Origin Story: The Roots of Sharenet
Here’s how we got to this point (and a little about where we’re going next).
How It Started
Since 2022, Sharenet has evolved through several versions, drawing inspiration from earlier models of open sharing.
One of our first partners was Sharebay, a global gifting network launched in 2017 with over 5,000 members. We also learned from groups like Housing That Works in Sydney and an international shared housing project.
Those early exchanges by email, group chat, and experiments set us on the path toward building a system for sharing resources.
Beyond a Feature List
Sharenet isn’t just a database of stuff. It’s designed to be:
- Open-source – anyone can fork or adapt it
- Modular – groups can host their own nodes
- Portable – users can take their data with them
- Private when needed – networks decide their own visibility
Each node can serve a different purpose: housing, tool libraries, community kitchens, or even democratic decision-making and political organizing.
What We’re Working On
Every exchange depends on clear communication. Information about dimension, condition, model number, or location is necessary to build community trust. That’s the categories, context, and classification discussion.
This is where we need your input:
Share your input →
What’s Next?
Right now, we’re prototyping local nodes before a wider launch. We’re looking for groups ready to test Sharenet in real-world use:
- Tool libraries
- Housing co-ops
- Sharing groups
- Community food networks (kitchens, gardens, free meals, food donations)
- Any group that organizes around shared resources
If that sounds like you, let’s connect. Together we can turn scattered survival networks into durable systems of solidarity.
Under the Hood
For those curious about the technical side, here are some of the foundations already in place:
- Continuous Integration (CI) pipeline set up for reliable deployments
- Permissions and authorizations framework in progress to make exchanges trustworthy
- Data portability tested so users can always leave with their information intact
- Prototype nodes being prepared for pilot groups