Recently launched US site, FatDoor, will enable users to interact within their local communities, er, via the internet. The site hopes for the potential of virtual communities to fuel social change in real communities.
Users place themselves on a map, according to their address, allowing them to view individuals and businesses locally and send messages through the site.
Their blog highlights applications beyond basic social interaction including educational social networking; providing resources to students, and street-smart social networking; helping homeless people.
While the aims are commendable exposing your exact location online (even to your immediate community) will raise some serious safety issues. Site founder Raj Abhyanker answered some of these concerns here. We also imagine those concerned with digital information and privacy will be turned off at the thought of the web crawlers finding publicly available info on you online and highlighting to your neighbours - you may want to be friendly but keep your hobbies firmly behind the net curtains…
We’ll be watching to see how it develops but certainly commend Abhyanker for engaging in the debate and answering some of these questions online via comments.
