|
Idea: an hour of me
I've been churning an idea in my head for a few years, around the concept of a "skills mooch". I wanted to present it to you and get your thoughts. The project is currently called "An hour of me" (AnHourOfMe.com) and the idea is that you give an hour (or more) of yourself, doing something you enjoy doing, for someone else. For each hour you give, you earn a point which can be used to get an hour of someone else's time. These wouldn't be things you do professionally, but hobbies, perhaps an occupation you dream of someday doing professionally, or just something you enjoy doing. This could be things you can do over the internet, via skype and email, though I'm still sorting out how this might work with meeting-up-in-the-world things. For example, here are some things I love doing and wouldn't mind helping people with: Things I can do over the Internet:
brainstorming marketing ideas
examining and critiquing new business ideas
photoshop retouching of portrait photos (ie removing zits & blemishes)Things that require us to meet:
portrait photography, esp for performers, musicians, speakers, ie people who need to look glamorous
audio recording and engineering, both live and in the studio
cooking, especially food of Provence. I'd be willing to cater someone's party.
teaching beginners how to play the renaissance luteAs I've mulled this idea over, the key seems to empower people to do the things they love, the things they wish they did more of. The goal is not to replace money with a new currency and to barter professional services: the normal economy does a good job already of monetizing professional services. However, I don't think the normal economy provides a means for people to do more of what they love to do, and that's what I'd be trying to unlock. The idea is very much like BookMooch: a book sitting on a bookshelf isn't doing anyone any good, just as a fabulous talent you have which isn't exercised isn't doing anyone any good. What do you think? -john
A side question: I have two domains registered for this idea: http://AnHourOfMe.com or http://AnHourOf.Me Which do you prefer?
Here are my replies to the comments:  | | This is not new, I've heard of such initiatives being around locally (i.e. in Poland) and I'm sure you can find them in other parts of the world. |
Yes, that is correct, the two main movements are "Time banking" and "LETs". Both work well in their contexts, but I'm trying to do something different. The main ways this idea is different are: 1) this is not limited to the local. Almost all LETs are locally focussed and often part of an pro-local-community (sometimes anti-global) view. 2) this is not for professional services, which are already well served by modern economies. However, there are few enabling mechanisms for doing what you love to do, if what you love to do happens to not be a (or your) profession. The key insight behind BookMooch is "a book sitting on a bookshelf isn't doing any good". The key insight behind AnHourOfMe is "a skill you have and love to do, but never get a chance to, isn't doing anyone any good" Another key insight: BookMooch: many people *enjoy* giving a book away, letting someone else read it. The mooch point you receive makes it fair.AnHourOfMe: you only volunteer to do things that you really enjoy doing. The credit you receive of one hour makes it fair.I haven't yet seen any LET/barter/time-bank system incorporate either of these two insights. | | skillsbox.com: Example, a gardener pays a graphic designer with Skillsbox credits to design him some business cards. The graphic designer then uses her credits to pay a chef for a cookery lesson. and http://www.sparked.com/: Let us show you how we can engage your employees! |
Both of these are great, but they are both professional-skills oriented. One other aspect of AnHourOfMe being amateur-oriented, is that this allows the exchanges to be tax-free in most countries, whereas exchanges of professional skills is taxed in most countries. | | I wouldn't say that you should explicitly exclude professional services. I'm a software developer, and for the right cause, I do pro bono work. Of course there are probably sites explicitly for that purpose, but still, can't hurt to have some overlap. |
That's great, but I suspect that this is partly because you enjoy programming. I do too. If I were less busy, I'd offer programming as an hour of me too. The fact that programming is fun is one big reason open source projects exist. Alternatively, some people might be willing to do something they don't love, because they get enjoyment out of helping a charity or someone in need. Either way, you're doing it on AnHourOfMe because you enjoy it: the payment is not the primary objective. | | I'm assuming it goes by how long it actually takes us to complete the task ie if I'm making a t-shirt quilt for someone it will take SEVERAL hours to do, but retouching a photo may take less. Is that how this would work? |
