Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Foursquare Code of Ethics

So what's fair when it comes to Foursquare? Should there be an unwritten rule that says you have to actually be at a location to check in? Not check in shortly before or just after leaving even if you're close enough for Foursquare to think you're still at that location?

To be fair, I'm guilty of checking in at certain locations from my home, because they're only a handful of blocks away. For example, I'm currently locked in an epic battle with @xMikemx for the mayorship of Minnehaha Park. We've gone back and forth as mayor of the park over the past few weeks, often checking in multiple times daily. Now, I do walk or bike through that park on a near daily basis, sometimes more than once a day. The problem is, I don't always remember to check in while I'm there. Thankfully, my home's proximity to the park allows me to check in at the park while my feet are resting on the ottoman with my dog Tupper sitting comfortably on my lap. I'm not lying. I was in the park ...just not right at that very moment.

So the question is, does this fit under the Foursquare code of ethics? Is it about telling people where you just were or where you are? Should you be letting people know where to find you or just updating them on where you've been or where you're going? Am I thinking WAY too much about this and should I find better things to do with my time? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

2 comments:

  1. It doesn't bother me any, I live within a spitting distance to most places in mayor of and if people aren't there to check in for real and I can walk there, bike there or whatever. It will at some point become futile for them to do so with people that actually live closer. Until the GPS part of the app get more accurate I think its something that will continue to be a problem. Last night as I went walking there I took a break in the wabun picnic area and it said I was over 100 meters away and told me I was too far away. I was sitting at the picnic table under the picnic shelters. Anyway its hit or miss and I was actually about to go for another walk there now and have lunch at sea salt. I think people should take pics which is why I do every now and then esp when I'm there at weird hours. And I am guilty of checking in at bakers square cause I live feet away. Which I don't do anymore since I feel guilty and am not longer mayor. What makes it fun is getting out to the ones you have to work for. ;o)

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  2. Thanks for commenting, Mike! As it turns out, Foursquare has some of their own thoughts on the matter...

    http://blog.foursquare.com/post/503822143/on-foursquare-cheating-and-claiming-mayorships-from

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