Ask HN: Review my idea (CCDB)

[theboos]

CCDB: Computer (or crowdsourced) Component DataBase

The CCDB is a crowdsourced database of computer components, their specifications, reviews, and average price across retailers. Newegg, my favorite electronics/components retailer does not provide a good interface for searching for parts. Even their "Power Search" tool does not let me perform complex searches, such as this, which would have been very helpful when I was searching for components for my build:

   List memory kits with:
       4 pieces or less 
       AND EITHER 
           DDR2 AND a CAS latency of 5ns or less 
       OR 
           DDR3 AND a CAS latency of 9 or less

   Sort the results by:
       DDR version (weighted at 1)
       price divided by total capacity in GB (weighted at .05)
       number of sticks in the kit (weighted at -.5 so that kits with fewer sticks are more favorably positioned).

The CCDB has a search interface that can support the query described above. Rather than sorting just by price or speed or any other parameter, it constructs a "favorability quotient" which is calculated based on a user-supplied formula, which it then sorts by. After listing all the parts that fit the criteria, it takes, for example, this product: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145261 and sort it like this:

+3 for parameter 1 x 1 +1.625 for parameter 2 x .05 -2 for parameter 3 x -.5 to give a favorability quotient of 2.625.

This is definitely for power users, but I might find a way of simplifying it (Measy-style perhaps) for average system builders.

I am learning Django, and I came up with this idea while doing so. I don't want to fire up any Django vs Ruby on Rails debates, but I need to know if there are any important reasons why Django would not work for this idea.

[michael_dorfman]

Are you viewing this as a hobby, or as a business idea?

As a hobby (or learning project), I'd say: sure, go for it, have fun.

If you're planning on monetizing it, well.....

[mahmud]

What? YC funds an startup that does exactly that: http://octopart.com/

[sam]

Yup, you might be interested in checking out our part search API: http://octopart.com/api .

In general there a some hard parts to component search:

- getting complete and accurate data

- setting up a system to store that data in a smart way

- setting up search on arbitrary attributes (text and numbers)

- creating a UI on top of all that

We've been working on the problem of part search for the past few years and we'd be happy to talk.

[theboos]

Wow. I didn't see that. That is almost exactly what I want. It doesn't seem to do computer components specifically but it could definitely be adapted into one or have the capability added later.

[theboos]

As a hobby and a valuable tool for my "business" of custom builds. A Newegg partnership/acquisition/sponsorship would be nice though.