weatherproof bike

hi! my name is jill nerkowski. Ive just invented a weatherproof canopy, and am trying to sell design plans to build your own on your own bike at your own home. please see my website at jillnerkowski.weebly.com
I just joined chain link and love it because the weather matches what I tried to cover and ride in here. its a tuff life riding in the snow and rain. I dreamed for years of a greenhouse surrounding me while I rode ,and finally this year after building a frame for a motorcycle like windshield with a canopy.
I see alot of posts other websites of rainriding, and suggestion for things like plastic bags and elastics for the feet, and and expensive rain gear, and wool sweaters, and these are all good and fine, but wont somone please try my rain canopy?
a good incentive, when I tested it with ordianary plastic dotn nkwo how vinly comapres, the inside canopy reaches temperatures from 4 to 15 degrees warmer temperatures than the outside of the canopy, and even can be 4.
I would like to hear peoples opinions and comments about this rain canopy of mine, and another incentive, to anyone who mentions theyre from chain link, I will reduce the price to 10.00 for each design plan ordered, plus shipping.

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Permalink Reply by root on February 23, 2009 at 9:17am

i think it would be a gread chainlink thread to buy this thing, build it, and then document it's decent into failure

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Permalink Reply by root on February 23, 2009 at 10:42am

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Permalink Reply by Gecko on February 23, 2009 at 11:00am

6 things to consider:

1. Spelling.
2. Grammar.
3. Website design.
4. Technical drawings.
5. Photos/videos of your product in action.
6. Testimonials from satisfied customers.

All of these things NEED to be improved before the majority of people are going to take you seriously, much less buy your product.

Just my two cents...

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Permalink Reply by Jon on February 23, 2009 at 11:23am

I'm not sure how riding in Connecticut is, but I could not see that being viable on the lake shore, or for riding in the space traffic gives us. I like the spirit of the entrepreneur, though.

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Permalink Reply by Chuck a Muck on February 23, 2009 at 5:23pm

I guess if I want to ride in an inclosed structure I'll just drive my truck!!!

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Permalink Reply by GabeW (not the other Gabe) on February 23, 2009 at 5:49pm

1. Photos/videos of your product in action.
2. Technical drawings.
3. Photos/videos of your product in action.
4. Photos/videos of your product in action.
5. Photos/videos of your product in action.
6. Website design.

That's how I would prioritize, but I'm not a majority (unless I'm alone).

And I'm waiting for force fields and flux capacitors to replace my winter kit.
Canopies look cool on recumbents though, or as cool as anything can look on a recumbent.

El Gecko said:

6 things to consider:

1. Spelling.
2. Grammar.
3. Website design.
4. Technical drawings.
5. Photos/videos of your product in action.
6. Testimonials from satisfied customers.

All of these things NEED to be improved before the majority of people are going to take you seriously, much less buy your product.

Just my two cents...

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Permalink Reply by Gecko on February 23, 2009 at 6:13pm

I wasn't necessarily prioritizing, I think all the things I wrote should be equally improved upon.

PS, Not sure if it's a typo or for emphasis, but you have photos/videos of your product in action listed 4 times. I can understand having lots of photos of your product, but no amount/quality of photos/videos in the world can cover up bad grammar/spelling IMHO.

GabeW (not the other Gabe) said:

1. Photos/videos of your product in action.
2. Technical drawings.
3. Photos/videos of your product in action.
4. Photos/videos of your product in action.
5. Photos/videos of your product in action.
6. Website design.

That's how I would prioritize, but I'm not a majority (unless I'm alone).

And I'm waiting for force fields and flux capacitors to replace my winter kit.
Canopies look cool on recumbents though, or as cool as anything can look on a recumbent.

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Permalink Reply by GabeW (not the other Gabe) on February 23, 2009 at 6:29pm

um. emphasis.
(i didnt uz capz but i bet you could read it. that sentence as well. do you really know what her product looks like from a bad drawing and prototype?)

I assumed you were prioritizing since you numbered you list, and being an awful speller and grammarer myself I would buy a product that was designed well regardless of the spelling quality used to describe it. If I can see it, like it, want it, and buy it somewhere, I'm happy.

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Permalink Reply by Gecko on February 23, 2009 at 6:34pm

I wasn't asking her to lay out the plans she's charging for on the website, that wouldn't make any sense. I was merely providing constructive criticism of what's been presented, not adding negativity in any way. The things I listed could/should be improved upon if she wants to reach the largest audience and sell the most plans she can (which I think is the goal). Maybe I should explain a bit better.

1. Spelling. - This is pretty easy as most programs have a spell check function.
2. Grammar. - Maybe just proofread the content once before posting things that anyone on the internet can see. It will help everyone understand the design better.
3. Website design. - I'm not saying go hire someone to design a website for hundreds/thousands of dollars, it can be as simple as it is right now. Just make sure things work right and are user friendly.
4. Technical drawings. - Not specifics or details, could be just a scaled overall view, using a straight edge to make straight lines, etc.
5. Photos/Videos of the product in action. - Not hundreds of photos, just a few different angles of the one that's already built, and maybe a 30 second clip riding it down the street.
6. Testimonials from satisfied customers. - Email the people who have bought plans and ask their permission to use their feedback, then ask their feedback.

It's just simple stuff that will go a long way in making her business that much better.

Props go to her for applying for a patent and taking the time and effort that all this has required so far. Sorry if I came off a bit harsh, I was just trying to help...

h3 said:

GabeW Aw c'mon folks. Put yourself in poor earnest Jill's place just for one second. She developed this idea and wans to sell her plans . . . apparently applied for a patent which is no small expense . . . and you want her to lay out the whole thing on this website to be copied at will. Is someone trying to market their little bike related invention really that deserving of so much negative attention?

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Permalink Reply by GabeW (not the other Gabe) on February 23, 2009 at 6:38pm

oh, and howard -
I'm in ID school right now(portfolio on facebook, link in my profile). If you can't take criticism, don't design and market products. I wish her all the best, I'm just like her when it comes to trying to come up with solutions to problems that exist in the world around us.

Jill - hopefully your target market is among the 1000+ chainlink members who are too mature to post in these forums, but love the cool stuff they find there. I can envision the type of rider that would want something like this, and they're out there. I hope they find you.