In my current vision, one hour of your time gets you one hour of someone else's time. If someone is willing to give you five hours of currency to make a t-shirt quilt in 5 hours, fantastic. That fact that they do one hour tasks for others isn't relevant -- they have to build up 5 hours' currency somehow. | | timebanks.org:
Time Banks Weave Community One Hour at a Time
For every hour you spend doing something for someone in your community, you earn one Time Dollar. Then you have a Time Dollar to spend on having someone do something for you. It's that simple. Yet it also has profound effects. Time Banks change neighborhoods and whole communities. |
Love it, but this is local-oriented. And it seems more do-stuff-people-need oriented rather than do-what-you-love. That's not to speak ill of timebanks.org, I think it's fantastic, but it's different from my idea. | | Any Swedish reader above the age of 35 will remember the television series Svenska Hjärtan, sbout life in an ordinary suburbian neighbourhood. It's this and that, the carpenter and the plumber and one helps the other and the cynical teacher of Swedish observes the whole thing and sighs "Who the hell wants to have a poem analyzed"? Well, here someone might even want just that. |
Hopefully, with a fairly large user base, there would be people looking to have their poem analyzed. I have a friend who runs http://litopia.com where people do exactly that. Hell, I once met the owner of http://lulu.com and he referred to his site as "the world's largest collection of bad poetry." Some poetry professors would be very useful! | | Would you only be able to list things you can do, or could you also list things you need done? |
I'm envisioning AnHourOfMe being a re-purposing of the BookMooch web site. Here is how each BM page would become an hour of me page: inventory: this becomes a list of jobs you're willing to do book details: becomes all about a single job someone might offer. Multiple people can thus list the same job (example: proofreading, or beginner guitar lessons). Jobs that don't yet exist, but you'd like someone to do, can be created manually and put on your wishlist. search: you would use the BM search feature to find jobs that are available (ie, like moochable books) are un-available (ie unmoochable books). You could wishlist certain jobs and thus be notified when someone starts offering it pending: jobs people have asked you to do, and you either accept or reject them. If you accept it, then you coordinate with the person to make it happen. The job, when completed is marked as done (like receiving a book) and +1/0/-1 feedback is left.You see, if I re-use the BookMooch web site technology, but specialized for this idea, then AnHourOfMe becomes a much easier programming and maintenance challenge for me. Plus, the new idea launches as an already-very-mature web site.
|
|
John Buckman
14 years ago
|
|
| | |
|
Comments
|
|
I prefer the idea of doing it face-to-face, because it seems less able to be copyright infringed.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
Awesome! Would really make BookMooch a community.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
Awesome!
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
I think it's brilliant. I would love to share my know-how and learn things from others. This said, I would be very hesitant about committing too much time to build up points until I'm sure I can get some worthwhile stuff in exchange. Depending on the types of know-how offered, I think some people may be more likely to be willing to do this. Also, I'm sure there will be some people - notably retired people - who would build up a lot of points, just because they enjoy giving their time.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
I like it too; I have skills I'd love to hone and would love to offer.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
I think this is a great idea. I would definately participate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I like the idea. I also like how it is a set period of time and not just an open ended project. It has been tried before (eg http://www.skillsbox.com) but for some reason has not taken off. In the best case scenario - these other sites have not quite gotten the metrics right for pushing people into giving time and at the same token efficiently received the time swap. On the negative side I fear the whole idea might fall about because of the fallibilities of people - eg what one person thinks is a fair offer of an hour's time might not meet the definition that someone else has. Anyway, great idea and best of luck in this endeavor. Let me know if you need any help getting started (I have some skills to trade!)
