Do you Foursquare?
Filed Under (Random) by Joby on 06-05-2010
Four square is a ball game played among four individuals on a square court divided into quadrants. With such little required equipment, almost no setup, and short rounds of play that can be ended at any time, it is a popular playground game. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FourSquare)
Foursquare is a location-based social networking website, software for mobile devices, and game. Users “Check-in” at venues using text messaging or a device specific application . They are then awarded points and sometimes “badges. … (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foursquare_(service))
Which of the above definitions came to mind when you saw the name of this post?
Today we will be talking about the latter of the two.
I have become addicted to the Foursquare app on my iPhone. I am constantly searching for new places to check-in.
As the definition states, Foursquare is a location-based social networking site. Using GPS, the app detects your location and any venues near to you. These venues can be businesses, places of worship, landmarks, etc… the list is endless. Some people have even listed their favorite chair as a venue [NOTE: this is becoming more unwelcome as Foursquare grows] .
Here is how it works.
Say you are at your favorite restaurant. (Assuming you have already signed up for an account at Foursquare.com and have downloaded the app for your phone.) You start up the app and let it find locations nearest to you.
One of two things should happen. As long as you have a solid signal on your phone…
A – The app will find the restaurant you are in.
B – The app will NOT find the restaurant you are in.
If A – then you simply chose that location – click the check-in button – enter your comment (optional) and check-in
If B – your restaurant has not yet been added – you can do this by following the prompts in the app. The more information you add the better.
After following the steps in B you can now go back to A and check-in.
Why would you want to check-in?
Let your friends know where you are: You check-in and anyone you are friends with on Foursquare gets a notification of your location. This is helpful when you are planning a get together at a certain location.
Become the Mayor and get free swag (in some locations): Starbucks(tm) has offers similar to this… As mayor of this store, enjoy $1 off a NEW however-you-want-it Frappuccino blended beverage. Any size, any flavor. Offer valid until 6/28. Other places are offering similar offers. I just talked one of my favorite venues into a free snack when I become Mayor. [note... I became Mayor of that location last week and can't wait to let them know 
]
Badges: Foursquare offers a number of badges (icons in your account) based on different types of check-ins – check out a listing here –> Foursquare Badges [link to Tony Felice's Blog]
All in all Foursquare is a fun little app that has taken over my life. Check out the listing of locations (as of this posting) that I have become Mayor of:
10th street bridge (Pittsburgh, PA)
18th St Steps
Amerilube
Burger King Weirton
Dollar General New Cumberland
Duquesne Steps
Fort Pitt Tunnel
Franczek House (New Cumberland, WV)
Hampton Inn (Stow, OH)
Hong Kong Chinese – Weirton (Weirton, WV)
JC Williams Soccer Field
Marathon Gas Rt 2
McDonald’s (Chester, WV)
McDonalds – Weirton (Weirton, WV)
Newell Bridge (East Liverpool, Ohio)
Pizza Hut Weirton (Weirton, WV)
Ponderosa Golf Course (Burgettstown, PA)
Real McCoy Sandwich Shop (Pittsburgh, PA)
Roma’s Pizzeria & Ristorante (New Cumberland, WV)
Smith’s Gas Station
South Side Riverfront Park
Sparkle Market – NC (New Cumberland, WV)
Staybridge Suites
The Christian Church – New Cumberland (New Cumberland, WV)
The Pretzel Shop (Pittsburgh, PA)
US Steel Service Center (Pittsburgh, PA)
Wal-Mart Supercenter (East Liverpool, Ohio)
Weirton Medical Center (Weirton, WV)
World’s Largest Teapot
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- ‘Till next time
- Joby
