richrf

Hi there,

I didn't expect so many ideas. This is great.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+Search

Thanks for this idea. I had considered this at one point. Is there a way of quickly putting up a website with this idea, considering I have no experience with E-commerce? I could try it out on a cufflinks subdomain to see if it gets any traction.

golf.links.com
arcade.links.com
girlyboy.links.com
...

is out of the question?[/quote]

Not out of the question, but I think I need some sort of angle. Golf Links was tried and really didn't go anywhere. It is tough competing against the top Golf sites. In general, I think, directories are losing value, as Google devalues them. I was always concerned that Google might take some action against directories, if Google thought they got in the way of their own technology/business plans.


I passed this idea over on DigitalPoint forums to see if there was any interest. There wasn't any. Do you think there is any need for such an exchange? I know there are already quite a number of such exchanges, on forums such as this one and elsewhere. I could get a classifieds script to exchange links, but I am not sure anyone will come, unless I have a unique angle. Maybe if you give me some idea of what functionality is currently missing, I can maybe address some current market need.

This is a new idea. I'll give it some thought. However, building a social networking site, with all the competition and costs, is a big risk. The available scripts are not very usable, so it would take some custom development. I would not only have to look at functionality, but also look at issues concerning security, performance, scalability, spam protection, predator protection (something MySpace is spending lots of money on right now), and other content protection issues. It is a risk, so I have to be quite confident that I have an angle.

[quote]or try branding a new meaning for the word. thats if you want to try to think really big. [quote]

Well, I thought at one time of a new role playing game or something like that. But the idea never jelled.

Another idea I had never thought of. This is something I will also give a lot of thought to.

Thanks much for your suggestions. Lots of food for thought.

Regards,

Rich

lol. Well it's an idea. But I think that is not one of the things I am going to do right now.

Thanks for the interest.

Rich

Yes, I agree this is the most natural. However, I don't think a DMOZ like directory is going to catch any excitement. Even Yahoo is de-emphasizing their directory nowadays, and Google barely mentions DMOZ. It has to have some unique angle like a Wiki. However, after doing much research in "user edited" encyclopedia's I decided it was a can of worms. The I looked int the new Wikea Search Engine, but when I saw that the architecture was based upon users helping to define the search algorithms, I gave up. I don't think I want to fight against all of the hackers and spammers as they try to "tune" the search engine.

So, I continue to work on this idea. The built a Digg-like site at LINKS, using Corank, to test out how a site emphasizing "hot new sites" might work out. So far it has reasonable success, but I don't know if there is enough interest to build a full site around the idea. Time will tell.

Thanks much for your ideas,

Regards,
Rich