Innovation Incubator

...a credit card application. Ooops, wrong envelope. Oh, here it is: My top five ideas for incubating on over the summer.

1. Hyperlocal wiki/news site with a Google map interface - This one has long been my favorite, so it goes on top.
2. Local consumer protection/activism site that includes a Google maps interface - I include both Nate's idea bout offending businesses and my landlord idea in this one. I think the best route to go would be to choose one or two business categories to start with and build from there.
3. Cheap health service database with a Google Maps interface - Tam mentioned that some super valuable information that could be included would be who accepts state health insurance. For awhile, her daughter was on the State of Kansas' free/reduced cost health insurance for kids, but she had a hell of a time finding places that would actually accept it.
4. Lifestyles of the Rich and Elected - Database showcasing how elected officials (and some non-elected policy makers) live.
5. Public database of government contracts that includes a Google Maps interface.

I had several ideas competing for the last two spots in my list. I settled on those because it puts difficult to find information into public hands easily.

This was a tough choice, seeing as how I like the potential of several ideas. That said, here are the five that I, as of now, see as the best.

1. Hyperlocal wiki with Google map interface. I've also liked this idea since I heard of it, and think it's feasible, intuitive, and obvious. This could also possibly incorporate Sam's idea of using zip codes as an aggregate, which also would make it strikingly similar to one of the K-State ideas.

2. Nate's idea(s) concerning an aggregate of blogs and/or wikis based on content or topics. While we may whittle it down to focus on one particular area such as activist groups or political leanings, just the basic concept of this idea has a lot of potential.

3. I also like the Open Letter resource, combined with a topic aggregate to allow people to quickly identify the issue they're concerned about, the politician/leader they need to contact, and the resources to do it quickly and efficiently.

4. A news application for Facebook. This one seems so obvious, it's hard to believe it doesn't yet exist. An application that allows users to customize news feeds on their profiles that provide stories on certain topics or from certain geographies feels like a gimme.

5. Courtney's Follow the Money programs. I feel this is a good aggregate of available databases that simply makes connections that illuminates certain truths about the world we live in. Simple idea with great potential.

Several other ideas were also very good, but were left out because they were either unfeasible or would make better features or add-ons. Also, I'm still very open to other's Top Fives, and am by no means adamant on the five shown above. Tomorrow should be an interesting discussion.

Ahoy. Here's what I got for a top five.

1) Community wiki over Google Map interface.. duh! Chris, I dig the zip code idea implemented on top of this one. This might be a stretch, but I also really like Chris' idea of video kiosks renting out cheap cameras. If community members are adding onto this page, why not give them some video power as well?
2) Blogger credentials. I really like this idea because there are so many people hesitant to read blogs for news.. this would give a little bit of credibility to the author and also ensure they were using whatever methods they want for reporting and blogging.
3) Health service database over a Google Map. Health care is a huge issue, it would be beneficial to show people where they can go for cheap care. A review system would be a nice facet. And why not add Chris' aspect of communicating with doctors in case you can't come in to the clinic at all?
4) Open Letter Facebook App. This is the most direct way to have community members getting involved in politics, and more effective than just a good way of showing politics in news form. Handy Dandy.
5) I'm just going to throw this out there - MadLibs for (citizen) journalist. I don't see this as impossible for us to do. The hardest part would be building the database so the program can recognize the subject in the story, its verb and the outcome. Maybe we can build it on a dictionary? With a database and a program able to recognize it, it could be a useful tool for just about anybody who has info for a simple story. Think of the possibilities!

Ok that is all. See you this morning. Blewis out.

Here are my "five." I'll explain when we get to class...

1.Hyperlocal wiki - A wiki/news site focused on a small area run by a news organization with both user and professional content.
2.Open Letter Facebook app.
3.Facebook news app, which looks like:
4.Community wiki over a Google Map platform IN FACEBOOK
          4a.A Facebook application that incorporates a "news" section into a profile, allowing Facebook users to get news on certain topics or from certain geographies while browsing their profiles.
          4b.A Facebook app that allows users to post information about local bars on their profiles, including the ability to rate drink specials, bartender efficiency, how crowded the bar was, the guy/girl ratio, etc. I feel this is a very, very important issue.
          4c.Lifestyles of the Rich and Elected
          4d.Mad libs for the citizen journalist
          4e.News background site for those hesitant to jump in
          4f.CopWatch
          4g.showing offending businesses.
          4h.Stumble Community
          4i.Category-driven news aggregate
          4j.Survivors Speak
          4k.Facebook rental/apartment guide // Facebook real estate

I'm almost late for our meeting this morning, so I'll keep these brief:

(In no particular order)

1. Open letter application.
2. Tocqueville blog model.
3. Business monitor over Google map.
4. Cheap health care information aggregator over Google map.
5. Hyperlocal wiki over Google map.

Ah, fuck it, let's throw the other two over Google maps just for the hell of it. Apparently, it's the thing to do these days.