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
A very cool idea, and I wouldn't say that you should explicitly exclude professional services. I'm a software developer, and for the right cause, I do pro bono work. Of course there are probably sites explicitly for that purpose, but still, can't hurt to have some overlap. Really like the idea!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Great idea! I can think of lots of skills I wouldn't mind donating time for if I could get some help with things I need. Setting up Skype/face-to-face sounds great. Like Craigslist, you just have to encourage meetings to happen in a neutral public setting to keep people safe.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brilliant idea!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOVE IT! Would sign up in a heartbeat. :)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I'm not sure if I have any of those skills, but I love the idea!! :)
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
I think this is an amazing idea and reminds me a lot of pay it forward.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Might be intriguing. I am an insurance broker that specializes in health care for retirees and the disabled. I spend a good deal of my day looking over insurance contracts for individuals. It is more-or-less free work for me anyway, so this might go handily with it. Might be interesting to trade something I already do in exchange for a point for a service I might need later.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
This is a pretty interesting idea... the key would be to make the barriers to entry as low as possible. For example, with BookMooch you had to post 5 unused books, which is no big deal. But requiring five hours of investment, in my opinion, would be too high a price of admission.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wonderful idea - I already see some services I could use and I hopefully have some that others might like. I'm assuming it goes by how long it actually takes us to complete the task ie if I'm making a t-shirt quilt for someone it will take SEVERAL hours to do, but retouching a photo may take less. Is that how this would work?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I love this idea! However, you'll have to be very careful. In much the same way that the wonderful idea of CraigsList is sometimes abused (people who aren't who they say they are causing harm to responders), I suspect that Bad People would take advantage of the altruistic nature of BookMoochers. Most of the things I would love to do/teach would involve face-to-face time (teaching to knit/crochet; singing; puzzling out math stuff), which could be dangerous with "strangers." This could make you liable for any harm done, even if users "sign" waivers. That said, your idea has some great potential!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
I think its a great idea. It even sounds good as a community sounding board of knowledgeable people.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Great idea. I would like to give it a try!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
I'd happily jump onto this and even advertise it, along with holding Mooch Events at our Really Really Free market. This would fit in perfectly.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
So a virtual time bank? You should check out superfluid.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Many things, gardening, sewing, crafts of all kinds. Someone who would willing share this information in a forum?
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
rxlee, the way I read this idea is that one hour of your time is worth one point. If photo retouching takes an hour, but work on the teeshirt quilt takes five hours, then it would not be a straight across trade. You would be getting one point for each hour you spend, so the 5 hour quilt would be worth 5 points, one hour of photo re-touching would be worth one point.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
I like this idea because I see it as a community building concept! It would be great to find a way (phase 2 or 3 :-) to extend it to people who don't have as much access to the web, such as the elderly poor. Many of these have incredible skills they'd love to contribute, and incredible needs, too.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
Sounds interesting! I'd have to think a bit on what I could offer, but I'd be willing to participate.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
I think it's a great idea. A couple of the things I could help with are sales strategy, critiquing resumes, proofreading anything - but technical stuff for sure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Very cool. I can already imagine how I'd use this.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
I think it is a great idea! I would be interested to see how it works out logistically.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
An extremely appealing concept - suspect this is an on-line community that has a great deal to offer. A think-tank/consortium that challenges & defies the usual 'consulting firm' profile, a concept that's been a topic of lively discussion in our home for years. On the occasions we've exchanged time & talents in pretty much the way you're proposing, we were well rewarded - we had very satisfying & edifying experience. I would love to witness this take wing!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It's a wonderful idea. But mind you - well in fact no matter whether you mind - I will tell the story anyway - it's easier for some to think up something to offer than for others. Any Swedish reader above the age of 35 will remember the television series Svenska Hjärtan, sbout life in an ordinary suburbian neighbourhood. It's this and that, the carpenter and the plumber and one helps the other and the cynical teacher of Swedish observes the whole thing and sighs "Who the hell wants to have a poem analyzed"? Well, here someone might even want just that. Problem is, I'm not a teacher...
|
|
|
|
|
|
like a few already said, this is quire like time banks https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Hour_Bank
but I think that an international time bank for online or phone exchange of skills might be a new and worth-trying idea!
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
Excellent idea
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I like the idea but all tasks aren't equal or realistically take more than an hour so that has to be taken into account. Also maybe ratings or comments are necessary to help avoid problems and maintain quality. Be sure to let us know what kind of help you need as many might volunteer their time to help get it started. Carol
|
|
|
|
|
|
The city my dad lives in has a similar group, where people in the community exchange services for beads. He enjoys participating, and it's a fun way to meet people in your area.
