need Some expert advice..I will have to hire someone maybe to do this?

[auXetiK]

Hey,

I am buying Politicked.com to be the starting area for my little adventure. I want to develop a site devoted to connecting political activists from all backgrounds to exchange free press, interpretations, and debate with one another in both forum and chat....as well as focus on a front page with columns for news...(a political e-zine). My goal is to encourage political concern.....and connect people from very different standpoints.

What I want is a standalone browser program, like kazaa, winamp, and such...I want a person to be able to go to politicked.com only once or twice to download the prog..and perhaps get some updates. The rest I want to be done with just a click of an icon. The reason I think this is essential is simple...people are overwhelmed with websites....but will be perhaps...lead to politicked because it's readily available, and it makes integration easier. Also from a political activist perspective it also FREES the user from using Microsofts IE...haha. I also wanted this like that because the chat and forum could perhaps be linked easier in terms of 1 user name for everything...if it was done in this manner.

That's my big idea...I really want to do this..I am a really enthused political science student who raised a large community before (thinkinbbs.com). Unfortunately I did not dish out any cash and used virtualave to host me on a 40mb plan..I kept having to clear the old posts...and we were shut down due to the bandwidth and the nature of the site....(there was heavy debate). It did teach me a ton...we had about 10,000 posts..and I was happy :D I was wondering if anyone knew or could help me with such a project...I don't mind forking over some of my part-time job monies...it's worth a little piece of my dream that is.......................http://sarchasm.digitalrice.com/politicked2.gif
By the way…I can do the websites within..I just don’t think my C and C++ is up-to-date to take on the surrounding prog for the site.

Thanks!

[mouse]

Erm, I'd say start with a website/forum format and test the ground, build a userbase and then think about introducing a standalone client if necessary. Standalone clients worry me to be honest, such methods could be used by unmentionables and I'd suggest steering clear.
As far as the rest of your idea goes I'd also look at possible legal implications; a European newspaper's website with similar intent found itself in serious **** with people suing them after persons with opposing views colided. Political sites will attract people wanting to broadcast their manifesto, this isn't always good and someone voicing "illegal opinions" on your site; racially provokative etc, will get you into trouble rather than the person voicing the opinion. You can't have an open uncensored area without getting yourself into bother.

[auXetiK]

I live in the US..if the system messes with my 1st..they'll get my 3rd finger shoved in their face...

[mouse]

Freedom of speech is over ruled by libel, slander and anti-racial incitment laws, all of which are present in most western countries.

[auXetiK]

that's what contracts are for..my father is a lawyer....he can draw me up an agreement users have to check mark before they can benefit from the service.

[joh6nn]

so, users won't be bound by microsoft's browser and contract, but they will be bound by your browser and contract. gee, no contradictions there.

more importantly, what makes you think that people are bound by microsoft? i use mozilla, i'm happy with it, and i'm proud of it.

also, if you make a proprietary browser for it, you automatically rule out people on macs, and on unix. or what about people in third world countries with antiquated systems? or people using wireless devices? or people with disabilities, like the visual impaired, who use screen readers? all of those people, will not be able to get to your content. sort of destroys the possibility of a user base, doesn't it?

this is why we have web standards; so everyone, everywhere, can get to the content, without being locked into one browser. being locked into your browser, to me, would be just as bad as, or worse than, being locked into IE.

[auXetiK]

haha...wow...actually the contract would be just to protect my rights of zero responsibility when it comes to debate...preserving "free speech"....and perhaps you don't realize the % of people using IE.......the Mozilla population is not even on that pie chart.....no positive vibes on my idea from this board...sigh..got so much from everywhere else.

[mouse]

Originally posted by auXetiK
haha...wow...actually the contract would be just to protect my rights of zero responsibility when it comes to debate...preserving "free speech"....and perhaps you don't realize the % of people using IE.......the Mozilla population is not even on that pie chart.....no positive vibes on my idea from this board...sigh..got so much from everywhere else. If you organise a bare knuckle fighting competition you're still breaking the law whether people have signed contracts or not. Contracts very often make no difference to anything. Publishing illegal material whether slanderous or libel will get you into trouble, a website is considered a publication and we as web designers/administrators are responsible for the content being legit.

[auXetiK]

this would not be a fighting match at all! There would be rules...no violence..no swearing..etc etc....I want it to be an open place to share USEFUL information/opinions!

[gorilla1]

auXetik says he has done this before and will not be cowed by the PC and litigious elements - then more power to him, we need more with the courage to place that value on free speech. (By the way, the New York Times manages to carry on a free-for-all forum.) I tend to agree that the browser thing will be a distraction for you, and while it may be attractive for some of your intended audience, it might be an obstacle for a larger portion.

G

[auXetiK]

hmm...perhaps..I might avoid it then...I really want a fast and incredible chat client that works perfectly with my forum...I guess that would be less expensive than the whole second browser thing :(

[Feyd]

Hmmm, isn't this idea called Usenet? IRC? Chat? Newsgroups?...and people are overwhelmed with websites? holy rusted metal, batman!

[auXetiK]

you know something..the comments have indirectly helped me. Most of you tried to stiffle my idea whether it was warning me about the risk involved with political debate, or the audience issue with a separate browser, or that they're so many websites out there so don't bother......all stiffling words...and yet it reassures me that most people have given up...and don't really have the initiative to do something they want to do. Sorry to be so harsh, but you guys weren't sunshine either. There are tons of places to get coffee...yet starbucks shines........there are tons of chats and forums, but if there was one amazing one..wouldnt I know about it? (that was rhetorical..of course I would I am obsessed with politics and news).

Well thanks :)

[joh6nn]

we're not trying to stifle your political activism. we're trying to stop you from making bad usability decisions. why should you take the time to build your own browser, and own chat client? there are standard chat protocols, for which people can choose their own client, and login. just open a room one of these protocols. because if you force people to download 2 programs in order to get to your content, then people aren't going to get to your content. especially is they live in other countries.

again, it's not that we don't think you should go forward with the political aspect. it's a good idea. we're just trying to warn you, that if you don't take the appropriate measures, you're going to have the shirt sued off your back.

oh, and just so you know, it's really not a good idea to make blanket assumptions and statements about whether or not people have given up on their goals and iniatives, especially when dealing with a large group of people. it's a very good way to get the snot whomped out of you.

[whammy]

That's kinda funny, before john suggested IRC, the post of yours I read made me think of it.

Why not see what kind of response you get in an IRC channel as well?