OSEdit

Status

OSEdit has never been implemented - it's in the conceptual stage only. A much simpler system is to use open source video editing software such as Kdenlive and uploads to public video repos such as YouTube or Vimeo, as well as using Video Editing Library Assets and High Resolution GVCS Media to compose videos, and using a Recommended Workflow for Explainer Videos if relevant. Because Kdenlive saves projects as project files, one can share this project file, and download the actual working clips manually from public repositories. This allows for an easy and zero cost method of collaborative editing, while drawing from any video repositories as needed. Automating the download of certain media assets would be the next step for automated collaborative video editing - so that the project file can contain either the actual clips, or links to those clips. OSE's approach is always modular, for which reason a mashup of various simple and robust tools is usually the easiest way to accomplish complex tasks. -MJ 2/2016

OSEdit

Outline
OSEdit is a system that aims to connect open source projects (OSP's) with remote video editors. The system enables both parties to collaborate in creating promotional and documentation material for the benefit of all OSP's who can utilize the service. Additionally, the system advises / enables the transfer of large video files between the OSP's and their remote editors. The system aims to foster a community of video editing collaborators, interested in sharpening their craft while helping open source projects grow, and gaining 'kudos' within the OSEdit community.

The need for OSEdit is based around several factors:

• Video editors / programs are expensive.
• OS start-ups typically don't generate much income.
• OS projects / innovations can be documented / communicated very effectively with video.
• OSP's can gain online exposure / donations more effectively with video promotion.
• Shooting HD video is now cheap / easy, whereas editing is relatively complex / expensive.
• There are many young editors / film students looking for ways to practice their editing skills.
• Transferring large amounts of footage over the Internet can be complex / confusing.
• There is no open source 'video middle man' currently providing this service.

OSEdit aims to help both start-up and established OSP's. To start-ups, the service offers the ability to create superior video products than might otherwise be possible. As mentioned, HD video is now relatively cheap and easy with modern mobile devices and compact cameras. Small open source operations are capable of filming their own footage, and specialized editors can offer improved production value to video products remotely. To established OSP's such as OSEcology, remote editors can help to process excess video material into helpful instructional or promotional videos. As an example, OSEcology currently has many hundreds of gigabytes of unused material which could be put to work in this fashion.

How the System Works

Initially, OSEdit will go through a beta stage used only for OSEcology. In preparation for beta testing, we will index all footage acquired over the past years of OSEcology documentation into an easily navigable database of video material. Footage will be organized into appropriate folders and subfolders relating to specific machines / processes / instructionals. Folders containing footage to be remotely edited will be placed into 'packages' consisting of clearly labeled material to enable RE's easy navigation. Each package will also contain a word document describing in brief the content of the material and an outline of the desired video product. This description will focus on the imperative elements that should be communicated (ie. 'show every step of the CEB Press assembly') but will not be so specific as to limit the creativity of the editor.

After a package meets these criteria, it is ready to send to a RE (more on sourcing RE's later). Initially, I would like to use File Transfer Protocol (FTP) to transfer individual packages and see how this works. We need to host our files on an FTP server (I'm trying Cross FTP) and an FTP client (I'm trying a Firefox plugin called 'FireFTP'). The benefits of FTP are that we can transfer files on a case by case basis without needing to upload ALL of our material and consume bandwidth.

The OSEdit Community

The most important factor in the development of OSEdit is the growth of its community of editors. Editors enable the service to function, and offer great value to the open source community. It is important they see value in their investment of time. I believe OSEdit can offer the following incentives to working on open source projects:

• Ranking within the OSEdit community (see below).
• Membership / benefits system for open source projects (see below).
• Opportunity to sharpen editing skills while engaging with open source culture.
• Host and promote OSEdited products on our website other video platforms to get editors' work seen.
• Editing-related prizes for most active members (full license of an editing program?)
• Free copy of GVCS Starter Kit DVD / T-Shirts etc.
• Opportunities to visit Factor e Farm.