Help make a new website what you want to see

[Select Gex]

I think my blog explains it best, so I will quote it here. It is originally posted at blog.matthewkammerer.com

Doing it for the right reason, and giving back..

Last night a friend of mine gave me an amazing complement. She said “You have already done so much for the [reptile] community at your age†and she went on to say “I wish I had such direction in my life at your age.†Now, I thought at 19 I would stop getting these complements but I really do enjoy them. She was referring to my most recent project, www.ReptileNetwork.net. I have never felt that my websites I have created, be it reptile related or not, have really given much back. I am an entrepreneur and I am not sure if my goals have been set right. I always look for ideas that will be popular and possibly profitable. This opens a new door for me though, what if giving back makes things better for people in general? I feel like this would be better for myself, and the visitor. It could quite possibly end up being more successful than I had originally hoped for as well. In writting this I feel like it would be a good idea to open up to other people’s ideas, asking what they would like to see added to their community. I originally started with the phrase “It’s your community, make it what you want.†I feel like going back to the roots of things, and keeping this as my most important idea.

Reptile Network is not complete yet, but so far I am offering the following:

Reptile Link Directory. This will compose a list of links of breeders, suppliers, topsites, and more. A link in return will be required, to help build the website. For $1 a month you can have the option of not linking in return, I think that is fair. For $4 a month you can show up at the top of the list of your choice

Reptile Network Topsites. This is like the other topsites I run, just for ALL reptiles not just geckos, or so on. New buttons still on their way, I am not sure if I will allow full size banners or not.

Reptile Chat room. This chat room is a special java applet. It connects to IRC so that if any of you would enjoy being on chat more often you can by downloading an IRC client like mIRC to help you stay better connected, and in a more friendly manner than a web page. I would like to offer anyone who would like it a place to come talk about reptiles!

Interviews. This most recent idea has gotten me excited! I have asked a few friends to help me out, but I want to interview key breeders in the reptile world and ask them real life questions... no more, what do you breed? Okay, thanks bye. I want to know how hard it was to be successful, the hardest time in your hobby, and how we could possibly go about making a living doing this.


So my request to you, if you've read this far, is what would you like to see next? I have already invested a lot of time and money in the website so far so features you suggest may come later, but if they are a good idea they are sure to come!

Thanks for reading! I look forward to your responses.

Matthew Kammerer

 

[Select Gex]

So no one has any suggestions or comments?

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Matthew, it look like it's going to be an exciting new online resource and community! I'm sure you will be making changes and improvements as you find them when the site goes 'live'. Count me in for supporting the site and a link-back!

 

[yellermelon]

Yeah man, that sounds cool. Ill help you out however I can

 

[Wetpiggirl]

I like cheese....





But on a more serious note. It sounds like a great community starter! Count me in for a link back. I might be able to help you out with content and such. If you need some wicked art, hit up Zbiz. The guy is amazing!

~PiG