Project plan for megalithic cam-page at Maeshowe

The status of this project plan

Goal of the pilot

This project plan describes all the activities, timing and costs involving the set up of a pilot around a megalithic cam-page at Maeshowe.
The main goals for doing this pilot, which ends Feb. 1, 1998, are many fold:
  1. Gain knowledge on the prehistoric alignment of Maeshowe
  2. Promote Maeshowe and The Orkney islands
  3. Determine the continuation of the project
To reach the above mentioned goals, a high quality color camera will be positioned in the mound. This signal will go towards a video grabber in a PC. This PC will be connected through a telephone link towards The Internet. People on The Internet will be able to view every 30 seconds a new picture of the sun within Maeshowe chamber/passage.

Activities and their timing

The following planning is made (we are now here in the time plan). The organisations/people that take part are depicted by their logo:
  1. Activity: First test run.

    2. Description: This was done for the people that are going to install a web camera's at e.g. Newgrange.
    Action by: Victor Reijs
    Date planned: March 2, 1997
    Actual date: March 2, 1997
  2. Activity: Discussing the proposal

    3. Description: The proposal discussed in detail at location (Maeshowe).
    Action by: Victor Reijs, Charles Tait, Historic Scotland
    Date planned: May 8, 1997, 14.00 GMT
    Actual date: May 8, 1997, 10.00 GMT
  3. Activity: Demonstration at Historic Scotland

    4. Description: A demonstration before Historic Scotland people. Pictures of the Orkneys videotape of the Tourist Board were shown.
    Action by: Victor Reijs, Charles Tait, Historic Scotland
    Date planned: May 16, 1997, 15.15 GMT
    Actual date: May 16, 1997, 15.15 GMT
  4. Activity: Investigate technical possibilities for ftp site

    5. Description: find a sponsor for the ftp-site
    Action by: Victor Reijs
    Start date: May 20, 1997
    End date: Aug. 31, 1997
    Actual date: Oct. 30, 1997
  5. Activity: Investigate technical possibilities for video

    6. Description: Find out technical method/specifications to get the video signal from the mound towards the POTS/ISDN. This includes a draft of the setup (location of equipment, cables, humidity and temperature)
    Action by: Victor Reijs
    Start date: May 20, 1997
    End date: Aug. 31, 1997
    Actual date: Aug. 29, 1997
  6. Activity: Investigate technical possibilities for dial-in connection and IAP

    7. Description: Finding sponsor for dial-in connection (ISDN or POTS) and IAP (Internet Access Provider).
    Action by: Victor Reijs
    Start date: June 1, 1997
    End date: Aug. 31, 1997
    Actual date: Oct. 30, 1997
  7. Milestone: First draft project plan ready

    8. Planned date: June 3, 1997
    Actual date: June 6, 1997
  8. Activity: Decision process within Historic Scotland

    9. Description: Historic Scotland has to discuss internally if they will support the project
    Action by: Historic Scotland
    Start date: June 5, 1997
    End date: June 30, 1997
    Actual date: July 1, 1997
  9. Activity: Write a second draft project plan

    10. Description: Due to the fact that Historic Scotland is not able to provide any fund, a new project plan is needed
    Action: Victor Reijs
    Start date: July 1, 1997
    End date: July 15, 1997
  10. Milestone: Approval from Historic Scotland

    11. Planned date: July 31, 1997
    Actual date: July 29, 1997
  11. Activity: Decide on PR strategy around 1997 broadcasts

    12. Description: Decisions have to be taken and implemented with regard to WWW pages, advertisements in internal Historic Scotland newsletter, Orcadian newspapers, etc.
    Action by: Victor Reijs, Charles Tait, Historic Scotland
    Start date: July 31, 1997
    End date: Sept. 31, 1997
    Actual date: Nov. 25, 1997
  12. Activity: installing ISDN or POTS connection

    13. Description: Installing POTS or ISDN connection at Tormiston Mill
    Action by: Victor Reijs
    Start date: Sept. 1, 1997
    End date: Nov. 1, 1997
    Actual date: not needed (using existing equipement)
  13. Activity: Installing video grabber and PC equipment

    14. Description: Equipment will be installed at Tormiston Mill and/or the mound
    Action by: Victor Reijs, Charles Tait and Historic Scotland
    Start date: Dec. 8, 1997
    End date: Dec. 10, 1997
    Actual date:
  14. Activity: Trial run

    15. Description: The people that initiated the megalithic cam page for Maeshowe will be present at Maeshowe, to see how things are working and how it should be organized in future.
    Action by: Victor Reijs, Charles Tait, Historic Scotland
    Start date: Dec. 10, 1997
    End date: Dec. 22, 1997
    Actual date: Dec. 22, 1997
  15. Milestone: Decision if project will be continued

    16. Action: Victor Reijs, Charles Tait, Historic Scotland
    Planned date: Feb. 1, 1998
    Actual date:
  16. Milestone: End of pilot

    17. Planned date: Feb. 1, 1998
    Actual date:
  17. Activity: Make a new project plan

    18. Description: If the pilot will be continued, a new project plan will be made for the next phase
    Action: Victor Reijs, Charles Tait, Historic Scotland
    Planned date: Feb. 1, 1998
    End date: April 1, 1998
    Actual date:
  18. Activity: Installation of final equipment.

    19. Description: If the pilot was successful, the final equipment will have to be gotten (sponsors needed!) and installed.
    Planned date: April 1, 1998
    End date: July 1, 1998
    Actual date:
  19. Activity: first real automatic megalithic cam page running.

    20. Planned date: week 47, 1998
    End date: week 2, 1999
    Actual date:

Communication channels

The communication within the project will be done with several methods:

Costs

The following costs can be seen for this project (until Feb.. 1998): In total around £ 1900  + PM

Disclaimer and Copyright

Last content related changes: December 26, 1997