I have an idea...

[TheDingo]

I have noticed many of the modders on here use google sketch up to design their mods before they begin. This may be a stupid idea but I have done it for webdesign before on some digital art forums.
Someone will draw a case or rather just the case frame or whatever and then post the file and another will pick it up and add something. It will keep going and after a week or so there will be a modded computer that all (or all who contributed helped design)
You are not allowed to take anything someone else has done you can only add on. And just to make it fun you shouldnt design too much. Like if i started one and i just did the basic shape of a case (ie rectangle or what have you) then the next person shouldnt have all sidepanels along with a lcd screen and led lights, if you understand?
Any ways I think it would be cool, I am not starting one or anything just getting input and if the majority agree we should.
Thanks for reading, later

[AKA_RA]

i like that idea. a lot. but it needs to be done correctly, as you stated. i think that if the contributing members of the forums kept it to small alterations each step, and kept in mind its an idea, not something set in stone, the case would turn out great.

[Airbozo]

I like this idea. You would have to put in place a round robin editing policy, so that only one person at a time can be editing (draw straws or something)at once. You could also define the projects for modding (ie: drive bays, window, front panel, cooling, etc), and then have a random drawing for who is responsible for each item. This could be interesting.

[ESX]

Draw straws? :D E-straws? :)
We could do a Application topic for people to apply, then order them in a certain order, and follow that :)

Quite an interesting idea ol chap!

[AKA_RA]

perhaps a list? or a "dibs" sort of policy. first person to post after a new design is posted gets to modify the design?

then again, theres nothing wrong with multiple modifications at once, if one is popular, and the other that pops up is as well, then maybe we could vote to branch the project

[Slug Toy]

i foresee this becoming a nightmare. especially if you start branching out to multiple designs at once. its hard enough trying to organize a bunch of people to do their own thing let alone get everyone to work on the same thing.

but having said that... im in.

[ESX]

There could be a participant limit, like, 4 people on 1 case, and a theme they have to stick to.

[TheDingo]

i foresee this becoming a nightmare. especially if you start branching out to multiple designs at once. its hard enough trying to organize a bunch of people to do their own thing let alone get everyone to work on the same thing.

but having said that... im in.
lol...
If you like the idea use this thread as a place to make the rules or whatever. I think the dibs idea is the best thats how I have done it in the past. Just after the person above posts their contribution you call dibs on next edit.

Just got a new idea but let me know what you think...
Have a certain objective for the computer being build (such as media pc or lan party...whatever) and then have a set budget. Then whatever you add to the mod you link to the product along with its price and in the end you see if its possible to build the certain comp within the budget. this may not be a good idea so just let me know what you think.

O yeah I also think that there should only be 1 mod at a time but thats just me.

[ESX]

So its like this: X number of people on a project, set theme, set budget.
However, I still think there should be something like an application thread for each project, because 30 people working on one project is kinda hard both in reality and the virtual world.

[b4i7]

this sounds like an interesting idea...form up some teams. and have a basic case to use for the design.......i almost smell a modders challenge coming on...

we could have a sign up....then everyone is randomly selected for a team...that way all the super modders hopefully dont wind up on the same team....so its an all balanced competition

or if you did the one does one part then passes it off thing....then branching could occur...then you would see what kind of crazy ideas could be made...

either way
im up for it...

[AKA_RA]

first, before we decide on rules, budget, or anything like that...we need dedicated participants. ^_^ i don't do sketch up. i never even draw my mods out before doing them. its all in my mind. :p

[TheDingo]

this sounds like an interesting idea...form up some teams. and have a basic case to use for the design.......i almost smell a modders challenge coming on...

we could have a sign up....then everyone is randomly selected for a team...that way all the super modders hopefully dont wind up on the same team....so its an all balanced competition

or if you did the one does one part then passes it off thing....then branching could occur...then you would see what kind of crazy ideas could be made...

either way
im up for it...

I thought the same thing! I think a cometition would be fun and it would add something extra to the forum.
I can post a basic set of rules I have used in the past for designing websites in a chain.

