Where am I?

I've been playing around with location-based social media sites lately, and I even though I don't go to a lot of different places, I'm having fun with them. Mostly, I'm playing with them to get some ideas of how we might be able to use them at the paper. But I'll keep that to myself for now, heh heh.

Anyway, the addiction started with Foursquare, and then I found Gowalla, then Whrrl. I looked at Brightkite, but haven't tried it, and I'm sure there's more I haven't even heard of.

These sites are designed to used GPS data to determine your location; however, since I have an iPod Touch that can use only WiFi to determine my location, I'm not having as much as I could. Sometimes, WiFi just isn't available where I am, like the grocery store, for example. And even if it is available, it's not always accurate. The other day, I was trying out something on Whrrl and used the WiFi of a local diner/brewpub. Their ISP must be some company in Kansas City, because that's where my iPod thought I was all of a sudden. And it stayed that way for three days — even using a signal from local ISPs — until I logged on to the hotspot at the mall, of all places. So at least I know where to go when that happens.

I've had the most success with Foursquare locating me. Gowalla seems to be more specific about how close you are to a location before letting you check in. Since the wifi isn't always accurate, I have lots of problems checking in on Gowalla. Whrrl is somewhere inbetween.

I like Gowalla's and Whrrl's interfaces best, though. They're just more fun. And here's something you can do with Whrrl that's kind of neat:

More check-ins at Hays Public Library

Powered by Whrrl

Even though I like those two best, I am still kinda proud to be the mayor of nine venues on Foursquare. =)

Friend me on:
Whrrl
Gowalla
Foursquare