GPS and the Future of Local Communities

Local information becomes more meaningful when it comes from people who are actually near the place being discussed.

Location can support local relevance

Location awareness can help a service determine whether a user is near the area connected to a post.

Mapchan uses proximity rules for posting and replying so that local conversations remain connected to real places.

Some information only exists in the moment

Weather, crowds, road conditions, queues and events can change quickly.

Someone who is nearby can often provide information that is more current than an older article or directory listing.

Privacy must remain a priority

Location-based services should use only the information needed for their function and explain how location data is handled.

Users should also avoid sharing details that reveal home addresses, routines or other sensitive personal information.

The same idea can work across cities and countries

Maps are familiar interfaces around the world.

A location-based community can use the same basic structure while allowing each city to develop its own local information.