The Origami Forum

Hi

I have started a Yahoo Group for an exchange of origami skills.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/origami_exchange/

Basically it’s trying to cater to two types of people.

1) Those that have had the skill to doodle / create an origami model, but have neither the time, ability or resource to diagram it up and...

2) Those people who are altruistic enough to want to contribute to the greater good of the origami community by reverse folding and ultimately diagramming up a model that someone has had the skill to create

You can view the detailed mechanics of how it works by visiting the Group, but basically someone posts a photo of their creation from various angles to the Group and if it appeals to a diagrammer out there, an exchange of skills could take place, the result of which shouldl be put into the public realm for the benefit of fellow folders.

If you visit the group, you’ll probably notice I’ve uploaded a load of my undiagrammed models. This is not because I’m too lazy to do them myself (visit my website to discount that query), I’m just trying to get the ball rolling to show how I feel it could be operated. That said though, you’re more than welcome to diagram my models up. In fact, I’ve already had one very kind offer for one of my doodles (the Heart Coaster if you’re curious) and an exchange of skills is in the process of taking place right now. Maybe you might be lucky too!

I do hope you will give this Group a ‘look-over’ and embrace this exciting opportunity just before World Origami Day. I believe it will not only benefit the individual but also the origami community at large. You never know what discoveries await you from a hidden talent out there.

BTW, I’m open to suggestions as to how the Origami Exchange group could be improved upon.

Hope to see you over at my Yahoo Group.

Mike

Yahoo Origami Exchange group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/origami_exchange/

My website
http://www.geocities.com/mikebr2003/

PS. This idea could tie in very nicely with Anna’s Christmas Book idea
viewtopic.php?t=1831

PPS. I’m going to be posting this idea in other ori groups as well, so apologies in advance for the repetition if you’re a member of that group.

>BTW, I’m open to suggestions as to how the Origami Exchange group could >be improved upon.

I'd have an editable file where people can log their willingness to "do" a specific model - it would be a shame if 2 people tackled the same design, when there are so many others need attention!

Greta idea though - I wish you much success and will try and write about you in my last mag if there's space.

Hi Nick

Good idea. I'll look into setting one up and from there see how the group members use it.

Thankyou also for your kind offer to mention the idea in your mag (BOS one I assume). I do hope you may be able to find some space, but if not, never mind.

Mike

Looks like a good idea to me...

I just wanted to post an update on the Origami Skill Exchange initiative I started back in October 2006 - read the first post in this thread to find out what it's about. As of the middle of March 2007:

- there are 230 members
- 4 exchanges have occurred, ie. that means that someone has offered to diagram up somebody else's model, free of charge. These are the ones that have been publicly mentioned in the Exchange. There may be other exchanges that have occurred, but have not been announced
- there are 20 photos of models waiting to be diagrammed up
- roughly 20% of the group are diagrammers, 40% are model creators, the rest are just looking or curious

If you're interested in becoming a part of this initiative and thus benefitting origami as a whole, please pop over to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/origami_exchange/

Mike