Queer Groupware

Groupware refers to related, integrated technology used in tandem for a specific purpose. Yahoo groups is currently used by a lot of queer groups: and combines email lists, file uploads and a shared calendar. Other groups use social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace to publicize their group

We aim to make websites as easy to design and maintain as they are on Facebook and Myspace - except without the corporate advertising and inflexible interface. We want small groups to be able to set up a viable web presence in minutes, with a simple URL and a central directory. This will also allow us to aggregate news, blogs, calendars and files, and make a one stop shop to find out about queer activities in any given area.

Social networking

Existing social network sites are the flagship applications in the web 2.0 world, but they are not without issues. Privacy is a big issue to many. Also, the hetronormative profile options discriminate against people of non-standard gender and sexual identity. "Alternative adult" dating sites are expensive and corporate owned. We aim to make a social networking site with many, fluid options for identity and dating, with no advertising and the non-commercial promise of privacy.

File archive

We wish to host a wide variety of media. A lot of bands currently use Myspace for their band hosting - we aim to provide a queer alternative for this kind of media. We aim to make a video archive or queer films and shorts, and actively seek creative commons licenses for existing films from queer directors. We want to make an international, DIY film archive!

Email hosting

We will provide your own @queer.net webmail/popmail accounts, as well as free email lists for your project.

Blog hosting

Existing blog sites are generally unlinked, and sites like LiveJournal? can be too broad to find intriguing blogs. We invite all queers to set up an @queer.net blog, with central aggregation and tagging. While not a replacement for paper zines, online personal blogs will give much greater access to the lives and opinions of queers across the world.

Collaborative editing

There is a huge lack of free or open licensed queer information. We aim to set up a forum where authors and editors can write collaborative online and paper publications. We wish to make free information on queer gender and sexuality available on the internet, as a resource for interested individuals, governments and NGOs.

RSS and link aggregation

RSS is an emerging, but underused web technology. We will use it to aggregate news, articles and essays from all across the internet, tagged with keywords for easy retrieval. Our own RSS feeds will be published; allowing users to completely customize how they wish to receive their queer news.

Tech suport

As well as our own site, we aim to provide support and advice for queers making websites. This will be both in the form of electronic HOWTOs, and the option of face-to-face, irc-based or VOIP tuition. We may also run workshops and seminars from time to time, to enable queers of all ages t use emergent technologies.

Worker's coop

In the long run, we aim to create a mobilized queer website workforce that can work together as a co-op. This will both enable web developers, illustrators and graphic designers the ability to earn a living in an ethical, flexible, caring way, and allow us to provide sensibly priced, friendly web services for not-for-profits, charities and friendly organizations.