The Mesh - Lisa Gansky [71]
Have you ever seen a nifty thingamajig and wondered how to make it? Instructables might have the answer. It’s a Web-based documentation platform where people share what they do and how they do it. For example, one member gives instructions for making a yummy fire-breathing dragon cake using yellow frosting, fruit gems, chocolate covered graham crackers, Fruit Roll-Ups, two nine-inch cakes, and wooden skewers. An Instructables membership will allow you to publish your own instructable (a step-by-step description of something you want to share), vote in contests, keep a member profile, and participate in community forums. Another key benefit of membership is the ability to leave comments on other instructables. It’s a great way to ask questions, give praise, or offer improvements to other members of the DIY community.
Bay Area Guitar Swap (BAGS): Sell or trade guitar-related equipment.
http://bayareaguitarswap.yuku.com
Crash Space: Community of hackers, artists, makers, and programmers who make things and share space, equipment, and ideas.
http://www.crashspace.org
Goozex: Trading community for video games and movies.
http://www.goozex.com
Grafham Water Sailing Club: Member-based sailing club in Cambridgeshire, England.
http://www.grafham.org
Instructables: Web-based documentation platform where people share what they make and how they do it.
http://www.instructables.com
Minkha: Cooperative knitting group.
http://www.minkhasweaters.com
ModernReefKeeper: International coral swap community.
http://www.modernreefkeeper.com
OpenRoadJourney: Community of motorcycle enthusiasts.
http://www.openroadjourney.com
The GreenLeaf Miniature Community: Online social network platform for miniature and dollhouse enthusiasts.
http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/index .php?showforum=39
The Recycled Cowboy Store: Barter store for new and recycled western attire in Ladson, South Carolina.
http://www.recycledcowboy.com
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Imagine gaining access to a community toolshed. The need for owning cumbersome or seldom-used tools would disappear, and you would no longer face the burden of maintenance and storage. What’s more, the act of sharing would help reduce consumption of raw materials. Mesh organizations in this category aim to make access to landscaping and home repair tools superior to ownership by creating viable share platforms. A “tool library,” for instance, lends tools to community members and gives them the advice they need to complete home improvement projects. Membership is generally free, although a small annual dues may be charged. Other Mesh businesses in this category use online platforms to enable tool sharing and swaps among neighbors.
In 2004, four Portland residents founded the North Portland Tool Library (NPTL), a community resource that gives residents access to tools and the know-how required to use them. Its current inventory of five hundred tools includes hammers, saws, ladders, sanders, drills, tampers, tillers, and more. Among the primary goals of the NPTL is to help reduce the cost of maintaining and improving the places community members use to live, work, and play. To that end, the NPTL offers free membership and sponsors free, hands-on workshops to help community members learn to use tools more effectively.
Friends of the Earth: Share tools and DIY equipment with neighbors, friends, or family.
http://www.foe.co.uk/living/tips/swap_tools.html
HomeRefurbers: Trade platform for home improvement supplies.
http://homerefurbers.com/forums/10
North Portland Tool Library (NPTL): Loans tools to community members for free.
http://northportlandtoollibrary.org
Rebuilding Together Central Ohio Tool Library: Tool library in Columbus, Ohio.
http://www.rtcentralohio.org/toollibrary.htm
Santa Rosa Tool Library: Offers tools for home repair, landscaping, and automotive work for free.
http://borrowtools.org
ToolSwap—USA: Hosts events in