- Image by Getty Images via Daylife
It’s interesting to see the Isle of Man “come online” with the latest wave of location based social networks. The two main networks at the moment have to be FourSquare and Gowalla, and while Gowalla hasn’t made much of an impact here, I’m seeing more and more people try out FourSquare.
If you’ve never come across it, FourSquare is a social network based around people reporting where they are and what they are doing. The social part of it comes from the fact that friends, family and colleagues can all subscribe to updates and let each other know where they are. Here’s how the company defines their service:
foursquare is a cross between a friend-finder, a social city-guide and a game that rewards you for doing interesting things. We aim to build things to not only help you keep up with the places your friends go, but that encourage you to discover new places and challenge you to explore your neighborhood in new ways.
The other side of FourSquare is the business angle where businesses can find out more from and about the people who come and visit. There only seems to be one place in the Isle of Man that has taken this up, Bride Tea Rooms who are offering Free Coffee for the Major and every 8th check-in. It’s really, really great to see a Manx business taking such a proactive stance towards technology and customer interaction. I hope it’s a route other companies decide to go down.
By the way, I’m OwenC on FourSquare
Dont you think it’s all a bit Big Brother ?
I have to admit I think that locational social networking is taking things just that bit too far. I dont actually see the point of it if i’m honest.
@shill:I think the great thing about FourSquare is that you can choose to participate or not to participate.
And even if you decide to play, you choose where and when to check in to a location.
Nothing Big Brother about that.
I love Foursquare, I think its a good idea. I was in Egypt recently and it actually proved quite handy in giving tips for nearby spots. I’m also the mayor of 15 places in the Isle of Man 🙂 I use Gowalla as well, which I think has a nicer and cleaner Iphone app, but theres not many users in the Island right now.