What do you think of doing an online anime convention?

[DKop]

I think I threw out this idea months ago before we moved to this new forum server, and I have been giving it some more thought again recently. This time, I think with the right kind of set up from certain people hardware-wise, it might be possible to do an anime - like - convention through a streaming service.

Here is what I have in mind so far: Depending on capabilities of people's computers and internet speeds, my idea of doing an online con would be me and anyone who participiates can do video streams of themselves talking about a topic of interest relating to anime/gaming/cosplay/AnimeHELL PERHAPS?? and whatever else over a streaming service. The video streams can be like panels, where someone for a certain amount of time will talk about whatever the topic might be to the audience that will be typing in the text chat of whatever service works out to make this happen. That way, people who attend this can interact with the panel hosts either during or after the presentation. It might actually be a wise decision to do a QnA after the panel for people who have questions, and of course, we would have to have moderators present to kick out and IP ban trolls who just wanna eff things up, because we know its gonna happen.

In terms of scheduling, I figured we can start this out as a half day or one day event to kinda of test the waters before going on further than that if the test succeeds. I think for the people involved that can host video panels can pick a time during the day of the con to do their panel on their interests. After that, this frees up time for the panel hosts to go about their day until they come back to do another segment, or maybe to moderate the chat if they want to. This kind of makes your location the panel room in a sense, so if you have a cosplay workshop, you can talk about cosplay and show your workshop off and whatever you want to do during your one or two hour period on the schedule. In terms of competitions for cosplay, we can't do that since there isn't a need. The only way that can happen is if a group of cosplayers want to meet in one spot and do the even themselves. If that were to happen, then all power to them and put them on the schedule.

To make this happen, this is going to require a fair amount of planning, and above all, a lot of noise to go with it to get a big audience to check this out through social media. What would be really cool is if we are able to get actual voice actors or people within the industry to do interviews with, or have them do their own panel.

The only thing put on this post is the idea, but I wanted to get everyone's feedback to see if they would want to make something like this happen. In terms of cost, this shouldn't have to cost anything since no one is paying for logging (unless you want to), passes or food. There isn't a need to have a dealers room, unless you do a panel and you want to get rid of your stuff to someone or they can buy it from you. Even having a live auction might be kinda fun, but that latter part might have to take better planning. This is just an idea to maul over and think about, but it would be the easiest thing to set up than doing a real con I would imagine. Let me know what you think.

[SteveH]

well, it's a very sci-fi future idea, but I fear practical reality would result in a disappointing experience.

Example: I'm on an older Mac that is CPU limited and unable to advance the OS, so stuck at Mac OS 10.6.8, and my access is crappy ATT DSL.

I am 100% positive whatever scheme you desire to try will not accept these limitations, because ideas like you're considering are ALWAYS dependent on Windows protocols and really fat internet pipes. Nobody, NOBODY thinks in terms of 'original internet philosophy' which was (and SHOULD be) universal connectivity and cross communication.

So, I'm out, right there.

[Daniel]

I think this is a super cool idea...!

My time is kind of limited, but I'd be interested in helping where I can.

We can use my web server if you need somewhere to host this, possibly with custom software if necessary.

I keep mentioning the "online anime club" idea where people connect to a video stream, watch it at the same time and chat as it's going. This could also be something that could be done at an online convention. "Now showing in room 212".... Just be careful of legal issues.

Anyways, yes, I would be on board for something like this. Would like to hear more.

Steve- I think it's a bit too early to be declaring a technical impossibility. First, we need to brainstorm about what we want to do. Then we can research and think about how our goals might be accomplished, with slow Internet/computers potentially being a factor to consider.

[DKop]

This is why I set up this thread, for truthful, hardcore feedback.

The internet connectivity for me is also a drawback on my end, but I do have a PC capable of hosing streams.

This is just to hear from you guys and see what problems/solutions we can come up with before going any further. For me, i'm the type of person that will find whatever way there is around the Berlin Wall, but I need other people to tell me the limitations of going over (machine gun nests and the sort), and also what I can do to get past it, even if its in "theory" (like stealing a tank and ramming through that SOB!). This is to both think of ways to make it happen, and to think of problems that will come from it.

I believe this can be done, its just a matter of when, how and why. If I didn't think it was possible, I wouldn't have started the thread up. It can't hurt to try it out.

[SteveH]

Allow me to expand/explain where my head's at regarding this idea.

It has been my experience, 99.9% of the time, this sort of thing (and really, it's ANY sort of thing involving the internet and people) comes into being because somebody discovers a piece of software, or maybe has access to something at their work, or has a friend who has something that is encouraging them to do it too(because they, the suggesting person, gets something out of it.).

No thought, zero thought is put into compatibility. People tend to think the setup they have (computer, home video, whatever) is the same for everybody. What do you mean you don't have a 60" TV and an all region Blu-Ray player hooked up to a 12 speaker surround sound system? You don't have a Windows box running MS10 on a T-1 fiber optic connection?! What a LOSER!

