How do we make DO fun? What is considered fun by different groups?

1. How to make it fun for the everyday user?

– Easy to find /easy download /management file sizes / streamable/ open content
– automated content recommender system/algorithm (system learns what you like, and can give you recommendations based on your prior choices, and you can modify) An example of an existing website - stumbleupon.com, which is like a serindipity search.
– Space for communities to orient around specific topics, for example a local ocean cause, eg adopt a beach
– GEO RSS – geospatial aspect – so you can pinpoint an area that you care most about, and you can choose to receive a notification anytime there is updated information on that area. Include local ocean related activities, exhibits etc.
– Celebrity and expert involvement
– Privacy – make sure users know their privacy is protected while they are having fun!
– Expeditions and field trips
– Links to real world activists – show that lots of people care about the ocean
– Dynamic content/rotating exhibition
– Photo and games gallery
– Mystery launch of DO (make it mysterious, build up anticipation)
– DO schwag (sustainable) – stuff you need, but not that’s just “cute” with an ebay store.
– Offline DO party/Rave
– Invitations for users to contribute content
– Citizen science network
– call and response – ask the community, and someone else from the community submits an answer.
– Research study participation

2. How to make it fun for K-12 and the young at heart (which is not included in the general user/fun list above) ?

– Printables/constructables for kids
– Games/links to established games, quizzes, simulation (what would happen if the temperature went up 3 degrees)
– Awarding contributions/participation - point system? Example, virtual treasurehunt/actual treasurehunt (such as geocaching with GPS), win a trip to ocean x.
– “Most” extreme countdown/top ten lists (such as the discovery channel show, BBC show) make it provocative (such as 10 most extreme cold environments, most extreme animals).
– Have a DO character and ones that have special skills (one who is a deep ocean diver, another a surfer etc.)
– “Ocean Idol” (not for scientists)

3. How to make it fun/useable for scientists?
– Data exchange
– Date exploration
– Cutting edge info server
– Data harvesting feature
– People finder/who’s doing what
– Transcoding of media files
– Newsletter – latest stuff/blog
– Consultants list (including consulting to the media)
– Publication space
– Ocean champion (anyone not necessarily a scientist)
– Featured researcher.

4. How to make it fun for teachers?
– Make Easy to use
– Competitions for teachers/wizard for putting together a competition or course module – something that kids can do in class or out in nature.

5. How to make it fun for developers?
– Have DO be open source, with multiple download formats.