Fahim wrote:I like your idea, how about coming up with a proposal?
Proposal ....
Advancement happens in (at least) three ways:
(1) Teaching and mentoring users to get the most out of the program (including improved documentation);
(2) Advancing the capabilities of the program by developing scripts or other techniques within the application;
(3) Inspiring the community with artistic excellence in animated productions
The best way to reward these contributions would be to promote the businesses of those leaders:
(1) Publish an interview with the animator
(2) Provide contact information and links
(3) Showcase the work with an insightful analysis of what makes it significant
Once you develop 1-3, then give those pioneers the benefit of the same promotional-outreach efforts you're investing into AS itself--it doesn't detract from promoting your own product, but just the opposite.
Make a commitment to preserve these materials over the long term; don't just allow them to vanish from the web (or print sources). A nice white paper (with deluxe color photos actually) would be nice.
(Too bad I wouldn't remotely qualify for any of this.)