Attributes
Author(s): Steve Tingiris (@steve)
Recipient(s): Dabble Lab
Category: Reimbursement
Asking Amount: 218,750 POKT
Summary
The purpose of this proposal is to request reimbursement for the development of the Zero to Node written and video tutorials. Both the written tutorial and the video tutorial are complete and have been published on the official Pocket documentation site and Pocket YouTube channel respectively. This proposal covers work already completed. Any future versions or additions will be addressed in a subsequent proposal.
Abstract
I worked together with Roger Brogan to create and deliver the original Zero to Node video tutorials that were published on Pocket YouTube channel in January of 2021. Those videos have since become the most watched videos on the Pocket YouTube channel with over 15,500 views as of June 11, 2022. However, the original Zero to Node videos became outdated and lacked a written version. So, in January of 2022, I began working on an updated video version and a complementary written version. Both were completed and published in May 2022.
Motivation
My motivation was to make it simpler for others to get their first node running. Getting a Pocket node up and running isnât overly complicated. However, it took me months to get to the point where I really felt comfortable with the process because I had to piece together the steps and details from limited documentation and community guides. Thankfully, Pocket has an awesome community and many were willing to answer my questions along the way. But answering the same questions over-and-over isnât a good use of their time and just creates friction for new wouldbe node runners. So, I created these tutorials to make things simpler.
Objectives
- Reimbursement for the time to create written and video tutorials
- Motivation to create future tutorials on topics like security hardening, setting up chain nodes, and automating node setup and administration.
Objective Key Results
- Tutorials make it easier for anyone to become a node runner
- More individual node runners makes Pocket more decentralized
Needs being met
The stability and value of the Pocket Network doesnât just come from the total number of participating nodes - the number of node runners (the individuals and orgs behind the nodes) is also a key to true decentralization. By providing up-to-date and easy-to-follow tutorials weâre making it more likely that the number of individual node runners will increase.
Dissenting Opinions
This seems like a lot to pay for a tutorial(s).
The average all-in cost of producing a technical training video, including the costs associated with planning, organizing, script writing, proofing, technical reviewing, recording, and video editing, is between $1,000 - $3,500 per finished minute (the final length of the video).This is a commonly accepted price range that can be easily verified with a quick Google search. Using that range and given that the Zero to Node video was 56.82 minutes long, the cost would come in between $56,820 and $198,870, and thatâs not including the costs associated with creating the written version.
As I post this proposal, the current USD value of 1 POKT is .11. Meaning, the budget at the current price is $24,062.5 - less than 50% of the lower end of the average range for creating a technical training video. I was able to keep the budget low because I did the planning, organizing, script writing, proofing, technical reviewing, recording, and video editing myself, with some formatting and technical reviewing assistance from Pocket team members.
Why canât the core team just do this?
The internal team could no doubt create these kinds of tutorials. But their focus is on building and maintaining the software first and foremost - as it should be in my opinion.
Deliverable(s)
-
(done) Zero to Node written tutorial: Zero To Node - Pocket Network
-
(done) Zero to Node video tutorial: Zero To Node: How to Set Up a Pocket Node âď¸ - YouTube
Budget
The total reimbursement requested for this proposal is 218,750 POKT. This is the amount that was paid for the original Zero to Node videos (which did not include a written version).
The written version was included this time but it did not increase the budget because the overall time to create both the video and written version was about the same as just creating the video version originally.
Contributor(s)
I am the main contributor however @MikePumphrey and @blockjoe from the Pocket team provided technical reviews, guideance/feedback, and assistance with formatting for the written tutorial.
Copyright
Copyright and related rights waived via CC0.
