The Internet for Awesome

[Jake]

So a few months ago, I remember Dan tweeting about how the internet could be used within Government for things like elections, and even said wikis could be used to help form laws and things like this. And that was Dan's idea of using the internet to help make things a whole load better.

So, what do you think the internet should be used for to help make things easier/awesome/slightly better? Or what should be used more that isn't used enough yet?

I just feel that despite how much people use the internet for fun, it's usefulness for more serious things never seems to usually go much further than Wikipedia. There just seems to be so much things, both websites and possibilities, on the internet that isn't used.

[hey light]

It should definitely be used more for political causes. Dan is right that we do have all the technologies to bring every congressional vote to the people through the internet. Also, if we made elections internet-based, then many great things would happen: it would probably increase turnout drastically, because you don't have to go anywhere to do it. It would also make it easier because you don't have to go through looking for your voting place in your district, because what ballot you receive would be based on your IP address. But it would take a really heavy-duty encryption system to keep the secret ballot alive (for those of you who aren't from the US, the secret ballot basically means that you don't have to tell anyone who you're voting for).

[chukfi]

/l I don't really have much opinion on politics, so i'm not sure if this is as relevant as it should be >.> but i do love teh interwebs. i'v recently realized not as many people have Firefox as i previously assumed. v.v for thos of you interested, firefox has an add on called stumble-upon, basically its a channel-surf for the internet, but if you like what it gives you, you can thumbs-up or thumbs down and you'll continue to to get things you like.

for example, i recently found some you tube videos for home-made science experiments that are super cool, like magnetic water. or a guy who made a big daddy with a tree and a chainsaw. and a flash game that tests you geographical knowledge. and more tutorials than i could ever read. its super handy/fun

[mashuga31]

I think that the internet isn't used enough for suggesting ideas. Well of course it is!

But what I actually meant was Ideas that are taken into effect.

Example: I suggested an Idea for valve- The Mole. He hides under objects and grabs your character if you get too close, damaging you slowly by dragging you in from your legs. You'd still be able to use your pistol when being dragged by him but he has a lot of health like the witch.

I've yet to get a response as to wheter or not it is a good idea or no. Now obviously they havemillions of suggestions like this and OBVIOUSLY they have no time to respond. However wikis are an "OBVIOUS" solution to the "taking in ideas and suggestions" from the masses.

I.E. Wiki: Valve Suggestions

Submit Article: It has a drawing of your idea and a description, history, whatever you want to put. Valves admins on the wiki are also members of the company, they sort through the articles that are submitted with the title Idea: /L4D2 Addon/L4D3 Suggestion: The Mole.

Admins and staff members from valve would post replies on the talk page as to how good of an idea it is and why or why not it would be used. Majority of the vote could take the idea in or not. It's not something that a few people read through every once and a while so it builds up. It has every staff member of Valve or other company having an account as an admin on it, who collectively keep it kleen and let the public see their ideas in action.

Reason why this is better than just and email: Well, it's """"OBVIOUS"""" (I like that word today!). Articles for an idea arn't just a few sentances that are sent in. Those wouldn't even be read and would be "insta deleted" by the staff. There would be rules as to "No copyright, and you are giving all rights of your idea to valve (or other company)." People who arn't serious about having their Ideas heard won't take the time to write an entire freaking article about their idea, draw a picture or anything. Only people whos ideas are good enough to pass the simplistic barricade of flooded ideas will get in. Trust me there are bad ideas. If someobody submitted an article for an Idea entitled Idea: /L4D Addon
Article Content: I want to see a zombie that can fly.

That is an unacceptable.

If they were to submit a nice LONG article worth reading, submitting a concept drawing of this creature, gave it a name like the 'mauler' and had categories and different sections as to what it would do, how it would be challenging, why it should be in the game and why valve should use this idea, then it's going to be a more respectable article and would be accepted into the ranks of ideas. What does everyone think?

By the way - the whole point of the pogotribe is to change the world and the way we use it so why not try and make stuff like this happen? If one company does it many are bound to follow.

[Jake]

Some great ideas so far!