[urchin]

I would like to see someone create a sort of "ghost" website for the main real estate advertising websites (realestate.com, allhomes.com.au in ACT etc). which links to the information on the main website but adds greater functionality--foremost among them being the ability to comment on the property advertisements. i imagine that this would open up all sorts of legal troubles, however. you could probably get around the copyright restrictions if you make it so that you don't carry any of actual information on your website (just have the original website pop up beside whatever listing you are viewing), but i guess it would be a bit risky in terms of people trying to hold the website owner responsible for the comments people post (esp. if they are seen as contributing to a sale falling through, etc.)

but seriously, some of the crap written in these online ads is so over-the-top the ability for people who live in the area to bring them back down to reality would be nice.

hop to it techies. base it in jamaica or something (where ever the now-indicted poker sites used) so you don't have to deal with lawsuits. and try to get it done by the end of the week, if you don't mind

[Peachy]

urchin, on 18 April 2011 - 02:58 AM, said:

I would like to see someone create a sort of "ghost" website for the main real estate advertising websites (realestate.com, allhomes.com.au in ACT etc). which links to the information on the main website but adds greater functionality--foremost among them being the ability to comment on the property advertisements. i imagine that this would open up all sorts of legal troubles, however. you could probably get around the copyright restrictions if you make it so that you don't carry any of actual information on your website (just have the original website pop up beside whatever listing you are viewing), but i guess it would be a bit risky in terms of people trying to hold the website owner responsible for the comments people post (esp. if they are seen as contributing to a sale falling through, etc.)

but seriously, some of the crap written in these online ads is so over-the-top the ability for people who live in the area to bring them back down to reality would be nice.

hop to it techies. base it in jamaica or something (where ever the now-indicted poker sites used) so you don't have to deal with lawsuits. and try to get it done by the end of the week, if you don't mind

OMG! I had been thinking exactly the same thing, but more for things like newspaper websites, so you can discuss stories even when they don't have commenting enabled. I'm not technically minded so don't know if this is practical, bit would certainly be great and would bring some accountability to the online world.

I think that it could be a huge moneyspinner too. Could we persuade the simplesustainable techheads to develop ifor aus real estate and then see it grow into a global monster like eBay (which apparently grew out of some sewing-circle pattern trading website)?

Would be neat.