Laying the foundation
In order to create any database, one first needs to determine what data will be archived.
My first reaction was EVERYTHING! Looking at other database efforts I quickly realised that everything is a bit too much. Then I realised that this isn't just any other database, so EVERYTHING! it is.
How to structure it then became a puzzle that took me over a decade to solve (and I think I'm almost there!).
My first reaction was EVERYTHING! Looking at other database efforts I quickly realised that everything is a bit too much. Then I realised that this isn't just any other database, so EVERYTHING! it is.
How to structure it then became a puzzle that took me over a decade to solve (and I think I'm almost there!).
| Stauf's taunting me...ogg |
Reason for this is that the moment you start archiving one thing, it almost always leads to another thing.
Therefore, I can safely say:
Therefore, I can safely say:
This database will NEVER be complete.
Now, having said that, I can safely say
This will be the MOST complete database the world will ever see.
Bold statement, I agree, but don't put me on your insane list just yet, as here is the plan.
Who Cares?
If we are like Leon and have nothing to care about, this project is DOA. The more people care though, the more we can achieve.
And the more skills and tools we have available, the more complete the preservation will be.
Community
Just like in real life, if people come together and join hands, beautiful things can happen.
Like the Kickstarter campaign for Broken Sword: The Smoking Mirror Reforged, a preservation in itself.
So the Foundation is people. Enthousiastic people. People who care.
Each user who decides to become a carer (and actively participates in the preservation) can take on one or more specific roles, each varying in time consumption, skill set and responsibility. Here are some examples in alphabetical order.
Users can (obviously) care for more than one game, but have to be cautious not to take on too much.
Most importantly is to have passion and dedication!
Users who have actually worked on a game (in any way, shape or form) are especially appreciated, as only they can bring valuable data and information to the preservation table.
There are also roles for the database application, which will be revealed in future updates.
For this project to be successful we all need each other and therefore everyone is treated with equal respect. Communication is transparent across the board, there is no hierarchy and nobody is isolated.
Like the Kickstarter campaign for Broken Sword: The Smoking Mirror Reforged, a preservation in itself.
So the Foundation is people. Enthousiastic people. People who care.
Each user who decides to become a carer (and actively participates in the preservation) can take on one or more specific roles, each varying in time consumption, skill set and responsibility. Here are some examples in alphabetical order.
- Content creators
- report, post, review, vlog, blog, YouTube and do social media
- report, post, review, vlog, blog, YouTube and do social media
- Engineers
- audio
- use knowledge of audio and tools to edit, restore, enhance or create data
- visual
- use knowledge of video/imaging to edit, restore, enhance or create data
- data
- manage, maintain, create and compile data
- audio
- Focus Group
- discusses and provides feedback on a product, idea or topic
- Linguists
- use knowledge of language to correct, translate and refine written/spoken content
- Managers
- Community manager, Data manager etc, but also admins and moderator (Discord, Facebook)
- Quality Assurance (QA)
- verifies data to ensure accuracy before (and after) publication
- Research & Development (R&D)
- searches for data and help develop ideas, concepts and features
- Tech Support
- provides the best possible answer in a relatively short time
- Technicians
- use equipment/software tools to collect data
- Web Developers
- manage and maintain the game’s related websites
Users can (obviously) care for more than one game, but have to be cautious not to take on too much.
Most importantly is to have passion and dedication!
Users who have actually worked on a game (in any way, shape or form) are especially appreciated, as only they can bring valuable data and information to the preservation table.
There are also roles for the database application, which will be revealed in future updates.
For this project to be successful we all need each other and therefore everyone is treated with equal respect. Communication is transparent across the board, there is no hierarchy and nobody is isolated.
