Comprehensive system and method for providing research, community, design, and purchasing services over a computer network

A server in communication with a computer network including a plurality of user computer terminals, the server including a memory storing machine readable computer code comprising:

• one or more instructions for receiving, from at least one of the user computer terminals, a request to view a home page associated with a service provider;
• one or more instructions for displaying the home page to the at least one user computer terminal, wherein the home page includes thereon at least the following options:
• a research option, an interact option, a design option, and a buy option;
• one or more instructions for receiving a request, from the at least one user computer terminal, to select a selected one of the research, interact, design, and buy options;
• and
• one or more instructions for displaying, to the at least one user computer terminal, content associated with the selected one of the research, interact, design, and buy options.

A system for enabling industry-related research, community, design, and purchasing services over a computer network comprising:

• a server associated with a service provider, said server hosting at least one web page;
• a client computer associated with a user;
• said client computer being connected to the server through the computer network for access to the at least one web page;
• said server including means for receiving, from the client computer, a request to view a home page;
• said server including means for displaying the home page to the client computer, wherein the home page includes thereon at least the following options:
• a research option, an interact option, a design option, and a buy option;
• said server including means for receiving a request, from the client computer, to select a selected one of the research, interact, design, and buy options;
• and
• said server including means for displaying, to the client computer, content associated with the selected one of the research, interact, design, and buy options.

A method for developing a product over a computer network comprising the steps of:

• initiating product development of a product including at least one material;
• navigating, across the computer network, to a service provider home page, wherein the home page includes thereon at least the following options:
• a research option, an interact option, a design option, and a buy option;
• selecting the research option and conducting research regarding the product;
• selecting the interact option and interacting with other users regarding the product;
• determining whether sufficient information has been learned to advance to a design stage;
• if it is determined that sufficient information has been learned to advance to the design stage, selecting the design option and using available tools and information to design the product;
• and
• selecting a buy option and purchasing the necessary materials for fabricating the designed product.