My brain is beginning to boil

[hostpath.com]

It would seem to me that between the group of us here we could come up with some really cool cooperative venture that could lead to big time online success...

I see lots of great talent and skills here scattered around like buckshot that, if focused, I think would really be able to take the net by storm.

Any ideas? Thinking about the untapped potential is making my brain boil. Or am I just :crazy: ?

[JeremyV]

My brain is boiling.. but not because of this :D But there is a lot of diversified talent here you are right :D

The only idea I have is maybe call up FOX and see if they will do a reality show based on hosting, or maybe one of those "When webhosting goes wrong!" things they show on friday nights, lol.

[markblair]

What, something like "When web hosts attack!"? :D That is too funny.

I agree there is an overabundance of talent and the collaboration of talent has brought the Internet world programs such as phpbb and osCommerce. It probably wouldn't take much to get something like that started but I usually come up with the best ideas after seeing someone else complete them first. :banghead: I'm still looking for the quick invention that will net me at least millions. :confused:

[hostpath.com]

BTW, Mark:

The "forums" link on the left side of your main site doesn't seem to be correct. It points to http://forums.makinglifeharder.com/ when apparently the correct forum link is http://www.makinglifeharder.com/forums/.

[Living Media]

I've got an idea, but I don't know if it will make us bajillionaires anytime soon.

What about organising our various talents and helping nonprofit / religious / school / community groups get web sites / better web designs / web hosting / what have you?

One of the bigger problems that nonprofits have with projects like this is that they don't know what they need, or how to figure out what they need - and if their staff is largely volunteers, they have a harder time organising talents and passing on information. We all live all over the place, so whoever's on the ground could be the local contact. We spread out the low-cost or free hosting and design and development skills, so that no one host is overly burdened. We all learn each others' talents, so that when we need to subcontract, we have plenty of options who to call. We all get really good press because it's altruistic. The participating contractors / subcontractors get tax writeoffs. We all network more with our respective local communities, getting our names out there so that local businesses know us, which can get us more business. The nonprofits are gleefully giving out referrals because we did such a tremenjous job, so we get even MORE business. It's a win / win / win / win / win / win / win situation.

[Rox Off]

That's a good idea. I am developing a commuity site for non-profit groups. The site will provide links and information on how to non-profits can use the web and technology. I plan to have spotlight articles on charity causes each month as well as review listing of groups(what they do, who they help, contact info, etc). Lastly Tips for how people can volunteer and donate.

[markblair]

Originally posted by hostpath.com:

BTW, Mark:

The "forums" link on the left side of your main site doesn't seem to be correct. It points to http://forums.makinglifeharder.com/ when apparently the correct forum link is http://www.makinglifeharder.com/forums/.

Thanks hostpath.com. I thought I had modified that. Something to add to the ever increasing virtual list of todo's.

[Protollix]

Living Media, that sounds like a really good idea. I would be interested in participating :)

[thebyp2]

always interested in helping out. something i was going to start a while back was kinda like a open recipe directory. kinda like the dmoz of food if you will!!

the reason i was going to do it was because good recipes seem to be strewn accross many sites. never did get round to that tho, like so many things.

[Living Media]

We could do something interesting with this.

I've got a hectic week ahead of me, but this could be an interesting idea. Stick the ideas on the back burner, let them percolate, see what develops brain-wise by the weekend. H'm...

[JeremyV]

Can I just supervise and get a chunk of the money this generates? I have great Managerial skills :D

[Living Media]

As the suggestor of the idea, I think I get first shot at the "managerial" slot. :D

Besides, this isn't going to generate much money directly, at least not the way I'm thinking of it. The money comes later on, when other community businesses decide to use our services because we're contributing to our respective communities; and from the referrals from the nonprofits.

Though how to decide where to have them hosted...er. Maybe just a list, like union halls use? Sign your company up, companies are listed in the time order they signed up, and when a company is tops on the list it gets first right of refusal for the next nonprofit that needs hosting? I don't know, actually.

Details must be thought out. Chocolate must be eaten. My house must be vacuummed.

(That last has nothing to do with the idea...but it's still on my ToDo list for today :D )

[markblair]

As long as there's enough chocolate for everyone, then I'll be happy. I'm sure whatever the idea(s) are they will be drawn out over some time. As far as profit goes, that could be done similar to how sites like phpbb.com are. You offer the product or products for free but charge for support. Hey, it works for them. I'm sure with several people putting their heads together something good will be decided and agreed upon. Should be interesting...

[Living Media]

It's also possible that several ideas could be generated. Some people may like to participate in one, while others prefer another. Or something.

Dang, I've got to share the chocolate? All I've got's a Twix bar...

[JeremyV]

I'll provide cold :beer: for everyone while we work out the details :)