Connecting the dots - Current thoughts and projects

Let me try to pull together some of ideas I've scattered around cyberspace, as well as provide additional detail. I'll do this in the form of a Q&A - I'll probably be revising this, adding clarity as time permits. Please don't hesitate to comment and/or ask me some questions.

What's the current focus?
I'm looking to form/join a collective of like minded Drupal developers who could properly build out and benefit from a media/arts-centric distribution (very similar to this). This distribution would be available to the entire community and could be used for purposes such as:

• building sites for your own use (for example - if you're an artist or want to create your own zine, community site, or internet radio station)
• provide sites to clients and/or business partners
• out of the box or custom versions
• downloadable or hosted solutions

Any specific piece your currently working on?
I've been working on the next version of PepperAlley (details here - newly updated to Drupal 5 test site here), a Los Angeles music community site. While this will eventually be part of a music/media centric distribution, it can also serve as a ‘live test bed’ and provide several opportunities to raise awareness and funds for Drupal.

• produce podcasts, radio shows, articles, events, and other forums that would engage and/or provide spotlight on the development community
• provide advertising/sponsorship opportunities in content we produce and/or aggregate
• act as a conduit for NPR/public broadcasting style fundraising efforts
  
• Provide a means for individuals and organizations to donate directly to Drupal (possibly thru the Drupal Association?)
• The organization, in turn, could coordinate with, and compensate those involved in the ongoing development/ maintenance of the profiles/distributions, as well as the modules, themes, documentation, tutorials, etc.

The completed distribution (and content/presentation style) could form the basis for a hyperlocal media network and other niche sites. Each could generate funds and attention for Drupal.

What's your role in all of this?
Being that most of my design/programming skills (or lack therof) are built on the 'figuring it out as I go' principals, it'll take a few more qualified folks to contribute to the effort. In addition, I've got plenty of marketing, funding, and content ideas (on top of what's already been ongoing).

What projects and/or issues do you think are important?
While I need to go back and update/consolidate, you'll notice a few key issues in the forums, drupal groups, and drupal.org.

• Structured content types and templates
  
• Hooking into other web services and databases
• And of course, how install profiles and distributions should be an effective means to give value back to the community and those making key contributions.