Live Torque 3D Help and Tutorials
by Michael Perry · in Torque 3D Beginner · 02/04/2010 (12:39 pm) · 40 replies
Greetings everyone. We have recently started using Adobe Connect Pro at the office, which allows users to join a session for real time meetings. After playing around with it, I have decided it is the perfect tool to use for live help and interactive tutorials for Torque 3D. Why is that? Well, when you join a session (Flash based), the following features are available:
-Best of all, screen sharing
-Live chat
-Video and audio discussion
-Question and answer chat
-File sharing
-Live notes
-Session recording
The tool is easy to use, and I think everyone would find the sessions extremely helpful. I could use your feedback on how we can structure each session, so please answer the following questions:
1. How long do you think each session should be?
I'm thinking 1 hour or less
2. What kind of content would you like?
Unlike IRC Hour, I would like to run a session more than once a month. I'm thinking one session dedicated to troubleshooting, where you ask all the questions and get answers from the employees. Then another session where I walk through simple tutorials, demonstrations, and show off cool tech
3. What timeframe works best?
This is very difficult to decide on, since we have users in many different timezones. I'm thinking Fridays between 1 - 4pm (PST). I need the most popular preference, but fear not people who cannot make it. I can record an entire session, chat, voice, video, and screen sharing. This video can be saved and shared if you missed it.
I'm very excited about this. I always enjoy helping people during IRC, but was always limited to just text and links. This new tool makes live help so much more useful and interesting, and I hope it will become a steady part of our documentation and tutorials.
What are your thoughts?
-Best of all, screen sharing
-Live chat
-Video and audio discussion
-Question and answer chat
-File sharing
-Live notes
-Session recording
The tool is easy to use, and I think everyone would find the sessions extremely helpful. I could use your feedback on how we can structure each session, so please answer the following questions:
1. How long do you think each session should be?
I'm thinking 1 hour or less
2. What kind of content would you like?
Unlike IRC Hour, I would like to run a session more than once a month. I'm thinking one session dedicated to troubleshooting, where you ask all the questions and get answers from the employees. Then another session where I walk through simple tutorials, demonstrations, and show off cool tech
3. What timeframe works best?
This is very difficult to decide on, since we have users in many different timezones. I'm thinking Fridays between 1 - 4pm (PST). I need the most popular preference, but fear not people who cannot make it. I can record an entire session, chat, voice, video, and screen sharing. This video can be saved and shared if you missed it.
I'm very excited about this. I always enjoy helping people during IRC, but was always limited to just text and links. This new tool makes live help so much more useful and interesting, and I hope it will become a steady part of our documentation and tutorials.
BIG NOTE
This will not be a replacement to our official documentation. The official, written documentation will continue as normal. This is a supplemental service. If it is successful, it will stick around. A big win is that the more popular tutorials and sessions can be converted to written docs.What are your thoughts?
About the author
Programmer.
#2
On a serious note, that does sound like a really cool idea.
Obviously you'll never manage to accomodate all the world's timezones, but recording it for replay over the web should satisfy most people. Which makes me think that you might want to take questions prior to broadcast for those who won't be able to make it but would like specific answers relating to whatever tut is happening.
02/04/2010 (1:45 pm)
Quote:Quickly clears inapproapriate content from desktop ...
-Best of all, screen sharing
On a serious note, that does sound like a really cool idea.
Obviously you'll never manage to accomodate all the world's timezones, but recording it for replay over the web should satisfy most people. Which makes me think that you might want to take questions prior to broadcast for those who won't be able to make it but would like specific answers relating to whatever tut is happening.
#3
All you would need to do is make sure your Flash plugin is up to date. I simply give out a URL, and you can join in.
Now, do you have any suggestions relevant to the topic?
02/04/2010 (2:00 pm)
@Gerry - This is something completely different, separate from our written documentation system. This is an attempt to offer something that no other engine can in the way of tutorials and help. All you would need to do is make sure your Flash plugin is up to date. I simply give out a URL, and you can join in.
Now, do you have any suggestions relevant to the topic?
