Dig Ventures

[pdurdin]

...the attitude and response of the self-appointed fault finders (see above).

This is your response when I have serious, pertinent questions about what's happening with the project, why I should give you my money and encourage others to do the same? :face-huh:

Here is a wonderful write-up on crowdfunding (specifically about Kickstarter and video game development, but many of the points made are equally important) -- and it even includes criticism of a project.

[diggingthedirt]

This is your response when I have serious, pertinent questions about what's happening with the project, why I should give you my money and encourage others to do the same?

None of which you've articulated. The analogy with the games industry, developing a product for market, the process of 'investing', or even the pledge based model used by kickstarter are a world away from what we are trying to do at Flag Fen. It's like you're dreamin' about Gorgonzola cheese when it's clearly Brie time, baby.

[pdurdin]

None of which you've articulated.

So you didn't even read my earlier posts in this thread? Lisa answered some of those questions, but not all.

The analogy with the games industry, developing a product for market, the process of 'investing', or even the pledge based model used by kickstarter are a world away from what we are trying to do at Flag Fen.

I made no analogy. The article I linked discusses some of the issues with crowdfunding game projects, and I felt that some of the points fit the case of DigVentures equally well -- namely, the points it makes about 1) the target budget 2) what backers are getting for their money 3) prior experience of the project creators (which I'm not questioning, but others did in the earlier thread) and most importantly 4) "the pitch", for which I'll just quote the article and replace "developers" with "archaeologists":

"I think archaeologists need to really treat this as a professional process, treat it like they are coming into my office and pitching me an idea, because that is EXACTLY what they are doing,” he said. “They are coming into my office via my PC and saying ‘gimme your money dude."

It's like you're dreamin' about Gorgonzola cheese when it's clearly Brie time, baby.

And you're giving me plastic-wrapped processed slices.

[BAJR]

Just to pull this back again.

Lets just remember that Money has been raised with a new model. - Well done.

People will get involved in archaeology. Well done

Flag Fen profile is raised. well done.

may not make the full amount. - Unfortunate, but not a disaster.

I would ask pdurin to accept that the project is good for many reasons. it may have aimed for the stars but got to the moon. But look at it this way... You can choose to offer sponsorship or not and obviously you are not convinced. That is your right and it does not mean you are bad - and some of the points will help DigVentures get better. I am not sure what it is you are trying to question though and that may be a problem.

Now my fave bit of the extensive and honest reply.

we are in a similar position to David at the moment as far as being paid for our time - whilst donating time and volunteering services is a part of what we do, it cannot stay like this forever, for us as individuals or for archaeology as a discipline. For those who do volunteer as a result of personal beliefs, that's fantastic - but doing things for free shouldn't be a requirement in order to do what we do. So our advice to anyone considering crowdfunding would be to think about the time investment, and consider carefully what you offer and whether you can deliver that - which is about so much more than just putting someone in a hole on site.

I am even tempted to add more to their pot. so you see, you win some you lose some.

[Unitof1]

purdin presume that the new model is that the site has just been shedualed. which I presume kibohies the whole project. But look on the bright side maybe this is a technique to use to go around and get sites schedualled.

[P Prentice]

come on peoples - how can another possible source of funding for archaeology be a bad thing?
the bigger the cake the more slices you get

and scheduling will ensure the research design is fit for purpose

[Unitof1]

http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resu...id=1406460

I dont believe that ?25k to teach peoples skills project will get passed that shedual. They have been kippered unless its some site not designated.

[BAJR]

For some light relief. this er... presenter (for want of a better word ) interviews about DigVentures.

Lisa comes over very well... hampered only by some of the best questions I have every heard outside of Jeremy Vines insightful show.
.
How did He-man get into the discussion?.... find out here

[MP3="http://www.bajr.org/documents/Flag Fen_SS_LWW_PS show_24 April 12.mp3"]http://www.bajr.org/documents/Flag Fen_SS_LWW_PS show_24 April 12.mp3[/MP3]

[diggingthedirt]

Will they won't they will they won't they?

Less than 2 days to go and 96% funded! Amazeballs times gagillion.

Thanks to everyone who has helped so far.

Now who's for one last big heave-ho?

[BAJR]

Ha... great minds think alike... I have the very same copied and ready to paste.

?23,896
96% raised of our ?25,000 goal

So well done... and to those that say it cannae be done. well it nearly is. and even 96% is pretty bloody amazing.

BAJR salutes you