Ideas - "quick start" for new users

Hi Gabby

Here are as promised some ideas. Mostly focused on helping new users to get first results.

I imagine that now a new kind of users will be on boarded. In my view the backers and initial buyers were mostly already experienced with DMX and had some basic knowledge of lightning fixtures.

While describing these possibilities I tried to have a look from a complete beginner side and checked the already existing information.    Fact is everything needed is already available. With the information provided users should have a smooth start.    And I assume it may be to complicated to check the information available for some user. I often see the request for a "step-by-step"-documentation.

Now this may change and newbies may be less experienced but looking for quick results.

Building foundation

• Video “what is DMX?” è users should understand
• How to setup a DMX “network” (focus on wired)
• What are DMX channels
• Fixtures do have a starting channel number and “reserve” depending on the fixture some channels
• Video “what are moving heads (and how does DMX work with it)”
• TILT vs PAN
• RGB(WA + UV) washers
• Spots
• Gobo wheel
• Colour wheel
• Additional functions (2. Gobo wheel; rotation Gobos; Prisma; Zoom)
• Video “what are lasers (and why it may be bad to have them controlled via DMX)”

Improved documentation

Building some further basic stage setups. Some examples:

• 4x simple RGBs          (each 3 channels)
• 4x RGBWs                     (each 4 channels)     
• 4x RGBWA + UV          (each 6 channels)

Users should be able to open one of these clearly described stages to see quickly first results and then start through.

New (digital) “handout”

• First page “where to get help?” all relevant links included and described.
• “Step by step”- guide instead different documents.
• Description “what to do?”
• Short video (some seconds) “how to do it”
• Expected result (video or picture)
• Question “do you see the expected result” if YES è next step   if NO è further description or information how to get more information
• As soon all the basic setups (incl sound input) are done and “checked” “How do your most simple fixture looks like?”
• Based on this information a step-by-step build up for the first stage
• Incl. how to setup the physical fixtures. Which addresses should they have. Which channel mode (most simple) one is recommended…
• Incl. patching these first 4 fixtures.
• Change 2 Fixtures to “fixture group 2”
• Play already existing CUE
• Create first CUE (incl 2 fixture groups)
• Play first CUE
• Based on this “handout” a simple check list as (printable) document. May also help to reduce basic questions and/or makes it easier to spot the issue quickly
• Last page “where to get help?” all relevant links included and described.

(recorded) “live”-sessions

• Topic communicated in advance
• Questions from users if possible in advance
• If possible in different languages (timezones)
• For German “DJ Allianz” may be a good partner

Office hours

I personally would use this great option as “last resort” as it may be quite time-consuming as it’s 1on1.

Will give you on the one hand a lot of good inputs but with the cost of repeating everything again and again.

And users are always happy to have direct contact with you. A really great appreciation for both sides.

I always have the approach “as better the documentation the less questions.”

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