[glend (Glen)]

It's worth noting that Astrobin already offers member TIFF file sharing via its website, along with its posting, storage and gallery functions, image of the day, awards, and now forums as well. Astrobin was free up to 1 January and is now a mix of a basic free service and a premium subscriber service ($36 USD) per annum. Large RAW files take up alot of space and require alot of bandwidth to get in and out so make sure you consider these factors before you build. Consider how you are going to manage the sale of data files and integrate a payment system, and resolve the eventual conflicts that develop, copyright being one. If your running it as a market place, and are 'introducing' buyers and sellers via your site, what is your liability in the transaction, and will they buy and sell via your site or push them off to Paypal. There will be Paypal fees of course. Astrobin allows members to download the TIFF files that other members post on the public shared file facility - for free (other than the membership fee).

Consider as well the emerging market for remote telescope facilties, which give people access on a casual basis to state of the art scopes, cameras, filters, etc in great locations around the world - for a fee of course. Files provided by remote imaging facilities are owned by the buyer as a data stream. Processing services is an area where copyright might be an issue. Astrobin has a page that inserts a copyright on all images uploaded to the public area.

This is an emerging service business area and does have potential if it is done right and the potential user community sees it as fair - and not just some money grab. It might be a good idea to survey potential users to see what they might be willing to pay for the service. Startup research is time well spent - don't assume that if you build it they will come.

Good luck with your venture.