After my interview on RDU 98.5FM this morning, Spanky (the show's host) raised a good point about privacy, that in the past we would never have considered tell everyone exactly where we are 24/7 (paraphrasing). Often with new technology people get carried away with the novelty of it before they think about the repercussions. Location based social networking is great and has tons of wonderful features, but as this article points out, we can go too far and endanger ourselves, our families and our friends if we are careless.
7point1squared would like to encourage you to share responsibly. Don't check-in to your friends' or families' houses without asking them first and don't share their address publicly. Likewise, while it might be great to be the mayor of your own flat, be aware than if you share your address and your other check-ins, people know that you aren't at home, and where you live, making you a possible target for burglary. Extreme situation, but one to consider.
If you are concerned about your privacy (which you should be!) this needn't stop you from taking part in 7point1squared or from using location based social networking like Foursquare, Gowalla, BriteKite, Google Latitude, Twitter Location or Facebook Places.
Please be aware that you do not have to make your Foursquare check-ins public, nor do you have to share them on Twitter or Facebook to participate in 7point1squared. When you check-in you can select to not share your checkin with friends (this means friends on Foursquare) and you can also untick "Share on Facebook & Twitter" (or simply don't connect these accounts with Foursquare.) You can email me a screenshot of your check-ins or we can work out some other system if you would still like to be eligible for prizes. Obviously I respect your privacy and will never share any info about you that you don't make public without your permission (i.e. I will use your Twitter username but not your real name unless you say its ok!)
Also think about your username when you sign up on things like Twitter & Foursquare. It doesn't have to be connected in any way with your real life details!
Your life,your privacy, your choice! Lets not let this stand in the way of us helping support our local businesses, their owners & staff, our neighbours, family & friends!
Using social media to help quake-affected businesses in Canterbury!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Rediscovering Christchurch
The morning of September 4th 2010 changed my life, as it did for all Cantabrians. I'm one of the lucky ones, though. My house has come through relatively unscathed (apart from the ominous creaking of the now-jauntily angled carport as it sways gently in the wind and the odd quake) and neither I nor my husband has had our jobs affected by the chaos. On the surface, then, it was business as usual. Underneath, however, I was shaken to my core (literally, for those 45 seconds, and figuratively for a lot longer). Gone was the comfortable belief that I could get around to doing things and going places 'one day' or 'when I have time.' In its place was a gripping knowledge that much of what I value in the city: the buildings I love, the places that represent the city for me, could just disappear. In the blink of an eye places I have loved were gone or changed beyond all recognition.
My complacency gone, I began looking at the city in a new light. I realised I had been taking it for granted, like a doddery old relative who I loved but got impatient with because I focused only on their faults. I didn't appreciate anything beyond the surface. I hadn't even really been aware just how much of the city was made of bricks. They'd just kind of seeped into my subconscious as part and parcel of living here. They were part of me and their loss hurt, but it was a sheepish hurt; the hurt of someone who hadn't really appreciated what was around me until it was destroyed. I had roamed the city and the suburbs but I'd never really paid attention to them. I've lived here for more than ten years and yet there are a shameful amount of things I've just not done. There are shops I've never taken the time to go to because the malls were easier. There are cultural places I've never been because I 'didn't have the time.' There are parts of the city I barely know exist because it was easier to stick to what I already knew.
Looking around what was left of our city I made a vow: no more of that. I began exploring in a haphazard way. I've found new haunts, looked at old favourites in a new way and generally had a great time. I've been enjoying myself so much that I set myself a challenge. No more haphazard exploring for me. Instead, I'm going to go somewhere new each week and blog about it. I'm having a love affair with Christchurch (shhh! Don't tell my husband) and I want to share it. It's been beaten, battered, bruised and even broken in places but at its heart is still a place to celebrate. I'm excited to get out there and discover all that our home has to offer.