I'm not sure if an online version would be better or worse (bigger base, but people tend to take advantage of things more often online?), but I would sign up.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
Here is a site that is doing this on the virutal level only and it appears to be successful.. might have some ideas from there: http://www.sparked.com/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Great Idea!!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
i do this all the time but the things i do usually have to be done in person. and my friends are doing it also. one of them is a psycic healer and heals from where ever the person is. good luck with the idea!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Totally amazing. I had a convo with a few people some years ago about how cool it would be to have a bartering system to exchange services, but had no idea how I could make it happen (I'm and ideas person and a creative first and foremost) and honestly didn't look into it either since I didn't have time for anything but my high pressure job back then. I support this idea 100% and can already think of a few things I'd be happy to provide: Haikus
Watercolour greeting cards
Book reviews
Promotional blurbs or short bios
Editing I have plenty of more 'practical' and 'marketable' skills I could trade on since I'm a professional graphic designer and art director, but that would have to be traded for something I really need—a handyman and a catering service come to mind!—if at all.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
I LOVE IT!
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
Love the idea. Like Zakle but much better, and zakle seems dead anyway. Plus there would be an initial population of BookMoochers to help get it off the ground. It sounds great to me. You'll be able to mark an offer of time as local or remote, right? As long as there's full-text search in the offers, plus options for local/remote and after that in your own state or country, or maybe a certain number of miles, I can't see what would go wrong.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is a really good idea! Something similar was done in a neighborhood in my city. People registered with what skills they could offer and what they needed. You could earn points by helping someone else and then use them to get help from someone - not necessarily the same person. The online part is new to me, but a great addition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
To expound on Joyce's comment, I heard Ben Rigby speak at the TEDxNASA event in my home town, Newport News, VA, about developing http://www.sparked.com/. It allows anyone with as little as five minutes to "microvolunteer" online for nonprofits all over the world when it's convenient. You can see the YouTube video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7-utwTAsPM&feature=player_embedded. I realize that this idea is a bit different in purpose, but it could work similarly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I love this idea.
A few years ago I belonged to a LETS group .There were dozens of services/skills offered from gardening to aromathery , baking to dog walking, piano and other music and language lessons and many more.
They had exchange sessions, where we could , using the tokens, purchase goods e.g. plants,crafts, baby goods ...unwanted possessions in new or good condition.
I would be looking for someone to type (on paper) several dozens of my poems which are at the moment on The Starlite Cafe and Allpoetry.comI look forward to hearing more from you
with thanks Sylvia (rhygirl58)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This sounds great!!! I can't wait!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I like the idea a lot. There is a site on the net in which people can offer their expertise for US$5 but it just didn't work for me. The requests I received were ridiculous and I never found anything on offer that met my needs. This sounds more do-able and some of the features on Bookmooch could be transferred, like "recent listings", etc. Bookmooch depends on goodwill to operate as would your idea. Bookmooch already has a system for catching and punishing abusers so I say "Let's do it!" Ed
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
Yeah, I'm definitely keen on the idea. N
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
I like the idea.
It actually reminds me a lot of a few projects that recently came out of BarCamp here in Bangkok.
BarCamp, Spark!, and other conferences do fit with this idea. the idea is that people meet for 1 weekend and share ideas. there are 5-30 minute presentations (depending on the format) and people may discuss - whatever.
Hackerspaces is another project that works in much the same way.It seems like skills mooch or idea mooching would work in much the same way, however, it would be a way to facilitate such meetings outside of a conference.
