CreamoftheKit.com <---- a little concept for you to ponder.

Okay, we've all seen the occassional "Let's get together and do something neat!" threads in the past.

The general idea is that fellow teen designers get together and design websites..for free, fun, profit whatever.

These almost always fail.

I have some theories on why this is...

a. They are more idealism then they are substance.
No one has taken the time to think out what projects they will take, why they will take them, etc..
b. They are poorly organized.
The project is expected to run itself..by everyone invovled. Thus nothing ever comes about and things tank.
c. People are appointed to positions they can't handle.
No prior screening or positioning is done before hand. Jobs are given out based on who raised his/her hand first.
d. No one really knows what is going on.
Poor communication. Lack of goals, etc...

I thought to myself this evening..as I sat in utter boredom, why not go all out and actually DO something like this that succeeds.

I figure myself to be a fairly talented project manager..why couldn't I organize something like this and make sure it has wha tit needs to be successful??? I said to myself. ;)

So...I got on the line...err..msn with my buddy James Brown. I run my idea by him and he says its a winner.

I need your input and opinions.

Here's what I want to do for those of you who don't already know:

I want to organize a group of talented teens to do fun web projects that exploit the viral nature of the web. Things that spread with a viral nature because of the interest they create to end users.

How will this benefit us?
1. It will be fun.
2. You will learn to work together as a team.
3. It's a good resume builder.
4. Etc...

Who will be the manager? Simply put..I will. I and whoever I appoint to help.

This is neccessary for a project of this sort to succeed.

I want your input...
a. Would you join something like this?
b. Do you think something like this CAN be successful.
c. Any other ideas or suggestions?

James Brown has graciously offered to donate the domain. I will provide the hosting.

We won't do it if you guys don't think it will work though.

So let us know what you think!

Thanks in advance,
Clif

Winner Winner Winner! :D...

Seriously though, something like this (if well organized and thought out) could result in a great experience for teens! I think it's a great idea, so i'll buy the domain :mrpimp:

heh; this will be my 4th domain this week! :smoov:

Hmmm. Does 20 count as teen???





(Maybe "Hi, I'm 20-teen years old"???)

im 16, count me in if you'll have me!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Gooeysoft
Does 20 count as teen???

Sadly, no. :)

But depending how we run this...anyone could end up in.

I won't close any door prematurely. :)

Having been an observer of various Apache groups I think the mailing list method that Apache uses is extremely powerful.

Especially when you give people voting rights and contributor/commitor rights, and those positions are rewarded for hard/good work.

Having a heirachy and a reward system for the people who do contribute is very important. Also make it extremely easy for people to get started and be a contributor.

i am in..


yeah baby yeah!

[sorry, just saw austin powers in goldmember, yeah baby!]

Good idea..

I've plans for all of this.

Although I don't want a team so large that it becomes hard to manage or appoint duties, I do want to maximize effectivness.

Firstly through putting people in jobs they can perform the best in, and secondly through keeping careful managment over who does what and and whether they did it.

Rewards and all will be implemented for sure.

Clif

Why not put people in charge of 'areas', if they develop the work themselves so be it but make them responsible for taking submissions from other people.

That makes it easier for people to become involved and you can work out who to put in a position if someone isn't able to put in as much work as others.

Maybe.

I don't want to lose control over it though. Consistency is key.

Clif

I beleive that you are on the right track, strong leadership and a clear goal are probably the most important aspects of any project.

EXCELLENT IDEA! This looks very interesting..I'm in! Although what qualifies as "talent"? :(

A easy way to comunicate is importnat...perhaps a message board?

Why don't you do something nice and build a site for a nominated charity rather than for "fun"?

The bonus with this is that yiour audience will be wider than if you just build a fun site. You might even get more payed work out of it if you do a good job. Even if you don't get paid work it will sit better in your portfolio.

There are plenty of charities out there with appualing web sites, and who knows you might secure your place in the afterlife of your choice through such a good deed.

