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Virtual Mega Panel - Should Vrghr do it?
5 years ago
Dragonwuff Musings
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As some may know, Megaplex is holding a Virtual convention this year to stand in from the postponed 2020 Convention. Since Vrghr had already registered for the Con when it was cancelled, wuff was able to sign up for the Virtual Con instead.
Wuff had signed up to host a couple panels at Mega, expansions on the panel wuff hosted last year on Sous Vide cooking. With the Virtual Con, wuff just signed up as an attendee, but didn't do any panel stuff because Vrghr wasn't sure if or how that could happen.
Now, wuffy just received an Email from the fur in charge of coordinating entertainment and such, wondering if wuff wanted to host panels in the Virtual space using an app called "Hopin".
If Vrghr keeps to his original plans, there would be 2 panels. They would basically split up the original from last year so it wouldn't be so long-winded and info-dense, and allow time to explore more questions and details. These would be:
- Sous Vide Cooking 101 - - What is Sous Vide? The basics and why / why not to use it? How to Sous Vide. Equipment needed. Welcome to and getting started in the world of Sous Vide.
- Sous Vide Cooking Advanced Topics - - Tricks and techniques for cooking different items, with more detailed information on times, temperatures, and various results. Discussions of Pasteurization, food safety, and how it affects Sous Vide. Unusual uses of Sous Vide techniques. Questions and discussion time.
Both panels would be shooting for 30-45 minutes, and have presentation and briefing slides as well as the chatting.
Wuffy is wondering if there would be any interest in his topics this year? Is it worth trying to host these? Would anyone show up if they had the opportunity?
Basically, would anyone want to listen to the old wuff rambling on about his hobby?
Or should wuff just hang it up for this year and try again (maybe) when the convention resumes in 2021 (if it does)?
Looking for inputs from the furs here.
Vrghr
Wuff had signed up to host a couple panels at Mega, expansions on the panel wuff hosted last year on Sous Vide cooking. With the Virtual Con, wuff just signed up as an attendee, but didn't do any panel stuff because Vrghr wasn't sure if or how that could happen.
Now, wuffy just received an Email from the fur in charge of coordinating entertainment and such, wondering if wuff wanted to host panels in the Virtual space using an app called "Hopin".
If Vrghr keeps to his original plans, there would be 2 panels. They would basically split up the original from last year so it wouldn't be so long-winded and info-dense, and allow time to explore more questions and details. These would be:
- Sous Vide Cooking 101 - - What is Sous Vide? The basics and why / why not to use it? How to Sous Vide. Equipment needed. Welcome to and getting started in the world of Sous Vide.
- Sous Vide Cooking Advanced Topics - - Tricks and techniques for cooking different items, with more detailed information on times, temperatures, and various results. Discussions of Pasteurization, food safety, and how it affects Sous Vide. Unusual uses of Sous Vide techniques. Questions and discussion time.
Both panels would be shooting for 30-45 minutes, and have presentation and briefing slides as well as the chatting.
Wuffy is wondering if there would be any interest in his topics this year? Is it worth trying to host these? Would anyone show up if they had the opportunity?
Basically, would anyone want to listen to the old wuff rambling on about his hobby?
Or should wuff just hang it up for this year and try again (maybe) when the convention resumes in 2021 (if it does)?
Looking for inputs from the furs here.
Vrghr
So very true!
Will just need to worry about how the "Hopin" application functions, deals with Power Point slides, camera, and headset, and whether wuff can keep from putting folks to sleep during the panel. *grin*
V.
Wuff is on multiple video chats daily these days, mostly using Webex but some with Skype for Business. They do take a little extra effort if you want to present any briefing material along with the discussions, but not TOO bad.
Certainly needs to have Audio for the presenter (wuff recommends a headset rather than trying to use the built-in mike of a laptop, though a phone works quite well too). Video isn't essential, but adds a nice touch.
Having a discussion without pushing out briefing stuff like pictures, texts, slides, etc., can be VERY easy. But some of this 'audio-visual" stuff can help perk things up.
Couple minor "tricks of the trade" wuff's learned.
1) If you have control over your audience Microphones as a host, be sure you put them on Mute to start with. Let them unmute to chat, and remind them to Mute when not talking (gets rid of a LOT of background noise/distractions!). If you don't have control, just remind them (repeatedly) to Mute when not talking
2) Like the old "CB Radio" days, only 1 person can talk at once if you want anyone to understand the conversation. So don't get TOO long-winded (tough for wuffy! *grin*) because you lock out everyone else
3) Make sure to call on your audience members for their ideas, replies, responses, etc. And let each one chime in with you moderating so one person doesn't dominate. It helps keep everyone focused and involved (this also works for "in person" conferences too! *grin*)
Wuffy has no idea how that "Hopin" app works, but figures it can't be TOO much different from Zoom, Skype, Webex, etc, if it is supporting the same kind of "meeting room/briefing" environment. At least not for the panels part of it. Like any program, there have to be certain fundamentals & similarities if it's supporting similar functions as other apps.
Wuffy is a bit less worried about being able to run the video/briefing thing, than just having anyone wanting to show up or listen to wuff.
BTW - If you DO host the Thursday Prompt panel in the virtual convention, wuffy WILL be attending there. You've been warned! *LAUGH*
V.
It's always a great place to hang out with most of my friends in the fandom.
V.
V.
I have trouble attending virtual cons, since I am a caregiver. In-person cons allowed me to get away from home for a day and let someone else worry about any sudden issues. If something's recorded, I can watch it later and pause if needed but live events are not really possible (things have been rearranged so I can teach for 90 minutes once a week.)
But everyone else can. Do it and record it and make it available later!
Will give it a whirl. Wish wuffy luck!!
*hugs*
Just waiting for staff to get back to Vrghr now, with the details and the tech-y parts on how this will work.
Virtual cons sound nice, but I'm willing to wait until we can see eachother in person again.
Hope to see you there next year!!