Under The Sun

Back in October 2005 I wrote:

So many web services use free software, yet the services themselves, their organization and management, are closed. When will we see a web service that is literally owned by its users, like a cooperative? Or is one already flourishing somewhere?

As a capitalist, I can go buy shares of Yahoo! or Google and feel confident their management is working for me. But as a user, I can’t be as certain. Management will serve me, the user, to the extent that it also serves their shareholders. Yes, they’re doing a good job serving users today. But will they do a good job for the next 20 years? How many times must I switch services during my lifetime?

It just seems to me that as these services integrate more closely into our lives, the need for a stronger social contract increases. This isn’t just about privacy, but also reliability and community. It would feel good to know that the service’s management is working harder for the user than the shareholder (crazy!). In a cooperative, the user is the shareholder, so no worries.

Recently this idea returned to me, so I started to ask my friends: would you use a web service co-op? The usual reply is: what are you talking about?

Imagine Gmail, except operated by a transparent organization owned by its users. Its mission, terms of service, privacy policy and features would all be written by its users to serve its users.

Now build on this idea by adding your favorite features from Yahoo!, Google, MSN, MySpace, etc. As a member of the co-op, you would help shape it. Over time it would become a full-featured web service/community where people have faith in their organization and trust in its members.

Did I mention membership fees? (Music stops.) Instead of showing ads, an annual fee would be charged. Maybe other ways could be used to raise funds, too, such as sponsorships.

So, what do you think? The Web’s missing link? Web 2.0 utopian drivel? Let me know. I plan to use this blog for airing ideas and information on the topic.