Community toolshed online

Submitted by Jo Barraket on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 14:54

What's this idea about?

In less than 100 words, what is your idea?:

A virtual hub for geographic communities to lend and borrow consumer durables such as lawnmowers, power tools, custom kitchen appliances etc. Community tool sheds would have local chapters serving particular areas. They would provide functions for community members to lend and borrow at pre-scheduled times through an online booking system, as well as opportunities for informal chat and community interaction.

What’s really new about your idea?:

This idea draws on the exchange principles of LETS systems and the idea of waste minimisation through online functionality introduced by Freecycle. As far as I know, though, there is no such application specific to the basic principle of borrowing and lending.

Stage of development

What inspired you to come up with your idea in the first place?:

Personal experiences of social isolation when moving to new places and extreme frustration at the societally created 'need' to buy or rent a lawnmower when every house on my block seems to have one!

From 1-5, what stage of development would you say your idea is in? - Explain further:

What can we do for you?

Select which are the one or two most important things that you need to help the development of your idea:

Developer - to help you create your software

If Social Innovation Camp is able to help push your idea forward, do you have the time or desire to take ownership of it?:

No, but I would be happy for someone else to take your idea forward

Anything else you want to tell us?:

I would like to be involved in taking the idea forward but unfortunately the first camp clashes with my work commitments.

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Re: Community toolshed online

Submitted by niftycorp on Sun, 01/31/2010 - 12:51.

Sydney LETS is keen to get a community toolshed happening. Drop me a note if you want to meet to discuss at some point. http://www.auslets.org/sydney

Implementation methods for Community toolshed online

Submitted by Humanise on Sat, 01/30/2010 - 04:34.

I have created a blog detailing some methods that allow the Internet Implementation of this idea. The blog is called 'Implementation Options for some Social Innovation Camp Ideas'. It is available at the following address:

http://asix.org.au/content/implementation-options-some-social-innovation...

It should be noted that all the following ideas have some similarity in their required implementation tasks:

2 Bob's Worth
Fancy a match?
Can I borrow a....
Develop a car pooling database package for local councils
Work experience for the disadvantaged
Work Placements Directory
Community toolshed online
Digs for the disadvantaged

My blog starts with implementation ideas that are very specific to the task, allowing the task to be easily implemented without needing specialist skills or programmers, and then progresses to those that give a lot more flexibility but need more skills to implement.

If anyone wants to try out the first and easiest option then they can contact me and I will setup an installation where you can try it out.

Re: Community toolshed online

Submitted by whymandesign on Fri, 01/29/2010 - 01:44.

Great
MUSTart.org would love to add value to your idea.
Please open source this and use the Traidmark.org business structure:)

http://www.WEBiversity.org plans to generate suplus funds that can then
be donated and use to fund other innovative charitable work
http://www.Traidmark.org explains more.

What other open source creative commons public services would you like
to make (either with or without us)? List your requests at
http://www.UGCunion.org

www.FREEtraid.org
Donate to charity and receive more than you gave in free gifts as a
reward. Everyone gains. We are setting up locations in which to set up
social enterprise to facilitate this. Would you like to get involved?

www.playgroundgames.org
We are finding other people who are interested in producing a
philanthropic activity that is based around play and benefits everyone.
Are you a, creative, linguist, programmer, producer, broadcaster,
entrepneur wanting to take part in an exciting project that does 'good'
by entertaining and educating using the power of the web? If so check
out Playgroundgames.org and join in by adding to the Wiki.

www.ugcunion.org
Come to the next event or make your own using creative skills to benefit
humanity. UGCunion is collaboration where people like you are using
their skills to put on fun events that entertain and empower others
using the creative arts.

www.traidmark.org
Should trade profit everyone? Yes.
Traidmark represents a new business structure that was created as a way
for profits to be used to fund innovation and progress for the benefit
of humanity. This is done by donating Net profit to innovative
charitable/research organisations and stating the percentage donated
clearly for consumer clarity.

www.mustart.org
We put on interactive events that include everyone. Why not come to the
next event or make your own.

Regards

Ed Whyman

Creative Producer

www.whymandesign.com

Re: Community toolshed online

Submitted by glenm on Wed, 01/20/2010 - 15:26.

This proposal appears quite sound. It seems like a system that can be implemented and replicated quite easily in different communities. This service offers a practical and sensible solution for people in need of short-term resources.

However, the use of a virtual hub as a socially innovative medium is questionable. The economical implications of this proposal seem rational, but the social implication is debatable. The first question is how active of a role will Community Toolshed Online take in spurring and mediating conversation amongst borrowers? What do you expect borrowers to gain or achieve from conversing with other borrowers? Will there actually be mediators managing these collaborations, or will it be entirely left to borrowers?

Also, there are general operational questions that must be addressed. Can a person borrow unilaterally, or is bilateral trade required? Since this idea is based upon the LETS principle, will the program implement a system of credit? Does the program take into account the value of the resource lent?