Wanted: Tutorial Writers

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Chernobyl

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Spartans, Troopers, Marines - good morning, afternoon, or evening (depending on when you read this announcement).

Have you ever wanted to contribute to the Community in more ways than simply posting and displaying your builds? Have you ever considered doing work that will help other members grow and improve both their skills and their builds?

If so, then you may be exactly what the 405th needs right now!

We're currently looking for members with a talent for helping others, to help put together a series of tutorials for other users to reference when learning how to put together their builds. These tutorials will be compiled into downloadable PDF formats, for users to read on the go or to flick through at their leisure.

As much as I'd like to accept all submissions, tutorials will need to be thoroughly vetted first to ensure their integrity and validity. I'm therefore limiting positions for this venture and taking applications for those positions to ensure that the applicants are up to the task. These positions are not first-come, first-served - I will be selecting team members based on their talent and ability. Applicants for the positions will need to have the following:

  • One COMPLETE (OR 70% complete) build of HIGH QUALITY. In the case of non-physical tutorials (Pepakura/modelling tutorials), users must show full and complete understanding of the program they're writing for.
  • HIGH QUALITY images of their build through each stage of construction. These images will be used to provide a visual reference for those following the tutorial - I will allow writers to obtain images from other builds assuming they gain permission for the use of those images first.
  • DECENT GRAMMAR. Tutorials will be spell-checked, but a good grasp of the English language is critical - I shall be asking for translators into other languages at another time.
  • Time and dedication. These are critical - I don't want to have to chase writers up for their work.
  • Good communication. I need to be able to reach team members to deliver critique and alterations if needed.

If you fit the above criteria, then congratulations! Feel free to submit an application for this project. Currently I'm looking for users to complete tutorials in the following major areas:

  • How To Use Pepakura (downloading/scaling) TAKEN BY Master Builder!
  • How to Assemble Pepakura Forms (cutting/scoring/gluing) TAKEN BY Frozensnot!
  • How To Harden/Smooth Pepakura Builds (resin/fibreglass/bondo)
  • How To Assemble Foam Builds (templates/cutting/gluing)

Applicants should select one of the above tutorials, and PM me with the following application:

  • Desired position
  • A link to your build thread (again, images are essential!)
  • A short paragraph or so explaining your skills, and why you're suitable for the position. This is important - I want to know what qualities you have that tell me I should select you for this position! Be honest, but don't be afraid to brag! Likewise - I don't need to know your life history! Keep it simple, keep it brief, try not to over-sell it to me.
Successful applicants will be entered into the 'DIDACT' member group, with a nameplate to match. However, privileges can be stripped as well as given - again, I'm looking for members with dedication and drive to get the job done. Please don't apply simply to gain a nameplate, That said, I look forward to seeing applications soon! Good luck!

staff-didact-1.png


staff-didact-2.png
 
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I would love to have the opportunity to contribute to this website and assist other 405th members with building their armor. I am very experienced in unfolding pepakura files, scaling, resining items, smoothing and building out detail after the resining process. The skills I still have to learn is paining, pad installation, electronics and molding. But these skills will be learned very shortly. I wanted finish the hardest piece first which is the helmet. The main thing I need to work on is my description of my uploads. That being said, I will be adding a fill description to everything I upload from this point on. If you require any additional information feel free to let me know. Excelsior.
 
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Given the eBook vendor ambitions of the 405th's owners, some clarification on ownership, copyright, licensing and reuse would probably go a long way. I wrote tutorials professionally for two years and know only too well about the unspoken corporate mandates to grab as much as possible.

Not that I have time for uncompensated writing right now, but I do occasionally carve out chunks to dedicate to paying it forward and community resources (usually in open source hardware), so it's not beyond the realms of possibility.
 
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I been following your build Robtc, and I strongly believe you would be a suitable candidate for the position. Your descriptions and photos have a unique style and process. I would trust your tutorials and perspective.
 
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I been following your build Robtc, and I strongly believe you would be a suitable candidate for the position. Your descriptions and photos have a unique style and process. I would trust your tutorials and perspective.

Thanks man! That brightened up this dull morning of banging my head against serial communications and event handlers! :D

I'd certainly consider the pair of you. If you're interested - again, feel free to PM me.

I'm assuming there's no time limit? Depending on the aforementioned copyright considerations, I may drop you a line in a couple months once things calm down a little.
 
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I'm assuming there's no time limit? Depending on the aforementioned copyright considerations, I may drop you a line in a couple months once things calm down a little.

There's no 'time limit', certainly - just a matter of whether or not I have slots open when you decide to apply. But, there will be a number of positions opening up once the 'first wave' of tutorials is done with; we could quite happily make do with somebody of your expertise doing a wiring and electronics tutorial, or at least putting a guide together.

For anybody else: that's not your cue to begin submitting tutorial suggestions. I appreciate that people want to get on board, and I've already had a few messages, but for now, I want to focus on the basics. When the next 'wave' of tutorials is done with, I will consider further suggestions.
 
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There's no 'time limit', certainly - just a matter of whether or not I have slots open when you decide to apply. But, there will be a number of positions opening up once the 'first wave' of tutorials is done with; we could quite happily make do with somebody of your expertise doing a wiring and electronics tutorial, or at least putting a guide together.

For anybody else: that's not your cue to begin submitting tutorial suggestions. I appreciate that people want to get on board, and I've already had a few messages, but for now, I want to focus on the basics. When the next 'wave' of tutorials is done with, I will consider further suggestions.

