Plutuscasts: bitesize training videos for Plutus developers

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Eric Macaulay

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Individual

[GENERAL] Requested funds in ada

45000

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

3

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Plutuscasts provides two to five minute bite-sized episodes that deal with a single concept. This will help developers to absorb knowledge in digestible chunks that can be more easily understood.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

The code from each screencast will be available on Github under an MIT license.

[METADATA] Horizons

Education

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Cardano, one of the leading blockchain platforms, has introduced Plutus as its smart contract programming language. However, there is a limited supply of accessible, beginner-friendly educational content specifically tailored to Plutus.

Our goal is to fill this gap by producing a series of short, easily digestible videos that break down the complexities of Plutus into manageable lessons. By making Plutus programming more approachable, we aim to attract a new generation of developers to the Cardano ecosystem, contributing to its growth and innovation.

This project will benefit:

• Developers seeking to enter blockchain and smart contract programming, particularly on Cardano.
• Entrepreneurs and dApp creators looking to build decentralized applications for DeFi, NFTs, and other sectors.
• Students and individuals exploring blockchain technology for the first time.

I aim to simplify and demystify Plutus programming by breaking down complex concepts into short, accessible videos.

• To provide free, high-quality resources to developers and blockchain enthusiasts worldwide.
• To promote the development of dApps on the Cardano blockchain by educating and empowering developers with Plutus programming skills.
• To build a foundational resource that can be used by educators, institutions, and communities for teaching Plutus development.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Educating developers in Plutus will help expand the number of dApps and projects on Cardano, fostering innovation within the ecosystem.

The series will make Plutus development more accessible to developers worldwide, especially those who may lack access to expensive training programs or materials.

These videos will be valuable learning tools for educational institutions, online courses, and programming forums looking to teach programming for the Cardano blockchain.

Plutus programming enables developers to create DeFi applications, opening up new financial services and opportunities for a decentralized future.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

I have over three years of hands-on experience in Plutus programming and have successfully developed and deployed several smart contracts for real-world use cases, including:

• Swap Contracts: Facilitating peer-to-peer token swaps on the Cardano blockchain.
• Auction Contracts: Enabling decentralized auctions for NFTs and other assets.
• Stablecoin Contracts: Supporting the creation and management of stablecoins, ensuring security and compliance with blockchain standards.
• 
  

This experience gives me a deep understanding of Plutus’s capabilities, the challenges developers face, and how best to communicate these concepts in a clear and accessible way. Having worked closely with the Cardano development ecosystem, I understand the intricacies of Plutus, from Haskell-based programming to off-chain and on-chain logic. My expertise will ensure that the content delivered in this video series is both accurate and practical.

Why I Am Capable of Delivering This Project:

• Proven Track Record: The contracts I have built are already used in real-world applications, showcasing my ability to create functional and secure smart contracts.
• Expert Knowledge: My three years of experience with Plutus programming give me a solid foundation for educating others on the language.
• Commitment to Quality: I am dedicated to producing high-quality educational content, ensuring that each video is clear, engaging, and actionable.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

I will develop a structured curriculum, ensuring logical progression from beginner to intermediate levels. Each script will focus on key aspects of Plutus programming and include coding demonstrations to ensure effective learning.

Milestone outputs:

• Syllabus stating the learning objectives for video
• Scripts for each video

Acceptance criteria: Scripts will be deemed ready for video recording to commence.

• No factual errors or inaccuracies in the technical explanations.
• All necessary steps and details for the topic are included, with no critical information left out.

Evidence of milestone completion: Document containing syllabus and scripts will be completed and uploaded to website.

Each tutorial will be recorded using visual aids as necessary to explain complex topics such as the Extended UTXO model, transaction validation, and smart contract flows. Each video will be edited videos to ensure they are polished and engaging. Captions and annotations will be utilised as and where necessary.

Milestone outputs: First group of videos recorded and edited.

Acceptance criteria:

• Videos are visually clear, well-lit, and recorded with high-quality audio.
• The instructor speaks clearly, and the pace of the videos is suitable for beginner and intermediate audiences.
• Code demonstrations are legible, and key points are visually highlighted or explained.
• 
  

Evidence of milestone completion: Completed videos uploaded to website for viewing and feed back.

The second batch of tutorials will be recorded and edited.

Milestone outputs: Second group of videos recorded and edited.

Acceptance criteria:

• Videos are visually clear, well-lit, and recorded with high-quality audio.
• The instructor speaks clearly, and the pace of the videos is suitable for beginner and intermediate audiences.
• Code demonstrations are legible, and key points are visually highlighted or explained.

Evidence of milestone completion: Completed videos uploaded to website for viewing and feed back.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Project lead: Eric Macaulay, Developer and instructor

(https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-macaulay-4203402)

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Milestone 1:

• Curriculum design and scriptwriting: 9000ADA
• Code development : 6000ADA

Milestone 2:

• Video production and editing: 9000ADA (~15 videos x 600ADA per video)
• Webhosting and storage 6000ADA

Milestone 3:

• Video production and editing: 9000ADA (~15 videos x 600ADA per video)
• Webhosting and storage 6000ADA

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

This project offers good value for money, as it will create long-lasting educational content that will be freely accessible to learners worldwide.

The video series will be available online indefinitely, providing long-term value without ongoing production costs.

By teaching Plutus programming, we are actively contributing to the growth of the Cardano ecosystem, which will attract developers, entrepreneurs, and businesses to build on the platform.