Here is an idea ready for implementation. Build a "whynot" type of Web site for communities (tomdifran). Ian Dickson, of CommKit.com, cites available software. The site could provide public service communication, as suggested by tomdifran. It could also provide local ads from nearby stores (the kind that appear in newspapers and local mailings.) It might even subhost sites for local independent stores that don't think they can afford a website. (For example, I would like to be able to find the menu and hours for local dining places.)

But somebody (maybe Ian) needs to bridge the gap between Entrepreur and the Geek. Ian may think he has done that, but I looked at his site and it's all Geek to me. I've worked in both worlds, so I could work with the site. But I think a non-Geek (a Muggle) would immediately find it too hard to evaluate.

Muggle questions: What would be the costs? (Check with Yahoo Site Hosting for answers about domain registration and hosting costs -- about $12/month.) What would the final product look like? Do you have a template that will show me a mock up site and let me replace the contents by copy and click? Can I do that with copy from merchants who send me text formatted in MS Word? Will that preserve the format? Do you have a scenario that shows how to market it? Ian offered a few ideas, but concrete descriptions would be more helpful. Ian (or somebody) might even set up a community website about his product. It could provide both marketing suggestions and and an illustration of the product in use.

What do you think of this idea or comment?
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