Can I borrow a....

Patrick Kelso's picture
Submitted by Patrick Kelso on 10 November 2009 - 4:03pm
What's this idea about?
In less than 100 words, what is your idea?: 
A website for communities to share handy items. Ideally run at a Council or small regional level, people can register on the site and list items they have they are willing to share, for instance power drills, ladders, pruning saws. They can also request items. Users can search the site to find others who have the item they need and borrow the items. Kind of like Couchsurfing.org and Freecycle except you get your stuff back. A feedback system allows trust in the sharing.
What is the social need or challenge your idea could address?: 
This will help build a sense of community and trust in an area. It also helps people save money by not having to pay for expensive items that they use less than once a year, for instance 5m+ ladder for cleaning gutters. Currently in some communities neighbours of many years don't know each others names, whilst others are thriving social networks. The idea of the site is to bridge the gap.
What’s really new about your idea?: 
As far as I know no one else has done anything like this to scale. I can buy stuff on ebay, or sometimes score stuff on Freecycle, but borrowing stuff I can't do outside of my own circle of friends.
Stage of development
What inspired you to come up with your idea in the first place?: 
A clumsy google spreadsheet that my friends and I use for just this purpose.
From 1-5, what stage of development would you say your idea is in? - Explain further: 
1
What can we do for you?
Tell us what we can do for you: 
Hook me up with the sql gurus who make my DB schema look like a toddler's effort. Then someone with graphic talent to make it pretty.
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
Funder - to give you some initial cash
If Social Innovation Camp is able to help push your idea forward, do you have the time or desire to take ownership of it?: 
Yes
2 individuals signed up
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Humanise's picture

Implementation methods for Can I borrow a....

by Humanise - 30 Jan 2010 - 4:03am
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.
whymandesign's picture

Re: Can I borrow a....

by whymandesign - 29 Jan 2010 - 1:38am
Great idea Check Pledige as they might be able to help. 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
Ozziemedes's picture

Re: Can I borrow a....

by Ozziemedes - 27 Jan 2010 - 7:16pm
One thing to be aware of is the possibility of wear and tear on other people's property - especially when it comes to electronics. Insurance could become an issue. However, if councils were to source the items concerned, it might be possible to do this at a lower "per item" insurance overhead. Another option might be to allow the owner of a piece of in-demand equipment to come with the equipment concerned to ensure its correct use and handling. If you were to give people incentives to do this (e.g. $100 rebate on their council fees for every 10 hours they contribute to the program) you might get some good results.
Andrew Brough's picture

Re: Can I borrow a....

by Andrew Brough - 2 Dec 2009 - 4:27pm
Hi, I've dabbled with this idea before and would love to see someone make it work. There have been tries before but challenge is how to match geographic closeness with enough people willing to share items. Thus think how (and which tools to use) to engage communities, keep them looking and then sharing. If you can't get to a good volume of sharing transactions even in a small area then you'll stuggle to keep momentum so learn from some of the sites that are trying this in other countries - uk.zilok.com, lendaround.com (DVD sharing), www.ooffoo.com/, rentmineonline.com ...and many others Depending on the types of items, insurance (and having an insurance partner) might be an opportunity for you and the business model behind the site re breakage/loss.

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