People use the internet to do cool things. You knew that already; you are visiting this site. But two of my friends are using the internet to do some cool things that you may not be aware of. I would like to inform you of their cool things:

Peter Metzger is using Kickstarter to launch the Envision Skate Collective. The plan for Envision is threefold: sell handmade longboards online, cultivate a community of skateboard builders, and use 50% of net profits to fund service projects. Beyond such simple projects as sponsoring a park clean-up day or donating to a food pantry, Metzger plans for Envision to provide a well to a region without clean water through charity: water by the end of its second year. In Peter’s own words, Envision Skate Collective is “an online longboard store that’s more than just an online longboard store.” Visit his project’s Kickstarter page, learn more, and lend your support.

Secondly, author Michael Barron has completed his novel Wilderness, and is seeking a publisher for it. Wilderness is the story of a nine-year-old boy, Lee, who finds the gateway to a dangerous world of talking animals and ancient spirits in the woods behind his house. With his family on the verge of losing their house, Lee takes a risk and searches the other world for a treasure that could save his home. Michael describes it as “if Calvin and Hobbes were written by Neil Gaiman.” Check it out at The Wilderness Homepage, or become a fan on Facebook.

These are my friends. As you can see, their things are cool.