by Paula Jacobs

Created on: August 30, 2010

Foursquare is a social networking app for iPhones, Blackberry, webOS, PALM and other mobile devices, that help to keep people connected.  When the program was first launched in March 2009, it was clearly aimed at young professionals who spent a lot of time traveling and to those who wanted to communicate with others during their time 'on the road'.

To use Foursquare, download their free app, then use it to explore known and unknown parts of any city. Expect challenges, merit badges and other rewards for your efforts. Go to different neighborhoods, restaurants, bars, clubs, theaters and any place imaginable to check in with friends and followers. 

This app is not only for users to explore their surroundings, business can use the app to reward customers by offering discounts and other savings when they shop.

GET STARTED

To get started, users must create an account at FourSquare.com where they can immediately invite Twitter and Facebook friends to join them in this exciting social game. After creating an account, users can 'check in' to let people know where they are. This incredible app track the history of where members been and who they were with.

One great feature is that users can leave comments about their experience at a particular theme park, restaurant, hotel, barber shop or other business. Users have the option to create a calender style to-do list that can be connected with the calendar of selected friends, so that everyone can keep in close contact with each other.

Members not only post comments about their travels, they can also rise in rank to become mayor of a particular location. The more a person check in from the same location, the quicker they can become Madam or Sir Mayor.

MORE REWARDS

As if becoming mayor is not enough, there is also an easy way to earn points and badges. Enough check ins from predetermined locations will earn the player points, badges and the feeling of accomplishment. The badges are often given names that are a vague hint to their real location and requirements.

Plus, as soon as a member is awarded the leadership role and/or badges, his or her name is posted on the front page of the FourSquare website as a part of 'recent activity'. Global Positioning is used to update the exact location of a user each time the app is used. So it is almost impossible to get away with false in-put. 

The developer of FourSquare, Dennis Crowley also created Dodgeball in 1994, that was purchased by Google. FourSquare is one of the newest and fun-to-use networking apps that is ideal for anyone who love to get out and see the world.

CAUTION

Constantly posting your location where strangers can see is potentially dangerous. If a home address is given, there is the possibility that an unscrupulous person can take the 'check-ins' as well as other personal information and come to the conclusion that your home is vacant. As fun as it is to check in and leave comments about places visited, make sure to remain safe at the same time.

References

* Twitter.com/Foursquare

*Foursquare.com/about

* News.Cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10143824-36.html

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