#4
02/04/2010 (2:06 pm)
Updated topic with the following:BIG NOTE
This will not be a replacement to our official documentation. The official, written documentation will continue as normal. This is a supplemental service. If it is successful, it will stick around. A big win is that the more popular tutorials and sessions can be converted to written docs.
#5
I followed the link from the documentation feedback page. If it isn't relevant to documentation then perhaps you shouldn't have made seem like it was by putting that link there.
Thanks for answering my question in regards to installation etc.
02/04/2010 (2:52 pm)
Quote:Now, do you have any suggestions relevant to the topic?
I followed the link from the documentation feedback page. If it isn't relevant to documentation then perhaps you shouldn't have made seem like it was by putting that link there.
Thanks for answering my question in regards to installation etc.
#6
02/04/2010 (3:04 pm)
Sorry, related to the topic of this thread? This is a new concept and I could use feedback so make the most out of each session. 
#7
2. Biweekly- One session should include troubleshooting. Another session might include building an actual game. Starting from installation of Torque to packaging up the finished version. But it should be a simple game. I'm sure a mmo or an rpg would be a hit though. It also should stick to T3D binary and/or script editors. External apps like 3d modeling could be covered later.
3. My work schedule is crazy. So I would just have to watch a recorded session
P.S. Doesn't this hurt your Paid Support Program?
my 2 cents
02/04/2010 (3:14 pm)
1. An hour sounds good.2. Biweekly- One session should include troubleshooting. Another session might include building an actual game. Starting from installation of Torque to packaging up the finished version. But it should be a simple game. I'm sure a mmo or an rpg would be a hit though. It also should stick to T3D binary and/or script editors. External apps like 3d modeling could be covered later.
3. My work schedule is crazy. So I would just have to watch a recorded session
P.S. Doesn't this hurt your Paid Support Program?
my 2 cents
#8
1. You can cover alot in an hour.
2. Troubleshooting, tips and tricks, tuts on how to implement popular resources, Q & A sessions.
3. I would prefer later in the day...around 3 or 4 PST. That would benefit my schedule, but probably wouldn't be ideal for everyone. Recorded sessions would definately be a plus.
Awesome idea!
02/04/2010 (3:40 pm)
Sounds exciting! I think it would be a huge benefit for the community and certainly a huge step above what any other engine offers. As for my thoughts:1. You can cover alot in an hour.
2. Troubleshooting, tips and tricks, tuts on how to implement popular resources, Q & A sessions.
3. I would prefer later in the day...around 3 or 4 PST. That would benefit my schedule, but probably wouldn't be ideal for everyone. Recorded sessions would definately be a plus.
Awesome idea!
#9
2. Apart from troubleshooting and tips and tricks - it might be an idea to take the most popular requests or things which crop up in the forums time and again (like that RTS tutorial). If you release the "theme" of the broadcast a few days prior, it'll give people the chance to sort out relevant questions and/or post questions if they can't make the live broadcast.
3. (TST) Torque Standard Time +8 here... ;) ... outside of the States it's not so important as most people would be catching the video recording anyhow.
02/04/2010 (4:17 pm)
1. Hour max ... apart from people with time constraints, peoples attention can waver, so maybe 30-45 minutes best --- but then it's all offset by how much can be covered within a timescale. iirc goes on longer than the official hour and that's interesting.2. Apart from troubleshooting and tips and tricks - it might be an idea to take the most popular requests or things which crop up in the forums time and again (like that RTS tutorial). If you release the "theme" of the broadcast a few days prior, it'll give people the chance to sort out relevant questions and/or post questions if they can't make the live broadcast.
3. (TST) Torque Standard Time +8 here... ;) ... outside of the States it's not so important as most people would be catching the video recording anyhow.
#10
I think the format allows much more place to make lectoures on how the engine works, more than a step-by-step how-to-make-a-game thing that can be perfectly covered in less dynamic formats (not just the official docs, the Lara's videos are the perfect example that good tutorials dont need of real time feedback).
Some sort of master classes on the inner workings of the engine, that allow people to make questions and understand concepts more easily transmited in real time than in writen format.
