Is there something like this?
Microlancer is essentially an LN-enabled Upwork (i.e., a client lists a gig they want to find tasker to perform the work specified, and the rate. Taskers respond with their offer to do the work). Microlancer also has added Microlancer Services, which is comparable to a Fiverr (i.e., Advertise your service, and the compensation). Escrow and dispute resolution are performed by Microlancer.
Freelancing platforms which pay in Bitcoin, and other ways to earn bitcoin https://cointastical.medium.com/freelancing-platforms-which-pay-in-bitcoin-e38be56166df
Is this something our community needs
Suitable platforms already exist. What is needed are for employers / clients to be aware of these methods, and to actually use them. There is maybe a 1,000:1 ratio (or greater) between potential freelancers/candidates wanting to perform the work for every gig / task listing available. This is not unique to just Microlancer.
There are a number of altcoin-related platforms that were built to create a use case for their specific altcoin, and they have become ghost towns after the initial funding runs out. There's a network effect that makes gaining traction difficult. And then when the gig platform is successful with the matchmaking between a client/employer and a freelancer/tasker/worker, the platform isn't needed for continued follow-on work -- the employer can just coordinate with the worker directly, no intermediary needed. This is in contrast to, say, Upwork where the platform handles fiat payment from the employer and payment to the worker (which is especially useful when paying the worker requires conversion to a different currency and payment method).
There was a pretty good interview of Paul Itoi of Stakwork, you might find it interesting:
The Kevin Rooke Show – E49: Paul Itoi on Stakwork, Sphinx Chat, Earning Bitcoin, and AI vs. Humans #33413 https://anchor.fm/kevin-rooke/episodes/Paul-Itoi-on-Stakwork--Sphinx-Chat--Earning-Bitcoin--and-AI-vs--Humans--E49-e1jbki5
Ultimately, what is needed is not just a alternative to Upwork that takes bitcoin, but an innovation the is better than Upwork and is bitcoin-native. This may be what Arcade City is building. it could be something we haven't even envisioned. Like Microtask Programming, perhaps:
Join the World’s First Microtask Programming Hackathon (Jul 16th)
Try out a new way to build software, focusing on one function at a time. Over $1800 in prizes. Sign up here:
Or a Virtual workforce, like what Freshii has built:
Freshii’s ‘virtual cashiers’ make $3.75 an hour and have been called ‘outrageous’ — now the chain’s founder wants to go global https://www.thestar.com/business/2022/07/08/percy-the-virtual-cashier-founders-shrug-off-critics-and-plan-to-grow-start-up-into-a-multinational-company.html
Even SN has an angle here....
A sub for tasks,
New SN post type: [request] ✔️ (similar to Stackoverflow) #43286
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See also another post, found here on SN, which shared the Toronto Star article on Freshii:
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