Hegel.io: An Open-Source Community Network

January 3, 2014 1:46 PM

Hegel.io: An Open-Source Community Network
This is a site proposal for a new open-source community network. Before I start developing this idea, I need to know if other people are excited about it. If you like giving, thinking about social networks, or the internet, I'd love your thoughts!

Role: Founder

posted by The Ted (5 comments total)

I kind of see where you're going with this but I can't see who would be interested. I mean, you'd have to sign up 20 people just to make your initial $5 back (and I'd be willing to bet that's how people would see it). It's such a micro amount of money... I mean, even if I invited everyone I was friends on Facebook with (I closed mine down), I'd still only make about $25. And that's if everyone signed up and paid the $5. I don't know, it just seems like you're grafting the MLM model onto social networking and I'm not understanding the purpose I guess.

Also, you're pegging at 1-2% growth per year. So that's one new person signing up for every 50 current members, which unless I misunderstand your process (correct me if I am wrong please) isn't going to mean very much money flowing back to very many people. So while you're touting it as a benefit, the math doesn't seem to work out?

I'd think if you're talking open source, the best bet is to put the money back into the business. Server costs, staff costs as needed, etc. A rainy day fund is a useful thing to have.

The charity giving angle is unique. Not sure if it's feasible in the long run, but it's definitely an interesting idea.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 4:31 PM on January 4, 2014

Thanks for reading and giving me some feedback! Good food for thought.
posted by The Ted at 6:28 PM on January 4, 2014

You're welcome. I think you have the kernel of an idea here, you just need to narrow down exactly what it is you're trying to do.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 10:35 AM on January 5, 2014

Why would I use this?
posted by oceanjesse at 9:35 PM on January 5, 2014

Take a look at the Local Wiki. It's not a pay model, but my experience from using the daviswiki local wiki is an amazing resource. I moved to a place (Portland Oregon) that doesn't have a local wiki and it drives me nuts on a regular basis. Yelp and Google are anemic substitutes for understanding the Portland communities and businesses.

Definitely check out Local Wiki. Maybe there's one in your area, and if not, you can start one! It might be right up your alley.
posted by aniola at 5:52 PM on February 5, 2014