Complementary currencies in Drupal is here to stay. It is still the only open source 'module' which manages mutual credit transactions. It now does all a community really needs, but it can never do all a community wants!
Alone I can no longer develop the software, set up a business, maintain existing users and support one intern. This post explains how much needs to be done, and how quickly it can be done, and with how little resources.
Must have features
- Cleave the module in two
- Separate out the transaction api from drupal and the form handling. Handle user ids, database access and other things drupal was doing (5 days)
- Document and package the new api and release for developers (3days) THEN
- SMS integration. (2 weeks)
- Many people want to transact through their mobile phones. It would also need to reply with the adjusted balance and notify the recipient. Careful work would be done on the syntax of the message and the parsing of it.
- Transactions between sites (1 week)
- Participating systems should be able to make payments between mutual credit systems. The tricky bit is that web servers must have a conversation.
- When CES system, a network of 150 exchanges based in South Africa, has implemented this API, they will be able to spread their 150 sites between web servers and trade interchangably with Drupal sites CES system, based in South Africa (2 weeks)
- A directory of schemes
- We have been asked by SEL groups accross Europe to make an online directory/map of SEL. no money has been offered.
- More features for offers and wants (1 week)
- Some communities want to put prices on their offers and wants. Some want stock control. Some want a button which converts the offer into a transaction.
- Demurrage & dependent transactions
- Make the necessary architectural and user interface enhancements for more complex transactions, which would also allow for tax/tithe mechanisms (1 week)
- We already have one contributed module to take a proportion of every member's balance every month. This needs to be made much more flexible. (1 week)
- Stats module with more blocks and a full stats page (1 week)
- Stats and visualisation make the system more fun and appealing. I have set the ball rolling with a single chart, but lots more could be done here.
- Gift Vouchers (2 days)
- A new type of transaction
Developing a salable product (and hence an income)
What I think we should be doing
Apart from the above, if there weren't so many demands, then I would be getting on with these items:I have identified three more capable people under 30 who would have a lot to contribute if their living expenses could be covered. We are moving to the developing world to make my money go further. They would be proud to participate and would cost less than 2000 Euros each for six months.
Do you know any possible sponsors for some of the above functionality?
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