------from an email to the AP-----------

Hello Associated Press! (and a copy to others I think would be interested)

I am looking for a partner to develop a new concept in free, open source Internet collaboration software. I call it Superwiki. It would have a fantastic application for news gathering and production. Please let me explain...

My motive is only to see this technology developed as fast as possible, as I believe it represents a major breakthrough for humanity as a much improved tool for collaborating and sharing ideas.

A wiki is a popular type of collaborative website where readers can edit and add pages, contributing in an anarchic fashion. A Superwiki improves upon wikis by allowing professional writers to maintain editorial control, coherent organization and style. If we apply a Superwiki to news reporting, every consumer of news also becomes a potential participant in its creation and improvement. With widespread input from readers, news stories can quickly evolve, closely following events and becoming ever more balanced and accurate.

When a reader of a Superwiki news story realizes that he/she has a critical piece of missing information, they can quickly add it to the story. The contribution shows up immediately in an unofficial wiki version of the story, but takes a short time to be incorporated into the certified AP version (if it even makes the cut). In the 'news room,' the journalist who is leading the story and his/her team filter reader contributions and assimilate them into the story (or follow up on new leads) as they see fit.

We track regular contributors so that they build reputations and can earn places as reader-stringers. They can be compensated based on the volume and quality of their contributions.

If the AP team discards a certain perspective from contributors (or otherwise adds bias to a story), the reader contributors have the freedom to continue to develop their own (non-AP) version of the story, editing on the website itself. This ability to "fork" a story (i.e. start a new version) is an important part of the Superwiki system, allowing unverified or dissenting views to develop. Occasionally, a fork will prove itself to be true. When this happens, the AP journalist has the freedom to incorporate the newly verified information into the official AP version of the story. This powerful check and balance is enabled by requiring reader contributions to be released completely into the Public Domain. Contributors choose to contribute in the Public Domain and the AP chooses to yield enough so that readers are free to make derivative works of stories (the forks) on the same Superwiki website.

How could this work? The AP can maintain a reputation for generating a flow of high quality, factual, complete, concise, balanced and well written information, whether or not they retain any copyright protection on the information. The AP retains full editorial control for the certified versions of their evolving stories, but now they have a system where the entire world becomes a resource to help build and improve news stories.

Superwiki tames the chaotic tendencies of wikis, while retaining the benefits of massive collaboration. The potential application to create factual, unbiased, evolving news stories can not be ignored. I hope you will agree to investigate this further and consider working to develop Superwiki. I would be happy to help in any way I can.

More information on Superwiki:http://betterdifferent.com/software/superwiki

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NATE JOHNSON

858-824-9003, n_johnson@yahoo.com, 7415 Charmant Drive #2512, San Diego CA, 92122, USA

PASSION

Finding better ways to communicate, collaborate and have fun.

INNOVATION

2004 Developed a proposal to use a wiki to improve Home Depot internal communication.

2003 Launched betterdifferent.com to promote free information sharing and related ideas.

2002 Built an all-digital TV studio with redundant storage and live call-in for only $80K.

1998-00 Founded and ran partypeople.org, reporting on major party events worldwide.

1998 Set-up a website to keep families informed during their unit's deployment to Bosnia.

1997 Used desktop publishing to disseminate classified military intelligence in the field.

1994-96 Produced and developed two multimedia CD-ROMs as yearbook supplements.

EDUCATION

BSEE, Electrical and Computer Engineering, West Point, NY 1996

LEADERSHIP

1 year, Home Depot's Store Leadership Program, training to be a store manager 03-04

- directed nationwide market research, uncovering insights that changed strategy

- connected directly with customers to truly understand their perspective and needs

6 years, US Army Intelligence Officer (Captain), Basic and Advanced Officer Training 96-03

- trained and experienced in the ultimate form of strategy and competitor analysis,regularly reporting and presenting to senior leaders

- executive officer for 100+ NATO intelligence staff (14 countries represented)

Expert communicator

- known for explaining technology, advocating change and building team buy-in

Problem-solver

- skilled at identifying root causes and capitalizing on opportunities for improvement

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

Deep knowledge of "digital convergence" technologies:

- PC hardware, software, multimedia, audio/video/TV, data networking and storage

- open source software, including license issues, operating systems and web technologyFast self-learner, constantly expanding skills

LIFE EXPERIENCES

Global perspective from extensive travel (28 countries) and military assignments.

Basic Spanish and some German (lived in Germany 3 years).

The Learning Channel "The Makeover Story" reality TV, "Fashion Builders" episode

Private Pilot

Mensa

GOALS

1. Superwiki. Develop a new type of wiki website for Internet and intranet use that bridges the gap between open access wiki's and closed access traditional websites, allowing readers to directly contribute changes but leaving editorial control in the hands of an author who "directs" the collaborative work. Top benefits: with broad reader input, current events, news stories and reference resources can evolve to be factual, complete, balanced and unbiased. A collaborative intranet can break down communication barriers, resulting in educated decision-making at all levels and inspiring innovation and teamwork.

2. Information Sharing. Enable widespread sharing of software, written works, music, film, etc. by providing an alternative to information ownership and copyright law. With an easy way to collect voluntary tips from consumers via the Internet, creators / artists can choose to release their work without copyright restrictions. Top benefits: artists can embrace file sharing, as the more people that experience their work and enjoy it, the more tips they will receive. Information will be free to evolve to its most useful form. More music and TV shows can be available on-demand on the Internet.

3. Universal Drive. Create an Internet file system that is fully shared (non-private information only), fully distributed (each user's machine participates), redundant and non-destructive (nothing is deleted, only incremental changes are saved). Eventually people can choose free operating systems and software running directly off this "universal drive." Top benefits: dependable and efficient global storage, access to your stuff from anywhere, faster evolving software and saving a complete digital history for future historians.

PERFECT JOBS

1. New Technology Research and Development Director, web-based collaboration, micropayment "tips," or Internet storage services

2. Customer Intelligence / Market Research Manager, consumer electronics or personal computer company

3. Chief Technology Officer, start-up or small business seeking cost savings and competitive advantage through transparency and open source methods

4. IT Consultant, firm that balances the benefits of both proprietary and open source software

Required:

- environment conducive to experimenting with new ways of doing things

- responsibilities that include following and analyzing technology developments for use insolving real world business problems

- leadership position with authority to lead change

Preferred:

- Multinational company with a global world view

- San Diego, California, USA area

What do you think of this idea or comment?
(You can change your vote at any time)

I agree

No opinion

I disagree