[hackerspaces] Looking for ideas on loaning/swapping/selling 'stuff'

[elf Pavlik]

Excerpts from spanner888's message of 2012-07-10 08:26:07 +0000:
> Hackerspaces tend to have lists, usually web based, of the 'stuff' 
> (tools, parts, systems, things, ...) that they have available for members.
> 
> This stuff might be available for use within the space, for loan, for 
> swapping, or for sale (including giveaway).
> 
> But the lists are not always up to date.
> 
> A similar situation also applies to the stuff members own, although it 
> is likely that not all the stuff belonging to members if available for 
> swap/loan/sale and it is much less likely that who has what is widely 
> known within a space!
> 
> It seems that there is room to improve and expand how this stuff is 
> managed, especially in the area of swap/loan/selling the largely hidden 
> treasures owned by members.
> 
> Do any spaces have existing experience, thoughts and advice improving 
> this situation?
> 
> For example has anyone implemented a loan or swap system, especially of 
> the members available stuff?
> 
> Spencer
> spanner888 at usabledevices.com
> 

Hi,

I would encourage you to check out: http://sharedstuff.org which uses remoteStorage to keep your data under your control. In case you haven't heard about it please check out lightning talk video from 28c3 at http://unhosted.org

Still in alpha stage but of course everyone can contribute to development!

BTW everyone can also just clone git repo and run this app from your localhost and use it without even making a single request to sharedstuff.org - seriously no way for monopolies here! At this moment it works with sort of friend2friend approach but i would like to start prototyping 'sharing hubs' which can complement F2F path. So in a future any event, for example 29c3 could spin up such hub and all participants/supporters could subscribe their wish/offer lists, eventually also including accommodations, rideshares etc. but since you control your data you could also easily use any number of other hubs like for example 'berlin sado-maso', 'european glider network', 'youNameAndRunIt' by simply subscribing your wishes/offers to them... but this one still needs bit of hacking it together \o/

Cheers!
~ elf Pavlik ~