Discuss:

(This *could* be a messageboard, but boards tend to get conversational.. This is a place to ask and answer questions but to also have a resource that stays relevant, rather than a snapshot of a conversation.)

I'll start - because we all come to this group with different experiences and different personal objectives, but we all presumably come to this group with the goal of strengthening our community by working together.  So here are my questions for you:

• Why are you here?  What do you hope to gain?  What do you want to contribute?
• What challenges are you trying to solve with technology (and specifically, Web2.0 as a business tool?)
• What challenges have you already met that you would like to share with the community?

Dave Ungar:  I am looking for people in IT to collaborate with to develop tools and practices that simplify and streamline all kinds of business activities.  Tools may be technology or methodology.  I was an early adopter of social tools within business, and I have experience developing virtual communities as a product.    I continue to look for ways to improve communication, and I am also looking for partners to develop a (specific) web application that uses network effect of user-contributed content to drive revenue.  (Shameless plug.)

Keith Tatum:  I’m here because I have been looking for the movers and shakers of the Columbus technology front.  It’s not always easy to find people who are looking to make big things happen.  I also believe our city is packed with every bit as much talent and expertise as Manhattan, San Francisco, Atlanta, Boston, and Chicago and folks are looking to spark off of each other.

I’ve had great success helping others flush out their strategies, visualize them so they can be shared, and bring them to life with prototypes.  This is what I’d like to contribute to the community if there is an opportunity.

The major challenge that I’ve found within our city is that user experience-focused groups are spread out in small pockets across corporations, agencies and consulting firms.  My desire is for there to be a stronger, united presence of this skill set to address the needs of businesses looking to take Web-based products and services to market or improve the ones they already have.

Doug Hazelman: I'm here because I want to get more involved with the Columbus tech community.  Having lived here for 12 years and being involved in tech for most of them I don't feel I've contributed enough. Thanks to social network tools like Twitter I've now been exposed to some great people here in Columbus involved in the tech community, it's so nice to find a place to collaborate.

One of the challenges I see for Columbus becoming a tech hub is our lack of transportation options.  Since we're not a hub for any major airline we're not exactly "on the map" for most people outside of our little world.  I do find it interesting that once people do make it to Columbus they're pleasantly surprised at our size, community and diversity, we just need to get them here.

Jody Dzuranin - I am glad there is a job listing site on the techlife wiki, what about creating an "I'm Looking" or "I'm Available" page.  As we foster the jobs of the new economy in Ohio, we will be creating opportunities that may not currently have a job recquisition in place.   I think an inventory of Central Ohio talent could help create a clearer picture.  I am picturing a one-liner list like the Members page so it is not bogged down in detail, but links to linkedin or other. 

"I'm Looking" or "I'm Available" (order by date added or alphabetic?)

12/10/09: Jody Dzuranin interested in collaborating on Healthcare Modernization (health-focused social media, digital medical records and physical activity initiatives) 

update: I found the page called individuals for hire.  I added it to the side bar and created a TechLife Talent section