[Airbozo]

So its like this: X number of people on a project, set theme, set budget.
However, I still think there should be something like an application thread for each project, because 30 people working on one project is kinda hard both in reality and the virtual world.

Yes, in the "real" world, people would get in a room and "design", then certain individuals would be responsible for certain things. This is usually setup in an RCS repository style, so that only one person can check out the file at one time.

You could setup the "case file" on an RCS system so that while someone makes changes, the file is locked from being checked out until the person editing checks it back in (you should setup a time limit too). Let me know if you like this idea and I will donate my site as an RCS repository, and I will handle the software setup too.

There would definitely have to bee a little order to this to make sure all aspects of the case are covered (ie: 3 people working on the side panel, no-one working on the drive bays...)

[TheDingo]

Definition
Mod chains allow a bunch of users to contribute little by little to a mod design in order to create a 3d model of a mod using google sketch up.
Mod chains allow for a free flow of ideas and styles.

Basic Rules
- Do not delete someone else's addition to the mod.
- Do not add too much it’s a group thing not a one man army.
- Try to match colors and keep the theme going.
- You must call “dibs” first before beginning to add your part.
- You cannot call dibs until the person who is in possession of the mod posts what the have done. (So there is not a waiting list of modders)
- Do not post a change to the mod if you do not have dibs.
- After you edit it, post what you did on it.
- Only Mod Chain hosts may reverse or take away a mod someone has done.

All finished mods will be posted in the Completed Mods thread.

[AKA_RA]

Definition
Mod chains allow a bunch of users to contribute little by little to a mod design in order to create a 3d model of a mod using google sketch up.
Mod chains allow for a free flow of ideas and styles.

Basic Rules
- Do not delete someone else's addition to the mod.
- Do not add too much it’s a group thing not a one man army.
- Try to match colors and keep the theme going.
- You must call “dibs” first before beginning to add your part.
- You cannot call dibs until the person who is in possession of the mod posts what the have done. (So there is not a waiting list of modders)
- Do not post a change to the mod if you do not have dibs.
- After you edit it, post what you did on it.
- Only Mod Chain hosts may reverse or take away a mod someone has done.

All finished mods will be posted in the Completed Mods thread.

Definitely a good set of rules, but theres always gonna be issues, just like with any set of rules. also, i have a few suggestions, this is a group project anyways, right ^_^

after calling dibs, that means no one else can change the design until that person is done, right? so in some cases, i think there should be more than one "dibs" allowed, and a time limit of some sort on each dibs, unless otherwise stated. example: i call dibs on the front panel, im new to sketch up, so ill need more time. that leaves the rest of the case open for everyone else to mess with. there should also be a "good taste" rule of some sort, I'm sure others would agree. i don't mean in a nit-picking fashion. i just don't want a tacky hood ornament poking out the top of my case, and im sure you don't either, lol.

i would really like to get into sketch up if this idea works, so i might start by modding designs and not submitting them or calling dibs. i tried 3D programs before, not my thing apparently.

[TheDingo]

"there should also be a "good taste" rule of some sort, I'm sure others would agree. i don't mean in a nit-picking fashion. i just don't want a tacky hood ornament poking out the top of my case, and im sure you don't either, lol."

Yeah thats why I posted that Chain Hosts can reverse or take away others add ons

[isunktheship]

Lets do it this way,

1.) We have another thread for people to say whether they want to participate or not, you apply by posting "Im in" or something, and also say wheter or not you do know how to use google sketch-up.

2.) There will be a deadline for sign-ups, maybe.. a week or something. After that all of the names will be put into two lists: Those who know google sketch-up and those who don't but want to participate. Depending on the number of people who know sketch-up teams will be formed, making sure that at least one person in the team knows how to... well... sketch.

3.) The teams work on the sketch-up mod together for a number of weeks, this means that you don't have to know google sketch up to be able to compete. This way everyone can compete.

