Community toolshed online

Jo Barraket's picture
Submitted by Jo Barraket on 2 October 2009 - 1:54pm
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 is the social need or challenge your idea could address?: 
This idea responds to two community needs. First, it is a mechanism for reducing over consumption of big ticket consumer items we all use infrequently, and making these accessible to those who might otherwise not be able to afford them. Second, it is a way of connecting geographically proximate people from different backgrounds with each other, building social capital through the interactive processes of borrowing and lending.
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: 
2
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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niftycorp's picture

Re: Community toolshed online

by niftycorp - 31 Jan 2010 - 11:51am
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
Humanise's picture

Implementation methods for Community toolshed online

by Humanise - 30 Jan 2010 - 3:34am
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: Community toolshed online

by whymandesign - 29 Jan 2010 - 12:44am
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
glenm's picture

Re: Community toolshed online

by glenm - 20 Jan 2010 - 2:26pm
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?
fxl's picture

Re: Community toolshed online

by fxl - 22 Oct 2009 - 11:15pm
Love it! Need to find a trial community/LGA.

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