Posted by Sir Four at 2:00pm Aug 5 '09My perfect internet would offer this functionality: a small button on your browser that lets you give a micro-tip to whomever was responsible for the page you are currently viewing. You would periodically fill some sort of account with 10 bucks, 20 bucks, whatever. Your tips would debit from this account.
So you read an informative article, click a button to tip two cents. A cartoon that made you laugh? Three cents. Or whatever you feel like giving. Of course, this would involve also having an internet culture where tipping is considered the norm.
What would be gained by this? Well of course, web sites would no longer depend on sticking ads all over the place. They could afford to operate and cover their costs through the support of the people directly. More than that, though, micro-tips would help build the relationship between site operator and those who view it. Right now there isn't much you can do to give back to the people who run many of the sites you visit. Maybe your favorite internet cartoonist raises money selling t-shirts. But what if you don't want a t-shirt? What if you don't want to buy something or click any ads, or any of this stuff where middle men take a chunk of the money anyway? Just click a button and merrily give little tips here and there. Would be neat.
So you read an informative article, click a button to tip two cents. A cartoon that made you laugh? Three cents. Or whatever you feel like giving. Of course, this would involve also having an internet culture where tipping is considered the norm.
What would be gained by this? Well of course, web sites would no longer depend on sticking ads all over the place. They could afford to operate and cover their costs through the support of the people directly. More than that, though, micro-tips would help build the relationship between site operator and those who view it. Right now there isn't much you can do to give back to the people who run many of the sites you visit. Maybe your favorite internet cartoonist raises money selling t-shirts. But what if you don't want a t-shirt? What if you don't want to buy something or click any ads, or any of this stuff where middle men take a chunk of the money anyway? Just click a button and merrily give little tips here and there. Would be neat.
I wish the web had some sort of tipping system - Sir Four