Still surprised by the news, will consider some more ideas and come back here :)
02/04/2010 (4:52 pm)
Hey, this sounds pretty exciting! Great initiative Michael.I think the format allows much more place to make lectoures on how the engine works, more than a step-by-step how-to-make-a-game thing that can be perfectly covered in less dynamic formats (not just the official docs, the Lara's videos are the perfect example that good tutorials dont need of real time feedback).
Some sort of master classes on the inner workings of the engine, that allow people to make questions and understand concepts more easily transmited in real time than in writen format.
Still surprised by the news, will consider some more ideas and come back here :)
#11
02/04/2010 (5:09 pm)
Cool. Great initial feedback guys. Thanks 
#12
1. 1 hour or 45 min sounds like enough.
2. @ Steve, what he said.
3. 1-4pm(pst) is ok. It will be like 10pm-2am here (O_O), but since its on Fridays it will be fine.
02/04/2010 (5:15 pm)
I'm liking this thread! It sounds interesting and exiting!1. 1 hour or 45 min sounds like enough.
2. @ Steve, what he said.
3. 1-4pm(pst) is ok. It will be like 10pm-2am here (O_O), but since its on Fridays it will be fine.
#13
- 10 to 30 minutes long each session, short, sweet, to the point.
- Focus on one specific topic each session that way the recorded sessions are very specific to a feature or tool within Torque and a person can not only be better prepared for it, but people can find the information they need quicker in recorded sessions. ie) One session is only on the Torque3D lighting, another is only on the terrain system
- Feel free to do multiple sessions over a day or week if you have lots you want to cover.
- Do a special session for new Torque release which cover all the neat new features or changes that have occured! These dont need to be in-depth at all, just enough to show whats new and the real basics of how to access and use.
- With regards to timeframe... whatever works best for you guys at TP. Those of us that can make it will make it, those that cannot can view the session recording when you post it the next day.
02/04/2010 (5:16 pm)
This is pretty awesome Mich and I think it will complement the current and future docs nicely. With that said here are my thoughts:- 10 to 30 minutes long each session, short, sweet, to the point.
- Focus on one specific topic each session that way the recorded sessions are very specific to a feature or tool within Torque and a person can not only be better prepared for it, but people can find the information they need quicker in recorded sessions. ie) One session is only on the Torque3D lighting, another is only on the terrain system
- Feel free to do multiple sessions over a day or week if you have lots you want to cover.
- Do a special session for new Torque release which cover all the neat new features or changes that have occured! These dont need to be in-depth at all, just enough to show whats new and the real basics of how to access and use.
- With regards to timeframe... whatever works best for you guys at TP. Those of us that can make it will make it, those that cannot can view the session recording when you post it the next day.
#14
1. an hour seems like the best time frame and something like the 1st and 3rd Friday (or 2nd and 4th whatever works) of each month would be really cool,
2. A troubleshooting session would be awesome, though not too sure how well that really can be organized, as i have a feeling it may become ripe with were is the make game button, perhaps have a list of troubleshooting topics available before hand gathered from common questions posted on the forums over the last month?...such as the rts tutorial which gets a lot of questions, and then a second session each month on live tutorials on different functionality of the engine would be really great!
3. later is better for me personally i like the 3-4pm time frame but the 1 to 4 range is ok i guess as well though
02/04/2010 (6:27 pm)
This is a fantastic Idea, I love the idea of webinars, they tend to be very efficient ways to educate, 1. an hour seems like the best time frame and something like the 1st and 3rd Friday (or 2nd and 4th whatever works) of each month would be really cool,
2. A troubleshooting session would be awesome, though not too sure how well that really can be organized, as i have a feeling it may become ripe with were is the make game button, perhaps have a list of troubleshooting topics available before hand gathered from common questions posted on the forums over the last month?...such as the rts tutorial which gets a lot of questions, and then a second session each month on live tutorials on different functionality of the engine would be really great!
3. later is better for me personally i like the 3-4pm time frame but the 1 to 4 range is ok i guess as well though
#15
Seems like a great way to learn the engine, while also providing feedback.
