Explore your city with a new social network

There is a new social network that's growing and is very different from the rest. It's called foursquare. Foursquare describes themselves as:

"50% friend-finder, 30% social city guide, 20% nightlife game. We wanted to build something that not only helps you keep up with your friends, but exposes you to new things in and challenges you to explore cities in different ways."

What is it, I hear you say?

Foursquare is orientated towards exploring things to do in and around your own city. Users provided with the usual profile picture (after being asked to provide simple details) and then users are given 12 'squares' in which to share their experiences of venues in their city. These 12 squares are linked to a venue profile and have a maximum number of 180 characters to give people tips on the venue. These are changeable and give your friends and people who view your profile, where you personally like to go in the surrounding area.

Venues automatically have their own profiles, with full addresses and a Google map to help you view the location. On each venue there will be the total number of 'check-ins'. A check-in, is when you tell Foursquare when you are at a particular venue using your mobile phone. The person that has the most check-ins of a particular venue is given 'Mayor' status of the venue. This status is obviously not binding in real life, but does give people an incentive to regularly check-in.

One member commented on a Bar in New York: "Order a 'Stanley Cup' (not on the menu)". Its hints like these that make this social network so special. Instead of just recommended a place to go, users are asked to give specific tips such as what to do, or what to eat. This is much more direct than reading through endless reviews where users don't really say much.

Unfortunately this is only available to 21 cities in the U.S. but it won't be long till this fantastic social network comes to the UK. It will most likely start off in London and then move to other larger cities within the UK.

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Troy Stanley