Mattslist?

February 14, 2008 8:37 PM

How about a Craigslist-type subsite for MeFi members?

This would be a good way to post gatherings and events that don't fit the strict definition of "MeFi Gatherings." Plus, I've always wanted to be able to post classified ads aimed specifically at the MeFi populace. As an added bonus, it would be a cool place to post stories, jokes, rants, etc.

What do you guys think?

posted by Afroblanco to feature requests at 8:37 PM (16 comments total)

MetaChat is pretty good for the kind of informal conversation you mention.
posted by loiseau at 8:41 PM on February 14

Yeah, but MetaChat is it's own site with its own culture. Plus, I'm thinking specifically of the Craigslist format - classified ads and email (in this case MeFi mail). Possibly with commenting - or then again, maybe not.

Besides, what would make it *really* cool would be if you had to be logged in to MeFi in order to read it. Then I'd feel all k-rad and elite and stuff.
posted by Afroblanco at 8:46 PM on February 14

But wait -- where do stories and jokes and stuff come in to the Craigslist format? I think maybe I just don't getcha.
posted by loiseau at 8:51 PM on February 14

I'm in if there's a "missed connection" and a "casual encounters" section!
posted by MaryDellamorte at 8:56 PM on February 14 [1 favorite]

But wait -- where do stories and jokes and stuff come in to the Craigslist format? I think maybe I just don't getcha.

People post that stuff to Craigslist all the time. Don't they have a section specifically for rants and raves?

The idea is that the subsite would be sort of a catch-all for everything that doesn't really fit in to MeTa, but could potentially fit in to a classified ad format.
posted by Afroblanco at 9:00 PM on February 14

I want this, too. But I also want a pony and a winning ticket for the Mega Millions, so.... we'll see.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 9:04 PM on February 14 [1 favorite]

Don't they have a section specifically for rants and raves?

Yeah and 99% of the topics are covered in this best of craigslist post.
posted by MaryDellamorte at 9:16 PM on February 14

They already have a site like this. It's called "Craig's List."
posted by Dave Faris at 9:44 PM on February 14 [1 favorite]

You mean like a craigslist clone on metafilter? Because that sounds like a huge pain in the ass to moderate.
posted by puke & cry at 9:56 PM on February 14

You're in NYC right? Why not organise an email list.

What do you guys think?
I think you didn't look through the archives to see that variations on this thought have come up on numerous occasions. Mate, you can't just say "Matt build me some kind of pony because I think it might be good", you've got to both put a fairy compelling case for building a whole new sub-site and show a detailed drawing and explain how it will work.

And then gracefully accept the response of "No" when it inevitably arrives.
posted by peacay at 9:57 PM on February 14

There's a big huge world wide web out there. We post links to it every day. There's really no need to turn Metafilter into the end-all-be-all website. Besides, I don't want to buy your used toaster. You're better off selling it to the old lady down the street. Who you'd know by name if you could ever stop compulsively refreshing Metafilter.
posted by Dave Faris at 9:59 PM on February 14

Yeah, CL & MeFi are two useful sites that wouldn't go well together. That said, hit me up if you see my personal ad, Hey Ladies Out There, woot woot! _[singing] "I wish they all could be MetaFilter Girrrrrrrllls"

See? You don't want this.
posted by not_on_display at 10:21 PM on February 14

*puts on fedora, prepares to get sexxay*
posted by puke & cry at 10:25 PM on February 14

You can only wear a fedora if you promise to speak with a fake British accent.
posted by MaryDellamorte at 10:30 PM on February 14 [1 favorite]

No, I only have a fake mexican accent. Go with what you know n all.
posted by puke & cry at 10:36 PM on February 14

We've sort of talked about Mefi Classifieds and other craigslisty stuff before; main theme is that while some specific angles might make sense and get implemented (Jobs already, for example, and the possibility of a Events calendar in the future), generalized craigslist cloning probably isn't in the books. The motivation makes sense, but mefi and CL are two pretty different ideas and they do different things well and deal with fairly disjoint social and liability issues.

With Afroblanco's blessing, I'll go ahead and close this.
posted by cortex at 10:40 PM on February 14