Ideas needed on how best to seed a project in New Zealand [Share Your Desktop]

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Forums › Startups › Ideas needed on how best to seed a project in New Zealand [Share Your Desktop]

dmhillier

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#105839 12-Jul-2012 09:37

OK, let's try this again. My last post was deleted for the shameless plug it was!

I would really appreciate some suggestions on how to get an idea out across New Zealand through online channels? We're getting a little bit of traction through facebook and twitter but I feel like we need to seed it in some different groups to really get it going. The idea I'm trying to promote is Donate Your Desktop - or more specifically the competition we've just launched - but I'll leave it at that hoping that this post doesn't get deleted too!

I thought tech forums would be a good place to start because you know the users are going to be well-connected and tech-savvy - and that the prize would probably appeal to them more than most. I've posted on Biggie; just wondering if there are any other popular forums in NZ?

[Moderator edit (MF): since this thread started we confirmed the OP project so it's safe to post here: Donate your desktop]

freitasm

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#657567 18-Jul-2012 12:24

I think you will find those more tech savvy people will shy away from anything that can be installed and modify their computer's settings - a live desktop that pushes advertising daily in exchange for the chance of winning a laptop?

I understand the revenue generated from these ads go to charities, but people also seem to understand most "donations" end up on a 80/20 distribution (80% administration/20% actually finding its way to the people in need).

It's a tough one to break...

PS. And yes, I removed the previous post. Lucky you I didn't just outright ban the account ;)

Bee

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#657577 18-Jul-2012 12:30

Agreed. Anything that just sits on my desktop (or a toolbar of any kind) and doesnt actually help me do "work" is not going to get installed... Also, anything that looks like it could be a virus or malware also wont get installed...

Doing your best is much more important than being the best.

nate

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#657866 18-Jul-2012 17:30

I think a good driver here is going to be partnering with a well known brand, and a well loved charity - a ménage à trois of sorts.

The two biggest things you'll need to sort out for all three parties is:
1. What is it going to cost me?
2. What am I going to get out of it?

If you can make both propositions very attractive, it just becomes a task of knocking on doors until you find a combination that works.

Hope this helps.

freitasm

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#658004 18-Jul-2012 21:09

I will give you an example: I donate CPU cycles to online projects through BOINC. Currently SETI and a couple of medical research projects. I don't get any financial benefit but... I know the software and it's not sending me advertising.

dmhillier

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#658196 19-Jul-2012 09:31

Cheers for the interest guys!

In regards to the posts, in particular nate, we have partnered with Oxfam, Starship, WWF and NZ Breast Cancer Foundation - all very worthy charities I'm sure you'll agree. It costs you, the user, nothing, because the donations are made on your behalf from the fees we charge advertisers for distributing our services. And finally, the desktops are better considered as digital billboards rather than advertising. Most of our audience actually enjoy getting the new wallpaper every day. Check out some of the desktops here https://www.donateyourdesktop.co.nz/desktops.

I can see it's always going to be an uphill battle convincing techies that an application like this is secure, but we are a registered company in NZ with a growing profile, and we have the support of 4 trusted charities. We're not about to ruin a great venture by building a dodgy or malicious product.

Anyway, sorry about the hard sell, but I think you're judging it without actually having a decent look at the site. In the three months since launch, we've basically only had positive feedback, and been written up on some big international tech sites. And when it comes down to it, even if you object to the idea of people advertising on your computer, are you really that precious about your desktop background if you're generating money for a good cause?

freitasm

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#658199 19-Jul-2012 09:36

Can you change the charity any time? How much communications are involved (as in it contacts your server once a day only for checking what's new, or more than that, etc)?

I will probably give it a try to see how it works in one of my PCs.

freitasm

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#658201 19-Jul-2012 09:37

Also, most importantly, what percentage of the revenue goes to charities?

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

dmhillier

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#658202 19-Jul-2012 09:43

Yes, you can change your selected charity to one of the other 3 at any time in your account settings. There is very little communication involved from the app to the server - just the single check each day with the server for the latest wallpaper, and then receiving the bitmap file. If the app can't reach the server for any reason (no internet connection, server down etc), it's coded to check again at regular intervals. The rest of the time, it's basically asleep. There's a lot more technical information on our knowledge base, but i'm happy to answer any other questions.

I'd actually really appreciate your feedback. I trust our developer implicitly, but it's still always good to hear about any improvements that could be made :)

dmhillier

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#658205 19-Jul-2012 09:45

75% of the advertising revenue (not profit) collected goes directly to our charities - that's before expenses, interest, tax etc.

freitasm

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#658223 19-Jul-2012 10:09

Ok, so just that people reading this discussion can get a better idea, this is the link to the Donate your desktop project.

dclegg

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#658236 19-Jul-2012 10:36

I've been using the service since its launch on two of my machines. I can confirm that the ads are almost always pretty tasteful, and some actually could serve as pretty attractive desktop backgrounds, with only a subtle nod to indicate its actually advertising something.

dmhillier

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#658237 19-Jul-2012 10:36

Our promo video gives it to you in a nutshell: https://vimeo.com/41071578

GregV

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#658760 19-Jul-2012 23:07

How to make it only run on the account that installed it? It is starting every time anyone else logs into their account on the PC, which is not ideal. Doesn't appear to be any option to only install for the current user.

Peppery

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#663462 28-Jul-2012 23:30

I actually really like the idea and wish you all the best. Your website is attractive and some of the posted desktops don't look too bad.

However there are a couple of things:
- Your Mac OS X installer is really unattractive. Next to no information about what I'm installing (looks uncustomised and default). I understand it's just the installer, but compare your disk image to Dropbox:

- Why do I have to sign up to use your app? I'm weary of connecting things to my Facebook account - I don't like it when apps post to my wall/stream without my knowledge or consent and I really can't be bothered signing up for something else.

freitasm

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#731760 13-Dec-2012 08:23

freitasm: Ok, so just that people reading this discussion can get a better idea, this is the link to the Donate your desktop project.

Just saw that Donate your desktop has added more charities now:

For the first six months the startup had an exclusive agreement with Oxfam, WWF, Starship, and the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation as anchor charities. Now the Auckland City Mission, Coastguard New Zealand, Duffy Books, Make-a-wish NZ, Arthritis NZ, Diabetes NZ, Foundation for Youth Development, and Amnesty International have jumped on board.