Here's a variation to consider--might be an easier way to start.
Have a form on the Devtome or related to the Devtome where people can submit what it is they most want to read. It could be a type of fiction story, an answer to a burning question, or anything, really, as long as the request is specific. For example, instead of saying: "I like to read fiction," they should say "I'd like to read a thriller in which a hostile government attempts to destroy a promising cryptocoin by adding a malicious bug to automatic software updates which systematically deletes people's wallets and a band of scrappy computer hacks saves the day." BTW, my "example" is referencing this thread (https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/how-governments-could-destroy-bitcoin-for-most-in-one-day-237284) in case anyone is curious as to how I came up with it
Submissions could be posted (following some screening process) and Devtome writers could choose to take on those subjects. Rather than having the one who submitted the request put up a bounty, just have those stories count double or something. So if I wrote a 30,000 word short novel covering the above topic, then rather than earning 30 shares I'd earn 60, just because I wrote something that someone else said they wanted to read. Any multiplier could work; I just use 2 as an example. I'd still earn 1 share for every thousand words I wrote that was just my own choice of content.
If there are enough people submitting requests, they could probably be categorized and aggregated and maybe increased rewards given for people writing content which has been requested multiple times.
Along with that, you would need a systematic way to keep track of people's emails (something you'd want to do anyway) and then sending them a message when their request has been fulfilled. Along with that, you could build in a small reward system for those users (not writers but people who request specific types of content to read) who then share the content written for them with their friends--maybe some small number of devcoins for each view a unique link to their requested article brings. Maybe the writer could also earn some portion of referrals as well?
I'm not a computer person, so I'm not sure how feasible the above idea is, nor how easy it would be to exploit. I'm assuming the computer people can figure that out and come up with appropriate countermeasures if this is something that should move forward. An obvious issue that comes to mind is that someone who submits a request for content cannot be the same person as the writer who fulfills the request. Also, submissions themselves would have to be vetted as being sent by real, unique people (no repeats).
From a writer perspective, a Devtome writer should be able to "reserve" a request and have a limited and reasonable time in which that writer has exclusive right to answer the request (although in the above example, there's probably no good reason there couldn't be five or ten thrillers written that fulfill it, and that would be fine as long as each writer was adequately compensated). I personally would want to avoid the scenario where I'm in competition with other writers to produce the "best" answer and it's a winner take all reward, which is why I suggest having a limited time where if you accept a request it's all yours. But if you sit on it beyond that time, then it goes back into the pool and another writer can snag it.
Anyway, some ideas to go along with your original idea. And I say, this is getting long enough that I should just turn it into a Devtome article If others add their thoughts, maybe I will put together an article that compiles them all or something (it can be difficult to keep information organized in these threads if they get long enough...).
Google has a cool feature which seems to use regular expressions, where you type into the bar and it automatically and instantly shows you results. I think that kind of search functionary would solve any problem with the interface, just ask your question.Have a form on the Devtome or related to the Devtome where people can submit what it is they most want to read. It could be a type of fiction story, an answer to a burning question, or anything, really, as long as the request is specific. For example, instead of saying: "I like to read fiction," they should say "I'd like to read a thriller in which a hostile government attempts to destroy a promising cryptocoin by adding a malicious bug to automatic software updates which systematically deletes people's wallets and a band of scrappy computer hacks saves the day." BTW, my "example" is referencing this thread (https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/how-governments-could-destroy-bitcoin-for-most-in-one-day-237284) in case anyone is curious as to how I came up with it
Submissions could be posted (following some screening process) and Devtome writers could choose to take on those subjects. Rather than having the one who submitted the request put up a bounty, just have those stories count double or something. So if I wrote a 30,000 word short novel covering the above topic, then rather than earning 30 shares I'd earn 60, just because I wrote something that someone else said they wanted to read. Any multiplier could work; I just use 2 as an example. I'd still earn 1 share for every thousand words I wrote that was just my own choice of content.
If there are enough people submitting requests, they could probably be categorized and aggregated and maybe increased rewards given for people writing content which has been requested multiple times.
Along with that, you would need a systematic way to keep track of people's emails (something you'd want to do anyway) and then sending them a message when their request has been fulfilled. Along with that, you could build in a small reward system for those users (not writers but people who request specific types of content to read) who then share the content written for them with their friends--maybe some small number of devcoins for each view a unique link to their requested article brings. Maybe the writer could also earn some portion of referrals as well?
I'm not a computer person, so I'm not sure how feasible the above idea is, nor how easy it would be to exploit. I'm assuming the computer people can figure that out and come up with appropriate countermeasures if this is something that should move forward. An obvious issue that comes to mind is that someone who submits a request for content cannot be the same person as the writer who fulfills the request. Also, submissions themselves would have to be vetted as being sent by real, unique people (no repeats).
From a writer perspective, a Devtome writer should be able to "reserve" a request and have a limited and reasonable time in which that writer has exclusive right to answer the request (although in the above example, there's probably no good reason there couldn't be five or ten thrillers written that fulfill it, and that would be fine as long as each writer was adequately compensated). I personally would want to avoid the scenario where I'm in competition with other writers to produce the "best" answer and it's a winner take all reward, which is why I suggest having a limited time where if you accept a request it's all yours. But if you sit on it beyond that time, then it goes back into the pool and another writer can snag it.
Anyway, some ideas to go along with your original idea. And I say, this is getting long enough that I should just turn it into a Devtome article
If others add their thoughts, maybe I will put together an article that compiles them all or something (it can be difficult to keep information organized in these threads if they get long enough...).Hashtags are nice too.
As far as competition goes, I think competition for the best solution produces the best solutions. So that would be a good thing for somethings. There could be other sites which aren't as competition focused but my site uses the survival of the fittest algorithm to make the best solutions rise to the top.
My idea is basically a knowledge distribution system where it taps into the brilliant minds of the Bitcoin community. Some of the smartest and most knowledgeable people on the planet are part of this community. Why not encourage knowledge sharing by economic incentive while also boosting the market cap for Devcoin, isn't that what Devcoin is all about?