I've found my attention span lasts for two hours for most things which don't involve assassination/thievery games, so no longer sessions than that. After each you could probably condense it down to an even shorter tutorial. An hour of people being taught one concept and telling what they find difficult about it could easily become 15-30 minutes in an organised (and improved!) tutorial, for example.
So hour-ish long RTS tutorial tomorrow around 15:00 Las Vegas time, eh? :)
02/04/2010 (7:14 pm)
I'd be interested in just helping stress test the system (bandwidth and such) and Mich (patience and such), as long as I'm still awake and it doesn't clash with other important things, like watching Supernatural :)Seems like a great way to learn the engine, while also providing feedback.
I've found my attention span lasts for two hours for most things which don't involve assassination/thievery games, so no longer sessions than that. After each you could probably condense it down to an even shorter tutorial. An hour of people being taught one concept and telling what they find difficult about it could easily become 15-30 minutes in an organised (and improved!) tutorial, for example.
So hour-ish long RTS tutorial tomorrow around 15:00 Las Vegas time, eh? :)
#16
02/05/2010 (1:22 pm)
Good idea... for the time I would prefer between 1-3pm but the problem for me could be the day... any other then friday must be ok... that's because here will be friday night and probably my partner will kill me at the idea I'll stay at home :-P
#17
When I get to the office in an hour, I'll post the full instructions for joining.
02/05/2010 (1:52 pm)
Good stuff. I think I will perform a test today. Unless Eric calls a Strategy Team meeting, I'm going to open up a session today at 3:00pm (PST). Since this is short notice, his will just be a test. It will represent the basic idea of a 30-60 minute live tutorial session. Based on what the today's experience, I can tweak the official sessions to be productive, efficient, and fun.When I get to the office in an hour, I'll post the full instructions for joining.
#18
Just for ref.: PST => GMT - 8
Tonight 23:00 GMT
Im getting the swing of the time zones :P
02/05/2010 (2:19 pm)
Cool!Just for ref.: PST => GMT - 8
Tonight 23:00 GMT
Im getting the swing of the time zones :P
#19
1. Go to the session url: Torque Community Room.
2. Once you are accepted, you may or may not be prompted to install a plug-in. If you are prompted, install.
3. Log in using guest, and use your forum name when prompted. If I do not recognize you from the forums, you will not be allowed in.
4. Once in, you will be able to type in Chat window. Please announce yourself when you arrive, "Hello" or "Hey Everyone" or something similar.
02/05/2010 (2:59 pm)
Instructions:1. Go to the session url: Torque Community Room.
2. Once you are accepted, you may or may not be prompted to install a plug-in. If you are prompted, install.
3. Log in using guest, and use your forum name when prompted. If I do not recognize you from the forums, you will not be allowed in.
4. Once in, you will be able to type in Chat window. Please announce yourself when you arrive, "Hello" or "Hey Everyone" or something similar.
NoteThe meeting will not be open until 3:00pm (PST)
#20
Timezones: They make you feel like an International Man of Mystery
I've found that you can 3 clocks in Taskbar (had never thought of looking before) - so I've got local(UK), PST for TorqueTime, and Tokyo ... because they always have a clock saying "Tokyo" in those "Disaster Movie" Control Rooms which I watched as a kid.
02/05/2010 (3:52 pm)
@NovackTimezones: They make you feel like an International Man of Mystery
I've found that you can 3 clocks in Taskbar (had never thought of looking before) - so I've got local(UK), PST for TorqueTime, and Tokyo ... because they always have a clock saying "Tokyo" in those "Disaster Movie" Control Rooms which I watched as a kid.
Torque 3D Owner Gerry "Hermetic" Smith
Would we have to download and install that software ( is it free? ) and/or create a new account or something to login to download this or that type of file?
Sounds like more of a hassle than just using a web url to read the docs.
Although I can see the usefulness of it over irc for getting one-on-one support.
I hope this is not meant to replace the current system, and I hope you've got your whip out to get the appropriate people to get that script fixed.