Are you possibly looking for a builder? I'm planning on making Prophet's Bane on Blender and putting it up for download with a texture.
 
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Are you possibly looking for a builder? I'm planning on making Prophet's Bane on Blender and putting it up for download with a texture.

Read:

Chernobyl said:
For anybody else: that's not your cue to begin submitting tutorial suggestions. I appreciate that people want to get on board, and I've already had a few messages, but for now, I want to focus on the basics. When the next 'wave' of tutorials is done with, I will consider further suggestions.
No. I'm not looking for builders and modellers. Those projects are things you should be doing in your own spare time, you don't need my permission to do any 3D modelling. This thread is purely for people who want to create tutorials, not models.

Please, people - actually read the thread before submitting a response, I've had at least half a dozen messages since this thread opened either suggesting tutorials, or asking me for generic advice about something that didn't even relate to the thread subject. Much as I enjoy helping people out, try to keep your responses relevant to the thread you're responding in.
 
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Read:

No. I'm not looking for builders and modellers. Those projects are things you should be doing in your own spare time, you don't need my permission to do any 3D modelling. This thread is purely for people who want to create tutorials, not models.

Please, people - actually read the thread before submitting a response, I've had at least half a dozen messages since this thread opened either suggesting tutorials, or asking me for generic advice about something that didn't even relate to the thread subject. Much as I enjoy helping people out, try to keep your responses relevant to the thread you're responding in.

Sorry, I only read the opening comment.
 
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I could write up an in-depth pepakura tutorial that will go over just about every aspect of the program. But I will have to get more free time first.

So you are limiting it to just PDF's and embedded pictures right? I do like the idea.
 
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I could write up an in-depth pepakura tutorial that will go over just about every aspect of the program. But I will have to get more free time first.

So you are limiting it to just PDF's and embedded pictures right? I do like the idea.

That would be cool - again, if you're interested, fill out the form and send me a PM.

And yes, PDFs with embedded images - this should cut down on the file size (assuming the tutorials are kept to-the-point), while allowing most users to access the tutorial easily. As far as I'm aware, every current OS natively supports the reading of PDF documents - desktops and laptops certainly do, and most portable devices have some form of ebook/document reading app natively installed, so there shouldn't be a problem. Far better that than having to have users acquire specialist software to open the files, such as OpenOffice.
 
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I don't usually like to bump my own threads, but I'm still desperate for tutorial writers. I've had a few applications for one or two things but I'd feel much happier with having a broader pool of candidates - it's either that, or I start writing them myself!

Again, please. If you have the desire to do more for this community, consider dropping me a line for one of the positions. This is a great way to give back to the 405th.
 
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Another multi-post, but at this point, sod it. it's my thread, I can do what I want, and you can't stop me, so there.

I'd like to welcome Frozensnot to the Didact team, as our first tutorial writer! He's very kindly agreed to take on the responsibility of writing up a detailed tutorial for assembling Pepakura forms, and will be doing his best to provide a clear, concise set of instructions for new members to follow when constructing their own pieces.

As I've said, other positions are still open and we're still looking for suitable applicants. Please, if you think you're up to the challenge, look over the available positions in the first post of this thread and send me a message!

EDIT: 18-HOUR EXTRAVAGANZA EDITION

I'd also like to welcome Master Builder to the team as our Pepakura tutorial writer - he'll be writing a tutorial explaining how to use Pepakura.
 
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Not to keep kicking my thread up, BUT:

I'm still in need of tutorial writers. If you want to contribute to the 405th's continued success, PLEASE drop me a line. The community only functions through the hard work of contributors, and if you want to be recognised for your work, don't hesitate to apply for a spot.
 
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I'm in the middle of writing up a comprehensive from start to finish. Each will have its own .pdf with pictures. I will warn you that I'm doing this by my own system.

1) Scaling, unfolding, and printing.
2) Cutting (Cameo) scoring, and building.
3) Hardening and detailing.
4) Painting, weathering, and finishing.
5) Wiring, visor, etc.
 
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I'm in the middle of writing up a comprehensive from start to finish. Each will have its own .pdf with pictures. I will warn you that I'm doing this by my own system.

I'll sketch out the pieces here that we've already handled - though, if you'd like to cut down your comprehensive and focus on the pieces that haven't been covered, that would be great.

1) Scaling, unfolding, and printing. - taken by Frozensnot
2) Cutting (Cameo) scoring, and building. - taken by Frozensnot
3) Hardening and detailing.
4) Painting, weathering, and finishing.
5) Wiring, visor, etc

I'd hate for you to run through and create duplicate resources that are already running through the official channels. My aim here is to create a one-stop shop for members to go to with questions and read through the resources on offer for answers to common questions, without feeling bogged down by large, comprehensive 'start-to-finish' tutorials - remember, the average readership of the 405th is in their teens, meaning attention spans tend to be somewhat... impaired.

I'd be more than happy to take you on for writing tutorials on the hardening process, and the 'finishing' process (unless you can give me a viable reason for splitting painting and equipment installation into two groups).
 
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Going to update this thread and hopefully get it promoted a little more. Refer to THIS post - taking on a tutorial project would not only be a massive help to the community, but it'd be a massive help to me personally.

Please consider the vacant positions and let me know if you think you'd be able to help out. Otherwise, I'm going to start writing these tutorials out myself in my spare time - which might take months.
 
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