Q: Do the demos have to be delivered by UG members? (i.e. are MVP’s/UG Leaders excluded from entering)
A: No! Everyone can enter. The general idea is that each UG Leader facilitates 3 or more demos from their members, but that doesn’t exclude them from entering. In fact I recommend that they do enter to model just how easy it is to present to the group
Q: The Vista image on the HDD was time-bombed! What gives?
A: We have updated images. Speak to your local evangelist, or send an email to OzHero08@microsoft.com and we’ll sort it out for you.
Q: Can we use our Usergroup Leaders LiveMeeting account to present using LiveMeeting and record the demo this way?
A: Yes! This is a brilliant way to record your demo. There will be a bit of work to extract and edit the WMV file, but nothing I’m sure we can’t overcome
Q: Where are the recorded entries – there’s nothing on the website yet...
A: Thanks for noticing! I’m working with our agency to overcome some technical difficulties. In the meantime, keep uploading your demo videos to http://silverlight.live.com. Also, feel free to post them to your blog and/or our Facebook group to tease, inspire and challenge your colleagues.
Q: I’m struggling to find time and enthusiasm to actually commit to delivering a demo – what can I do?
A: Well, there’s not a lot more that we can do from this side. After all, a potential trip to the USA for a 10 min demo (max) is pretty good incentive. I’m guessing there’s a couple of issues which affect us all: From time paucity, to lack of knowledge/resources, to fear of public speaking.
My recommendation is to take small steps – perhaps work with your Usergroup Leader to prepare a joint presentation, where you deliver a demo as part of this. That way you get help with preparation, become accountable to a colleague, and get feedback on your demo skills before the big night.
Q: Can more than one person do a demo?
A: Of course – but you get to fight over who wins the prize.
I never cease to be amazed at the great work our usergroup members do in their respective communities. Over the last couple of months I've been getting to usergroup meetings and events like CodeCampOz, and am constantly blown away by the expertise and passion I experience.
So the offer is always open if you have any questions or need help, ping me.
R42
