Script your demo

When giving an application demo, you want to illustrate a specific use model to your audience. Either the use model is novel, or the audience is unfamiliar with the existing use model.

Most applications are controlled by a user through a graphical user interface. Additionally, some applications can be controlled through an exposed scripting layer (for example in Tcl).

Sometimes, the scripting interface also provides access to a graphical interface (for instance Tk). If this is the case, the demo can be executed in the form of a wizard: requiring minimal manual interaction and still providing visual information to the audience about each of the steps.

The benefits of a demo given in this fashion are manyfold:

• another person can give the demo with minimal transfer of information
• interaction with the audience can be intensive without distracting the flow
• the demo can easily and quickly be replayed

Of course, you should still be able to illustrate responses to queries yourself when required, but an automated demo alleviates the main burden of communicating the main points.

So, next time, try to automate part of your demo.