Openbig.net Collaboration with HKTA


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Further to discussion between Openbig.net (Sanford Poon) and Hong Kong Toilet Association (Michael So, Loretta Lai and Henry Hung) on 26 Aug 2007. The ideas regarding collaboration can be summarized as the followings:

Contents

HKTA

  • Through cooperation with different parties improve hygiene standard of toilets in Hong Kong
  • Formed in 2005, the HKTA is composed of professionals of different fields, most of them having some relationship with toilet.
  • The website is not up to today's standard, and is lacking people with the skill and time to do a renovation.
  • Some ideas on the renovation of its website: easier update of current events, more community based architecture, perhaps a forum as well.
  • Organized a poll on the hygiene of public toilets on 2006, and had planned to do the same for arcade mall toilets summer of 2007, (partner with RTHK) but is forced to reschedule because of HKSAR 10th anniversary events.
  • Good media connections and public recognition.

168 Weedon Productions

  • The name, 168 Weedon is the address of the dorm room Sanford stayed in while in college. (uva)
  • Openbig.net is one of the projects hosted on the server owned by Sanford, a list of projects can be found on 168 Weedon Productions page.
  • Openbig.net and 168 Weedon Productions aims to explore commercial opportunities of the various ideas presented to them.
  • Openbig.net and 168 Weedon Productions believes that by pursuing a more interactive and community based internet architecture (e.g. present the wiki format to the general public) it will be able to transform the current forum based (Web 1.5) Hong Kong internet community closer towards Web 2.0 and beyond. By using the wiki format the idea of programming the community to solve problems can also be experimented.
  • 168 Weedon Productions currently do not have a business registration for doing business in HK. Obtaining a BR requires HK$2600 / year. The sum is refundable if estimated sales (or sales for past 6 months) does not exceed $10000 monthly. [1]
  • 168 Weedon Productions server (ginza) is currently lacking a proper off-server backup mechanism (~$8000 + $100/mo.) and a monthly subscription of an oversea dedicated line (~$1000/mo.) to exploit the full potential.
  • Experienced in computer systems, 168 Weedon Productions can offer consultant service for web architecture and IT strategies. Web hosting, website infrastructure setup, server administration services can also be provided.
  • Proficient in programming but lacks web design artworks talent.

Openbig.net

  • Openbig.net is a personal project started by Sanford, utilizing open source technology (CentOS, php, MySQL, MediaWiki) with heavy customizations to suit the theme of of website.
  • Due to the difficulties of starting up a wiki, the development of the global Openbig.net (apart from Openbig.net Hong Kong) will be franchise based. As a free service provided by 168 Weedon Productions, interested parties can license a separate Openbig.net database for the city.
  • A mobile version is inevitable. Luckily MediaWiki provides a mobile version css by default, but some further customization will be needed. Currently we do not have the necessarily devices for prototyping and development.
  • Openbig Hong Kong currently hosts a database for all public toilets managed by FEHD and offers a rating and reviewing platform for visitors.
  • The name, Openbig, is a parody on the dining information website, Openrice, but it also has the meaning of open-source in it.
  • The copyright of information presented in the website remains an annoying ambiguity. It is not clear whether the free content license (GFDL or equiv) are applicable under Hong Kong Laws. A proper free content license will need to be chosen, preferably with the help of a legal consultant.
  • The operating cost of running Openbig.net is basically zero, but ads are put on the website as an attempt to recover the cost and the monthly operating expenses of the server.
  • Low in popularity because of the lack of promotion schemes.
  • Difficulty in obtaining arcade mall toilet information because of the lack of public recognition.

Possible Collaborations

  1. Two-way Hyperlink
    not a preferred way of collaboration, nothing will come out of two sites with the same low popularity.
  2. Total Buyout
    HKTA can choose to buy Openbig.net or only Openbig.net Hong Kong with a reasonable price. Pro: No ownership ambiguity. Con: pricing is an issue. Openbig.net currently does not have much business value from the technical standpoint. All it promises is the idea.
  3. HKTA Announcement
    HKTA can do a public media announcement of the Openbig.net project, but not affiliate itself with it.
  4. Sub-project
    Openbig.net is transferred to HKTA as a (franchise based) sub-project. While HKTA actively maintains the data of the website, 168 Weedon Productions offers assistance in infrastructure, and probably also on the HKTA website.
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