Email me if you want some further explanation of similar tools already in existence. I think they may currently be more popular out here in Asia then in USA.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
That would be great!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A comment from my husband: "I think this is a really excellent idea but has a fairly significant issue - quality of your hour. A book is a book but an hour of frustration where someone tries to teach you something is not worth the same as where you are working with someone where it 'clicks'. Or a meal created for your party by someone else may be great - or it may suck turtles. The way around this would be to introduce a rating system (I rate the hour I got from Fred to be only worth 30 mins (or two hours) of someone else's time). Of course if you do that you open yourself to all the reputation gaming issues you see in the likes of Amazon and eBay..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alobear, Quality is irrelevant to this idea. If I mooch a book to read and it isn't worth my time, I put it down and add it to my inventory. If I mooch an hour of someone's time and I don't find it worthwhile, I just don't ask that person again. Besides, competency is situational. An hour I might not value is an hour another person might find invaluable. Any abuses of the system can be dealt with the same way they are in bookmooch, reported, investigated and acted upon.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
Ed's comment makes me think that there should be a rating system to help choose among the several possible skills-givers. Users should be asked, via a survey, to rate a number of elements regarding the experienc. I would think that such things as punctuality, attitude, teaching ability, etc should be included.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
I'm not sure I agree. As I said opinions are just that, opinions. If you've ever used Travel Advisor, you might have discovered as I did, that the ratings are totally untrustworthy. Bookmooch is based on goodwill and detailed ratings are not consistent with that. I would be in favor of some kind of feedback system not unlike what we have now for mooches: plus 1, zero, and minus 1 with space for a short comment. I don't think we want to introduce any kind of competitive flavor into the mix. After all no money is involved just time and a point. If the interaction isn't working, the moocher can just indicate that and move on. Much like a book started but not finished.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
This idea has been ongoing in the UK for some years now. See the following:
www.letslinkuk.net
www.brightexchange.org.uk/press.htm I don't belong to any group but I do offer the following skills: Family History/Tree preparation/production  mainly online
Cataloguing Postage Stamp Collections face2face
Proof Reading [online + face2face] These are obviously longer-term projects but as I was made redundant and am now professionally retired I am able to offer unlimited time to these hobbies/pastimes/skills. I do not insist on a reciprocal "contract" as I thoroughly enjoy the "giving". Allan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratings are essential, just as feedback is essential on Bookmooch. You see them on eBay, or on other sites where people sell things (Amazon Marketplace, Abebooks, etc.) They are subjective, and aren't perfect, but everyone understands that. I think a rating system that is more detailed than Bookmooch's would be a good thing. I agree with Geo, above, questioning whether one hour of this is equal to one hour of that. I'm a writer, and a Mac and digital music expert, so I'd be willing to give some time in those areas. But do the two have equal value? And what about what I'd get in exchange? Will it have the same vaule? In the end, I probably won't care that much, if I find others who can give me useful services. (And I'm not sure what services I need right now, other than go lessons, and I'd bet finding a go player willing to teach is unlikely...) I'm also in a location where I can only do virtual lessons, so something like, say, music lessons is out of the question.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
Sounds good to me
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I like this idea!!!
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
Give an hour, get a point worth an hour. Why does it have to be any more complicated than that? Spend your point on anything you wish, maybe cross pollinate to bookmooch. The simpler the process is, the more like;ly people will use it and like it.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
That's interesting. I wrote a detailed comment an hour or so ago (as Kirk McElhearn) referenced, yet now it's all gone. What's up with that John? Was my comment removed for some reason?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It's a good concept in an age with such relational disconnect - gives people a way to obtain services they couldn't otherwise afford and opens the world up to people who tend to do things they love to do enough that they'd pay people to let them do them AND allows them to "profit" (always nice to be rewarded for effort (even and especially stuff we love to do)). Have to add just a tiny "negative" to the idea - I've been exchanging such services (from IT help-desk to computer repair to organizational consulting to drawing to graphic/web design to knitting/crochet to writing to encouraging (some professional in nature all things I love to do)...on my end and cooking to shopping to interior design to hair styling to encouraging and more...on the other end) for decades - it's friendship in community (family, church, sorority, club, etc.). I'm busy enough happily exchanging skills/hobbies/life with family and friends now that I wouldn't have any hours to offer for "official" trade. Obviously, the people I've traded with over the years are likewise engaged. Still, though, good idea...just as bookmooch is.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Great idea, and my first thought was that being pretty much housebound I need transport from time to time. I'd have to build up several hours for one hospital appointment as I'm in a rural area and each visit amounts to a day's outing. Building up the hours would take me months (writing and perhaps crochet are all I could offer - oh, and proofing/editing) but at least I could do that via the internet. It would be a way for me to benefit from hobbies; you need a lot more hours in the week than I now have, to be a self-employed writer or craftsperson. I agree that a feedback system cf eBay would be essential. And then the stranger-danger aspect made me realise how vulnerable any disabled people would be if trying to use this system. That would have to be allowed for, worked into the logistics. I'm not saying it would make it impossible. The only trouble I can see is that it depends entirely on people being truthful about the time it takes them to do tasks. Plus, a slow knitter (say) would make a scarf in the time someone else would make a sweater. I wonder how well that could be worked around.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
Would you only be able to list things you can do, or could you also list things you need done?
