I posted the following ad on Craigslist.  It’s an experiment in looking for customers with good ideas.  It will potentially help me find a good customer — and (hopefully) for them find a good developer.  Without the big upfront commitment.

But it’s also an excuse for me to learn the Google platform.  I could make my own small project, but I don’t have the discipline to limit the scope and delivery of my own projects — and even if I do, I don’t know if anyone will want them.  This is a way to find out what someone really wants.

I’m a freelance software developer specializing in custom development for small businesses.

I’m looking for a new project using Google Wave, Google Docs, and Google App Engine. If you own a small business and have an itch that needs scratching, I’m willing to do the work for free. That’s right. Free software development.

Here’s the catch:

I’ve never used these tools. I want to find a real project to work on that I can use to learn them. So it might take a while. I might make mistakes. I don’t make any guarantees. And the project has to interest me.

What do you have to lose?

Nothing. Maybe a little of your time from collaboration.

What do you have to gain?

A working application that solves a real problem your business has. Productivity gains, more customers, and (I like to think) most valuable of all — a working relationship with a software professional, the quality of whose work you know.

How does it work?

Submit a project proposal to me by email or via my website at http://broadreachsales.com/googleproject
I’ll select one project to work on for FREE from any proposals.

Criteria for selection

I reserve the right to select whatever project I want for whichever reasons I choose. But here are some criteria I’m looking for:

• A good use of Google Wave, Google Docs, or Google App Engine. I’m looking for something that uses these tools to their best extent. If it’s a better fit for a typical web application, or if it needs a standard content management system or shopping cart, I’m probably not interested. I’ll make exceptions for creative integration with other applications.
• A real business use. Not some speculative idea. I’m not looking to build a product for startups. I’m looking for an itch that needs scratched for a proven business.
• A limited scope project. I’m targeting about 1-2 months of work, but plan for something you think could be developed in 1-2 weeks. Not only am I learning a new platform (which could slow me down considerably) but the nature of collaboration is that it always takes longer than you think, especially communicating your ideas and feedback. We can work together on limiting scope for the right larger project.