Introduction¶
I am looking for an alternative resource sharing tool to share all sorts of resources (from cars to seeds, couches to skills, etc.), as the one technical implementation whopools.net I know of is sort of dead (it´s buggy, without development, user-unfriendly). I thought Crabgrass could help, without the imminent need to produce a new software tool, as it contains already all technical aspects on a very low level.
Please feel free to comment or ask for editing permissions.
Questions in the preface¶
- Is there already a working CG-group/network for sharing all sorts of resources?
- Is there some other resource sharing plattform, which is working, user-friendly and contains a critical mass of peers?
- Is there a necessity to bring about some new impulse?
- What organisational structure could this network have?
- more to come
General Concept¶
- the resource sharing network should be open to any CG member, therefore a critical mass of users and resources is potentially already existent
- it should be more about connecting individuals than groups, as a sharing contract can be agreed on more easily, if the number of involved peers is not more than two; this also solves the problem of deflected responsibility: people may borrow something on behalf of a group, but they stay the responsible person in terms of the concluded agreement
- groups or committees could be organised either geographically or on a subject level, maybe even both
How could it work?¶
- a member creates at least two wiki pages following a certain template: one for resources it wants to share and one for resources it is in need of
- it could be a plain list, a structured list, whatever, but all resources should generally be tagged so the document becomes searchable (as soon as full text search is implemented this becomes secondary)
- general and specific terms of use could be stated, too, so people know beforehand on what grounds sharing could take place
- more pages could be created within the specific group/committee containing either recources which are only physically available on a local level or concerning a certain subject
- the content is easily searched through the existent CG search tool, using available filters
Technical questions¶
- Is there a difference between tags and full text based search?
- Which membership structure is best, making resources available on the on hand (i.e. searchable) without creating informational redundancy to the individual member?
- If I´m part of the network/the group, how can the info on updates be held small, while giving full access to data on a search-level
- Is there a catch? Something painfully obvious, which makes this idea total difficult/nonsensical?
Next steps¶
- Spread the word
- get people involved
- get answers/raise more questions
- discuss/evaluate
- make a improved general concept
- collectively create a network/group
- individually list resources
- share resources
- keep high-level awareness to have uptodate data and a high level of exchange
- evaluate
- tweak for improvements
- implement
- go back to square 1 (bring process on the next level)
(BTW: that´s practical permaculture, not much to it, ey?)
Sandbox¶
Here the space to try different examples of informational structure. Add a wiki page, with a short explaination of your ideas behind the structure. Give instructions how this pages can be searched for specific data.
i like the idea very much, although I can not imagine an ease way to sort the data in cg. imagine someone has three questions:
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Hey Kardan, thanks for commenting. I know, it´s more sort of a crutch than a proper tool. I like the idea, too, as not much needs to be implemented and it serves all CG-users instantly (no need to sign up to something new, get used to the modus operandi).
Actually I am clueless about the structure of the network, but I expect you geeks to bring forth a solution. E.g. a board of people, i.e. the Admin Council keep an eye of the logical and semantical structure of groups/committees. Waddya tink? Addition: |
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i see, search could be a good start to keep it simple. People would need to use serveral KEYWORDS very disciplined. I’ll try to structure that system a bit: 1. There is a network ‘Peer Economy’. I would open the page ‘Riebau’ in the group ‘Altmark’ with the content:
To add the own name in brackets is quite handy, as other are able to contact me. Btw. I dont think www.whopools.net is buggy and unusable. Instead I like it and also know the developer very well and how much time he spent for this. Lets use it! 1 crabgrass offers the field ‘location’ for each user and group. with this, there would be the possibility to visualize all this on a map. |
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Hey, that´s an interesting start. I know, you geeks want info always to be packed nicely in databases, accessible through a comfortable GUI. I think an important aspect is to give the possibility to insert batch data, to prefabricate a list offline and easily bring it online. Whopools didn´t have this, which makes a whole lot of work, once you try to list up all books in your book shelve. Addition:
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In response to you second question:
Have you looked at the list of ‘Related projects’? There is also a resource-sharing platform for the Zeitgeist movement: www.zeitgeistresources.com .
I feel that there is, yes. I don’t have an answer for the other questions you have raised, but wanted to express my interest. I think location data is important. Just so there is no ambiguity, I would like to clarify one thing: this would be about sharing – rather than some sort of barter or exchange – right? |
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Hello dslc, thank you for your input, I’ll dig it as soon as I find time for it (which becomes pretty scarce right now). To your last question: it is first of all about sharing, but does not base on specific presumptions concerning the mutual agreement. In my eyes this does not necessarily exclude bartering or exchanging. To me, this is contextual, sometimes I share, sometimes I barter, and even sometimes I buy. Undogmatic approach :). Cheers. littleblacknemo |
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Regarding whopools : as far as I know the source code for the software that runs it is available, and is free and open-source software. Just a thought. |
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Hi nemo. I understand your wariness of dogma. Part of my concern arises from the observation that fans of alternative currencies, LETSs and other exchange systems often try to muscle in on these sort of initiatives. I have no desire or intention to inhibit people’s freedom of speech or action. |
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hey dslc, you may call me “nemo” if you like. i am no coder. so if someone else gets the job done to improve or develop the code, I have nothing but the greatest respect (which I have to the original developer(s) anyway). just do it. I only chip in, according to my available resources, which are translation, structural design (novice), and workability. If it can be implemented into Crabgrass I cannot fathom, I don´t know if it´s wanted (maybe as a checkable extra feature, which can be subscribed from within the personal profile). But sure, do invite the developer. As I recall, kardan knows him personally. Concerning your input, on aspiring high quality exchange on a certain dedicated level, I go with you. Right now, my assets within aren´t that big. So if someone brings about some impulse, I actually might work with it. I personally have little experience with alternative trading systems, be it a separate currency or something comparative. Personally I just realize, mutual agreements which are documented are much more important, than dogmatic issues. People tend to find common ground, but whether they are able or willing to document it (which gives possibilities to track-back processes) is a trait that is little developed. All the best. lbn |
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