Hi All,Following on from a conversation about the MSTS demonstration stand operated by UKTS, there’s been some discussion about the possibility of setting up something similar to promote BVE. However, there are a number of issues relating to the organisation and funding of such a project that need to be considered. At present, these points just address the broad issues and principles. The details can come later.I’m sorry that this is likely to be quite a long post, but please bear with me as there are questions contained within it that need to be answered. Please take your time to consider the issues and your responses.AimsThe long-term aims of such an idea would be;to have a programme of events, such as museum open days and model rail exhibitions, that the BVE demo would visit to represent and promote the sim,
that it would be financially self-sufficient, and
that it would eventually be in a position to obtain the equipment that it needs to operate the stand.Q1: Do you think that setting up a BVE demo to promote the sim is something that you would like to see happen?Q2: Do you agree with the long-term aims? Are there any aims that you would like to see added or amended?The DemonstrationAt the moment, the content and format of the demonstration itself is open to suggestions. So far, the following ideas have been put forward.To use a projector with a multimedia computer to showcase BVE to large numbers of people.
To have computers set up to allow people to get a taste of BVE first hand.
To have developers on hand to explain more about the workings of BVE.Q3: Do you agree that these features should be included?Q4: What other features would you like to see?OrganisationSo that any BVE demonstration can meet it’s aims, it will need to be properly organised so that there is a coordinated approach to targeting events to attend, exhibition attendance and staffing the stand. As such, it will need to be run in a similar way to a club, at least to a certain extent, with officers, accounts and a programme of events.Q5: Do you agree that a formal organisational structure is needed?FundingThe big problem is to do with how such a demonstration is funded, as there will costs that need to be met.While UKTS recoup their costs by charging a subscription, any sort of payment along these lines would be wrong for BVE. You can’t charge people a subscription for something that is available as freeware on the internet. Having brainstormed various ideas, there appears to be two main options.Voluntary Donations from within the BVE Community
As the BVE community, we have an interest in BVE's success. Therefore, it would make sense for any promotional activity to be funded from within the community. Funds could be collected through the internet via PayPal (or similar) or whatever means people feel most comfortable using, with a click-through banner that can be added to any BVE website.Sponsorship
As BVE routes showcase various LUL and NR routes, etc, an approach could be made to these companies to see whether they would be willing to sponsor the demonstration, especially as a number of BVE developers are also employees of these companies.Either way, someone will need to act as treasurer to ensure that there is clear and open reporting of what monies are being received and how it is being spent.Q6: Which of the two funding options would you prefer to see being implemented?Q7: Preserving BVE’s freeware status, are there any other options that may have been missed?TN
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