Mobile-Oriented Forum/Personals site - Treo Forums

thynctank · 05-17-2006, 11:55 AM

I'm trying to find out how much interest there would be in a website geared toward the Treo community, PDA users, mobile phone users in general, to be accessed FROM these mobile devices and not just ABOUT them.

It would be a site similar in function to craigslist.com for those of you familiar with that. Email addresses would be obfuscated but you could place personal ads, hold threaded discussions, and possibly access additional functionality in the future.

Again, the focus here is on the fact that it will be geared with the mobile user in mind and so design and interface will be compact, and will involve a drill-down categories similar to Yahoo, but with the option of searching all categories (an actual useful search engine) and user-customizeable category list upon login. Cookies will allow for a permanent logged-in state on a given device so any time you visit you'll be greeted with what's new for you.

The basic service will be free and additional future services will be available for a small fee, perhaps $5 a month. The gist of some of the additional services would be localized content (weather, news, possibly traffic info) again all formatted with the mobile device in mind. The service can be setup to auto-charge you monthly or you can pay month to month.

Before I get involved in developing this fairly extensive project, I want to find out how interested the community at large is. Please indicate your level of interest and feel free to post any questions and comments.

Thanks!
-thynctank.

Kreth · 05-17-2006, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thynctank

It would be a site similar in function to craigslist.com for those of you familiar with that. Email addresses would be obfuscated but you could place personal ads, hold threaded discussions, and possibly access additional functionality in the future.

I can see it now:
SWM Treo 650 owner with varied application interests seeking mature F Treo 700P owner with high-speed data connection.

thynctank · 05-19-2006, 09:57 AM

Ha! *chuckle*

I was thinking more of the swap-meet/auction and short-term contracts realms than actual personal ads.

Geo · 05-19-2006, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thynctank

Ha! *chuckle*

I was thinking more of the swap-meet/auction and short-term contracts realms than actual personal ads.

Hi thynctank,

Sounds like a nice idea. You might have something there my good man! A unique and special portal just for us Treo users. What would thw windows mobile crowd say? Maybe EverythingTreo could expand into something like that?

Geo

chris · 05-19-2006, 03:49 PM

There is a service that just launched in NY that allows you to check for parking spots in New York. Right now, it appears limited to parking garages. I really wasn't very impressed, but I rarely drive into Manhattan. The last time I parked, it cost me over $20 for less than an hour.

Sorry to go off topic...

Still don't get the gist of this project. A mobile gather site of sorts with Yahoo type categories where Treo owners could discuss various things and post ads of some sort.

Quote:

Maybe EverythingTreo could expand into something like that?

First the Everything Treo Knowledgebase, then Everything Treo Reviews... coming in late 2006, Everything Treo Dating---> Find your perfect match.

Geo · 05-19-2006, 05:59 PM

Still don't get the gist of this project. A mobile gather site of sorts with Yahoo type categories where Treo owners could discuss various things and post ads of some sort.

First the Everything Treo Knowledgebase, then Everything Treo Reviews... coming in late 2006, Everything Treo Dating---> Find your perfect match.[/quote]
-------------

Hi Chris and all,
I hear ya on the parking in NYC! Last time I had no choice but to park in a gargare and it cost me $40 or more for the short time I was there...almost as much as dinner.
Here's a help: when in doubt try St. Anthony. He is good for lost items and parking spots in NYC!

About this mobile gathering site. I think that EverythingTreo does this already. But imagine if your email was Chris@everythingtreo.com, or mine was Geo@everythingtreo.com? It would be like instant advertising!

But the craig's list part and yahoo similarities....well, that would take a staff and it would cost. Therefore I see advertising with the email, etc. It is nice to dream!
Besides Treo does eveything, right!
Geo@everythingtreo.com

thynctank · 05-20-2006, 01:54 AM

How do you figure the craigslist-like features would cost or involve a staff beyond one or two webmasters?

My ideas are basically that threads with no replies within x days would simply self-destruct, and regular listings (items for sale, job listings, etc) would expire similarly. Categorization would be entirely up to the posters, though users could report violators and we could ban them if they failed to comply, etc.

So basically, most posts would come from users, not the administrators of the site.

The for-pay aspects I can see requiring time/money/employees to maintain. That would all come later were we to see any actual serious user numbers in the free sections.

@Geo: How does EverythingTreo provide this functionality already? Is there a mobile component to the site? I'm a newbie here, as should be obvious.

Thanks for all the replies so far!
-tank.

Stillrockin · 05-20-2006, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thynctank

@Geo: How does EverythingTreo provide this functionality already? Is there a mobile component to the site? I'm a newbie here, as should be obvious.

Thanks for all the replies so far!
-tank.

One of the Themes here at ET is one called "Mobile Alabama". Many times, I will access this forum using that theme (less graphics, so loads faster from the Treo)

thynctank · 05-21-2006, 07:07 AM

Thanks for the tip!