The first time I heard about Foursquare was when Chahe posted about it back in May 2011. I downloaded the application two months ago and started using it since then.
For those who don’t know about Foursquare, it is an application available to users with GPS-enabled mobile devices, such as smartphones. Users “check-in†at venues using a mobile website, text messaging or a device-specific application by running the application and selecting from a list of venues that the application locates nearby. Each check-in awards the user points and sometimes “badgesâ€. [Wiki]
However, someone needs to update this definition on Wikipedia because it simply doesn’t apply to Lebanon.
In Lebanon, Foursquare users:
– Check in at roundabouts.
– Check in at different tables in the same pub (No bathroom check-ins though).
– Check in “Bi 3aj2it Dbayye”.
– Check in a pot hole.
– Check in their salon, bedroom, balcony etc …
– Check in other people’s houses. (Someone checked in at my place twice and I can assure you he wasn’t there).
– Check in and leave tips such as the one shown above.
Even better, a guy checked in at 10 different places in 5 minutes. I asked him why and he said he horns every time he passes by a place, so he’s allowed to check-in. WTH?
I thought that’s how people use it but it just didn’t make sense after few days. Added to that, this abuse of Foursquare is unjust to those who really check-in at places like Roadster and Crepaway where you can get desserts or coupons when you become the mayor.
I don’t know how Foursquare people can solve this abuse, but I suggest they start by not letting people add random places and put them under moderation, or assign few superusers in each country to moderate tips and new places added.
Until then, let me check-in at my boss’ desk, become the mayor and kick him out.
What pisses me off even more, is that those people feel compelled to share their useless check-ins (e.g: at a roundabout) on twitter.. double the nonesense will you..
cough cough najib cough cough
Lol
I thought that’s what everyone does until you pointed it out that it’s not cool anymore. There should be an app measuring the coolness of stuff to use, like MSN or IE or foursquare some time soon.
i didnt know u stopped, will start following u again now 😀
Oops eh let me know so I follow you again too 😛
The main concept of this app is to tell your friends where you are in case they are around.
It’s not serious business. LOL.
The badges and mayor things are simply extra pointless goodies.
In the US, the check-in allows you to get discounts or free desserts in a lot of big chains disregarding the fact that you are the mayor or not.
Don’t blame the people abusing foursquare, blame the places that require you to be the mayor to get special offers since it’s flawed. Check-ins at a place is already enough good advertisement for the store itself.
Side note, I remember reading an article that, in Manhattan, they used to play Risk with house blocks using check-ins on Foursquare.
Alex,
I think Beirut Duty Free has done the smartest thing as you have to show them that you did a check-in to get the discount. That way, doesn’t matter who’s the mayor, the important is that you are physically there and not just passing by the airport.
Yes, 4sq is supposed to tell your friends list where you are, so they can join in or whatever. It pisses me off when ppl keep checking-in in places they go to everyday! (with due respect) these ppl are less likely to be on my list.
I admit I am on it, but never really used it properly. I understand ppl using it when they go to a new place, city, country. Ultimately, this is your ‘timeline’, your history, your micro-blog. So make sure you make use good use of it.
I was following someone on twitter who kept checking-in every night in the same “‘X’ & ‘Y’ place”. I realised later that this is was his house! Anyway, the solution was easy in this case: unfollow.
Hey, I am super user on foursquare and I remove as many “3aj2a” and roundabouts as I can but they keep showing up again a week later! Send me a list of names or location IDs (the one that shows up in the URL when you are viewing a location on your PC) if you want and I’ll remove them.
I also hate people that check-in incorrectly at a million location! Currently Roadster and other places can remove those user if they know it’s an incorrect check-in. Foursquare is currently working on a way to make it possible for us to report users abusing the system but we can’t do that yet.
Eliedh,
Honestly I don’t think this app is going anywhere. It started off on the wrong basis and it’s not really appealing after a month or two.
I feel like I am signing the attendance sheet everytime I go into a class.
well it is a very useful app in my opinion , here an old post i wrote back in 2010 http://www.joesbox.me/2010/09/where-are-you.html