I agree with swampy, if you're going to do this for the sake of it, you may as well lend a hand to all the needy charities out there. In fact, if you do it for charity, I'll lend a hand to, how about that?

flash, PHP, SQL, html, javascript, 3D

... and make a lovely cup of tea.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by swampy
... and make a lovely cup of tea.

---

aye, you're not wrong there, I've not forgotten my roots son.

Just turned 20 :p

... I'd be willing to help. How about every month we research a non-profit/charity company and design or redesign a website for them. Each month it's something new.

Actually, regardless of what happens, I might just have to try the idea myself.

*Goes off to learn about starting a nonprofit organization

Quote:

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Originally posted by gSOLO_01
Actually, regardless of what happens, I might just have to try the idea myself.

*Goes off to learn about starting a nonprofit organization

---

just think of the tax break possibilities ;)

Charity work was actually my original idea, but it presents several problems...

1. Finding charities.
2. Arranging to do work..
3. Facilitating..building to their specifications.
4. Etc...

The biggest problem...something that is frivilous like my idea doesn't matter in the big scheme of things. If we don't get it done..nobody will care.

BUT if we take on a charities website, or whatever...if the group fails...SOMEONE will have to pick up the slack. And that someone will end up being me and whoever I can convince to lend a hand.

I can't get involved in something that potentially could be so demanding.

My idea..if it doesn't work..we can drop it.

Simple as that.

Clif

I thought you might relish the chance to put "project and team co-ordination and motivation skills and experience" on your resume.

I would..but I'm not dealing with professionals...and I can't assume everything will work perfect.

If when this thing gets started, we see that we can work together efficiently..we can do stuff like that. :)

To everyone:

I'm making a submission form today....so you can alert me to your desire to participate and the skills you possess.

Thanks for being patient.

Clif

Quote:

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Originally posted by clifgriffin
My idea..if it doesn't work..we can drop it.

---

Project management involves seeing that the project does get done, on time and to spec. :)

Think of it as a growth experience, ne?

beleive me when I say you are NEVER going to deal with a project in which all the team act as professionals. you will always get someone who doesn't pull their weight.

i think clif is on the right track... there should at least be one project done at the beginning to see what its going to be like... true, no whole team will be professionals, but in this situation its non profit, and over the internet, so if someone wants to drop their responsability, all they ahve to do is not answer emails...

Count me in. Just turned 19.


I'll be checking back on this thread for more info in the near future.

I'd like to help out too. Sounds like a good idea. :D

I would be glad to help. Sounds like fun. I'm bored. Only one obstical. School. What about all the little kiddies and their education? I, myself, am fine. I never have homework. I'm a wonderful student. :D

I have Flash skills, design, actionscript and html (who doesn't have html) and a little Javascript...

Tell me what goes down...

Thanks fellas..

I didn't get to the script today...so i'll set up something tommorow. :)

Clif

Okay..didn't write a script.

After writing code all day for my site..I'm not in the mood.

Here's what to do...just shoot me an email with this information. Please answer all questions, to the best of your ability:

[email protected]

First and Last Name: (if you're uncomfortable with giving this out, go ahead and skip this one)

FK or WAW nickname:

Sex: (just for the record!)

Age: (please be honest)

What areas of webdesign (or other computer skills) are you experienced in? Please list the technologies/software/etc that you have experience in, along with your level of knowledge.

Quote:

---

For example:

Flash MX - beginner
Photoshop 7 - advanced
PHP - limited experience

---

What task/position would you most enjoy in this project?:

Tasks/positions you would *NOT* want:


Favorite food:

Hobbies:

Anything else you want to say:

Just email the info..don't feel the need to exaggerate, their is something for everyone in this.

Clif

Sent.

Keep 'em coming! :)

Sent.

I already am on, but when will we be recieving more information, finding out the "game plan" etc...

Soon! :)

I'll email everyone monday.

If you know anybody who might be interested...please let them know!

Clif

I await monday (sent)

Gone Pimpin :mrpimp: