An (almost) serverless architecture

[Ben Allfree]

I was thinking about this last night...

If we built a Chrome plugin and enough people ran it, we could use everyone's systems to offload the crawling aspect. Everyone's computer would become part of the machine that crawls for content. This would push a lot of the processing and fetching onto user computers, but it would really reduce the server requirements.

People who chose to donate their computing resources could get a free subscription or something like that.

I think it would be transparent to anyone who is already using Chrome all day long.

b

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BensGigs.com

skype: benallfree

[Rodney Saenz]

Count me in.

I'd even be happy with an account limited in some way for participating in the data processing (with an option to upgrade to "paid" once you have an alternative to Paypal).

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[Shannon Warren]

I think that would also reduce chances for IP blocks if more sites were added to parse from. 

This idea appeals to me. 

On Tue, Mar 20, 2012 at 9:35 AM, Ben Allfree <b...@bensgigs.com> wrote:

[Ben Allfree]

That's my main thought too. IP blocking would be a thing of the past.

jQuery/javascript + chrome is also the ultimate XML/HTML parsing combo. I already have a Chrome tool in beta that generates custom resumes based on page content and kicks off a gmail window.

b

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BensGigs.com

skype: benallfree

[Jason Thompson]

So basically you're thinking something like SETI@home?

-Jason C. Thompson
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[Ben Allfree]

Yeah, something to offload the aggregating/parsing.

b

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BensGigs.com

skype: benallfree

[Jason Thompson]

So then there's options. 

Create a free "demo' version for new users where their results are throttled and they get a note that says "you could've read [X] more leads if you were a member", or have some sort of program where if they don't/can't pay, they can run and install a screensaver that parses leads for the entire system. Then accounts would have a "number of leads processed" tracker much like those torrent sites *cough*i hear about*cough*.

Basically stealing from the Play4Free business model where you get a general sense of the system for free, but you don't get access to the cool stuff unless you pay for each thing you want. 

I'm not too sure how that would translate to the site, but I'm a concept guy, I don't know how the rest of the process works. I think it involves dancing under a full moon.

-Jason C. Thompson
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[Shannon Warren]

I did hear that Ben was a excellent dancer!

[Ben Allfree]

I like the idea of a Chrome plugin because it gives us a standard platform. If it were truly a screen saver that would need to be a custom app for each platform. A lot more work and maintenance. 

b

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BensGigs.com

skype: benallfree

[Carlita]

I want to help, but i dont have 20 right now, how about a option just to donate whatever amount you have?

[Ben Allfree]

Thanks Carlita.

I have ongoing costs, so I'm looking for ongoing support in the form of a subscription. Would you be interested in a lower level of subscription, maybe $5 or $10 monthly?

b

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BensGigs.com

skype: benallfree

[Carlita]

yes $10 a month

[Ben Allfree]

Ok, here it is, the Ben's Gigs Gold membership:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=925MM9D9ABWGU

Membership levels are yet undefined. However, I'll make sure that everyone gets a lifetime membership at whatever level they choose! :)

b

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BensGigs.com

skype: benallfree

[Robert Tracy]

The Chrome thing... as that is already my favorite browser of choice, is really appealing.

As I just got back from Wondercon (as an exhibitor) where I threw scads of cash into the black hole that is my webcomics business I'm a little broke right now but if you can limp along until the 1st of the month I'll get in on this subscription thing.

I also thought I would mention that advertising might be of interest. I know a lot of people don't like it but it does help pay the bills. Even an ad on your front page if enough of us are logging in every day could bring you enough to help defray costs.

I'm very familiar with Project Wonderful:

http://www.projectwonderful.com/

So I can explain how it works if you need a hand but I'm sure Google Ads would work too. I'm sure Monster et al would love to advertise at Ben's Gigs.

Rob

Rob Tracy
Remedial Comics
http://www.remedialcomics.com/
http://www.webcomicscommunity.com/

http://www.wix.com/rob77/robertctracy

[Jason Thompson]

Robert, I'm also interested in hearing what you have to say about google ads. I've got 100$ worth of credit with them burning a hole in my pocket and I'd like to utilize it as efficiently as possible.

Could you share it on the site's forum or news group so I can reference what you have to say later?

-Jason C. Thompson
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