PlaceSite connects visitors to WiFi hotspots
By Marc Perton 
posted March 15th 2005 6:30AM
posted March 15th 2005 6:30AM
Looks like the WiFi MoSoSo space is starting to get
crowded. Another entrant is Project Placesite (currently being tested at A'Cuppa Tea café in Berkeley), which limits
its reach to your current hotspot. The idea is that you can log in and find out a little more about the people who are
in the room with you. You can remain anonymous or share info about yourself; see anyone you want to chat with, and you
can IM them. Sure beats skulking up behind someone you want to meet and sheepishly delivering a line like, "I, uh,
really like your FragBook."
[Via SmartMobs]
Where's the difference to plazes.com?
Leave it to computer geeks to find ways to still hide behind their PC's even in social environments.
So after you break the ice with some cleverly thought-out opening IM what do you do next? Exchange uncomfortable smiles at each other from across the room as you type? Or just act like the other persons not even there? I think my social skills dropped a few notches just from reading this article.
Lame. When I'm Wi-Fi-ing in a coffee shop, the last thing I want to do is use my laptop as as an opening line.
My wife would be most displeased :)
Seriously, this is another example of technology without a compelling social need. This will die a fairly quick death.
Carmi
http://writteninc.blogspot.com
"...technology without a compelling social need. This will die a fairly quick death."
I completely disagree. Most people hide behind something [clothing style, social character/attitude, etc.] when they communicate. This is just another abstraction of self, and in my opinion, a fascinating one. It is here to stay and evolve.
Great idea.
Before you dismiss this as "technology without a compelling social need," read up about the project if you haven't, particulary it's aim to combat the "Zombie Effect:"
http://www.sims.berkeley.edu/~savage/ps/key-concepts.html#zombie
I've noticed this "Zombie Effect" transpire at my favorite cafe as well. Once lively with conversation, now it's mostly patronized by people with Laptops and headphones. And silence. Myself included. Anything that can inject some community aspect back into the cafe environment, be it technology based or not, is great in my opinion.
This may have no use for the old people out there who are married and have kids, but has great potential if implemented in a college environment.
This may have no use for the old people out there who are married and have kids, but has great potential if implemented in a college environment.
Guys don't mind Carmi. I'll take care of him.