" Mark Zuckerberg has just checked in at Madison Square Garden . “You’re probably not friends with theFacebookfounder , but if you were , you would know from his check - in that he ’s now at Madison Square Garden – very convenient if you ’re going to the same show or sports event as Zuckerberg and want to say hello .
In this human beings ofsmartphones , the check - in feature of speech is one of the new , cooler program program – it ’s not just about what we ’re doing , it ’s about where we are . About 20 percent of smartphone owners are using this type of app , according to a 2011 by research company ComScore [ source : Olivarez - Giles ] . The main divine service used is Facebook Places , though Gowalla and Foursquare are also democratic .
So , what precisely is Facebook Places ? It ’s a location - based overhaul that let you partake your locations with people in your social meshwork . It was originally introduced for theiPhone , but can also run away on other mobile devices like the Android or the BlackBerry . To use it , download the Facebook diligence to your smartphone . If your smartphone has aGPSsystem , Places uses it to find out your positioning and possible places you’re able to ensure in .
If you do n’t have GPS on your earphone , or if you want to access Places from your computer , you could use the sitetouch.facebook.com . plain , you involve net access either way . However , Places was really plan with the mobile user in mind . After all , you do n’t commonly tote your laptop computer around to movies , nightspot or other venue [ source : Miller ] .
So , why habituate Facebook Places ? apart from the oddity factor , it has other vantage . you may see which of your champion are nearby and arrange an unexpected get - together . you’re able to stay put current on consequence – if , based on their check - ins , your local Facebook Friend are going to a concert , you’re able to join them . There are also consumer welfare . If your co - worker verification in at Macy ’s for a huge sales agreement , you could link her to cash in on the savings .
However , a note of caveat : By letting masses fuck you ’ve checked in at the movies , for example , you ’re also advertising your home is empty and for how foresighted . Check - in religious service may enable cyberstalking ( or even the real kind ) . And business can capitalize on your info via balk - Hoosier State , spamming you with unwanted special offers . So , eff the potency and check in wisely . On the next pageboy , we ’ll show you how .
Facebook Places
Facebookis a giant in the societal networking scene . They currently have around 750 million user [ Source : Facebook ] . Competitor Foursquare strike around 10 million user in June 2011 , but they have a long room to go before catching up with Facebook [ source : Tsotsis ] .
Facebook has always let you say where you were , but now it connect you to a specific place . Here ’s how you do it :
But to paraphrase Ben Parker , Spiderman ’s uncle , bully power brings great responsibility . Facebook Places is no dissimilar . There are several security andprivacy optionsto manage your chip - ins .
you’re able to customize who sees your stay - ins . take the " veil this from " alternative in the " Custom " tab of your bill ’s " Privacy configurations " to prevent unwanted viewers , such as your foreman . With friends , Facebook sends you a request if someone tries to check you in . If you agree , that protagonist will check you in with them . But there ’s a catch – your favourable reception gives break - in permission to any friend at any time [ source : Ortutay ] .
Like many features , Facebook Places is easier to get into than get out of . If you want to disable it , it use up multiple steps . First , go to your invoice ’s " Privacy preferences " :