So, in an attempt to throw some ideas for making sure the most people can join in, I offer some suggestions.

1. No Facebook. No Google. No Yahoo. No Instagram, No Twitter, no to anything even remotely like any of that. No service that requires subscription or pay or membership.

2. Nothing smartphone or tablet specific.

3. no helper application that is processor or OS specific.

4. rather than trying to discover a time and day that works for everyone, it works best to just set a time/date and let people come if they can. If people have conflicts that prevent them from attending, THEN start working out if there is a better time or day that works. Trying to get a bunch of fans (as a factor any number more than 2) to agree on ANYTHING make herding cats seem easy. Dave will back me up on this. We've been there and have the scars.

All these things may make it seem impossible to do the thing. That may be, we're not really at the universal high-speed everything connection with video that has been promised since forever. I have always believed that limitations encourage creative thinking.

[scriptweaver]

This is a really cool idea. I don't know if this will ever actually bloom into something, but you've definitely captured my interest! lol

[DKop]

Allow me to expand/explain where my head's at regarding this idea.

It has been my experience, 99.9% of the time, this sort of thing (and really, it's ANY sort of thing involving the internet and people) comes into being because somebody discovers a piece of software, or maybe has access to something at their work, or has a friend who has something that is encouraging them to do it too(because they, the suggesting person, gets something out of it.).

No thought, zero thought is put into compatibility. People tend to think the setup they have (computer, home video, whatever) is the same for everybody. What do you mean you don't have a 60" TV and an all region Blu-Ray player hooked up to a 12 speaker surround sound system? You don't have a Windows box running MS10 on a T-1 fiber optic connection?! What a LOSER!

So, in an attempt to throw some ideas for making sure the most people can join in, I offer some suggestions.

1. No Facebook. No Google. No Yahoo. No Instagram, No Twitter, no to anything even remotely like any of that. No service that requires subscription or pay or membership.

2. Nothing smartphone or tablet specific.

3. no helper application that is processor or OS specific.

4. rather than trying to discover a time and day that works for everyone, it works best to just set a time/date and let people come if they can. If people have conflicts that prevent them from attending, THEN start working out if there is a better time or day that works. Trying to get a bunch of fans (as a factor any number more than 2) to agree on ANYTHING make herding cats seem easy. Dave will back me up on this. We've been there and have the scars.

All these things may make it seem impossible to do the thing. That may be, we're not really at the universal high-speed everything connection with video that has been promised since forever. I have always believed that limitations encourage creative thinking.

I think the only thing I would get out of it is by knowing if it can work out period. The idea is from me and what I thought up, because I see it as "well, no one is trying it, so is it even possible?" Call me an optimist, but wherever I fail, someone can pick up the pieces and go from there.

On the technical side, the only streaming service I was going to try since I use it the most is through Twitch.tv. There is no subscription service for it (its optional but for something like this you don't need it), and it is open to all OS systems with a web browser. Millions of people use it to watch games and other non/video game related content, so that seems to be the most flexible service out there. Hell, even if we have to do it on Periscope as a last resort, it's something.

The time and date im not even worried about right now until there is a handful of people who want to do this. And this isn't going to be a 3 day online-con off the bat. Id figure starting with a half day to test it out would be the best option at first. Doing an 8 or 12 hour online stream for starters may not be that big of a task.

Again, this is just throwing the idea out there, and to even know if it's possible. Maybe just thinking of this is biting off more than I can chew, but I would like to at least know if it can be done. I'm not criticizing anyone's feedback on this, which seems to be good so far.

[SteveH]

Looks like Twitch.TV requires signing up to use. I note it also seems to be mainly a video game thing which means we might well get kicked off or I dunno.

[DKop]

They have categories that are non video game related, like a Gaming Talk Show area, or people who do art stuff. Putting it under a Talk Show category to test out a stream for the first go round might work. The thing is, i've seen streams that stay in the talk show area and die off, like this Korean game show called "HungryApp" that lasted maybe a year, and they haven't been back since.

Maybe this just needs to not be consider a con, but really this site setting up a streaming service for a club. Maybe if that was the focus then it's easier to do and not be as ambitious.

[davemerrill]

I'm not at all any sort of expert with the streaming thing, but I have participated in one and "attended" or "viewed' or whatever a few others, and it seems that, for the "attendees" at least, the system requirements are pretty much the same system requirements for viewing any sort of streaming media. The technical stuff gets more finicky for the broadcasters, certainly. But Steve, if you're able to watch streaming anime, you should be able to at least watch and comment upon a streaming-video cast.

I personally think this is a cool idea, one suited nicely for the cold winter months to stave off cabin fever, etc. I agree that perhaps 'convention' isn't the right terminology - the term I see bandied about is "webinar" which is just an awkward mutant of a word, but what this is is more like an online seminar or presentation. Webcast.

My pal Weds was involved in an online "convention" last year I think, which sounded similar to what's proposed here- people would webcast themselves speaking on a topic and viewers would participate via the chat window, and it took place over a weekend on a specific channel.