Here is how I run virtual workshop using open source software
Community leaders or contributors of Free and Open Source Software are ambassadors of software packages and entire user experience. During virtual events, presenters and co-hosts can turn the opportunity into ‘walk the talk’.
FOSS Software used for workshop
- Moderated Jitsi Meet 2.0.9111 and Element (Jitsi in Matrix)
- Chromium browser Version 120.0.6099.71
- Pagure Git forge
- OBS Studio 30.0.0
- Kdenlive Version 23.08.4
- Fedora Kinoite F39
- PeerTube
- LimeSurvey
- Fedora Calendar
- Mastodon (Floss.social)
- Etherpad
Note) I chose Medium to reach a broader array of tech writers and FOSS contributors and leaders. I set up a Sphinx static site to run my personal documentation projects. In the future, any articles I write about FOSS will be published in my Sphinx site.
Jitsi in Matrix
Element Matrix client offers Jitsi in Matrix. Click green Join Conference button on Jitsi widget.
Avoid using noise suppression option, virtual background or blurred screen in Jitsi as these options might affect audio and video quality.
Desktop settings: KDE Plasma or GNOME
Show and tell key features of User Interface and deliver content with most efficient settings of the conference software used for events.
Workspaces
When switching web browser and slides, use Workspaces to provide smooth transition between apps rather than Alt + Tab.
Focus tracking
When clicking tiny UI button, use ‘focus tracking’ to zoom in and out precisely showing the screen area around the cursor.
KDE Plasma: Desktop effects — Accessibility — Select ‘Zoom’
GNOME desktop: Go to Accessibility and Select ‘Desktop zoom’
- Provide verbal cues when you zoom in and out: If you’re going through pull requests using UI buttons, then add context: “On top right corner of pull request screen, press x button” Verbalize your actions and key terminology for the UI and PR process.
- Enable ‘presentation mode’ to prevent the screen from going to sleep
- Use a full-sized window: With a full sized window, you do not have to resize or move windows during presentation.
Microphone
Get yourself a high quality external directional microphone, which helps suppress room reflections and background noise. Alternatively, use noise-cancelling headset or earbuds you already have. Built-in microphone that comes with your laptop, monitor or webcam picks up noise from everywhere.
Test sound
Minimize background noise and electromagnetic interference. Test your sound with audio recording software. Is gain on proper level? Is your voice not distorted? Is hum noise audible?
Use a stable and strong internet connection to ensure audio quality.
Elocution
To sound intelligible to your audience, confident and deliver quality content,
- Speak in a fluid way
- Increase your verbal clarity
- Speak more confidently without adding extra words
- Give an impression that you’re prepared (but do not sound overly rehearsed)
- Use clear pronunciation and good breathing to control the voice
OBS Studio settings for recording
Use ‘recording’ in auto configuration wizard: Select audio sources — audio input capture (Pulseaudio) and screen capture (Pipewire).
Audio settings
Sampling rate 48 kHz, Bitrate 320 kbps, Audio encoding AAC
Check the OBS Studio Knowledge base for more details.
https://obsproject.com/kb/quick-start-guide
Kdenlive settings and editing process
Read the Fedora Magazine article I published.
Thanks for taking time to read this article so far.