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
| | Re: Geo
That's interesting. I wrote a detailed comment an hour or so ago (as Kirk McElhearn) referenced, yet now it's all gone. What's up with that John? Was my comment removed for some reason? |
No, I didn't delete your comment. Not really sure where it went, because, as you say, Kirk refers to it, so it must have been there at some time. I'll check with Mark to see if possibly another admin removed it for some reason. -john
|
|
|
|
| | |
| | Would you only be able to list things you can do, or could you also list things you need done? |
I'm envisioning AnHourOfMe being a re-purposing of the BookMooch web site. Here is how each BM page would become an hour of me page: inventory: this becomes a list of jobs you're willing to do book details: becomes all about a single job someone might offer. Multiple people can thus list the same job (example: proofreading, or beginner guitar lessons). Jobs that don't yet exist, but you'd like someone to do, can be created manually and put on your wishlist. search: you would use the BM search feature to find jobs that are available (ie, like moochable books) are un-available (ie unmoochable books). You could wishlist certain jobs and thus be notified when someone starts offering it pending: jobs people have asked you to do, and you either accept or reject them. If you accept it, then you coordinate with the person to make it happen. The job, when completed is marked as done (like receiving a book) and +1/0/-1 feedback is left.You see, if I re-use the BookMooch web site technology, but specialized for this idea, then AnHourOfMe becomes a much easier programming and maintenance challenge for me. Plus, the new idea launches as an already-very-mature web site. -john
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Just go with both AnHourOf.Me and AnHourOfMe.com. No reason to prefer one over the other right now. Just keep an eye on the hits and see what is more popular over time. Considering how brilliantly bookmooch has worked for me, I'd say you should give it a try. I'm not sure how you can capitalize on it though. Does mechanical turk offer a referral fee? If so you could offer that to people unable to have their request filled.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I think the .com is easier. That way if people type anhourofme, it will resolve.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
I think it's a good idea. It's going to encourage people to do more of their amateur-what-they-love-to-do things and, in the process, make them feel like a professional since they (in a sense) get paid with one point :)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I like http://AnHourOfMe.com. From your explanation, the present bookmooch application seems well suited to this repurposing. A few label changes and your up, running and people are experiencing this new thing. Sweet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It seems like a good idea. I can see people who like to draw or sew either mailing or scanning some work for others! Also, a great idea for those who like to scrapbook putting pages together for those who don't. This could be accomplished through the mail. I have a friend whose hobby is making Christmas ornaments and other things (non-breakable). I think she would welcome an idea of sharing some of her things with others! Jean Caldwell
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Love the idea. Can't wait to see how it really works.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I continue to get a sense that many responders want to "safety-proof" the process, which is impossible. The only safety issue, IMHO, is someone using the idea for criminal purposes. There are two ways around that. One, if you fear such an outcome only use it for virtual exchanges. Two ask for references before agreeing to meet someone. I still think a rating system beyond what bookmooch already has (+1, 0, -1) makes it too complicated. In addition, as anyone who has used sites that carry such rating systems already knows, abuses are easy to generate and as buyer or user, the rule is still "Caveat Emptor".