Now, I'm sure you're all smiling benignly and thinking to yourself: 'yes, yes, that's all very nice; good for you. But ... what on earth are you doing on 7point1squared's blog?' Well, that's the most exciting part of this whole project. We got talking and realised our goals were compatible: we want to help the city recover from the earthquake. Neither of us wants to see any more of our smaller businesses wiped out and both of our projects are designed to highlight the wonderful places and businesses in our city that need the support of our community. So we decided to join forces. Each week I'll highlight one or two places I've visited and encourage people to check in there on Foursquare. I'll let you all know in what ways the places I visit have been affected by the earthquake and what they are doing to get themselves through. It's up to us, the community, to help these businesses survive and flourish. Our small unique businesses, our cultural venues, our heritage sites; these are what make Christchurch unique and it is these places that I want to reconnect with. Join me as I rediscover Christchurch and try to help our struggling businesses along the way.
My complacency gone, I began looking at the city in a new light. I realised I had been taking it for granted, like a doddery old relative who I loved but got impatient with because I focused only on their faults. I didn't appreciate anything beyond the surface. I hadn't even really been aware just how much of the city was made of bricks. They'd just kind of seeped into my subconscious as part and parcel of living here. They were part of me and their loss hurt, but it was a sheepish hurt; the hurt of someone who hadn't really appreciated what was around me until it was destroyed. I had roamed the city and the suburbs but I'd never really paid attention to them. I've lived here for more than ten years and yet there are a shameful amount of things I've just not done. There are shops I've never taken the time to go to because the malls were easier. There are cultural places I've never been because I 'didn't have the time.' There are parts of the city I barely know exist because it was easier to stick to what I already knew.
Looking around what was left of our city I made a vow: no more of that. I began exploring in a haphazard way. I've found new haunts, looked at old favourites in a new way and generally had a great time. I've been enjoying myself so much that I set myself a challenge. No more haphazard exploring for me. Instead, I'm going to go somewhere new each week and blog about it. I'm having a love affair with Christchurch (shhh! Don't tell my husband) and I want to share it. It's been beaten, battered, bruised and even broken in places but at its heart is still a place to celebrate. I'm excited to get out there and discover all that our home has to offer.
Now, I'm sure you're all smiling benignly and thinking to yourself: 'yes, yes, that's all very nice; good for you. But ... what on earth are you doing on 7point1squared's blog?' Well, that's the most exciting part of this whole project. We got talking and realised our goals were compatible: we want to help the city recover from the earthquake. Neither of us wants to see any more of our smaller businesses wiped out and both of our projects are designed to highlight the wonderful places and businesses in our city that need the support of our community. So we decided to join forces. Each week I'll highlight one or two places I've visited and encourage people to check in there on Foursquare. I'll let you all know in what ways the places I visit have been affected by the earthquake and what they are doing to get themselves through. It's up to us, the community, to help these businesses survive and flourish. Our small unique businesses, our cultural venues, our heritage sites; these are what make Christchurch unique and it is these places that I want to reconnect with. Join me as I rediscover Christchurch and try to help our struggling businesses along the way.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Rethink - User Suggested Venues!
Something struck me this morning, I think I'm going about this all backwards. Rather than chasing businesses to opt in, why don't I just ask you guys what places you want to support?
The business doesn't have to "opt in," we can just create a list of places we know that have been impacted by quakes (change of premises, damages, stock losses, temporary closures, road closures, evacuations, etc. etc.) and then bombard them (nicely!) with our patronage! I'm sure they will be pleased!
So, where do you know of that needs a helping hand? I'll tweak the Participating Venues page to reflect this new model. I might even do some kind of fancy graphic to explain the flow.
Of course if a business want to opt in they are still totally welcome to! Also, if you aren't from the Canterbury region and you want to get involved somehow, contact me, I love brainstorming with others about how they can help or be a part of it!
The business doesn't have to "opt in," we can just create a list of places we know that have been impacted by quakes (change of premises, damages, stock losses, temporary closures, road closures, evacuations, etc. etc.) and then bombard them (nicely!) with our patronage! I'm sure they will be pleased!
So, where do you know of that needs a helping hand? I'll tweak the Participating Venues page to reflect this new model. I might even do some kind of fancy graphic to explain the flow.
Of course if a business want to opt in they are still totally welcome to! Also, if you aren't from the Canterbury region and you want to get involved somehow, contact me, I love brainstorming with others about how they can help or be a part of it!
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