Freebie Database

I had an idea...

What if we compiled a database of freebie items, and post the URL everyhwere in-world? We could give out a free sign that anybody could post in their lot.

People could then register the location, what kinds of items are being sold, and whether this is an "all freebie" lot or a "loss leader". (A lot of stores give out one or two free items as a way to attract customers).

Combined with a community review and flagging system, I'd think this could work well.

I'd be willing to donate some programming time and web space to the idea... my web site isn't doing much else at the moment, but I can't do it all by myself.

I think anything that makes residents more aware of what they could be getting for free before they're scammed into spending money on those same items somewhere else is great.

Good idea!

Good idea.

Awesome Idea!!!

But please don't count on me to do any of the work to implement it. I'm already WAY busy.

But good idea! Somebody should do that!

YES!

I like this idea.

coco

One could distribute the items through the slboutique.com site. That would both document their existence, provide a searchable database, and provide one method for people to get the items.

They are also on SLX. I don't think that is what they mean. If that's the case then why not just lookup the items on SLX or SLB before purchasing?

A website I think won't do it.

Our target audience will probably be a bit on the lazy side, or be fairly clueless, or be simply too busy exploring to look up stuff outside SL.

We need a strategy that can target the newbies and give them that information in a form they will want to read.

If we do find a way, it would be good to include TOS guidelines because maybe some of those who are griefing actually may not know it's against the community guidelines.

What if we ask the Lindens to open up a large freebie store near the welcome area and we can have information posted there?

I'd also favour other information too.

Generally, good ideas serve more purpose than the original thinker intended.



Losing 4 or 5 USD on some freebies is one thing; minor in the grand scheme.

But how about a simple note saying "No, SL is NOT all about gambling and sex!" I suspect it takes some new folks months to discover this.

Even after being in SL for several months, I even occasionally purchase an item that I later find out to be a freebie.

By all means, yes, do this.

Hmm... so we'd need something that could be done mostly in-world. (As an aside, we REALLY NEED an integrated SL web browser)

My thinking goes like this:

Create a vendor network: anybody could go to any FreeNet-certified vendor and get free copy of the FreeNet signpost (FreeNet is probably taken, so substitute whatever name for FreeNet). This would be a simple sign that says "FreeNet items offered here..." When you rez the sign on your land, it automatically logs an entry on the FreeNet web site.

Whenever a resident sees a "FreeNet" sign, they can click on it and the FreeNet web site will open up. It will contain a list of all the freenet locations, all with SL URL's. Each owner can edit their sign's description via a notecard, which will update the web site with that information.

So, as soon as someone discovers a freebie spot, they have close to instant access to all of the places in SL who host freebies.

Note that this is NOT a vendor system or an on-line shop, like SLExchange. This is more of a link exchange or web-ring style setup. You still have to visit individual locations to get the free stuff, but the web site localizes all this and gives you easy access to it all.


As part of the site, we could include things like:
info on Item re-use ethics
Content Creator's guide to licensing agreements
several direct-linkable license agreements. These could cover several contingincies. I am thinking of 5 license types:
1. Limited personal use: you have the right to use this item for your own needs, but you can't give it away. This allows people to use freebies as loss-leaders.
2. Free intact distribution: you can give this away, unmodified.
3. Modify and make free: you can make changes to this and give it away
4. Modify and sell: you can modify this and re-sell the modified version.
5. Do whatever you want. I don't care. It's free.

I'm sure that there are some creators who expect people to re-use scripts or objects and even sell items with those scripts. Others feel it's wrong to do so. By including a simple "use license" notecard in each item with a link to the FreeNet site, we could at least codify and standardize the practices.

I'm also all for expanding the idea and adding more info, but the basic idea is to make the web site itself as bandwidth-optimized as possible. Anybody who's paid to host web sites and had to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars in bandwidth-overage fees can appreciate that situation. (If I host the site, I'll probably reserve the right to use AdWords to help offset the hosting cost. I would expect anybody else who hosts to do the same. But giant or annoying banner ads, pop-ups, or the new in-browser animated ads that block content on the page would be a serious no-no.)

I know I could handle the basic site layout, scripting, and database design. But for this to work, we'd need a serious in-world PR effort. We'd need to set up sign posts at every location that gives away freebies. (I mean TRUE freebies: a new avatar should be able to walk in to your store and walk out with an armful of stuff for L$0).

Of course, a system like this begs the question: are "my store/shop/club t-shirts" truely free items? I would tend to say "If it's primarily an advertising medium, than no. But if it has value for the wearer, then it belongs in the FreeNet network".

http://www.slboutique.com/index.php?p=buy&price=1
(all items for L$1 or less)

There are 699 items currently available at the URL. Enjoy!

Regards,

-Flip

Good idea, though thats one heck of a list of names for free items. The furfree shelf kithylin gave me, that i added to now has like thousands of stuff. XD

Love the idea!!!

Hey!! You might want to hit up YadNi with this idea. His Junkyard would be a logical place to start. I've not seen a larger grouping of freebies in SL and he already has them sorted by type and date. He -may- also have a complete listing somewhere (though doubtful with how much he has).

The Junkyard also has good information sites for newbies. Should also link Landmarks to places like NCI, and the Shelter, maybe Ivory Tower and the Particle Labratory and like places as well.

I have a newbie info box I hand out for free already with as much info as I could collect (and as much as my lazy butt could put together *grins*). If you'd like a copy, send me an IM. Maybe something in ti will give you ideas.

Best of luck!!

~Jessy

It's great that free items are offered on SLB, but I had to remove all mine because SLB sends out an email with each purchase, and I was getting multiple-dozens of emails a day, every day, from people getting the free items.

If you can remove the email option from selling freebies there, or make it optional, I'd gladly add all my freebies to SLB.