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
I think this is the way of the future and you have the skills and imagination to start another great project. If you do work this out, I would like to see a lot of media coverage about this and as well as promotion and coverage of bookmooch as a success story... you could be profiled on New American Dream website, and wouldn't it be great if you could get profiled in Yahoo News?! I would give an hour of editing (online) or English lessons for language learners (by SKYPE) but I can't think what services I would glean from others. Maybe Japanese language lessons as I am learning the language. I wonder how you could make a wish list or search when you don't really know what would be fun or who has an hour in your area. Good luck and keep us posted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
That is fantastic. So if someone were offering a service like crocheting would you be making something for the person or would you be showing them how to do it or could it be either? I am really excited about this, I love book mooch and I love an excuse to do/share my many hobbies.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
I'd love this. I once, a few years ago, participated in something similar that started in my vicinity at that stage. The guy painted my flat, and as he needed some editing and translation, I used my skills to assist him. It could have been somebody else who needed me, though. I thought it a great idea, but not so my fellow countrymen. It is true that in this modern day one has to be so careful not to be helped by or helping a fraudulent person...
|
|
|
|
|
|
I have read many of the comments so far and see that Bookmooch might be duplicating other sites and also there is the potential for "fraudulent" activity. However, I see that what we have is a ready made community of people who are interested in books. Generally we are not in this for the profit but for the love of books and reading.
Many of us are already giving of our time to charities. I work as a counsellor and do some pro bona hours for a group of people. I will also work with a local charity at Christmas raising funds for those in need. Your idea has prompted this idea.
Why not RECORD the type of work we are doing locally on some form of bookmooch platform. This is not about bragging but its about trying to make links. Our voluntary work would them be attached to the profile of the types of books we mooch. In this way we might well be able to make links and set up networks. OK, there is a certain level of trust involved that people would be truthful. However, for the very small percentage of those who might not be truthful there is absolutely nothing to be gained. For the huge majority of bookmoochers who already work on the basis if trust, there's a lot to be gained.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fine with me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
i'm loving this idea! kudos!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Great idea. If it can facilitate the giving of time & talent as successfully as bookmooch facilitates the giving of books the world will be a better place for it :) Now, as to re-purposing the bookmooch site; I think some sort of database of "jobs" needs to be found/created that will make it easier to post & search jobs. What can be the ISBN equivalent for jobs? What would be the Amazon equivalent? Maybe using Monster.com's taxonomy might be a good starting point.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
i love the idea!
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
love it, let me know if you get it up and running so I can join :)
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
Great idea! I like this one best:D http://AnHourOfMe.com One thing to help with credibility would be the ability to link a profile to an already existing bm profile (or other site?) and be able to see the person's (bm) transaction history/feedback.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
Love it - I'm in. AnHourOfMe.com would be easiest for most to remember.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
| | |
|
|
Great Idea! Definitely worth a try!
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
Sounds very interesting. I'd prefer the .me domain, it's more clever, but keep the .com one, just have it redirect to .me :) Have you seen http://www.hourville.com (paid services)? I do think "giving away" time for good social karma gives some substance to our disparate community. H
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hi John, I have wanted to engage in barter of this sort since i was eighteen...that makes thirty years...so I too Love the idea of seeing this barter time exchange come to fruition. I think there are many skilled folks out there just waiting to share in the knowledge and life experience they have been given by others and learned on their own. Right now for instance, my daughter has recieved musical gifts for Christmas, a guitar, and a violin...we are interested in finding a giude/teacher soon and I have skills in many areas I would happily readily trade someone for lessons. I was going to try and begin a barter &skills trading company a few times but let it slide for lack of enthusiam on my personal publics part...no one I spoke to seemed to think it was something that would catch on...so I let it go. I believe the time may have come for many...it landed eons ago for me.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
I love this idea. I have been interested in barter programs in the past, but they can be very rigid in what they consider a skill. For instance, I taught literature for years and have thought of offering the service of analyzing or giving insight to students or anyone trying to read a classic book and having a hard time understanding it. Most barter banks don't consider that a skill. In an entirely different area, I've often wondered why there is no online exchange for items other than books. I have a group of friends who get together every few months or so with unwanted or needed "stuff", like handbags or earrings. We swap out one to one and everybody goes away happy. Why can't we do that online? Just a thought.
|
|
|
|
| | |
