This Week in the Mercury
Monday, March 16, 2009
Tech In Which I Try to Explain Foursquare and Why It May Be a Moot Point
Posted by Kiala Kazebee on Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 2:43 PM
The Internet is a capricious mistress, isn't she? It seems like only yesterday (Friday actually) that I was talking to Wm™ Steven Humphrey about what the hell is this Foursquare thingy on the internet and why is everyone at SXSW getting their twitters in a twist about it and suddenly it's Monday and Dennis Crowley, Foursquare createur is in danger of being sued by the Google and I'm left stranded in the internetsy wake of her fickle tidal storm, still trying to decipher this "Foursquare" and worried about poor Mr. Crowley with his Dickensian name and ill-conceived interactive whatchamacalit.
David Crowley, pwned
Hit the jump to find out wtf is this magical Foursquare?
Basically, Foursquare is a kind of mobile social networking application that will let friends know exactly where you are (by text message or Twitter or iPhone app). And it's a game, too. You can receive "points" based on how many new places you visit (over a period of time or all in one night) and who else has been there.
Anyway, Dennis Crowley developed Dodgeball, a similar application but without the game aspects, for Google a few years ago and it seems that maybe he re-used some or all of the code to create Foursquare. This is illegal.
Foursquare is not available in Portland and now may never be (DAMN YOU GOOGLE AND YOUR "LAWS") but I seriously doubt Crowley will give in so easily. He seems determined to make some sort of elementary school recess game into a geek gadget phenomenon. If it were me, I'd go with Heads Up Seven Up but only because I'm really good at pretending to keep my eyes shut.
You're welcome, Crowley.
*Thanks to the eagle eye of Blogtown commenter raishawn, I've found out Foursquare IS available in Portland, at least according to this link.
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It actually is available in Portland.
@raishawn
Fixed! Sorry, the NY Times did not mention Portland but the link I've now posted does. Thanks!
Yes, Heads Up 7-Up. I think that's a San Diego thing because I swear 99% of people I've asked about that game have never heard of it. Total rainy day game!
People in Oregon don't understand rainy day games or the concept of recess being canceled because of some sprinkles.
I know you California-ans like to think you play the specialest games, but I definitely cheated at some rainy day recess games during my Oregon youthhood. Heads Up 7-Up is the one where you cheat and look at shoes.
Also, I drank too many margaritas. The end.
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