4.) Each team then works together to make a mod. Mods are then submitted to a final thread.

We might need an admin to help us with this, for we are but simple users.

[TheDingo]

I think this should be 2 different things... One just as discussed as bfore then like a monthly mod team contest.
Thats just my thoughts

[AKA_RA]

Is there a way to lock a post to everyone but a select number of people. Like how Pauls work logs are all him. These would be all one group, with maybe a ocmment thread. Perhaps Paul could make a section for this sort of thing, depending on how many people are into it.

To be honest, this is actually one of the best ideas I've heard in a while. I like to see fresh thoughts come to life.

[isunktheship]

To be honest, this is actually one of the best ideas I've head in a while. I like to see fresh thoughts come to life.

Err... your idea?

[TheDingo]

Ha, I think that may have been a mistake. I hope so because it's pretty obvious whos idea it was. But I do think this should be accepted by as many as possible before beginning and I love all of your input...Im pretty new to the forums and its really good and very active. hopefully we can get this thing going.

[AKA_RA]

Um...heh....well just add the letter R in there, and a giant L for my forehead. -_-

I noticed how new to these forums you are, and im very impressed by your enthusiasm and the contributions you've already made. you got us talking about mods instead of some stupid T-shirt or a youtube video.

[TheDingo]

Ha, I have been apart of many forums for digital arts and filmaking and visited many other mod communitites, but I really like this one and have already got a lot of help from members on my first mod.

So soon I think we should really figure out this Chain Modding thing. Im thinking start one soon with the rules I posted (plus or minus any) and see how it goes. Then after 1 or 2 have like small groups of 3 or 4 members that will have a budget and theme or whatever and time limit to complete the project. Then they will be judged and a winning team will be picked. I think that a monthly team contest and just have mod chains running all the time (but limited, like only 1 or so, so it doesnt get out of hand) until the mod is obviously finished.

[intergalacticman]

this could be a sweet concept, but, its only a concept. Given the human nature to question, some will take advantage of it and ruin some potentially good ideas.
also, should there be a price limit?

[TheDingo]

this could be a sweet concept, but, its only a concept. Given the human nature to question, some will take advantage of it and ruin some potentially good ideas.
also, should there be a price limit?

Yes we previously mentioned having a price limit, but I think this should only be for team contests...

If to you someone ruins an idea or the mod then that is just part of it. Its supposed to be fun and see what everyone together comes up with. You would be more than welcome to just make your own design and they wouldnt ruin it. (just dont post it in the chain)

Just as long as everyone understands the concept and does it correctly I think it will work out great.

[monoflap]

I think we have a mature enough group to handle this. Good idea Dingo, you've got my rep point;) .

[SgtM]

I haven't played with sketchup, but I would like to give this a go. Very cool Idea. Now, what about a theme?

[b4i7]

what about using a case as the base design? like a sketchup of an SLB all done....and just mod it.. yet keeping the basic case there...kinda like the modders challenge...how we used that sketchup of the SLB as our base and told what we would do to mod it..?

thats just my bit to add.. a stock case used as the base for all the designs

[TheDingo]

I was thinking along those same lines. But I think those rules should change. Like if we are doing a regular mod chain the person who started it can just sketch a simple case and then the next just add to it; but if we do a team mod challenge then there can be set cases, themes, and budgets.
But its up to you guys I was just giving the idea.

[TheDingo]

If its ok I want to start an open chain. Just a rectangle to start and its open to anyone just as long as you call dibs. It will follow the rules we had mentioned before and if it gets popular we can try a team mod.
Any way tell me where to start it and ill post rules and the first step.

[chedabob]

Yeah, someone should call dibs, then whoever had the file last, sends it to that person (if theres more than one, they choose who). Just make sure its someone trustworthy, otherwise we'll end up with a rectangle with 5 legs, hydraulics, wheels on 3 of the legs, and a swimming pool :P

[TheDingo]

I still think this is a good idea, want to bring it back?

[chedabob]

We could merge this with the community pc project.