A fansite project.

Introduction
Noticing the lack of fansites (one!) my fingers start to twitch, and ideas pop-up at random. I'd really like to start a serious fansite. Having lots of experience from creating websites throughout the years I really think that the result will be good, graphical-wise atleast. But graphics alone doesn't make a good website. Of course the basic idea and content always come first.

Pondering about what would be a good SL fansite wich could prove to be useful out-of-game is not that easy. Since the official site does a great job spreading all sorts of general information and tips, the need for a equivalent type of website is a waste of time.

Nope, the idea has to be more unique and be able to fill a need wich currently isn't provided for.

Idea
One idea wich is currently spinning in my head actively is creating a portal focusing on the commerce of SL. Where it is possible to advertise for and raise awareness of all the different kinds of stores in-world. There are many stores out there, flying around trying to find a certain product can be time-consuming. And some stores have the benefit of good land location, snatching most customers leaving less reachable stores in oblivion.

Vision
I envision a portal with user created ads and banners advertising locations and different products. Reviews of locations in game like bars, clubs, games and stores etc. In the end making it easier to navigate in-world and increase in-game visits.

A natural development would be to complement the webpage with a in-world tourist office or perhaps the other way around, the webpage
being a complement to the in-world office.

Feedback
As you might of noticed it is still just a rough outline. Thought I'd find out what kind of feedback I'd be getting from this. Feel free to comment anyway you wish, good or bad. Or perhaps not at all.

What is cool and I have always wanted is to somehow link the fansite with something inside SL whether it be a fansite HQ in world or some sort of statistics thing like a leader board that would be cool I have a little website skill so ask me if you need any extra helping hands

Yeah, that would be a powerful tool wich could really enhance a website. If it is possible to do, I have no idea.

Thanks for lending a hand. We'll see if this project takes off at all.

That sounds like a great fansite!

The commerce focus sounds like a great experiment, and something I would love to see.

Let us know how we can help.

that's a fantastic idea Mariko! Let me know when I can post some ads

Great minds think alike, eh? ;-)

I am currently working on plans for a newspaper and a weekly-updated "yellow pages." Both to be delivered in-world and supported by advertising.

I think we can reach a mutually beneficial balance between our two endeavors :-)

In fact, I'm glad you brought this up. I can reply to Mr Philip Linden that there IS something that that would make our jobs a great deal more elegant: the ability to create a hyperlink in-world - so that clicking the link in a note card, for instance, opens your web-browser and takes you to the story/information/ad page. This would be nicer than trying to establish a full-fledged newspaper or business directory inside note cards.

I like the idea of publishing on a web site (in fact I did the same thing you did when I was beta-testing TSO and couldn't get EA to add hyperlinks!) because it allows much more flexibility in presentation. However, I don't think folks think to purposely "leave" the game to spend special time to look at a feb site. And, as soon as the system is up 24/7 (+/-) then Folks will even come to THIS site less often. I know I will.

However, I THINK people would like the option of linking to outside information. what do you think?

Barring the ability to hyperlink, I suppose I'd like some heftier stylistic options inside the notecards - or, perhaps, another kind of container that is a bit more "word-processor"ish that the notecards.

And, of course, better Group management tools. :-)