A social network using Urthecaste?

[Unity+]

Since I have been trying to think of a project work on, I was wondering if people think it would be good to combine UrtheCaste with social networking?

 

Since UrtheCaste gives images of different places on Earth, I was thinking of making a social network where the profiles appear in the location on the Earth in the social network where that person lives. This would give insight into what is going on around the person without having to first open their profile page. Then, if a person finds something interesting in the area located near that person then they can open that person's profile page and see if there are people talking about it.

 

There is more to the idea, but does this sound like a good idea?

 

EDIT: And yes I may get a hold of the UrtheCaste API(which is awesome ).

Edited May 13, 2014 by Unity+

[Acme]

Sounds like a great tool for stalkers, predators, spies, thieves, and other such nefarious folk. But I'm no social network butterfly so I could be mistaken.

[Unity+]

Sounds like a great tool for stalkers, predators, spies, thieves, and other such nefarious folk. But I'm no social network butterfly so I could be mistaken.

I don't know why this was down voted, so I up voted. It is an actual concern that was brought up by another person I talked to(irl) when discussing the idea with him/her.

 

But I don't see it being a different issue from Facebook. Also, it wouldn't be exact locations. It would just be estimates.

[Acme]

I don't know why this was down voted, so I up voted. It is an actual concern that was brought up by another person I talked to(irl) when discussing the idea with him/her.

 

But I don't see it being a different issue from Facebook. Also, it wouldn't be exact locations. It would just be estimates.

I was away and missed the negativity. I can't imagine it given my sunny disposition. Thanks for the correction.

 

As to Mugbook, it's used by criminals as well if reports I have heard are to be trusted. E.g., someone posts about a vacation, and wonder of wonders their home is burglarized. I grant you I am older than dirt, but some of this social media stuff just seems wrong in any age. As long as the dangers are understood and measures taken to protect people, give it a try I guess. Just remember that, in the words of Robert Frost, good fences make good neighbors.

[imatfaal]

Providing too much information is definitely a worry when that information is freely available. One of the cycling networks I use can be adapted to show real time position - allows "buddies" to check out your ride - but people can be too quick to let others into that supposedly private circle. Even a off-hand comment can give cause for concern "gonna do that 100k ride today if the weather is good" - the burglars now know you are out of the house for 4 hours. I turn on the privacy setting which blur the first and last kilometre of the ride (thus hiding my start and finish at home) - but many people don't and I am sure that with a little old fashioned leg work this could be circumvented anyway.

 

But on the plus side I go to many interesting and unusual events because of facebook invites and notices, my whole extended family share calendars through google, more photos are available than even the proudest grandparent could want, and strava has probably upped my weekly mileage by a 100 miles or so.

 

It is like most things in life - great if used sensibly and in moderation but with potential downsides and dangers if misused or abused

[Unity+]

Providing too much information is definitely a worry when that information is freely available. One of the cycling networks I use can be adapted to show real time position - allows "buddies" to check out your ride - but people can be too quick to let others into that supposedly private circle. Even a off-hand comment can give cause for concern "gonna do that 100k ride today if the weather is good" - the burglars now know you are out of the house for 4 hours. I turn on the privacy setting which blur the first and last kilometre of the ride (thus hiding my start and finish at home) - but many people don't and I am sure that with a little old fashioned leg work this could be circumvented anyway.

 

But on the plus side I go to many interesting and unusual events because of facebook invites and notices, my whole extended family share calendars through google, more photos are available than even the proudest grandparent could want, and strava has probably upped my weekly mileage by a 100 miles or so.

 

It is like most things in life - great if used sensibly and in moderation but with potential downsides and dangers if misused or abused

I would most likely have to add an option to take a group you create and make it so if this group is a family group then you can change the settings so that your precise position would only be available to them.